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 idiot.

“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 cocked 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.

She and Caden spent the next hour looking at rings together. When customers came in, Kiki graciously helped them, allowing Jocelyn time with Caden. A few times, Kiki looked over and raised an eyebrow and then looked over at Caden when he wasn’t looking. But Jocelyn shook her head, hoping beyond all hope that Caden hadn’t seen.

Finally, Caden narrowed his choices down between The Christmas Ring and another engagement ring. “I wish I knew what Mallory liked now….” Then he looked into her eyes. “You’re her sister. Which one do you think she’d like?”

Jocelyn’s heart sank, but she plastered a smile on her face. She would give anything to be picking out a ring with Caden right now, but she guessed it just wasn’t meant to be. Get a grip, she thought to herself. He’s picking out a ring for your sister! She looked at the two rings, trying to be as objective as possible, and tears came to her eyes, threatening to spill over. Not only was Caden going to ask her sister to marry him, he could quite possibly give her the ring that Jocelyn loved.

“I couldn’t tell you,” she finally replied. “That’s a decision you’ll have to make.”

After pondering for a moment, Caden sighed. “I think I’ll take this one.” When Jocelyn looked down, he was pointing to the other ring… not The Christmas Ring, much to her relief.

“Excellent choice. Shall I wrap that up for you?”

Caden shook his head. “No, I’ll just take it in the box.” Then his eyebrows pulled together in concern. “So, is Mallory at home?”

“I’m not sure, but I think so. She’s involved with the Christmas pageant and parade, so I’m not sure what she has planned.”

Jocelyn slipped the ring he purchased into a box and then put The Christmas Ring back into the case. Since their parents died, she and Mallory had gone their separate ways, even though they lived in the same house. In fact, they were more like roommates than actual sisters… and not good roommates, at that. Their interests were as far apart as one could imagine. While Mallory liked the glitz and glamour, Jocelyn was happy sipping hot cocoa by the fire at home. No, Jocelyn had always had a hard time understanding her sister. Although she had tried over the years, Jocelyn knew it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

Jocelyn slid the white box across the counter to Caden. “Here you go.” Then she looked into his eyes. “So, are you staying with your parents while you’re here?”

Caden shrugged. “Probably, but I’m not sure yet. I’m going to head over there and see.”

“You’d better,” Jocelyn teased. It was easy with Caden. No matter what happened, they had always been friends and, in many ways, were more suited for one another than he and Mallory. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing that was a dangerous direction for her heart to take. “Your parents would have your hiney if you came to town and didn’t at least go see them.”

“You always did have a way with words.” He smirked. “So, how are your parents?”

Jocelyn let out a deep breath. He hadn’t heard. “They both died not too long ago. Mom died first of cancer and then Dad died a year later. I assume, of a broken heart. He couldn’t live without her.”

Jocelyn secretly wished for a love like that. After her mother passed away, Jocelyn had tried everything she could think of to bring her father out of his funk, but nothing worked. Even Mallory had tried, offering to take him to the movies or shopping, but he had always refused. Then one day, they found him in his bed. He had went to sleep the night before and just never woke up. Jocelyn had always wished that she could have done more for her father, but she knew in her heart that they were together and happy now.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I always liked your parents,” Caden replied, bringing her from her reverie.

“Thanks.” Jocelyn looked up and gave him a weak smile.

Caden reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Jocelyn. I owe you.”

Jocelyn didn’t tell him what she’d like him to owe her. For some reason, her thoughts betrayed her when she was around Caden. “Think nothing of it. I hope she likes it.” She gave him a genuine smile, truly meaning it. After all, he had waited all this time for Mallory, hadn’t he?

A broad smile spread across his face. “Thanks! I hope so, too.” He smiled, melting her heart. “It was good to see you again, Jocelyn. I’ll see you later.”

“See ya.” When he was almost out the door, she added, “And Caden, welcome home.” He nodded as he gave her a heartbreaking smile. Then he turned and walked out the door. Kiki walked up beside her and Jocelyn sighed as they both watched Caden walk away. “There goes a brave man.”

“How so?” Kiki seemed to be enjoying the view a bit too much.

“He’s going to ask a girl to marry him that he hasn’t seen in eight years.”

Kiki nodded, watching Caden appreciatively. “You should go for him.”

Jocelyn pulled back to look at her, her eyebrows pulling together in concern. “What are you talking about?”

Kiki raised an eyebrow. “I saw the way you were looking at him.”

“No I wasn’t.”

“Yes you were.”

Jocelyn sighed. “And how was I looking at him?” she asked, wiping down the showcase glass for the hundredth time that day.

Kiki nudged her shoulder not so gently and gave her a knowing smile. “You know.”

Jocelyn let out a deep breath. Outside, Caden gave her one last wave and then slid into his Corvette.

“Hey. All’s fair in love and war,” Kiki observed, leaning onto the glass case. Then she looked up at Jocelyn. “By the way, who’s the lucky girl?”

“My sister.”

As Jocelyn watched him drive away, she knew he was as far from her now as he had been over the eight years since he had been away. At that moment, she wondered how long he was going to be in town… and if her heart would survive it.