Christmas Cove

Chapter 2

"You'll call me when it sells, won't you?" Mrs. Spencer raised her drawn-on eyebrows.

Jocelyn smiled. "Yes. Of course we will." She turned to Mr. Spencer. "Will you be okay driving home?"

He smiled. "Yes, of course. I may be getting old, but I'm not an old coot yet."

Jocelyn laughed. "No, I didn't mean--"

"He knows that," Mrs. Spencer interrupted. "He just likes to tease."

"Well, you both be careful driving home." Jocelyn opened the door for them and cold air rushed in, chilling Jocelyn to the bone. She almost went back for her coat, but knew she would only be out for a moment. Jocelyn never tired of the landscape. A blanket of crisp, white snow glistened in the sunlight. In the center of town was the square, where the gazebo set, decorated with colorful Christmas lights, along with the rest of the town. It was only three weeks until Christmas, the busiest time of year for Christmas Cove. At night, it would become a Christmas wonderland, complete with Santa Claus in the gazebo, listening to the wishes of children.

"We will," Mr. Spencer said when they were outside and then tucked his wife's arm into his. "Someone has to keep her out of trouble."

"Oh, now-." Mrs. Spencer lowered her voice conspiratorially to Jocelyn. "Truth be told, he's the one who needs someone to keep him out of trouble." She patted Jocelyn's hand. "You'll see someday soon, I'm sure."

Of course, Jocelyn knew Mrs. Spencer was talking about the day when she fell in love and got married. "I don't think so."

A crease formed between Mrs. Spencer's eyes. "Whatever do you mean, dear?"

Jocelyn let out a deep breath as she walked them to their car. "Not everyone is as lucky as you." She opened the car door for the elder woman.

Mrs. Spencer climbed into the car as her husband waited, ever the gentleman. Although he was a bit older than his wife, he still took very good care of her- as Jocelyn suspected he always had.

"Don't close yourself off from love, my dear." Mrs. Spencer slid her legs into the car, and then looked over at her husband. "You never know when lightning will strike."

Jocelyn always enjoyed it when the couple came into the shop. "You two be careful driving home."

Jocelyn stepped back and Mr. Spencer closed his wife's door, zipped up his coat, and then walked over to the driver's side. Jocelyn just hoped that one day, she would have that, but she doubted she ever would. Jocelyn had given her heart away a long time ago and, somehow, never got it back.

As she waved goodbye, her thoughts went to Caden. She had been only thirteen when he left and he was eighteen. He had been her sister, Mallory's, boyfriend at the time and he had always thought of Jocelyn as his little sister. When Mallory was busy with photoshoots or makeup lessons, trying to become a model, Caden and Jocelyn spent a lot of time together skating on the lake behind Jocelyn's house in the winter, playing football in the summer, or just watching television together. In fact, he spent more time hanging out at their house than his own. But although Jocelyn had a crush on him, she would never do anything to hurt her sister.

When Caden had told Mallory that he was leaving to go into the Navy, she threw a fit and had broken up with him completely. But Jocelyn got his address and started writing him. Before long, they had become pen pals. Over the years, their friendship had remained solid, even after he became a SEAL, and reenlisted. To her knowledge, Caden had never come home, even to visit his parents. But over the last few years, he had stopped writing and she never knew why.

But that was eight years ago and water under the bridge now. She pushed the thought from her mind and walked back into the store, determined to get back to work. Inside, Kiki was helping a young couple and they were admiring The Christmas Ring. Jocelyn's heart sank, having fanaticized about falling in love and her fiancé giving her that exact ring. But of course, that would never happen, so it may as well go to a promising couple.

"No-." The young woman smacked her gum. "I was looking for something- bigger."

Kiki suppressed a smile. They both knew the type well. After working in a jewelry store, they had seen it all--from happy couples to gold diggers. This young woman appeared to be of the later persuasion, especially since her fiancé had to be at least twenty years her elder.

But Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief when they looked at another wedding band set. Although she could stand to make a hefty commission on the ring, that wasn't what mattered. What mattered most was that the ring go to a loving couple, for it was a ring to last the ages, the exact ring she would pick out for herself if she had every ring in the world to choose from. But she pushed the thought aside and turned to dust off the back counter, since it was slow and no other customers were there.

The couple was arguing over rings and Kiki let out her breath, exasperated.

Jocelyn was about to intervene when the bell rang on the door, resonating throughout the store. "I'll be with you in a moment."

"Jocelyn!" Mallory chirped by the door, her stiletto heels gaining fast.

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. Although she loved her elder sister, she was the biggest drama queen in town. As Jocelyn turned around, she wondered what was so exciting that Mallory couldn't wait until she got home. "What's going on?"

"Oh! You'll never guess who's coming home!" Mallory brushed her dark brown hair back over her shoulder, a sharp contrast to Jocelyn's golden blonde. They were as different as night and day. Always had been. While Mallory wanted glitz and glamour, all Jocelyn wanted was the quiet life, and to possibly settle down with the right man. Mallory, on the other hand, hadn't gone out with the same man twice since she broke up with Caden. While Jocelyn wanted to stay in Christmas Cove, all Mallory wanted was to leave.

"Well, guess!" Mallory clicked her newly painted red acrylic nails on the glass counter, raising a perfect eyebrow.

Jocelyn was tempted to let her stew for a moment, but curiosity got the better of her. "Who?"

"Why, Caden Scott, of course!" Mallory clapped her hands as she bounced on her heels.