Chapter 33

A few minutes later, they passed by a sign that read North Pole with an arrow pointed toward the woods. "Driver, would you let us out here?"
"I'll do one better, madame." He looked over his shoulder and grinned. "I'll drive you there."
"Where are we going?" Caden's eyebrows pulled together in concern.
"Why, to the North Pole, of course," Jocelyn replied.
The driver looked over his shoulder and smiled again.
Jocelyn laughed. "It really has been a long time since you've been back, hasn't it?"
"Too long." Caden watched the scenery pass by and Jocelyn wondered what he was thinking. The evergreens were covered in white snow, creating the perfect Christmas postcard. In fact, many photographers had used the winter landscape of Christmas Cove over the years for just that reason. Within minutes, the trees gave way to a castle made with huge white stones that shimmered in the sunlight. In the back was what looked to be ski slopes with white snow as far as the eye could see behind it. "Wow."
Jocelyn smiled, enjoying his reaction. "Amazing, isn't it?"
Caden nodded, his eyes wide. "I'd say." Turning to look into her eyes, he asked, "Would you like to go skiing today?"
Jocelyn laughed. "You're kidding, right?"
Caden shook his head. "No, not in the slightest. I'll teach you if you'd like to learn."
"Maybe some other time," Jocelyn replied, grateful for the offer. "But for today, let's just have some hot chocolate and some lunch."
"Sounds good." Caden smiled as he slid his arm around her shoulders, sending a thrill throughout her body.
A moment later, the driver pulled the carriage to a stop in front of the North Pole Lodge. "Whoa!" the driver yelled, pulling back on the reins. "Would you like me to come back for you? 'Twould be a long walk back."
Caden took out his wallet, peeled off some bills, and then discreetly handed them to the driver. "Thank you, but no. We'll manage."
A broad smile spread across the driver's face. "Thank you, my good man. Have fun!"
"We will," Caden replied, and then leaned in conspiratorially, "I'm going to see if she would like to go skiing. Wish me luck."
"You'll be wishing for a while," Jocelyn said as she took Caden's hand, letting him help her from the carriage.
The driver laughed. "Well, then. If good luck is what you wish, then good luck is what you will have."
"He's going to need it," Jocelyn remarked, and then added, "Thank you, sir. That was a very enjoyable ride. I haven't done this in years."
The driver tipped his hat. "The pleasure was mine, my lady." Then a moment later, the driver clicked his tongue and the huge horses plodded their way back down the street, headed back toward town.
Caden offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She took it and let him lead her up to the castle. It wasn't just a castle fa?ade, but a real castle. In the foyer, a huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, taking center stage, adorned in icicle crystal shards. A huge Christmas tree stood at the far end of the great room with presents under it.
"Wow," Caden exclaimed, taking in the ambiance. A couple with a child placed a box adorned with colorful wrapping paper and a red bow with ribbons under the tree. "What are they doing?"
"Believe it or not, the presents under the tree are real."
"No-," Caden said, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Jocelyn smiled, enjoying his reaction. "Yes. Every year, people come and place gifts under the tree for the children at the Christmas Cove Children's Home."
Caden's head snapped up. "There's a children's home?"
Jocelyn nodded. "Yes, there were a lot of orphans in town, so they created the Christmas Cove Children's Home while you were away."
"Why not a foster care system, so they can be in real homes?" Caden asked, clearly intrigued.
"Well, the foster care system wasn't ideal, but there are still some foster families around. Just not enough for all of the children." Jocelyn looked over at the tree, filled with presents. The family was watching the tree, and the father's hands rested on his son's shoulders. "If I were to guess, that couple may have adopted their son from the Children's Home, but I don't know for sure."
"That's wonderful," Caden replied. "When do they deliver the presents to the children?"
Jocelyn smiled. "Why, on Christmas Eve, of course." She inclined her head toward the tree. "By the time Christmas arrives, this tree will be filled with gifts from people in the town, visitors to the lodge, and employees here at the North Pole."
Caden raised an eyebrow as one corner of his lips curled into a smile. "And they're delivered by Santa Claus, I suppose."
"Of course," she replied, smiling. "Santa always delivers the presents on Christmas Eve, but they don't open them until Christmas morning. After delivering the presents, Santa reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' to them and then they sing songs and have hot chocolate."
Caden tilted his head. "How do you know all this?"
Jocelyn blushed. "I volunteered there many times before, since my parents passed."
"Do they always have enough presents for all of the children?" Caden looked back toward the tree and the family walked into the restaurant.
"Always," Jocelyn replied. "The North Pole Lodge always makes sure of it, as well as the people in the town." She leaned her head toward the side. "Come on. Let's go."
As they walked through the foyer, people sat in overstuffed chairs by the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate and coffee, talking. Caden nodded toward them. "Who are they?"
"Resort dwellers. Some come here every year to spend Christmas in Christmas Cove. The North Pole Lodge is sold out every year, sometimes for months in advance." Jocelyn shrugged. "Some people come here every year to celebrate. And a lot of the residents go with Santa on Christmas Eve to the Christmas Cove Children's Home to deliver the presents."
"Wow. I wish they had this when I was living here before." They came to the restaurant and Caden opened the door for her. "But I'm glad they have it now."
"Me, too," Jocelyn agreed as they stepped inside.
The restaurant was just as lovely, adorned with Christmas decorations, tastefully done, of course. Garland adorned the edge of the front counter, and another Christmas tree--this one smaller than the one in the lobby--was in the corner with more presents under it.