Page 22 of Falling for Santa

Scott’s tone softened. “You’re doing more than enough, Megan. Just watching the way Ruby lights up when she talks about you—she’s got everything she needs.”

Megan looked down at her hands, her lips curving into a small smile. “Thanks,” she said quietly.

They drove in comfortable silence for a moment, the familiar sights of Palmar Island rolling past. Scott finally broke it with a question that had been lingering in his mind. “Does Ruby like spending time with Gertrude?”

“She does,” Megan said, nodding. “It’s been a relief, honestly. Gertrude has such a way with kids, and Ruby’s taken to her quickly. But I think she misses Miss Doris too.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a whole fan club for Ruby,” Scott teased, his grin widening.

Megan laughed. “She’s easy to love.”

Scott glanced at her briefly, his voice quieter now. “Like her mom.”

Megan blinked, caught off guard by the comment. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. Instead, she turned her gaze back to the road, her cheeks tinged with warmth.

Scott pulled up in front of Megan’s bungalow, shifting the truck into park. He turned to her with a gentle smile. “Thanks for letting me kidnap you for lunch. It was nice to just talk for a while.”

Megan smiled back, the sincerity in his tone catching her off guard yet again. “It was. And you were right about the pie.”

“Told you.” He grinned, leaning back slightly. “You let me know when you’re ready for round two.”

Megan rolled her eyes playfully but couldn’t hide the small laugh that escaped. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As she opened the door, Scott hesitated. “Megan?”

She paused, turning back to look at him.

“You’re doing a great job,” he said simply, his voice steady.

Megan’s chest tightened, the weight of his words settling over her like a comforting blanket. “Thanks, Scott,” she said softly before stepping out of the truck.

He waited until she was safely inside before driving off, the warmth of their conversation lingering as he headed back toward his workshop.

“She’s something special,” Scott thought to himself, smiling faintly as the glow of Christmas lights began to appear along the streets. “One day, she’ll see it too.”

Chapter Nine

Megan woke with a sense of purpose. Today was her day off, a rare break from juggling work and motherhood, and she was determined to make it count—for Ruby.

The little girl had been chattering endlessly about Santa’s Village ever since their arrival on Palmar Island. Every time they passed by, Ruby’s eyes would light up, her tiny finger pointing excitedly at the twinkling lights and festive decorations. Megan had been hesitant to take her. The crowds, the noise, the inevitable stares from well-meaning strangers—it all felt overwhelming. But today, as sunlight streamed through the curtains, Megan decided it was time. Ruby deserved the magic of the season.

By the time Megan entered her daughter’s bedroom, Ruby was already sitting up, Mr. Bear tucked under one arm.

“Guess what, sweetheart?” Megan said, leaning against the dresser with a soft smile.

Ruby looked up, her curls bouncing as she tilted her head. “What, Mommy?”

“We’re going to Santa’s Village today,” Megan announced.

Ruby’s face lit up, and she squealed, dropping Mr. Bear to clap her hands. “Santa! And Cupid?”

“And Cupid,” Megan confirmed, laughing as Ruby leapt out of bed and twirled around the room.

The morning flew by in a blur of preparations. Megan helped Ruby into a deep red velvet dress, tying the matching bow in her hair as Ruby giggled and twirled again. Watching her daughter’s uncontainable excitement lifted Megan’s spirits, and she even applied a bit of mascara and lipstick, feeling more put together than she had in weeks.

Her phone buzzed just as she zipped up Ruby’s coat. It was an unfamiliar number, but something told her to answer.

“Megan Findley,” she said, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder as she grabbed Ruby’s mittens.

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