Chapter 1

Chapter One

T he gentle crash of waves against the shore was the only sound, apart from Ruby’s delighted squeals as she darted ahead, her tiny feet kicking up sprays of wet sand. Megan trailed a few steps behind, sandals dangling from one hand, the cool dampness of the beach beneath her soles a small comfort on this warm November day.

Ruby stooped to scoop up another shell, holding it aloft with pride. “Look, Mama! This one’s pink!”

“It’s beautiful,” Megan replied, forcing a smile she didn’t quite feel. She bent down to inspect the tiny treasure, her dark eyes softening at Ruby’s excitement. “Add it to your bucket. We’ll find a special place for it at home.”

Ruby nodded eagerly and darted back toward the waterline, her giggles mingling with the soft rustle of the breeze. Megan straightened, glancing out at the horizon where the endless blue of the ocean stretched to meet the sky.

Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her sundress, startling her. She fished it out, glancing at the screen before answering. “Lauren, hey,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Megan, I was starting to worry! It’s been days since I’ve heard from you,” Lauren’s warm but concerned voice came through the line.

“Sorry,” Megan said, walking farther from the waves to keep Ruby in sight. “It’s just been… a lot.”

“How’s Palmar Island?” Lauren asked. “I know it’s beautiful, but how are you holding up? Really?”

Megan sighed, her gaze following Ruby as the little girl chased a seagull. “It’s quiet. Peaceful. The beach is beautiful, and Ruby loves it.”

“That’s good,” Lauren replied carefully. “But what about you? Are you settling in?”

Megan hesitated, knowing Lauren wouldn’t let her off the hook. “I’m trying,” she admitted. “But it’s harder than I thought. The bungalow’s fine, but every time I look at my bank account, I feel like I’ve made a huge mistake.”

“You haven’t,” Lauren said firmly. “You did what you had to do. That debt wasn’t your fault, Megan.”

“What choice did I have?” Megan’s voice wavered. “I sold the house, sold most of our things. I needed a fresh start, but this? I’m not sure it’s working. It feels like holding my breath and waiting for everything to fall apart again.”

Lauren was silent for a moment, then asked, “Have you started looking for work?”

“Not yet,” Megan admitted. “It’s a small town. I’m not even sure what’s available. And to be honest, I don’t even know where to start. I don’t want Ruby to feel like I’m dragging her all over the place.”

“You’re not dragging her anywhere,” Lauren said gently. “You’re giving her a safe place to grow up. You’ll figure this out. You always do. I’ll put out some feelers back here.”

Before Megan could respond, Ruby’s giggles turned to a delighted squeal. Megan glanced up to see her daughter crouched near a small tidepool, her bucket forgotten as she reached for something wriggling in the sand.

“Ruby, wait!” Megan called, her heart lurching.

“I found a crab, Mama!” Ruby shouted, pointing at the tiny creature.

Megan sighed, pressing the phone to her ear. “Lauren, I’ve got to go. Ruby’s about to adopt a crab.”

Lauren chuckled. “Go save your daughter. Call me soon, okay? I mean it.”

“I will,” Megan promised. “Thanks, Lauren.”

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and hurried toward Ruby, who had wisely decided to observe the crab from a safe distance.

“Careful, sweetheart,” Megan said, crouching beside her. “Crabs pinch, remember?”

Ruby nodded solemnly, watching the tiny creature scuttle back into the water. “Bye, crab,” she said with a wave before scampering back toward her bucket.

Megan straightened, brushing her hands on her dress. Her eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting on a weathered bench just beyond the dunes. The woman waved, her bright smile crinkling her sun-warmed face.

“Megan, is that you?” the woman called, her voice warm and familiar.

Megan hesitated, surprised that someone recognized her. After a moment, it clicked. “Miss Doris?”

The older woman nodded, her grin widening. “I thought it was you!”

“Yes, it’s me,” Megan replied, approaching with a cautious smile. “And this is Ruby. You met her once when she was a baby.”

Miss Doris stood, brushing sand from her skirt before holding out her arms. “Well, aren’t you just a big girl now,” she cooed at Ruby, who shyly ducked behind Megan’s leg.

“She’s a little shy,” Megan said, smoothing Ruby’s curls.

“She’ll warm up,” Miss Doris replied kindly before turning her attention back to Megan. “Where’s Danny? Did he come with you?”

The question hit Megan like a splash of cold water. She felt the familiar ache in her chest but pushed it down, forcing herself to speak. “Danny passed away last year.”

Miss Doris’s smile faltered, replaced by a look of sympathy. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

Megan nodded, her throat tightening. “Thank you. It’s been a difficult year.”

“Well,” Miss Doris said gently, “why don’t you come up to the house for a cup of coffee? It’ll do you good to sit down for a spell.”

Megan hesitated, her instinct to decline warring with the warmth in Miss Doris’s voice. Finally, she nodded. “That sounds nice. Thank you.”

Miss Doris smiled and motioned for them to follow. As Megan took Ruby’s hand and began walking up the sandy path, she felt a flicker of relief. For the first time since arriving on Palmar Island, she wouldn’t have to face her worries alone. At least not for the next hour.

Miss Doris’s cottage was exactly as Megan remembered it—warm and inviting, with the faint scent of cinnamon lingering in the air. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled to the brim with well-worn paperbacks and family photo albums. A small artificial Christmas tree sat in the corner, glowing softly with multicolored lights. Ruby’s wide eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Miss Doris said, ushering them toward a cozy living room. “I’ll fix us something to drink. Megan, coffee or tea?”

“Coffee would be wonderful,” Megan replied as she sank into a floral armchair.

“And how about you, Ruby? Do you like hot chocolate?”

Ruby nodded shyly, clutching her bucket of shells.

“Hot chocolate it is,” Miss Doris said with a warm smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

Ruby wandered over to the coffee table, setting her bucket down carefully. “Mama, look at the books!” she whispered, pointing to a stack of brightly colored children’s books that seemed to be waiting just for her.

Megan smiled. “You can look at them, sweetheart. Just be gentle.”

Ruby eagerly grabbed the top book and climbed into the chair beside Megan, her curls bouncing as she flipped through the pages.

A few minutes later, Miss Doris returned with a tray carrying two steaming mugs and a smaller cup for Ruby, complete with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. “And some pumpkin bread, fresh from the oven,” she said, setting the tray down on the coffee table.

Megan took a grateful sip of the coffee, the rich, slightly spiced flavor warming her from the inside out. Ruby let out a delighted hum after her first sip of hot chocolate, leaving a small whipped cream mustache on her upper lip.

“Hang on, I’ve got something for her,” Miss Doris said, disappearing again and returning moments later with a pad of paper and a box of crayons. “Thought she might like to draw while we chat.”

“Say thank you, Ruby,” Megan prompted gently.

“Thank you,” Ruby said, beaming as she grabbed the crayons.

Miss Doris settled into the chair across from Megan, her own mug in hand. “So,” she began, her tone gentle, “how are you holding up?”

Megan hesitated, but the kindness in Miss Doris’s eyes made her feel safe enough to open up. She shared bits of her story—the move to Palmar Island, the financial struggles, and the constant worry about what the future might hold.

“I thought once we got here, I’d feel relieved,” Megan admitted, her voice trembling. “But now I’m just scared. My savings are dwindling, and I need to find work. I don’t even know where to start.”

“What did you do before?” Miss Doris asked.

“I worked as a lawyer before I had Ruby,” Megan said. “But without a license here and the long hours the job requires…” Picking up her old profession didn’t seem feasible. Besides, there didn’t seem to be a lot of need for someone trained in international business law here on the island.

Miss Doris reached over, resting her hand on Megan’s. “You’ve been through a lot, dear, but you’re here now, and that’s a start. Sometimes, just putting one foot in front of the other is the best you can do.”

Megan nodded, her throat tight. She sipped her coffee, letting the warmth steady her. “I don’t think I’m ready to go back into law. At least not until Ruby is older.”

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Miss Doris’s eyes lit up with a familiar twinkle. “You know,” she said, leaning back in her chair, “Scott Hunter’s looking for someone to help out at the Christmas Market. He plays Santa every year, but he needs an elf to help him with the little ones.”

Megan blinked, caught off guard. “An elf?” she repeated, laughing softly.

Miss Doris chuckled. “I know it sounds silly, but it could be just what you need. Scott’s a good man, and he’s always willing to help out someone in need. Besides, he could use a good office manager for his business. He’s just too stubborn to admit he needs the help. This could be your way in.”

“What kind of business?” Megan asked, wondering what Santa was doing in the off season.

“He builds and installs custom cabinets,” Miss Doris said, her voice as proud as if the man was family. “Scott has clients all the way from Wilmington to Charleston.”

Megan hesitated, the idea both intriguing and daunting. She could picture herself organizing files or managing orders—work she felt confident in. But the thought of dressing up as an elf? That was a different story.

“I don’t know if I’m cut out for that,” she said, shaking her head. “The elf thing.”

Miss Doris leaned forward, her gaze steady. “Sometimes, the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places. At the very least, it’s worth meeting Scott and seeing what he has to say.”

Megan glanced at Ruby, who was now humming as she scribbled over a picture of a beach scene. Her daughter deserved stability, and Megan couldn’t let her pride stand in the way of giving Ruby the life she deserved.

“I’ll think about it,” Megan said finally.

Miss Doris smiled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all I ask, dear. He really could use a hand.”

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting the room in a warm, golden glow, Megan felt a flicker of something she hadn’t felt in a long time. Hope.

Later, as they walked back down the beach, Ruby skipped ahead, clutching her new drawing in one hand and her bucket of shells in the other. Megan glanced over her shoulder at Miss Doris’s house, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks.

The conversation played over in her mind, and though the idea of working as an elf still made her laugh, there was a growing determination in her chest.

“I’ll do it,” she whispered into the wind, watching Ruby’s carefree steps. “Whatever it takes, I’ll make this work.”

The waves lapped gently at the shore as Megan and Ruby made their way back to the bungalow they now called home, the horizon painted in soft hues of gold and pink. Tomorrow, she decided, she would call Scott and see where this unexpected opportunity might lead.