My Secret Santa Daddies (Silver Ridge Christmas)

19. Griffin

19

GRIFFIN

T he diner is buzzing with that familiar holiday chaos; laughter, chatter, and the clink of glasses. The air smells like pine and cinnamon, a mix of fake garlands and real mulled cider.

Here I am, with Jack gripping my hand, tugging me toward the refreshment table like it’s the Holy Grail of juice and cookies.

“Easy, buddy,” I say, grinning despite myself. “There’s enough sugar here to power the whole town.”

Jack ignores me, his eyes wide with excitement as he scans the table. “I want the red one!” he announces, pointing to a cherry-red punch that’s definitely going to stain his shirt.

I grab a small plastic cup and fill it up as Jack bounces on his toes beside me. “Just this one, alright? Your mom would’ve?—”

I stop myself, the words catching in my throat. Jack doesn’t seem to notice, his focus already shifting to a plate of cookies.

I hand him the juice, ruffling his hair. “Go ahead, grab one.”

He doesn’t need to be told twice. He’s reaching for the biggest, most sprinkle-covered cookie in the batch when a familiar voice breaks through the noise.

“Well, well. The prodigal son returns to Silver Ridge,” Marty Wilson says, his grin wide as ever. He claps me on the shoulder, a little too hard. “I heard you’ve been hiding out at the old lodge.”

I give him a tight smile. “Not hiding, just working. It’s a mess.”

Marty chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’ll bet it is. That place was falling apart before you even bought it. How are the renos going?”

“Slow,” I admit, glancing over at Jack, who’s happily munching on his cookie. “But we’re getting there. Got most of the walls up, flooring in. It’s still a work in progress.”

Marty’s eyes twinkle with curiosity. “What made you buy that old place anyway?”

The question feels heavier than it should, but I keep my tone light. “Just needed a fresh start. Somewhere for Jack to make some good memories.”

Marty’s grin softens, his eyes flicking toward Jack. “Good man. It’s nice to see you back. This town’s missed you.”

“Thanks,” I say, my voice gruffer than I intended. “It’s good to be back. Most days, anyway.”

Marty laughs, slapping me on the back again. “You’re still the same, Griffin. Never could admit when you’re actually happy about something.”

Before I can respond, Jack tugs on my sleeve, his face smudged with red punch. “Can I have another cookie, Dad?”

I crouch down to his level, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Only if you promise not to get it all over your shirt this time.”

“I promise!”

As Jack goes back to the table, I find myself scanning the room, half-expecting to see Sierra among the crowd. I catch myself and try to focus on Marty’s chatter about the movie theater’s latest renovations, but my mind keeps drifting.

“Have you thought about what you’re gonna do with the big fireplace in the lodge?” Marty asks, pulling me back to the present.

“Yeah,” I say absently. “Thinking about turning it into the centerpiece of the main room. It’s the one thing worth keeping in there.”

Marty nods, taking a sip of his cider. “Makes sense. Nothing says home like a good fire.”

I scan the room again, my eyes skimming over familiar faces.

Still no Sierra.

What if she doesn’t come? The thought gnaws at me, a mix of anxiety and disappointment that I can’t shake. Cody and Wyatt promised to drag her here, but would she come?

Jack’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Dad, look!”

I follow his gaze, and my heart does a weird little flutter when I see Sierra walking in, her green dress catching the light. She looks beautiful.

I can’t tear my eyes away from her, and the noise of the room fades into the background. She came. Despite everything, she came.

Thank God.

Behind her, Cody and Wyatt stumble in.

Marty elbows me, grinning. “Looks like the night just got a little more interesting for you, huh?”

I clear my throat, trying to play it off. “Yeah, well… we’ll see.”

But as Sierra makes her way through the crowd, something inside me shifts, settling into a strange mix of hope and fear. Because this time, it’s not about running away or hiding behind excuses.

It’s about facing her. Facing everything.

And maybe, just maybe, finding a way to start over.

“Excuse me, Marty.”

I stand up, and as I make my way over to her, I can feel our eyes locking onto each other like magnets.

Just as I’m about to greet her, Bettie Thompson stands up on the makeshift stage, ringing a little bell.

“Everyone! Can I have your attention please?”

The evening kicks off with the Mayor taking the stage. “Good evening, everyone!” he greets, his voice booming with cheer. “Welcome to our annual Secret Santa reveal! Let’s spread some holiday magic tonight.”

Betty Thompson steps forward again, her warm smile lighting up the room. “Alright, everyone, it's time for the big reveal!” she announces. “If you haven't guessed your Secret Santa yet, now's the moment to find out!”

I bite back a curse, glancing at Sierra one last time before she disappears into the crowd.

Betty beams at everyone, her voice filled with holiday cheer. “Alright, folks, it’s time for the big moment! Let’s see what gifts our Secret Santas have brought this year.”

Jack tugs at my hand, his excitement contagious. “Is it our turn, Dad?”

“Not yet, buddy,” I murmur, keeping my eyes on the stage where Betty is organizing the gifts in a neat line. “We’ve gotta be patient.”

Jack groans dramatically, but I barely hear him. My mind is too focused on Sierra, who is standing near the back of the crowd, her expression carefully guarded.

Betty starts calling names, and the room comes alive with laughter and applause as each person steps forward.

Gregory Treeve goes first, his usual charm on full display. He hands Laura Bennett a beautifully handcrafted wooden jewelry box, bowing a little as he presents it. “I hope you like it, Laura,” he says, his eyes twinkling.

Laura’s face lights up, her smile wide and genuine. “Oh, Gregory, it’s lovely! Thank you so much.”

The next exchange has the whole room grinning. Jake “The Snake” O’Hara swaggers up with his gift in hand, a large hiking backpack. He hands it to Ranger Lisa Morales with a cocky grin. “For all your adventures in the forest,” he teases.

Lisa laughs, shaking her head. “You know me too well, Jake. Thanks.”

Every time my name isn’t drawn, the nerves rise up faster.

I really think I might throw up.

Marty Wilson, who’s been buzzing with excitement all night, steps up next. He hands Laura Bennett a vintage film projector, practically bouncing on his toes. “Thought this might add some magic to your inn, Laura.”

“You shouldn’t have, Marty!” Laura exclaims, but her delighted smile says otherwise.

Hank Garrison takes the stage after Marty, holding a large gift basket filled with handmade soaps, candles, and a cozy blanket. He hands it to Dr. Susan Harper with a wink. “Take some time to relax, Susan.”

Susan blushes, clearly touched. “I will, Hank. Thank you.”

Then it’s Betty and Sam Thompson’s turn. They give their daughter Sandra a personalized cookbook, and Betty’s voice is thick with emotion. “We can’t wait to see your creations.”

Sandra wraps her arms around both of them, her eyes glistening. “Thanks, Mom, Dad. I love it.”

Oh, God. I can’t take this much longer. I clench my jaw, avoiding Cody and Griffin’s gaze. They know what I’m about to do, and they're nervous too.

Sheriff Tom Callahan is next. He presents Janie Blackwood with a framed photograph of Bear Claw Mountain, the peaks majestic and covered in snow. “For the strength and beauty of new beginnings,” he says, his voice sincere.

The room falls into a brief, respectful silence, broken only by Janie’s soft, “Thank you, Tom.”

The crowd erupts into laughter when Cody and Wyatt step forward, each holding identical tool kits. They roll their eyes in exaggerated annoyance. “Yeah, yeah,” Cody mutters. “Real original, huh?”

Wyatt chuckles, shaking his head. “Guess we know each other a little too well.”

The laughter dies down as Betty clears her throat, her eyes scanning the room. “And now, last but not least… Sierra, come on up!”

My heart stops for a moment. I watch Sierra take a deep breath, then step forward, her face pale but determined.

This is it. She must have me. And I her.

Sierra reaches into her bag, pulling out a small, neatly wrapped box. Her fingers tremble slightly, but she holds it together as she makes her way toward me.

When she reaches me, there’s a moment—a beat where time seems to pause, and the room goes silent. She takes a breath, her voice barely steady. “Merry Christmas, Griffin.”

I look down at the box, and take it from her, my fingers brushing against hers. That touch—simple, fleeting, but it feels like fire.

“Thank you.”

The sight of the envelope hits me like a punch to the gut. I can barely breathe as I pull it out of the box, my hands shaking. The paper is worn, the edges frayed from years of being handled, read, tucked away. But it’s still here. She kept it.

I look up at Sierra, my throat tight, my voice barely coming out. “You… you kept this?”

She nods slowly, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and vulnerability. “I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to let it go.”

I swallow hard, my fingers tracing the familiar handwriting. It feels like a relic from another life—a life we both abandoned, but never truly forgot. I open it, scanning the words I once poured out onto paper with a heart full of foolish hope.

Sierra,

I know it’s crazy to plan a future when the present is so uncertain, but you make me believe in it and in us. I want to build a home with you—one where there’s always laughter, warmth, and no shortage of surprises. I want you by my side, for every failure, every triumph, and every little moment in between. I know life won’t be perfect, but it’ll be ours.

You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted this much, and I’ll never stop fighting for us, no matter how hard it gets.

Love,

Griffin

The words echo in my mind, a reminder of everything I once wanted, and everything I still want. I close my eyes, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

“Sierra,” I finally manage, my voice hoarse. “I never thought you’d find this. Certainly never thought you’d keep it.”

She shifts uncomfortably, looking away. “I wasn’t sure I should. But it was always there, a reminder of what we had. What we lost.”

I take a deep breath, as the enormity of the moment settles in. Everyone in the room feels miles away.

I reach into my pocket, feeling the small velvet box that’s been burning a hole there all night. This is it—the last chance, my last shot at something real.

“Sierra,” I say again, my voice steadier this time. “I have something for you too.”

Her brows furrow, her confusion evident. “What do you mean?”

“I’m your Secret Santa.”

I open the small velvet box, revealing the ring inside. It’s simple but elegant—a silver band with a small, brilliant diamond. It’s the ring I once imagined slipping onto her finger in some distant future that never happened. Until now.

Her eyes widen, disbelief and shock flashing across her face. “Griffin… what is this?”

I step closer, my gaze locking onto hers. “It’s a promise, Sierra. The promise I never got to make, the life we never got to start. I know I messed up. I know I ran, that I hurt you in ways I can never fully make up for. But I don’t want to run anymore. I want you and the future we talked about back then. I’m ready, if you are.”

Tears well up in her eyes, and she shakes her head, her voice breaking.

“Griffin…”

I take her hands in mine. “We’re stronger now Sierra. We’ve been through hell, but we’re still standing. And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I’ve never stopped loving you. Jack loves and adores you. He’s been asking for a mom for Christmas, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to fill that role than you. But this isn’t just about him. It’s about us. I can’t promise it’ll be easy. I can’t promise we won’t hurt each other again. But I can promise that I’ll fight for you, for us , for as long as it takes.”

There’s a long, agonizing moment of silence, where the whole room seems to hold its breath. The crowd has quieted, watching us with wide eyes and hushed whispers. But I don’t care about them, or anything else except the woman standing in front of me.

Finally, she takes a deep breath, her voice barely audible. “Griffin, I…” She pauses, and my heart nearly stops. But then she nods, her voice soft but sure. “Yes.”

I blink, not quite believing my ears. “Yes?”

She lets out a watery laugh, her eyes shining brightly with tears. “Yes, I’ll give us a chance. I’ll try.”

I slip the ring onto her finger, my hands still shaking. “I love you, Sierra. I always have.”

She throws her arms around my neck, pulling me close. “I love you too, Griffin.”

The crowd erupts into cheers, and somewhere in the distance, I hear Jack’s excited shout. But all I can feel is Sierra’s warmth, her heart beating against mine. The noise of the crowd fades as Sierra and I stay locked in a tight embrace. Her tears dampen my shoulder, but her grip is steady, and sure. I feel her heart beating against my chest, her warmth floods through me, filling all the empty spaces I thought were long gone.

Then, there’s a sudden burst of movement, and I feel two more arms wrapping around us—Cody and Wyatt, closing the circle, their familiar laughter joining the mix.

"Well, it’s about damn time," Cody mutters, a grin splitting his face as he pulls Sierra in even tighter.

Wyatt's voice is lower, filled with warmth and something deeper. “We knew you had it in you,” he says, his eyes locking with mine before shifting to Sierra. "And you too, Sierra."

For a second, all four of us stand there, tangled up in each other, sharing a moment that feels bigger than words, bigger than any plan we ever made. It’s messy and complicated, just like us—but it’s real.

From the corner of my eye, I see Jack. His wide eyes are full of awe, his smile impossibly bright as he watches the scene unfold. I extend an arm toward him, and he rushes forward without hesitation, wrapping his small arms around Sierra’s waist.

Sierra bends down to his level, her eyes full of tenderness. “Hey, Jack.”

“Are you really going to be my mom now?” he asks, his voice full of hope.

Sierra’s voice catches in her throat, but she nods, her smile radiant. “If you’ll have me.”

“Yes! I want you. I want you to stay, always.”

She chokes out a laugh, her eyes wet with happy tears. “I want to stay too, buddy.”

And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’ve finally come home.