Page 11 of Falling for Santa

Scott watched them go, his coffee untouched on the table. Megan was still a mystery, but he couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward her—and the quiet hope that their paths would continue to cross. Something about her, he realized, made him want to stick around and see what unfolded next.

Chapter Five

The smell of soup simmering on the stove filled the bungalow, a warm and inviting blend of herbs, vegetables, and a hint of garlic. Megan set the last bowl on the small kitchen table, adjusting it slightly to make room for the small loaf of bread Miss Doris had promised to bring. Ruby sat on the floor nearby, humming to herself as she stacked brightly colored blocks into a precarious tower.

“Careful, sweetheart,” Megan said, glancing over her shoulder.

Ruby grinned up at her, her curls bouncing as she tilted her head to examine her masterpiece. “It won’t fall, Mama.”

Megan chuckled softly, brushing her hands on the front of her jeans before giving the table a final once-over. She’d been looking forward to this lunch all week. Miss Doris had done so much for her and Ruby since they’d arrived on Palmar Island, from babysitting to introducing Megan to half the town, and now that Megan finally had a little breathing room, she wanted to show her appreciation.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Megan wiped her hands one last time and opened it to find Miss Dorisstanding there, a warm smile on her face and a small loaf of bread tucked under one arm.

“I thought this might go nicely with your soup,” Miss Doris said, handing over the neatly wrapped loaf.

“Perfect timing,” Megan replied, stepping aside to let her in. “It’s just coming off the stove.”

Miss Doris walked in, pausing to pat Ruby on the head as the little girl glanced up from her tower. “Well, don’t you look busy, Ruby?”

“I’m building a castle,” Ruby declared proudly, motioning to the teetering stack of blocks.

Miss Doris chuckled. “It’s a very fine castle. Fit for a princess, I’d say.”

Ruby beamed at the praise before returning her focus to the blocks. Megan set the bread on the counter and gestured toward the table. “Go ahead and sit. I’ll grab the soup.”

A few minutes later, the two women sat across from each other, bowls of steaming soup between them, the loaf of bread sliced and arranged on a small plate. Ruby had been persuaded to join them at the table with the promise of crackers shaped like fish, and she sat in her booster seat, happily crunching away as she occasionally peeked at the castle she’d abandoned.

“This smells wonderful,” Miss Doris said, dipping a piece of bread into her soup.

“Thanks,” Megan replied, taking a sip of her own. “It’s my go-to recipe when I’m trying to make something out of nothing. Grocery shopping’s been... strategic lately.”

Miss Doris’s gaze softened, but she didn’t push. Instead, she nodded appreciatively. “Well, it tastes like home, and that’s what matters.”

They ate in companionable silence for a few moments before Miss Doris set down her spoon and looked at Megan. “So,” shebegan, her voice warm but curious, “how are you settling in? Really?”

Megan paused, the question catching her off guard. She glanced at Ruby, who was now carefully lining up her crackers along the edge of her plate.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Megan admitted, setting down her spoon. “The job’s good, and Ruby seems happy. But I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure everything out. Some days it feels like I’m holding it all together with duct tape.”

Miss Doris nodded knowingly, her hands folded in front of her. “It’s a big change, moving somewhere new, starting over. But you’re doing it, and that’s something to be proud of.”

“Thanks,” Megan said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It helps that Ruby’s adjusting so well. She loves the island.”

“And she loves Santa,” Miss Doris added, her smile turning mischievous.

Megan couldn’t help but laugh. “She does. She’s convinced he’s the real deal.”

Miss Doris’s expression turned thoughtful. “And what about Scott? How’s it been working with him?”

Megan’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she ducked her head, focusing intently on her soup. “He’s fine. Great with the kids. He’s got the Santa thing down to an art.”

Miss Doris arched a brow. “That’s not what I asked, dear.”

Megan sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I’m not... I can’t even think about something like that. Danny hasn’t been gone that long. And even if he had...” She shook her head, letting the sentence hang unfinished.

Miss Doris reached across the table, her touch light and reassuring. “You’ve been through a lot, Megan, but life doesn’t stop. It’s okay to let yourself think about the future. And Ruby seems to adore Scott.”

Megan scoffed, gesturing toward her daughter, who was now holding her stuffed bear and flipping through a picture book she’d pulled from the shelf. “Ruby adores Santa. And Scott just happens to play him. Any kid would love Santa.”

---