Chapter 53

On her way to work the next day, Jocelyn couldn't get Caden out of her mind. He and Mallory would be together during Christmas. Although Jocelyn was happy for them, she couldn't watch them, either. Not now. So, she resolved herself to spend Christmas at the Children's Home. She made a mental note to go shopping for some toys to take over when she went. It would be better than spending Christmas listening to Mallory gloat and watching the two of them together.
But then again, Mallory and Caden might leave for California before Christmas, leaving her alone. Jocelyn didn't know which was worse. But she had better get used to being alone. After Mallory left, she would be completely alone.
How did her life get so screwed up? Love is hard and can be cruel sometimes. Maybe she was just infatuated with Caden this whole time. But Jocelyn knew better than that. As strongly as she felt about Caden, she knew there would never be another man to make her feel that way. It was as if her body had claimed him long ago as hers, even though her mind had tried to tell her otherwise. She had been on such an emotional rollercoaster with Caden over the years, and he didn't have a clue.
Soon, she pulled up in front of the jewelry store, locked the doors, and headed inside.
"Good morning!" Kiki chirped as Jocelyn walked inside, a bit too cheerful.
"Morning." Although she wasn't in the mood for Kiki's cheerfulness, Jocelyn wasn't going to mope around all day, either. No, the best thing for her to do right now was to immerse herself into her work and to forget about Caden Scott.
"So, are you going to the Christmas parade tonight?" Kiki asked as she cleaned a display case.
Jocelyn narrowed her eyes and then started adjusting the necklaces in the case, determined to get to work. "Why don't you go to the back and see what you can find? It looks like we sold a lot of merchandise and we need to restock."
"If you say so," Kiki replied, and then walked into the back.
Jocelyn slid the linked heart necklace over and took out a few empty necklace forms. Then she moved over the rings, making room for other pieces.
"Here you go!" Kiki set some boxes onto the counter and shoved them toward Jocelyn, causing her to jump back.
"Kiki! What's the matter with you?" Jocelyn looked over at the boxes and sighed. "Take some of this over to the other case, please."
"I'll be right back!" Kiki placed some of the boxes onto the other case, as Jocelyn had asked, and rushed into the back room, leaving Jocelyn out front.
Jocelyn moved over another ring and then noticed that the Christmas Ring wasn't there. Panic set in as she frantically moved pieces around, looking for it.
"Here's more!" Kiki replied, shoving more wedding band boxes toward her on the top of the case.
"Kiki, where's the Christmas Ring?" She continued to move things around to make sure that it hadn't been knocked off its perched accidently. "If we lose that ring, Mrs. Spencer will be horrified."
"Actually, we sold it," Kiki replied, frowning. "I'm sorry. I know how much you loved that ring."
Jocelyn sighed. It was just as well. "No matter. Have you called Mrs. Spencer yet?"
Kiki nodded. "Actually, Roxanne called her last night."
Jocelyn smiled. "I'd bet she was happy."
"Elated is more the word." Kiki moved around the jewelry in the other case to make room for new pieces. "She came by last night and picked up the money."
"That's great. I'm happy for her." Jocelyn looked over at the cases. "Well, it looks like we've sold a lot of other pieces, too. Let's get everything set up before we open."
"Aye, aye, captain!" Kiki teased, turning her attention toward her work.
Any other time, Jocelyn would have laughed, but she wasn't in the mood for Kiki's jokes. The Christmas Ring sold. It was just as well.
Sometimes, Jocelyn wondered why she stayed in Christmas Cove. And now that Mallory was leaving, why should she stay? Mallory hadn't been much of a sister to her over the years, but at least she was family.
"You know, the Christmas parade will pass right by this window tonight," Kiki announced as she arranged an Infinity necklace onto a form.
"Yes, I know," Jocelyn replied flatly. "Are you going?"
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away." Kiki placed the form into the case. "You should come, too."
Jocelyn sighed. "No, not tonight. I'm going home."
Kiki took her hands, forcing her to look into her eyes. "You should really think about coming with me. It'll do you some good to get out."
Jocelyn smiled. "I appreciate that, but no. I have a lot to think about." Then she pulled away and walked toward the door. "Time to open up."
"Okay. We can talk about it later." Kiki turned her attention back toward arranging things in the case. When she got something into her brain, she became a bulldog.
But Jocelyn knew that Kiki wouldn't just let it go. She would keep on until Jocelyn relented. But she had no intention of giving in this time.
A few minutes later, a customer came in, claiming both of their attention. They spent the rest of the day waiting on customers, selling out a lot of the jewelry they had just restocked. As the afternoon approached, the streets became crowded with Christmas shoppers and sightseers, seeing the sights before the Christmas pageant and parade started. Jocelyn was relieved when she was finally able to lock the doors, closing for the evening.
"Jocelyn, why don't you go to the Christmas Parade tonight?" Kiki asked, locking up the cases.
Jocelyn pulled hers and Kiki's purses out from under the jewelry case and slid the door closed. "Kiki, no offense, but the only thing I'd like to do tonight is to go home."
Kiki sighed. "Okay. But call me if you need me." Then she reached out to her. "Come here." She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. "Jocelyn, no matter what happens, I'm here for you. You're not alone."
Jocelyn nodded, fighting back tears. "Kiki, I appreciate that." When she pulled back, she was smiling. "Now. You go have fun tonight and don't you worry about me. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet Mr. Wonderful! You never know."
Kiki rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. I think I'm going to die an old maid."
Jocelyn chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief. "As gorgeous as you are? I don't think so."
Kiki laughed. "Cute, maybe. But not gorgeous."
"Kiki, have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you for a best friend?"
One corner of Kiki's lips curled into a smile. "Yes, but I never tire of hearing it. But I'm pretty lucky to have you, too."
"Come on-." Jocelyn nodded toward the front door. "Let's get out of here before the streets are so crowded that we can't leave." She handed Kiki her purse and then looked at the counter, remembering the roses that Caden had sent her just days before. And now, they couldn't even be friends, like they had always been.