Page 32 of Mountain Man's Naughty Elf
His hand covered mine, his calloused thumb brushing gently across my wrist. "We should help with the shopping," he said, the softness in his eyes belying his practical words.
For the next hour, we joined the volunteers rushing through the mall, filling carts with toys, games, and gifts for every age. The town's merchants stayed open late, many offering additional discounts when they learned what we were doing. In the food court, an impromptu wrapping station formed, with dozens of people working together to prepare everything for tomorrow's delivery.
When midnight approached, the last gift was wrapped, labeled, and sorted. The town square had emptied except fora few lingering volunteers. Martha, somehow still energetic, checked off the final name on her list with a flourish.
"We did it," she announced, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction.
I stood beneath the massive tree, its lights casting colorful patterns on the fresh snow. Tomorrow, hundreds of children would wake to gifts they might otherwise have missed. The revelation of Nolan's true nature had hurt, but tonight had reminded me why I'd always believed in the magic of this season - people coming together when it matters most.
Pax appeared at my side with two cups of cocoa from the last open vendor.
"Ready?" he asked, handing me one.
I slipped my hand into his, feeling the strength and warmth of his fingers intertwining with mine. "Let's go home."
And for the first time since finding Nolan with his campaign manager, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.
Epilogue
“Christmas in July”
Pepper
July in Evergreen Falls was nothing like December—no snow-kissed pines, no festive decorations adorning every storefront, and thankfully, no jingling bells announcing my every move. The town square shimmered in the heat, sweat replacing snowflakes, cicadas providing summer's soundtrack instead of carols as I directed volunteers setting up for our first annual Sunset Concert.
"The sound booth needs to be three feet to the left," I called, gesturing to the tech crew. "We need to maximize the viewing angle for families on the lawn."
Six months had transformed Evergreen Falls and my life in ways I never could have imagined that blustery winter night I'd stumbled into Pax's cabin. North Pole Village was thriving under my management, and I'd expanded my event planning business to include year-round celebrations of all kinds. Meanwhile, Pax's security consulting had grown to include event security—like tonight's concert.
I spotted him across the plaza, his tall frame towering over his team as he gestured toward the park entrances. Even with sweat dampening his shirt, he maintained that laser-sharp awareness that had first made me feel both seen and protected,though these days his usual stoicism occasionally cracked to reveal hints of dry humor.
"Everything secure?" I asked, sidling up beside him.
"Perimeter checked, emergency protocols in place." He slipped an arm around my waist, a casual intimacy that still sent shivers through me. "Rudy's bringing Martha. She insisted on providing cookies."
I laughed. "Some things never change."
"Unlike our former mayor," a passing town councilwoman remarked, pausing beside us. "Did you hear? Judge denied Nolan's appeal. He's serving the full ten years for embezzlement and criminal conspiracy."
"Good," Pax said simply.
The town had rallied remarkably after Nolan's arrest. Our new mayor—a no-nonsense retired school principal—had implemented transparent financial practices that had restored community trust faster than I'd expected.
Once she was out of earshot, I leaned into him. "Hard to believe it's been six months since that night."
