Page 31 of Falling for Santa

“Thank you,” she said finally, her voice shaky but genuine.

“For what?”

“For being patient,” she said, her lips curving into a faint smile.

Scott chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing. “I’m not going anywhere, Megan.”

Megan opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Ruby ran over, holding the Cupid ornament high. “Look, Santa! It’s so shiny!”

Scott grinned, taking the ornament from her and examining it with exaggerated care. “You’re right—it’s the shiniest reindeer I’ve ever seen!”

Ruby giggled, and Megan watched as Scott handed it back to her with a wink.

As Scott began clearing the table, he glanced at the clock, a small smile tugging at his lips. “So, I have this little Christmas Eve tradition,” he said, his tone casual. “And I was wondering if you and Ruby might want to come along.”

Chapter Twelve

Scott tugged on his coat and wrapped his scarf snugly around his neck as the three of them stepped out into the crisp Christmas Eve night. The air was chilly but not biting, the kind of cold that encouraged bundling up without driving people indoors. Above them, the stars twinkled in a clear, ink-black sky.

Ruby gasped as she caught sight of Scott’s truck, festively adorned with strings of lights running along its edges and a bright red wreath affixed to the grille. “Mommy! It’s a real Santa sleigh!”

Megan laughed softly, adjusting Ruby’s scarf. “I think Santa’s been busy with his decorating,” she said, glancing at Scott.

Scott grinned, opening the back door for Ruby. “You caught me. Thought I’d make the sleigh look official this year.”

Ruby climbed eagerly into the back seat, her giggles filling the air as she pointed out every tiny detail. “Lights! And a wreath! Mr. Bear loves it!” She hugged her ever-present companion tightly.

Scott turned to Megan, holding out his hand to help her into the passenger seat. “You ready for this?”

Megan smiled, her cheeks flushed from the cold. “I think we are.”

Scott closed her door gently before circling back to the driver’s side and sliding in. The truck hummed to life, its lights casting a soft, cheerful glow on the quiet street as they pulled away.

As they drove through the island, Ruby’s enthusiasm was infectious. She leaned forward in her seat, pressing her small hands against the window as they passed homes lit up with twinkling decorations.

“Look at that one!” she exclaimed, pointing to a house with an inflatable snowman in the front yard. “And that one! It has candy canes!”

Scott chuckled, glancing at Megan. “I think she’s got a better eye for Christmas lights than I do.”

“She gets it from her dad,” Megan said softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Danny used to love driving around to see the lights. It was our Christmas Eve tradition.”

Scott nodded, his tone gentle. “Sounds like a good one to keep going.”

They pulled up to the first stop, a small house with a simple string of white lights outlining the roof. Scott parked and reached into the back of the truck for a neatly wrapped gift. “Okay, Ruby,” he said, turning to her. “You ready to help Santa deliver some Christmas magic?”

Ruby’s eyes widened, her excitement bubbling over. “Yes!”

Scott handed her a small gift bag, its handles just the right size for her little hands. “Take this to the door, ring the bell, and say, ‘Merry Christmas.’ Think you can handle that?”

Ruby nodded solemnly, her expression determined. “I can do it!”

Megan unbuckled Ruby and helped her down from the truck, following close behind as her daughter marched up the porchsteps. The doorbell rang, and moments later, the door opened to reveal a mother and her two young children.

“Merry Christmas!” Ruby declared, holding the bag out with both hands.

The family’s faces lit up, and the mother crouched to Ruby’s level. “Well, thank you, sweetie! Did Santa send you to help?”

Ruby nodded, her smile wide. “Yes, I’m his helper!”

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