Christmas Cove

Chapter 5

Jocelyn almost fainted when Caden walked into the jewelry store, looking more gorgeous than when he had left. But it was obvious that he didn't recognize her. She just stood there behind the counter with her mouth open, feeling like a complete i***t.

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but I'd like to buy a ring." Caden waited. When she didn't move, he pointed toward the front door. "This is still a jewelry store, isn't it?"

"Yes, of course." Jocelyn suddenly found her voice again. Now, if her heart would just restart-.

He took a step toward the door, obviously questioning her sanity. "I can come back, if now isn't a good time."

"No, no-." Jocelyn motioned him toward the counter. "Please, come in. What can I do for you?" She decided to wait to tell him who she was. She was secretly curious how long it would take him to recognize her, if he even recognized her at all.

Caden slowly approached the counter and then became engrossed in the rings. "I was wanting to by an engagement ring."

Jocelyn's heart sank. "Well-." Her voice croaked. "We have a good selection over here." She walked down the length of the glass case and stopped in front of the sparkling assortment. "If you see anything you like, let me know and I'll take them out so you can get a closer look."

He smiled, never taking his eyes from the rings. "I'd like to see that one-." Caden pointed to a set of rings. "- and this one-." He continued pointing and asking to see rings, until he came to The Christmas Ring. "- and that one."

Jocelyn's head snapped up and she looked directly into his beautiful blue eyes. "That ring?"

Caden nodded slowly, as if she wouldn't understand him. "Yes, that ring. And if you don't mind, I'm in a bit of a hurry." Then he looked at her as if seeing her for the first time and narrowed his eyes. "Don't I know you?"

One corner of her lips curled into a smile. "You don't recognize me?"

"No. Should I?" A crease formed between his eyes as he studied her.

Jocelyn tried to keep from smiling. On one hand, she was disappointed that he didn't recognize her. But on the other hand, she was having too much fun. A sly grin spread across her face. "Are you sure?"

He c****d his head to the side, a grin curling his lips as he really looked at her this time.

"You don't remember this scar?"

She pointed to a fine scar on her hand that she had received when they were ice skating on the lake behind their house one winter. Mallory was at a photoshoot and Caden had asked Jocelyn if she wanted to go skating. While they were out on the lake, she went out past the safety zone and had fallen on the ice. She would have gone through, if Caden hadn't pulled her back to safety. Despite her protests, he had carried her back to the house. The only injury she had sustained was a cut on her hand.

Caden's eyes opened wide and he took a step back. "Jocelyn? Is that really you?"

She burst out laughing. "Caden!"

"Come over here and give me a hug!" Caden motioned for her over the counter.

Instead, she walked around the counter and let him pull her in for a hug, and then leaned back. "So, when did you get into town?"

"Just now." He held her at arm's length, looking her over. "Look at you! You're no longer the knobby-kneed little school girl, are you?"

Her eyes clouded with disappointment, and her smile faded. "No, I guess not." She shook it off and donned a smile. "So, what brings you in here?"

"I wanted to get a ring first before I came over."

Jocelyn's heart skipped a beat. Although she knew there was no way the ring was for her, she couldn't help but let it affect her. "Why?"

Caden let out a deep breath. "Well, I want it to be a surprise."

Jocelyn nodded. "I won't tell anyone."

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Yes, of course." She chuckled nervously, unable to breathe. That was just her luck. The man of her dreams finally comes back into her life again, only to be getting engaged.

Caden leaned closer. "Well- it's for Mallory."

Jocelyn stepped back, unable to believe what she was hearing. "What? You haven't even seen her in like- what- eight years?" She didn't tell him that she had been counting the years--and the days--since he left. But then again, Caden had always been Mallory's boyfriend and Jocelyn would never stand in their way- even after all these years.

Caden narrowed his eyes. "Yes, but I never forgot her."

"Of course you didn't," Jocelyn said flatly. She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and donned her best poker face. "Well then, I wish you both the best of luck."

Caden smiled. "You know if she says yes then you'll be my sister."

Jocelyn couldn't help but laugh. One thing about Caden was that he could always make her laugh. "Hearing you call me that brings back memories."

He looked down at her legs, causing her to blush. "So, you still skate on those skinny legs?"

Jocelyn's heart sank, but she didn't let on. Would he ever see her as a woman and not the knobby-kneed school girl she was when he left? But then again, she was happy for her sister. If he could work it out with Mallory after all these years, then more power to them.

"Yeah, at least that," she said flatly, walking back around the counter. "So, do you still want to look at rings?" She didn't want to be a naysayer and tell him that he should wait to pick out a ring until after he asked Mallory. But, on the other hand, it was common practice for the man to show the woman the ring when he asked. But he hadn't seen Mallory for years- She pushed the thought aside. Both Caden and Mallory never did things normally.