As he drove down the streets headed toward town, she wondered what she was going to do. After all, Mallory was her sister and she'd never do anything to hurt her, no matter how infuriating she was."You're overthinking again."She gave him a slight smile as she sighed.He shrugged. "I'll tell you what. Let's just have fun today. Try not to worry about anything, okay? Let's just enjoy the day."She sighed, relenting. What could it hurt to just have fun? She and Caden could just be walking down the street and have a blast. "Okay. So, what's on the agenda?""How about skiing?" One corner of his lips curled into a cocky grin.She laughed. "Yeah. You're a comedian.""Then how about a carriage ride? I haven't been on one in years. Wanna go? We could see the Christmas decorations."She smiled in disbelief. "You want to see Christmas decorations?""Sure! Why not?" He sighed. "Since I've been gone so long, I guess I've come to appreciate the town and what I've missed. Now, I don't want

"Are those real, too?" Caden asked, inclining his head toward the presents.Jocelyn nodded, smiling. "Yes, of course. I think even the visitors keep buying presents for the children and putting them under the tree until Christmas.""It's a great way to spend Christmas, especially if you don't have family," Caden replied, taking in the ambiance.Jocelyn shrugged. "Even families come here to spend Christmas together every year. But, yes, it's also great for people who might be alone on Christmas. This way, they aren't alone. And the ones who come here every year get to know one another, becoming a family of their own, of sorts. Some have standing reservations from year to year."A mischievous smile appeared on Caden's lips. "How do you know all of this?""It's a small town," Jocelyn replied, and then added, "Plus, I worked here for a while when I was in high school.""Really?" Caden asked in disbelief."Yes. Is that so hard to imagine?" Jocelyn raised an eyebrow.Caden looked dow

Caden threw his arm over his forehead the next morning and closed his eyes. But the sun was peeking through the curtains as he lay in bed, alerting him to the start of a new day- a new beginning.There was one thing that she asked him that bothered him. What was he doing? It was a good question and one he kept asking himself, too. He picked up his pillow and put it over his head. One thing was certain: He had to see Jocelyn again. He had no idea what he was going to tell Mallory, but the truth was a good start. He had no intention of seeing Jocelyn behind Mallory's back. Despite everything, he was a gentleman. Then he had an idea and reached for his cell phone. No matter what happened between them and no matter what the future held, they still had today. If his time in the military hadn't taught him anything else, it was to live life today, for none of us know if we have tomorrow. Although he knew he was probably setting himself up for heartbreak, he wanted today, this one more day, w

"You added the bit at the end, but I like it," she whispered.He held the pose for a moment, enjoying the feel of her in his arms a bit too much as he looked into her eyes. At that moment, he could see a life with her. Caden could see eternity in her eyes, as well as their future. He never wanted the moment to end. In that moment, he felt more love for her than he had for any other woman."Caden?""Yes?""Are you going to let me up?" she asked, breaking the spell of the moment."Oh! Yeah- if I must," he teased. And then helped her up."Thanks." She started to skate away, but he took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Caden, no," she said, her voice merely a whisper.He nodded and let her hand go. "So, are you hungry?"She shrugged. "I could eat. What do you have in mind?""Santa's Café?"Jocelyn laughed. "I thought you said nothing too Christmassy.""In this town?" He held up his hand. "We'd have to try real hard not to do something Christmassy.""Sounds good. Let me go in

As they were driving, he made a mental note to take back the ring he had bought for Mallory and exchange it for another ring for her. He knew he wanted to marry Jocelyn, but he didn't know how she felt about him. But then again, when he kissed her in the limo, she had kissed him back. So, maybe-At the movie theater, Caden paid for their tickets and they walked inside. "Popcorn and soda?" he asked her."Sure. Even though we just ate, you can't watch a movie without popcorn." Jocelyn shoved her hands into her coat pockets.He placed a hand on the small of her back and walked with her up to the concession stand. "Two large Cokes--""Diet for me," Jocelyn added.Caden chuckled. "Correction: One large Coke, a large diet, and one large popcorn." In the mood for something sweet, he looked over the candy counter. "Candy?" he asked Jocelyn. She laughed. "Where do you put it all?"He shrugged, ignoring the question, and turned to the teenage boy behind the counter. "A bag of M&Ms and a