Page 10 of Falling for Santa

“So,” he said, breaking the silence. “How’re the elf battle scars? Recovering from the weekend chaos?”

Megan rolled her eyes but smiled. “Barely. I think I’ve finally stopped jingling in my sleep.”

“Give it time,” Scott said, grinning. “Those bells have a way of sticking with you.”

“Honestly,” Megan said, leaning forward slightly, “the job’s tougher than I expected. Keeping the kids happy, managing the lines, answering all the questions—it’s a lot.”

Scott nodded, his grin softening. “It is. But you’re doing well. The first weekend’s always the hardest, especially when you’re jumping in cold. By next weekend, you’ll be a pro.”

Megan laughed quietly, shaking her head. “I’m not sure ‘pro’ is in the cards, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“It’s not just confidence,” Scott said. “You’ve got a way with the kids. They trust you, even when things get a little crazy. That’s not something you can teach.”

Megan’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of quiet gratitude. “Thanks, Scott. That actually means a lot.”

Ruby leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Scott. “Do you have reindeer?” she asked, her voice full of wonder.

Scott’s eyes twinkled as he leaned closer. “I do, but they’re resting right now. They only fly on Christmas Eve, so they’ve got to save their energy.”

Ruby nodded solemnly, taking his explanation about the reindeer very seriously, as if she were already plotting how to catch a glimpse of them on Christmas Eve. Scott chuckled, leaning back in his chair and letting his eyes settle on Megan.

“So,” he said, his tone casual, “how are you settling into Palmar Island? Starting to feel like home yet?”

Megan hesitated, her hand still smoothing Ruby’s curls as she considered her answer. “It’s... different from what I’m used to,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully.

Scott tilted his head, curiosity sparking. “Different how?”

“It’s smaller,” Megan said with a faint smile, her gaze flickering to the window. Outside, a couple of locals waved to one another as they passed on the sidewalk, their familiarity a hallmark of small-town life. “Where I’m from, most people don’t know their neighbors’ names, let alone their business. Here, everyone seems to know everything about everyone. I didn’t realize how much when we stayed here on vacation.”

Scott laughed softly, nodding. “That’s Palmar Island for you. News spreads faster than a summer storm. But it’s not all bad. People look out for each other here.”

“I’ve noticed that,” Megan said, her voice softer. “It’s… nice, in a way.”

Scott caught the slight hesitation, the way her words seemed carefully measured. She wasn’t giving much away, but there was something in her tone that made him wonder what she’d left behind.

He decided to tread lightly. “Well, if you ever need tips on the best spots to visit, I’m your guy. There’s a bakery a couple of streets over that makes the best cinnamon rolls you’ve ever had. They sell out by mid-morning, though, so you’ve got to be quick.”

Megan’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And if you’re ever looking for some quiet,” Scott continued, “there’s a spot on the north side of the island—a little inlet just off the main road. Hardly anyone goes there. It’s great for clearing your head.”

“That sounds lovely,” Megan said, though her tone remained cautious, as if she were wary of accepting too much from him.

Scott studied her for a moment, intrigued by the way she seemed to keep herself at arm’s length. She was polite, even warm at times, but there was a wall there, one she clearly wasn’t ready to lower.

He cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. “If you ever need anything—directions, recommendations, someone to fix a wobbly chair—I’m happy to help. Seriously.”

“Thanks, Scott,” Megan said, her expression softening just enough to let him see a glimpse of gratitude. “I appreciate that.”

Scott opened his mouth to say more but stopped when Megan glanced at the time on her phone.

“We should get going,” she said, reaching for Ruby’s jacket. “I promised Ruby we’d stop by the park before heading home.”

Scott stood, stepping back to give her space as she bundled Ruby into her coat. “Well, don’t let me keep you. I’ll see you next weekend at Santa’s Village?”

“Bright and early,” Megan replied, lifting Ruby into her arms. “Thanks for the coffee company, Scott.”

“Anytime,” he said, tipping an imaginary hat to Ruby, who giggled and waved as they walked out the door.

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