Chapter 84

"Kiki! What are you doing here?" Jocelyn wrapped her arms around her and gave her an air kiss over her cheek. "You should be home resting, not out and about!"
Kiki's eyes danced. "We've come to shop."
Jocelyn smiled. "Well, in that case, come right on in!"
Kiki looked up at the woman with bright red hair. "Roxanne, this is Taren Davis. Taren, this is Roxanne Kincaid, the owner."
A smile cracked Roxanne's face, not touching her eyes as she looked over at Taren. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"He's the firefighter who rescued me," Kiki added, "and we also went to high school together."
"Well, thank you for saving our Kiki." Roxanne's voice suddenly sounded syrupy. "I'm glad you arrived when you did. I shudder to think of what could have happened--"
"But it didn't," Taren cut her off and offered her his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kincaid."
Roxanne smiled as she placed her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "The pleasure is mine."
"Roxanne," Kiki said, claiming her attention. "While I'm here, I'd like to talk to you about coming back to work."
Roxanne walked around the counter and surprised Taren when she gave Kiki a hug and then pulled back to look into her eyes. "You take all the time you need. I know it was a big ordeal and that you're still recovering. Just let Jocelyn know when you're ready and she'll put you on the schedule."
Kiki smiled, appearing to be just as surprised as Taren. "Thanks, Roxanne. I will."
"Well-." Roxanne walked back behind the counter. "Now that that's settled, did I hear that you were here to shop?" Taren could tell that it was her version of teasing. Maybe she wasn't as bad as Taren originally thought.
Kiki laughed. "Yes, as a matter of fact, we are." Turning toward Taren, she asked, "What was it that you wanted to see?"
Taren shrugged, enjoying watching Kiki with her co-workers. "I don't know- maybe a necklace? What would you suggest?"
Kiki thought for a moment as she walked over to some necklaces to the right. "How about a locket? You could put a picture of Abby on one side of it and a picture of you on the other. She'd love it, I'm sure. Does she have one yet?"
Taren shook his head. "No, she doesn't. What a great idea! May I see one?"
They spent the next half hour looking at lockets and he finally settled on an oval silver locket with an intricately scrolled design on the front, but not too overwhelming. "This one's perfect. I know she'll love it."
"Do you have pictures small enough to put inside?" Kiki asked, closing the little white box with the locket inside.
"Yes, I have a few. I can always cut one down or make a digital one smaller and print it out." Taren chuckled. "The trick is to do it when she's not looking."
"Good luck with that! I would say you can print it out at my house, but I doubt if Mr. White put a computer and printer in yet. But knowing him-." Kiki smiled and then turned to her friends. "You should see my apartment! Mr. White was so generous! He even had it stocked with clothes, dishes, groceries- you name it and it's there."
Roxanne's eyes grew big. "Wow! That was generous."
Jocelyn nodded her agreement.
"Yes, when Liam found out what had happened, he was eager to help," Taren replied. "How much do I owe you?"
Jocelyn gave him a price, and then ran his debit card. "Kiki, I'm putting this sale under your name, since you were the one who sold it to him."
Kiki smiled. "Jocelyn, you don't have to do that--"
"Yes I do." Jocelyn shrugged. "You did all the work so you get the sale."
"Don't argue with her," Roxanne added. "Just say thank you and take it."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, okay." Kiki laughed. "Thank you Jocelyn- and Roxanne."
Jocelyn slid the white box inside the bag and handed it to Kiki.
"I'll let you know when I'm ready to come back." Kiki handed the bag to Taren.
"See that you do," Roxanne teased. "But take your time. I'm glad that you're back and no worse for wear."
"Thanks," Kiki replied, and then turned to Jocelyn. "I'll talk to you soon."
"Talk to me any time, but take your time coming back." She rushed around the counter and threw her arms around Kiki once again. "You take care of yourself." Turning to Taren, she added, "Make her get some rest, will you?"
Taren laughed. "I'll try, but I don't think anyone can make Kiki do anything."
Everyone laughed.
"It was a pleasure to meet you," Roxanne chimed. "Come back any time."
He nodded, smiling. "I will."
Just then a couple walked through the door. Jocelyn helped the customers as she gave Taren and Kiki one last wave.
Outside, the snow was coming down harder as white bits rushed toward them, driven by the wind. "I hope we don't get snowed in tonight." Kiki bit her lower lip and then continued, "I wonder if I should still come over tonight-."
"I'll come over to get you," Taren replied and then wrapped his arm around Kiki's shoulders in an effort to warm her. He'd go to the moon to get her if it would keep her from canceling. The more he thought about spending Christmas with her and his family, the more excited he became. "Besides, you need to spend the night tonight so you can see Santa come in the morning."
Kiki stopped walking and stared up at him. "What?"
Taren laughed at the confused look on her face. "No; it's not like that. We have a spare room and you're welcome to stay, if you like. No pressure." He shrugged. "I just thought that you'd like to be there when Santa comes in the morning."
Her eyebrows shot up, almost into her hairline. "But hasn't Santa already come?"
Taren smiled, trying not to laugh at her comical expression. "Yes, once. But this year, he's making a second trip on the way back to the North Pole." He let out a deep breath as he led her toward Santa's Café. "I thought that since I was working this year, and we're celebrating tonight- I just thought we'd do it up right. When I left, Mom and Abby were making Christmas cookies."
"I need to bring something, too," Kiki replied, a crease forming between her eyes, already thinking.
Taren shook his head as he opened the door to the restaurant. "No need to bring anything. Just bring yourself."