Page 36 of Falling for Santa

Scott’s smile widened. “I’m glad she had fun. She’s a great kid, Megan. You’ve done an amazing job with her.”

Megan looked down at her mug, her cheeks warming. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Scott set his coffee on the table, his expression growing thoughtful. “You know,” he began, his voice quieter now, “Christmas is always quiet for me, unless my sister drags me down to her place. Most years, it’s just me and the memories of my parents. They made it special when I was young, even when we didn’t have much.”

Megan looked up at him, sensing the shift in his tone.

“But this year,” he continued, glancing toward Ruby with a soft smile, “it’s been different. You and Ruby, you’ve made it feel special again.”

Megan’s heart tightened. She didn’t speak, letting him find the words he seemed to be working up to.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Scott said, meeting her eyes. “But I want you to know I’m here. For both of you. No matter what happens.”

Megan’s breath caught. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, and it filled the room with a quiet gravity. She hesitated, her fingers tightening around her mug.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said softly. “I’ve been offered a job. Back in San Diego.”

Scott’s expression didn’t falter, though she saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment maybe? He nodded slowly. “That’s a big opportunity,” he said carefully. “Have you decided?”

Megan shook her head, the uncertainty swirling inside her. “No. It’s a good job. A chance to get back on my feet, to rebuild.” She glanced toward Ruby, who was humming softly as she arranged her dolls. “But leaving here… leaving what we’re starting to build here…” She trailed off, unsure how to finish the thought.

Scott leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Megan, I’d never want to hold you back from what’s best for you and Ruby,” he said gently. “But if there’s a way to stay connected, to keep being part of your lives, I’d like that.”

Her eyes stung, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. “You mean a lot to us, Scott,” she said quietly. “You’ve made this season—this place—feel like home in a way I didn’t think was possible.”

His lips curved into a small, hopeful smile. “Then maybe that’s something worth holding onto.”

The moment hung between them, the sound of Ruby’s playful chatter grounding them in the present. Scott straightened slightly and cleared his throat, his nervousness apparent. “I, uh, brought you something,” he said, picking up the package he’d set beside him earlier.

Megan took the gift, her fingers brushing the smooth wrapping paper. “You didn’t have to,” she said, though her voice was soft with gratitude.

Scott smiled. “I wanted to. Go on, open it.”

She unwrapped the package carefully, her fingers brushing the edges of the plain brown paper. Inside, nestled in a soft cloth, was a set of wooden bookends. The polished surfacegleamed, and each bookend featured a carved dolphin leaping gracefully, its arc smooth and fluid as though captured mid-dive.

Megan’s breath caught as she traced the intricate details with her fingertips, marveling at the craftsmanship. The wood was warm and smooth, the dolphins’ forms both delicate and sturdy, as though they carried the weight of the stories they were meant to hold.

“I made them last night,” Scott said quietly, his voice steady but laced with nervousness. “I thought maybe Ruby and you could use them for those books you’ve been picking up.”

Megan glanced up at him, her throat tightening with emotion. “Scott,” she whispered, her voice catching. “They’re beautiful. I don’t even know what to say.”

Scott’s lips quirked into a small smile, his blue eyes warm. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to have something that felt like home.”

Megan’s fingers lingered on one of the dolphins.Her chest ached as the memory of everything they’d shared—everything she was leaving behind—washed over her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice thick with gratitude. “These are perfect.”

Scott ducked his head, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “I’m glad you like them. I figured they’d remind you of the island. ”

Megan managed a soft laugh, blinking back the emotion welling in her eyes. “They will. They’ll remind me of so much more than that.”

He watched her closely, his gaze steady. “You deserve beautiful things, Megan. You both do.”

She set the bookends down and looked up at him. The gratitude she felt was overwhelming, but it was more than that. Scott’s kindness, his steady presence—it was breaking down walls she hadn’t even realized she’d built.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Scott smiled, a quiet understanding passing between them. “Merry Christmas, Megan.”

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