A Very Grumpy Thanksgiving (Wolf Valley: A Very Grumpy Holiday #3)

BONUS SCENE

Saffron

I pull the old, slightly dusty box of Christmas decorations out from the back of my closet, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. This year feels different, though. Everything feels brighter and warmer—because this year, I’m not decorating alone.

I glance over my shoulder to where Nolan is standing in the doorway, watching me with that slow, easy smile of his. The one that makes my heart do a little flip every time I see it. He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking far too attractive in a flannel shirt and jeans. It’s like he stepped straight out of one of those holiday movies I used to watch when I was single and cynical, rolling my eyes at the predictability of it all. Now, I’m living my own version of those movies.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I pull out an old string of lights that has clearly seen better days.

Nolan pushes off the doorframe and walks over, taking the lights from my hands. “I think I can handle a few decorations, Saffron. It’s Christmas, not a construction site.”

I smirk, remembering how, just a month ago, this house was a construction site and how we went from fake dating to real feelings in what felt like the blink of an eye. “Don’t underestimate the challenge of untangling those lights. It might be harder than remodeling a kitchen.”

He chuckles, and the sound warms me from the inside out. Nolan places the string of lights on the coffee table and gently pulls me into his arms, wrapping me in his warmth. “I think I’ll manage,” he says softly, brushing a kiss against my temple. “Besides, I kind of like doing this stuff with you.”

My heart swells, and I lean into him, breathing in the familiar scent of his aftershave and something uniquely Nolan. He’s always had this grounding effect on me, ever since that first awkward conversation about fixing my house. I pull back just enough to look up at him, my arms still looped around his neck. “You’re really getting into the holiday spirit, huh?”

“I guess you’ve rubbed off on me,” he says with a teasing glint in his eye. “Last year, I didn’t even bother with a tree.”

My eyes widen in mock horror.

“Not even a tree? Nolan, that’s practically sacrilegious!”

He shrugs, giving me a playful smirk. “What can I say? There wasn’t much point decorating for Christmas when it was just me. But now…” His voice softens, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “Now there’s you.”

I feel my cheeks flush with warmth, and for a moment, I’m speechless. How is it possible that a guy like Nolan—a man who is strong, reserved, and sometimes impossible to read—can say something so sweet and make me melt on the spot? It’s still new to me, this vulnerability between us, but I’m not scared of it. I welcome it.

“We’ve got lights to untangle, a tree to put up, and stockings to “Okay, mister. Before you go making me all emotional, let’s focus on the task at hand,” I say, hang.”

Nolan groans playfully, but there’s a twinkle in his eye as he picks up the knotted mess of lights again. “Let’s get to it then.”

We spend the next hour laughing and teasing each other as we try to get the house ready for Christmas. Nolan’s skills with tools and construction don’t exactly translate to decorating, but he’s game for everything I throw at him—whether it’s untangling lights or carefully hanging ornaments on the tree. Watching him handle the delicate decorations with his large, capable hands makes me smile.

At one point, he stops and picks up an ornament shaped like a little snowman, inspecting it closely. “Where’d you get this one?” he asks.

“Oh, that’s from when I was a kid,” I say, coming up beside him. “My mom used to let me pick out a new ornament every year, and that one was my favorite.”

Nolan smiles softly, placing the snowman on the tree with care. “I like it. It’s cute.”

I smile to myself, loving how seamlessly Nolan has become part of my world, how he’s embraced all the little things about me that make up my past. I didn’t expect to feel this settled so soon—especially after the whirlwind that was our fake dating escapade—but being with Nolan feels natural, like it was always meant to happen this way.

Once the tree is up and lit, the room is bathed in a soft, golden glow. I step back and take it all in, my heart full to bursting. The house feels different now—alive, warm, and filled with love.

“Well, what do you think?” I ask, turning to Nolan, who’s standing by the fireplace, his eyes on me rather than the tree.

“I think it looks perfect,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “But not as perfect as you.”

I roll my eyes, trying to downplay the way his words make my heart race. “You’re getting awfully good at that, you know.”

“At what?” He crosses the room, closing the distance between us.

“Saying things that make me swoon,” I tease, though there’s truth behind it.

Nolan reaches for me, pulling me into his arms once again. “I’m just speaking the truth, Saffron,” he says softly. “Every day with you is better than the last.”

I bite my lip, feeling the emotion swell inside me. This man, who I once thought would be nothing more than a temporary fixture in my life, has become so much more than that. He’s my partner, my confidant, my love. And every time he says something like that, it feels like I’m falling for him all over again.

Before I can respond, there’s a soft buzzing sound from Nolan’s pocket. He sighs and pulls out his phone, glancing at the screen. “It’s my mom. Probably calling to check in on us after Thanksgiving.”

I laugh, remembering how his family had been completely taken by surprise when they found out our fake relationship had turned real. His mom had been over the moon, already planning future holiday gatherings with me included. “Go ahead, answer it. I’ll finish up here.”

Nolan steps outside to take the call, leaving me alone with the softly glowing tree and the warm hum of contentment that fills the room. I look around at the house—our house, in a way. It’s not just my project anymore. It’s become something we’ve built together.

I walk over to the mantel, adjusting the stockings we’d hung earlier. One for me, one for Nolan. The thought of spending Christmas with him, creating new traditions and memories, fills me with a sense of peace I didn’t realize I was missing. I never imagined this house would become a place where I’d find love, but here we are.

As I straighten the stockings, I notice something new—a small gift-wrapped box tucked behind the garland. I furrow my brow, knowing I hadn’t put it there. Curious, I pick it up and carefully unwrap it. Inside is a small, hand-carved wooden ornament shaped like a heart.

A note is attached:For our first Christmas together. Here’s to many more.

I turn the ornament over in my hands, feeling the smooth wood under my fingers. My eyes sting with unshed tears as I realize that Nolan must have made this himself. He’s always been good with his hands, but this—this is something else entirely. Something made just for me, for us.

I don’t hear him come back inside until his arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me close. “You like it?” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.

I turn in his arms, holding the ornament between us. “You made this?”

He nods, his eyes soft and filled with love. “Yeah. Thought we needed something special for the tree this year.”

I blink back the tears, overcome with emotion. “Nolan, it’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me softly. “Merry Christmas, Saffron.”

“Merry Christmas,” I whisper back, holding him close as the lights from the tree twinkle in the background. And in that moment, I know that this is what I’ve always wanted—someone to share these quiet, perfect moments with. Someone like Nolan.