Page 40 of Falling for Santa

Pushing the laptop aside, Megan rested her chin on her hands and stared out the window at the calm morning outside. The sky was pale blue, the kind of winter day that promised a crisp breeze and clear sunshine.

“Think, Megan,” she whispered to herself. “What’s best for Ruby? What’s best for both of us?”

But no matter how she framed the question, the answers didn’t come easily.

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the cozy bungalow, casting golden light across the living room. Ruby sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by crayons and construction paper, her little hands working diligently on another masterpiece. Megan watched her from the kitchen table,a soft smile tugging at her lips as Ruby hummed a tune under her breath.

“Mommy, look!” Ruby exclaimed, holding up her newest drawing. It was a scene of their bungalow, complete with a tiny Cupid grazing near a Christmas tree in the yard.

“That’s beautiful, sweetheart,” Megan said, moving to kneel beside her. “You’re such a great artist. I love how you made the sky pink.”

“It’s my favorite color,” Ruby said matter-of-factly, then added with a shy grin, “I love it here, Mommy. I love Cupid and Santa Scott and Gertrude and the beach. Can we stay forever?”

Megan’s heart clenched. She brushed a strand of hair from Ruby’s face, her voice soft. “I’m so glad you love it here, sweetie.”

Ruby beamed, returning to her drawing with the unburdened joy only a child could feel. Megan stood and moved to the kitchen window, the weight of Ruby’s words settling on her shoulders. Would taking Ruby to San Diego strip her of the happiness she’d found here?

Megan stepped out onto the porch, letting the salty ocean breeze kiss her cheeks. The rhythmic sound of the waves lapping against the shore in the distance offered a small reprieve from the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she found Lauren’s name in her contacts and hit dial. The phone barely rang twice before Lauren’s voice came through.

“Megan! Happy holidays!” Lauren’s warmth was as familiar as ever, her cheer a balm Megan didn’t realize she needed.

“Hi, Lauren. I hope you had a great Christmas,” Megan said, her voice quieter than usual.

“What’s up? How’s Ruby? How’s the island life treating you?”

“It’s nice. We both like it here.” Megan hesitated for a moment before plunging in. “I think I need to take the job. It’s too good to pass up.”

“Oh, Megan, that’s fantastic!” Lauren’s enthusiasm was genuine.

She didn’t respond.

“But…”

“But,” Megan echoed, sinking into the rocking chair. She stared out at the horizon where the ocean met the sky. “I don’t know, Lauren. It’s everything I thought I wanted. The money is good, really good and I could start practicing law again.”

Lauren’s voice softened. “But you’re not sure it’s the right move anymore.”

“No,” Megan admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ruby loves it here. She’s happy in a way I haven’t seen in months. We’ve started building something—a life, maybe even a community. And then there’s Scott...”

Lauren let out a quiet laugh. “I was wondering when you’d bring him up. Tell me about him.”

Megan felt her cheeks flush, even with no one to see. “He’s kind. Thoughtful. Ruby adores him, and he’s been so good to her. To both of us. He’s steady, Lauren, like a rock. I didn’t think I’d feel this way about someone again, but he makes me feel?—”

“Safe?” Lauren offered gently.

“Yes,” Megan admitted, the word hanging in the air between them.

Lauren’s tone grew serious. “Megan, I’m so glad you’ve found someone who makes you feel that way. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve to rebuild. But…”

“But?”

“Just make sure you’re not rushing into something before you’re ready,” Lauren said carefully. “I’m not saying Scott’s not a great guy or that Palmar Island isn’t a good fit. But starting something serious while you’re still healing. It could complicate things.”

Megan pressed her free hand to her forehead, her chest tightening. “I know. And this offer feels like a now-or-never kind of thing. The deadline is coming up, and if I say no, I don’t know when another opportunity like this will come.”

Lauren sighed. “You’re feeling pulled in two directions. That’s normal. And you know how much I would love to have both of you back here again.”

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