Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

M egan stirred awake to the sound of tiny, rapid footsteps padding down the hall. Before she had a chance to fully open her eyes, Ruby burst into the room, her curls bouncing wildly as she launched herself onto the bed.

“Mommy! Mommy, it’s Christmas!” Ruby’s voice was breathless with excitement, her small hands tugging at Megan’s blanket. “Santa came! We have to see!”

Megan smiled despite the lingering fog of sleep and the heaviness of her thoughts. “Good morning to you too, sweetheart,” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of Ruby’s face.

Ruby’s grin widened as she climbed onto the bed and bounced on her knees. “Can we go now? Please? Pretty please?”

Megan laughed softly, sitting up and stretching. “Alright, let me put on my robe, and we’ll go see what Santa left.”

Ruby clapped her hands and darted to the doorway, practically vibrating with anticipation. Megan slipped on her robe and slippers, stifling a yawn as she followed her daughter down the short hall to the cozy living room of their bungalow.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of Christmas lights strung along the mantle and the small tree they had decorated together. Beneath its branches sat a modest pile of presents, wrapped in brightly colored paper and topped with simple bows.

Ruby gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the sight. “Santa came!”

“Yes, he did,” Megan said, her heart swelling at her daughter’s pure delight.

Ruby dove into the pile, her small hands tearing into the first package. The sound of ripping paper filled the room, accompanied by her gleeful exclamations as each new treasure was revealed—a doll she’d been eyeing for weeks, a set of art supplies, a stuffed bunny with floppy ears.

Megan sat on the couch, her mug of coffee cradled in her hands as she watched Ruby’s joy unfold. The room was warm and cozy, the scent of pine mingling with the faint aroma of coffee and the holiday candles she had lit the night before.

Ruby held up a small book triumphantly. “Look, Mommy! It’s like the one Santa Scott gave me!”

Megan’s smile softened, though her chest tightened at the mention of Scott. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart,” she said, setting her mug down to help Ruby unwrap the next gift.

As Ruby’s laughter filled the room, Megan couldn’t help feeling the bittersweet edge to the moment. This was what Christmas should be—filled with love and joy—but the thoughts swirling in her mind cast a shadow she couldn’t quite shake.

After all the gifts had been opened and Ruby was thoroughly engrossed in playing with her new doll and art supplies, Megan retrieved her coffee and sank into the armchair by the window. She gazed outside, where the morning light cast a golden glow over the quiet street.

The stillness felt like a stark contrast to the noise in her head. She thought of the phone call she’d had with Danny’s colleague in San Diego. The job offer was solid—more than solid, really. It was a chance to rebuild her career, to create the kind of stability she’d always envisioned for Ruby.

But then there was Palmar Island.

Her gaze flicked to the photo album Scott had given her, still sitting on the coffee table. She leaned forward and traced the engraved design on the cover with her fingertips, her mind replaying the way Scott had looked at her last night. His sincerity, his warmth—it had caught her off guard but had also planted a seed of something she hadn’t dared to feel in a long time.

And then there was the kiss.

The memory of it was vivid, stealing her breath all over again. The softness of his lips, the warmth of his touch, the steady, unhurried way he had leaned in, giving her the space to pull away but somehow making her feel safe enough to stay.

Megan’s cheeks heated at the thought, her heart fluttering in a way she hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just the kiss itself—it was everything it had meant. Scott wasn’t just kind or thoughtful. He saw her. Somehow, despite the guarded walls she’d tried to keep in place, he’d slipped past them, showing her a version of herself she’d almost forgotten existed.

She exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair as she rubbed her temples. What am I doing?

It wasn’t supposed to happen—not the kiss, not the connection that seemed to grow stronger every time they spoke. She hadn’t planned for this. She hadn’t planned for him.

And yet, here he was.

The feel of his lips lingered, as real and vivid as the photo album in front of her. She had kissed him back, and more than that, she had wanted to. For a fleeting moment, the world had felt lighter, as though the weight she’d been carrying for so long had started to shift.

But could she let herself feel that again? Could she risk her heart when so much of it was still tied to the past—to Danny, to the life they had dreamed of together before everything had unraveled?

Her fingers tightened on the album’s cover, her thoughts colliding like waves in a storm. The kiss had meant something. It had awakened something. But it also terrified her.

Ruby’s cheerful humming pulled Megan from her thoughts, grounding her in the present. Her daughter was the reason for all of this—the reason she had left her old life behind and started over. Everything she did was for Ruby, and she couldn’t afford to make mistakes, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

She glanced back at the album, the edges of her lips softening into a faint smile despite the swirl of doubt. Whatever the future held, Scott had given her something she hadn’t realized she needed—a reminder that there was still light, still connection, still the possibility of joy.

For now, that would have to be enough.

She glanced over at Ruby, who was drawing a picture with her new crayons. Ruby’s contentment was palpable, her joy radiating through the small room like sunlight.

“Mommy, look!” Ruby held up her drawing, a colorful scene of a Christmas tree with Cupid standing beside it.

Megan smiled, her heart tugging at the innocence in her daughter’s expression. “It’s beautiful, Ruby. You’re such a talented artist.”

Ruby beamed, returning to her work with single-minded focus.

Megan took another sip of her coffee, her gaze drifting back to the window. The morning was calm, the kind of peace that seemed to settle over Palmar Island like a soft blanket.

Her thoughts returned to Scott. His words from last night lingered, intertwining with the images from the album he’d given her. “You’ve brought so much light to this season... for Ruby, for me, for so many others.”

The sincerity in his voice had stayed with her, his quiet belief in her settling into a corner of her heart she hadn’t expected to open.

And yet, the question loomed. Was this connection—this fragile, budding hope—worth risking her future for? Could she afford to choose the possibility of love over the certainty of rebuilding her life in San Diego?

Megan exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. One look at her daughter and she resolved to push the thoughts aside for now. Christmas was about Ruby, about creating joy and new memories. The rest—Scott, the job offer, the tangled emotions threatening to overwhelm her—would have to wait.

“Ruby,” she called softly, setting her coffee down and rising from the chair. “How about some pancakes for breakfast? Christmas pancakes, with extra syrup.”

Ruby’s eyes lit up. “Yay! Can I help?”

“Of course,” Megan said, her smile warming as she moved toward the kitchen.

The knock came mid-morning, echoing softly through the cozy bungalow. Megan frowned, brushing her hands against her jeans as she stood from the couch where Ruby was happily engaged in an elaborate tea party with her new doll. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and most of the neighbors knew she liked to keep to herself.

She opened the door cautiously, her breath catching when she saw Scott standing there, a wrapped package in his hands and that familiar, easy smile on his face. The twinkle in his eyes, amplified by the crisp winter light, sent a flutter through her chest.

“Merry Christmas,” Scott said warmly, shifting the package slightly in his hands. “Again.”

“Scott,” Megan said, surprised but not unhappy to see him. “Merry Christmas. What are you doing here?”

He shrugged lightly, his smile softening. “Thought I’d stop by and see how your morning’s been. Got a little something for you, too.”

Touched by his thoughtfulness, Megan stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. “Ruby’s been asking when we’ll see Santa again,” she said with a small smile.

“I figured as much,” he said, chuckling as he stepped into the warmth of the house.

Ruby looked up from her tea party as Scott entered, her eyes lighting up instantly. “Santa Scott!” she squealed, hopping to her feet and rushing over to him.

Scott crouched down, ruffling her curls. “Hey there, Ruby. Did you have a good Christmas morning?”

Ruby nodded enthusiastically. “Look what I got!” She tugged him toward the couch, showing off her doll, bunny and art supplies with unrestrained excitement.

Scott listened attentively, offering playful comments that made Ruby giggle. Megan watched from the kitchen doorway, her heart tugging at the scene. The way Scott interacted with Ruby—so patient, so genuine—made her wonder if she’d ever seen someone who understood her daughter so effortlessly.

After Ruby returned to her tea party, Megan gestured toward the couch. “Sit down. I’ll get you some coffee.”

Scott smiled and settled into the couch, looking around the living room. The soft glow of Christmas lights and the scattered remnants of wrapping paper gave the space a cozy, lived-in feel.

When Megan returned with two steaming mugs, she sat beside him, the silence between them comfortable but charged with something unspoken.

“How’s your morning been?” Scott asked, his tone casual but warm.

“Good,” Megan said, tucking her legs beneath her. “Ruby was thrilled, as you can probably tell. It’s nice to see her so happy.” She paused, then added softly, “Thank you again for last night. She hasn’t stopped talking about the sleigh ride.”

Scott’s smile widened. “I’m glad she had fun. She’s a great kid, Megan. You’ve done an amazing job with her.”

Megan looked down at her mug, her cheeks warming. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Scott set his coffee on the table, his expression growing thoughtful. “You know,” he began, his voice quieter now, “Christmas is always quiet for me, unless my sister drags me down to her place. Most years, it’s just me and the memories of my parents. They made it special when I was young, even when we didn’t have much.”

Megan looked up at him, sensing the shift in his tone.

“But this year,” he continued, glancing toward Ruby with a soft smile, “it’s been different. You and Ruby, you’ve made it feel special again.”

Megan’s heart tightened. She didn’t speak, letting him find the words he seemed to be working up to.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Scott said, meeting her eyes. “But I want you to know I’m here. For both of you. No matter what happens.”

Megan’s breath caught. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, and it filled the room with a quiet gravity. She hesitated, her fingers tightening around her mug.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said softly. “I’ve been offered a job. Back in San Diego.”

Scott’s expression didn’t falter, though she saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment maybe? He nodded slowly. “That’s a big opportunity,” he said carefully. “Have you decided?”

Megan shook her head, the uncertainty swirling inside her. “No. It’s a good job. A chance to get back on my feet, to rebuild.” She glanced toward Ruby, who was humming softly as she arranged her dolls. “But leaving here… leaving what we’re starting to build here…” She trailed off, unsure how to finish the thought.

Scott leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Megan, I’d never want to hold you back from what’s best for you and Ruby,” he said gently. “But if there’s a way to stay connected, to keep being part of your lives, I’d like that.”

Her eyes stung, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. “You mean a lot to us, Scott,” she said quietly. “You’ve made this season—this place—feel like home in a way I didn’t think was possible.”

His lips curved into a small, hopeful smile. “Then maybe that’s something worth holding onto.”

The moment hung between them, the sound of Ruby’s playful chatter grounding them in the present. Scott straightened slightly and cleared his throat, his nervousness apparent. “I, uh, brought you something,” he said, picking up the package he’d set beside him earlier.

Megan took the gift, her fingers brushing the smooth wrapping paper. “You didn’t have to,” she said, though her voice was soft with gratitude.

Scott smiled. “I wanted to. Go on, open it.”

She unwrapped the package carefully, her fingers brushing the edges of the plain brown paper. Inside, nestled in a soft cloth, was a set of wooden bookends. The polished surface gleamed, and each bookend featured a carved dolphin leaping gracefully, its arc smooth and fluid as though captured mid-dive.

Megan’s breath caught as she traced the intricate details with her fingertips, marveling at the craftsmanship. The wood was warm and smooth, the dolphins’ forms both delicate and sturdy, as though they carried the weight of the stories they were meant to hold.

“I made them last night,” Scott said quietly, his voice steady but laced with nervousness. “I thought maybe Ruby and you could use them for those books you’ve been picking up.”

Megan glanced up at him, her throat tightening with emotion. “Scott,” she whispered, her voice catching. “They’re beautiful. I don’t even know what to say.”

Scott’s lips quirked into a small smile, his blue eyes warm. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to have something that felt like home.”

Megan’s fingers lingered on one of the dolphins.Her chest ached as the memory of everything they’d shared—everything she was leaving behind—washed over her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice thick with gratitude. “These are perfect.”

Scott ducked his head, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “I’m glad you like them. I figured they’d remind you of the island. ”

Megan managed a soft laugh, blinking back the emotion welling in her eyes. “They will. They’ll remind me of so much more than that.”

He watched her closely, his gaze steady. “You deserve beautiful things, Megan. You both do.”

She set the bookends down and looked up at him. The gratitude she felt was overwhelming, but it was more than that. Scott’s kindness, his steady presence—it was breaking down walls she hadn’t even realized she’d built.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Scott smiled, a quiet understanding passing between them. “Merry Christmas, Megan.”

Scott stood to leave. Ruby ran over, clutching her doll. “Bye, Santa Scott!” she said brightly, throwing her arms around his legs.

Scott laughed, crouching to give her a quick hug. “Bye, Ruby. Be good, okay?”

She nodded solemnly, her curls bouncing.

Megan walked Scott to the door, the cool morning air brushing against her as she opened it. “Thank you,” she said again, her voice soft but firm.

“Anytime,” Scott said, his smile warm and steady.

Megan lingered in the doorway, watching as he walked away. Her thoughts turned to the exquisite, handmade gifts he’d created for them—each piece a reminder of his kindness and thoughtfulness. Her heart swelled with gratitude and a bittersweet ache she wasn’t ready to name.

When Ruby tugged gently at her hand, Megan blinked back her thoughts and knelt down, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace.