My Secret Santa Axton (Silver Ridge Christmas)

3. Window Dressings

Window Dressings

MEL

I'm elbow-deep in a pile of warm towels, the scent of lavender detergent filling the air, when Kenzie nudges me with her hip.

"So, spill it, Mel. Who'd you draw for Secret Santa?"

I roll my eyes, tossing a freshly folded towel onto the stack. "You know we're not supposed to tell."

Kenzie grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, come on. Where's the fun in that? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

"Fine," I relent, unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm. "But you go first."

She leans in close, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I got Lolo."

I can't help but laugh. "Oh lord, good luck with that. What are you thinking of getting her?"

Kenzie's brow furrows in mock concentration. "I'm torn between a lifetime supply of hair dye to cover those grays she pretends don't exist, or maybe a megaphone so she can yell at the ranch hands even louder."

"Kenzie!" I gasp, but I'm laughing too hard to sound properly scandalized.

"Your turn," she prods, bumping me with her shoulder.

I sigh, giving in. "I got Dad."

"Big Bear? Oh, that's easy. Just get him some new power tools or a 'World's Best Dad' mug."

I shake my head, folding another towel with practiced ease. "No way. It's got to be something special. Something that really shows how much he means to me, you know?"

Kenzie's expression softens. "Yeah, I get it. Big Bear's been more of a father to me in the past year than... well, you know."

The unspoken weight of Kenzie's past hangs between us for a moment. I reach out and squeeze her hand. "Hey, you're family now. No takebacks."

She squeezes back, her smile returning. "Wouldn't dream of it."

We fall into a comfortable rhythm, folding and stacking, our conversation drifting to lighter topics. Kenzie gushes about her upcoming date night with Everett, her whole face lighting up as she talks about the surprise he's planning.

"I swear, Mel, sometimes I still can't believe this is my life," she says, hugging a pillow to her chest. "Everett, the girls, this whole crazy, wonderful family we've built. It's like a dream."

I force a smile, ignoring the twinge in my chest. "I'm so happy for you, Kenz. You deserve all of it."

She must catch something in my tone because her expression turns knowing. "Your turn's coming, you know. I can feel it."

I snort, tossing a sock at her head. "Yeah, right. My Prince Charming's probably lost in the woods somewhere, trying to figure out how to use his GPS."

Kenzie ducks, laughing. "Or maybe he's closer than you think. Speaking of which, how's tall, dark, and broody been lately?"

I don't have to ask who she means. Axton's face flashes through my mind – those piercing green eyes, the scar that cuts across his left eyebrow, the almost-smile that makes my heart skip a beat every damn time.

"Same as always," I say, aiming for nonchalance. "Silent, stubborn, and completely infuriating."

Kenzie raises an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And you're not still carrying a torch for him at all, right?"

I open my mouth to protest, but she holds up a hand. "Save it, Melanie. I've seen the way you look at him when you think no one's watching."

Heat creeps up my neck. "I don't—it's not like that. We're just... I don't know what we are."

Kenzie's voice softens. "Have you tried talking to him? Really talking, I mean."

I laugh, but it sounds like bitter even to my own ears. "You've met Axton, right? Getting that man to open up is like trying to crack a safe with a toothpick."

"Maybe he just needs the right motivation," Kenzie says with a wink.

Before I can respond, the dryer buzzes, saving me from having to come up with a witty retort. I busy myself with unloading the machine, grateful for the distraction.

"I'm gonna run these out to the mailbox," I say, grabbing a stack of outgoing letters. "Be right back."

The crisp November air hits me as I step outside, a welcome relief from the stuffy warmth of the laundry room. I take a deep breath, letting the chill clear my head.

As I reach the mailbox, something catches my eye. A small tin sits atop the pile of bills and junk mail, a handwritten note tucked beneath the ribbon.

Curiosity piqued, I pluck the note free. My heart skips a beat as I read the words: "For the one who lights up the season."

I stare at the tin, my cheeks flushing despite the cold. Who could have left this? My mind immediately jumps to Zach, my ex. We've been on friendlier terms lately, and this seems like the kind of sweet gesture he'd make.

But a tiny, traitorous part of my brain whispers another name. Axton.

I shake my head, banishing the thought. No way. Axton O'Connor wouldn't know thoughtful if it bit him on his perfectly sculpted –

"Nope," I mutter, cutting off that dangerous train of thought. "Not going there."

I tuck the tin under my arm and head back inside, my mind whirling. As I push open the door, I nearly collide with my mother.

"Whoa there, sugar," Mamma says, steadying me. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I force a smile, hoping she can't see through my lie. "I'm fine, Mamma. Just got a little surprise in the mail, that's all."

Mamma's eyes narrow, and I brace myself for the interrogation I know is coming. But before she can unleash her barrage of questions, her phone chirps. She fishes it out of her pocket, frowning at the screen.

"Hello?" Her voice shifts, all business now. "Yes, of course. Where are you?"

I watch as her face hardens, that familiar look of fierce protectiveness settling in. She's already grabbing her keys, mouthing 'shelter emergency' to me.

"Sit tight, honey. I'm on my way," she says into the phone. Then to me: "Mel, can you finish up here? I need to head over to Missoula. They've got a woman and her two kids that need us."

All thoughts of mysterious gifts and brooding men vanish as I snap into action. "What do you need me to do?"

"Get a room ready for them, will you? And maybe rustle up some food. Lord knows when they last had a proper meal."

I nod, already mentally cataloging what needs to be done. "Consider it handled. Drive safe, on those slick roads, Mamma."

She pulls me into a quick hug, her familiar scent of vanilla and coffee wrapping around me, always a comfort, always feeling like home. "Will do, love. Holler if you need me. I'm out!"

She's out the door in a whirlwind of purpose, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the mysterious tin. Another family in crisis, another soul for my mother to save. It's what she does best.

Kenzie appears in the doorway, concern etched across her face. "Everything okay?"

I fill her in quickly, and together we set about preparing for our new guests. As we work, I can't help but marvel at the strength of the woman who raised me. Steph Peterson, who fled an abusive marriage with nothing but a baby on her hip and hope in her heart, now dedicates her life to helping others do the same.

"Your mom's pretty amazing," Kenzie says, as if reading my thoughts.

I nod, a lump forming in my throat. "Yeah, she really is."

We fall into a companionable silence, the familiar routine of preparing a room soothing my jumbled nerves. As I smooth fresh sheets over the bed, my fingers brush against the note in my pocket. For a moment, I let myself imagine a future where I'm not just helping others find their happy ending, but living my own.

A deep voice from the doorway startles me out of my reverie. "You girls need a hand?"

I turn to see my father, Big Bear, filling the frame with his imposing presence. Despite his size, his eyes are gentle, crinkling at the corners as he smiles at us.

The kids used to laugh at me when I'd say that big ole White man was my daddy, but he is in every sense of the word.

"We've got it covered, Dad," I say, returning his smile. "But thanks."

He nods, pride evident in his gaze. "Your mama told me what's going on. You're doing good work here, Melanie. Both of you," he adds, including Kenzie with a warm look.

As he turns to go, a thought strikes me. "Hey, Dad? Can I ask you something?"

He pauses, raising an eyebrow. "Shoot."

I fidget with the edge of the pillowcase, suddenly feeling like a little girl again. "If someone wanted to get you a really special gift – you know, hypothetically – what would you want?"

Big Bear's eyes twinkle with amusement. "Hypothetically, huh? Well, I suppose a nice pair of warm socks wouldn't go amiss. Or maybe one of them fancy new power drills."

I roll my eyes, fighting a grin. "Dad, be serious."

He chuckles, then grows thoughtful. "Honestly, Mel? The best gift a man can get is knowing his family is happy and taken care of. Everything else is just window dressing."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, filled with both warmth and an ache I can't quite name. I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Big Bear must sense my mood because he steps closer, resting a hand on my shoulder. "You know, finding the right partner in life – it's a lot like breaking a wild horse. Takes patience, trust, and a whole lot of faith. But when it clicks?" He whistles low. "There's nothing else like it in the world."

I swallow hard, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. "Thanks, Dad."

He squeezes my shoulder once, then turns to go. At the door, he pauses again. "Oh, and Mel? I might need your help with your mama's Christmas gift this year. Got something special in mind."

Despite the emotional whirlwind of the day, I can't help but grin at the mischievous glint in his eye. "Count me in. Whatcha got in mind?"

"I want to finally take care of that old bunkhouse, and give your Mamma some more beds for the shelter."

"You could end up making her so happy she'd want to marry you again." I grin at the idea. It's an ongoing joke between them, always finding ways to show their love for each other.

"That's the plan, baby girl. But right now, I'm going to take a nap. You know she'll have one hundred and one things for me to do by the time she gets back."

We laugh. "Yes, sir."

As Big Bear's footsteps fade down the hall, I sink onto the freshly made bed, suddenly exhausted. Kenzie sits beside me, her presence a silent comfort.

"You okay?" she asks softly.

I nod, managing a small smile. "Yeah, just... a lot to process, you know?"

She bumps my shoulder with hers. "That's what family's for. We've got your back, Mel. Always."

I lean into her, grateful beyond words for this makeshift family we've built. As we sit there, I find my hand drifting to my pocket, fingers tracing the edges of the mysterious note.

For the one who lights up the season.

The words echo in my mind, stirring something warm and hopeful in my chest. Maybe Kenzie's right. Maybe my turn is coming. And maybe – just maybe – it's closer than I think.

The sound of tires on gravel pulls me from my thoughts. Kenzie and I exchange a look before hurrying to the front door.

Mamma's van pulls up, and I hold my breath as the passenger door opens. A woman steps out, her movements cautious and guarded. She's slim and petite, with ash-blonde hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Even from a distance, I can see the wariness in her pale blue eyes as she scans her surroundings.

Two small figures emerge from the back seat – a little girl with curly dark hair and a younger boy clutching a well-worn teddy bear. The woman – Lena, I remind myself – keeps a protective hand on each child as they approach.

I step forward, summoning my warmest smile. "Hi there. I'm Melanie, but everyone calls me Mel. Welcome to Silver Ridge."

Lena nods, her posture still tense. "Thank you for having us," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We're glad you're here," I assure her, crouching down to the children's eye level. "And who do we have here?"

The little girl steps forward, chin raised defiantly despite the fear in her eyes. "I'm Zoe," she announces. "And this is my brother, Amir."

Amir peeks out from behind his sister, offering a shy wave.

My heart clenches at the sight of them – so young, yet already carrying the weight of the world on their tiny shoulders. I force my voice to remain light and cheerful. "Well, Zoe and Amir, we've got a nice warm room all set up for you. And I bet we can rustle up some hot chocolate if you're interested."

Zoe's eyes light up at that, though she quickly glances at her mother for permission. Lena hesitates for a moment before nodding.

As we lead them inside, I can't help but marvel at the strength it must have taken for Lena to leave everything behind, to risk it all for the safety of her children. It reminds me of the stories Mama used to tell about her own escape, about the leap of faith that brought her to Silver Ridge – and to Big Bear.

I watch as Kenzie shows Lena and the kids to their room, her natural warmth drawing out tentative smiles from even Lena. My gaze drifts to the window, where the first flakes of snow are beginning to fall.

My hand finds its way back to my pocket, fingers brushing against the note that's been occupying my thoughts all afternoon. For a moment, I let myself imagine a future where I'm not just helping others find their happy ending, but living my own.

The image of Axton flashes through my mind unbidden – his rare, genuine smile, the way his eyes soften when he thinks no one's looking. I shake my head, pushing the thought away. No use dwelling on maybes and what-ifs.

But as I turn to join the others, a tiny spark of hope flickers in my chest. Because maybe – just maybe – there's still a chance for my own happily ever after. And maybe it's closer than I dare to dream.