Page 2 of My Secret Santa Mason

Rae had taken me under her wing when I’d first arrived in Silver Ridge, and I saw her often. Her husband was a little scary, a little intimidating, but I saw him from time to time too, and he seemed like he could be really nice. He was a very devoted husband and father, and I respected that.

Hunter dropped the apricot, and I laughed.

Rae chuckled, picking it up and putting it on her plate, which was pushed back far enough that his grabbing hands couldn’t reach her knife and fork. She picked it up, speared a piece of waffle and put it in her mouth, her eyes never leaving her son. “He’s in that stage where everything’s exciting for about three seconds.” She spoke around the waffle in her mouth and ruffled Hunter’s hair, handing him a toy from her handbag.

I sipped my coffee.

“This Secret Santa is going to be so much fun,” I said, drawing the topic back to business. We were here to discuss the event, although it had become more of a catch-up session. “I’ve always loved the whole surprise gift thing. It’s like a mini-Christmas morning every time.”

Betty nodded, taking another bite of her waffle. “You organizing it is the best thing that’s happened to this town in a while. We’ve never had someone so… uh, what’s the word, Rae?”

“Enthusiastic?” Rae offered, bouncing Hunter gently. He squealed, delighted by the motion. “Passionate? Talented?”

“All of the above.” Betty chuckled and nodded. “We’ve done this drawing for years, but it’s always been more of a ‘throw names in a hat and call it a day’ situation. You’ve turned it into a real event, Cami.”

I smiled, and my stomach fluttered with pride. It had only been a few months since I’d landed in Silver Ridge, and every little project like this made me feel just a bit more like Ibelonged. I’d gotten involved just to do something that would distract me from moping about my failed relationship, but it had become so much more than that.

“I just thought it would be nice to add some excitement. I’ve always loved planning things like this. Christmas should bring everyone together, you know?”

“That’s exactly how it should be,” Rae said, nodding in agreement. “You’ve got the knack for it, that’s for sure.”

I glanced around the diner at the familiar faces. Sometimes it was hard to think I’d only been here since the summer. Silver Ridge had wrapped me up in its small-town charm and helped me forget the rest of the world existed.

Betty pointed at the chalkboard above the counter, where Millie’s daily special was scrawled in colorful chalk. “Let’s talk food. We can’t have an event without food.”

“It’s the heart of anything we do,” I agreed. “Food brings everyone together and creates amazing memories. Do you have anything you have your heart set on?”

Betty tilted her head, thinking about it. Her plump form, warm and jolly, suggested she knew exactly what kinds of food to have for what occasion and that was what I loved about her. She was unapologetically herself, and everyone loved her for it.

“We can do huckleberry pancakes with spiced apple compote,” Betty suggested. “And gingerbread waffles with caramelized pears.”

“Oh, wow,” I breathed. “That doesn’t sound like diner food, it sounds like fine cuisine.”

Betty laughed from her stomach, an infectious sound, and Hunter laughed along even though he didn’t know what it was about.

It was beyond cute.

“It’s just a few things I like to experiment with. I think we can have those ready for meals, putting them on special along with our regular menu.”

“What about eggnog for drinks?” Rae suggested. “Or mulled wine? We can have a non-alcoholic option, too.”

“And peppermint hot cocoa.” Betty nodded. “What do you think, Cami?”

They both looked at me, eager to hear my thoughts.

“That all sounds fantastic,” I said. “That will already give the event an incredible Christmas spirit and that’s exactly what we want.”

Hunter finally managed to get his hands onto Rae’s waffle, the cream curling through his fingers.

“Hunter, honey, no!” Rae cried out, but laughter laced her voice, and she pulled him back. He pushed his hands into his mouth right away, and I laughed. Even when he was on her lap, he was too quick for her to grab all the time.

Rae wiped his sticky hands and cheeks. Hunter had gotten more stolen cream on himself than in his mouth, but Rae didn’t seem to mind. She was used to the mess.

“So, how are you settling in, Cami?” Betty asked, her tone warm. “Seems like you’re handling all the decorations and events like a pro.”

“I’m really enjoying it. Decorating the town square for Christmas has been the highlight and a wonderful way to keep busy. I never had the chance to do something like that before. It’s nice feeling like I’m contributing.”

Rae smiled at me. She knew what I was going through. Since I’d arrived here, she’d been a great friend, and I’d opened up to her about my past, about how I’d been humiliated when I’d found out my best friend and my fiancé had had an affair for months. And then even more when I’d found out that almosteveryone had known about it but me and no one had had the guts to tell me.

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