Chapter 18

18

D enise leaned against the doorframe at the back of the room, her eyes scanning the bustling scene before her. The twinkling lights cast a warm glow over the children’s faces as they eagerly awaited their turn with Santa. She watched from a distance, not wanting to be seen, her heart swelling with a mix of nostalgia and warmth. She could almost see her father in the Santa suit, his laughter echoing through the room, his eyes twinkling with the same joy she saw in the children’s faces now.

The room was a whirlwind of activity, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of pine and freshly baked cookies, the soft hum of holiday music blending with the children’s laughter. Denise couldn’t help but smile, her chest tightening with a sense of pride and longing. This was her father’s legacy, his love for the community and the magic of Christmas shining through every detail.

She watched as Alyssa moved effortlessly through the crowd, keeping the event running smoothly.

It still struck her just how much things could change in a month. When Denise first arrived back in Stony Creek, she could barely even think about her father without feeling angry, but now she found her childhood memories prevailing over the ones of her last few days here before she left for California. She’d had an amazing childhood here, and he had been a great father up until he hadn’t.

But the more time she spent with Alyssa and the more she learned about how kind he’d been to her in the last thirteen years, Denise was slowly coming to terms with the idea that her father had made a mistake, and apparently, it was one that he’d wanted to fix.

Denise swallowed. Her throat started to feel a little tight as she watched the man playing Santa hand out another present to a blond-haired girl who couldn’t have been more than six, and she found herself blinking back tears, thinking about what might have been if she’d answered that call.

Denise pushed away from the doorframe. Everything was running smoothly there, and she wanted to get home to start getting dinner ready for when Alyssa arrived.

The aroma of roasting chicken and herbs filled the farmhouse when Denise heard a car outside. Denise wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and headed for the door. Through the window, she caught sight of Alyssa’s truck - and there, strapped in the back, was a Christmas tree.

“Did you think I’d forgotten?” Alyssa’s cheeks were pink from the cold, her eyes bright.

“No,” Denise said, reaching for her boots by the door. “I just can’t believe that I’m going to have a tree. I haven’t had one since I left here.”

“At all?” Alyssa’s hands stilled on the rope securing the tree.

“No.” The word came out softer than Denise intended.

Each Christmas in L.A., she’d thrown herself into work or traveled somewhere warm, anywhere to escape the memories that came with this time of year.

They worked together to untie the tree, Denise following Alyssa’s lead. Together, they carried it through the door, navigating carefully through the doorway.

“The stand should be in the hallway closet,” Alyssa said, holding the tree steady while Denise went down the hall. She found it on the bottom shelf.

Denise’s fingers worked the screws of the tree stand, memories of childhood Christmases flooding back. The scent of fresh pine filled her nostrils, and for the first time in decades, it didn’t bring pain with it.

“Sorry,” Alyssa said, stepping back from the now-secure tree. “I hope I didn’t overstep by suggesting you have one.”

Denise shook her head, crossing the small space between them. Her hand found Alyssa’s cheek, thumb brushing over the soft skin there. She leaned in, pressing her lips against Alyssa’s in a gentle kiss.

“Don’t apologize.” Denise’s voice came out barely above a whisper. Her fingers traced down Alyssa’s arm, finding her hand and squeezing it.

“Thank you for everything you did to make today the success that it was,” Alyssa said. “The decorating, the gifts... It was all perfect.”

“I’m glad I could help.” The warmth in Alyssa’s hazel-green depths drew her in, and before she knew it, they were kissing again, slow and tender.

When they parted, Denise’s fingers lingered on Alyssa’s waist.

“Dinner should be ready in about an hour,” Denise said, reluctantly stepping back.

Alyssa inhaled deeply, her eyes closing for a moment. “It smells amazing.” Her gaze shifted to the bare tree standing in front of the window. “How about we decorate while we wait?”

“Sure,” Denise said with a smile, still not really believing that this felt natural, that for the first time in she hated to think how many years she was almost looking forward to Christmas and doing these kinds of things.

Denise watched Alyssa fluff the branches of the trees, knowing that it had everything to do with her.