Page 39 of Falling for Santa

“Good for you,” Kenny said with a nod. “This town could use more folks making real memories. None of that screen-staring nonsense.”

Scott chuckled, taking the bag of supplies. “Here’s hoping this one counts.”

Back at his place, Scott retreated to his workshop. The smell of fresh wood filled the air as he focused on his final touch—a small wooden box for Megan. And a matching one for Ruby.

He had chosen a simple design: a smooth, rounded star etched with the words “New Beginnings.” It felt fitting, a quiet symbol of the hope he held for their future.

As the carving knife moved over the wood, Scott’s thoughts drifted to Megan. Her cautious smile, the way she had opened up little by little. It all made him want to be someone she could trust. Someone she could count on, no matter what.

The star took shape under his careful hands, its edges smooth and its design delicate. When he finished, he held it up to the light, turning it slowly. It wasn’t flashy or extravagant, but it was sincere. Just like the feelings he’d been carrying for her.

As evening approached, Scott stepped onto the porch of his bungalow, the cool air brushing against his face. The stars were scattered across the sky, their quiet brilliance reminding him of the night he’d spent with Megan and Ruby delivering gifts.

He leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. There was still a chance Megan might choose San Diego, but Scott knew he couldn’t control that. What he could do was show her what staying could mean. For her, for Ruby, and for him.

Chapter Fifteen

Megan sat at the small desk in her bedroom, the early morning light filtering through the blinds. Her laptop whirred quietly, and the inbox on the screen displayed a subject line that made her breath catch:

Official Job Offer – San Diego Opportunity

Her stomach flipped as she clicked the email, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and dread. She had been expecting this, but now that it was here, the reality felt far heavier than she anticipated.

It was everything she’d hoped for and more. The job offer came with a competitive salary, a leadership role in a dynamic, growing company, and even a generous relocation package. It was the kind of opportunity she would have jumped at a year ago. Before everything had changed.

Megan scanned the email again, her eyes lingering on phrases likecareer advancementandteam leader.These were the words she used to dream about, back when her life was structured around ambition and the steady climb of her legal career.

But now, as the cursor blinked at the bottom of the message, she felt an ache settle in her chest. A move back to San Diegowould mean security, a chance to rebuild not just her career but her confidence. As appealing as it sounded on paper, the thought of uprooting Ruby from Palmar Island and everything they’d found here brought a sharp pang of doubt.

Her gaze drifted to the small photo album Scott had given her, sitting on the corner of her desk. The engraved stars on its wooden cover caught the morning light, and her thoughts inevitably turned to him. His quiet sincerity, his kindness, his willingness to give without expecting anything in return. All of it had stirred something in her she wasn’t sure how to name.

The sound of tiny footsteps pattering down the hall pulled Megan from her thoughts. She quickly minimized the email just as Ruby burst into the room, a wide grin lighting up her face.

She held up a piece of paper, the edges smudged with crayon. The drawing featured Cupid, complete with what Megan guessed were antlers and silver bells.

“Oh, sweetheart, that’s amazing,” Megan said, scooping Ruby into her lap. She traced her fingers lightly over the drawing. “Is Cupid pulling Santa’s sleigh in this picture?”

Ruby giggled, nodding. “And there’s a big star in the sky so he doesn’t get lost!”

Megan pressed a kiss to Ruby’s curls, her heart squeezing. Her daughter’s joy was infectious, and for a moment, Megan allowed herself to bask in it. But the timing of Ruby’s arrival felt like a cosmic nudge—a reminder of the weight of her decision.

Would moving to San Diego take away the happiness Ruby had found here?

Ruby wiggled out of her lap, clutching the picture. “I’m gonna show Gertrude!” she announced, darting back toward the living room.

Megan watched her go, a lump forming in her throat. Palmar Island wasn’t just a refuge for her. It was becoming Ruby’s safe haven too.

Still feeling the weight of the decision, Megan reached for her phone and opened her messages. She found Lauren’s name and quickly typed:

Got the official job offer. Can we talk later?

The response came almost immediately.

Of course. I’m around this afternoon. Call me whenever.

Megan set the phone down, her fingers lingering over the cool wood of Scott’s photo album. She flipped it open, her eyes drawn to the pictures toward the back—the ones of Ruby laughing by Cupid’s pen, of herself surrounded by glitter and crafts, and of the three of them together, their smiles bright and genuine.

She closed the album with a sigh, her thoughts swirling. The offer in San Diego was everything she thought she wanted. So why did it feel like the decision to take it would mean leaving more behind than just a small island town?

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