The Bad Boy’s Secret Santa (Christmas in Alpine Valley #9)

Bonus Epilogue

THAT SAME CHRISTMAS …

WILMA

Snow glistens from every tree branch in the park as I quietly slip my way into the crowd of Alpine Valley residents eager to be a part of the Christmas tree lighting this year. Many took the event for granted until it nearly didn’t happen last year. Only after my granddaughter got engaged in front of this very tree—after a group of residents came together to use whatever decorations they could spare last minute—did anyone seem to notice.

Now, the park is filled with vendors, live music, food trucks, and hopeful couples. I smile, comfortable in the knowledge that no one will take the local tradition for granted again.

“Wilma, how lovely to see you.” Becky Sue offers me a cup of hot cocoa.

“Thank you, dear.”

“How have you been?” she asks. “Heard you retired the Secret Santa event. You regretting that decision?”

With only a quick scan of the park, I spot several familiar happy couples. Successful matches I’ll never lay claim to making. Piper begged me to tell her how I did it, especially after the person she least expected to be her match turned out to be her true love. It just took a little…convincing.

That’s when I decided that some special secrets are best left a mystery. It’s what keeps the magic alive. There’s nothing more important than preserving Christmas magic. My granddaughter agreed with me.

Besides, the townsfolk were getting a little suspicious. Nine new couples in two years. Seven weddings. One engaged couple slotted to be married in the spring. There’s only one couple left to tie the knot. Though not all participants were setups—dozens weren’t—a sly grin spreads across my lips. If the townsfolk only knew how many more matches there’ve been, right under their noses.

I catch a glimpse of Meg Bernard and Aaron Montgomery strolling into the park, hand in hand. Number thirty-two. He’s holding a pair of fuzzy red gloves out to her. I don’t spot a diamond ring on the bakery owner’s left hand yet. But I have a feeling that proposal is just around the corner.

“I thoroughly enjoyed hosting the event,” I admit. “But it’s been nice to have a break this Christmas.”

“You mean you ran out of couples to match?”

I hide my smile behind the cup of cocoa, saved from responding when Mayor Patterson takes the stage and welcomes everyone to the event. I slip away from Becky Sue when she’s not paying attention so I can discreetly check up on the happy couples.

I spot Lily and Gage Anderson first. Number twelve. I don’t see a stroller, but it is a chilly night for a baby. I bet Macey is home with her grandma, all nested in her crib. There’s a twinkle in Gage’s eyes as he looks lovingly at his wife. Maybe Macey will be getting a new brother or sister for Christmas.

Next to them is Jewel and Briggs Carlson. Number seven. His happy, relaxed expression tells me she’s been good for him. I heard he’s making it an annual tradition to close the office for an entire week around Christmas. I suspect they’ll be skipping the ski trip this year with Jewel due any day now. I don’t have any doubts that they’ll be amazing parents.

The mayor finishes her welcome speech and introduces a live band. They’re set to play a few Christmas songs before the official tree lighting commences.

As the crowd starts to sing along to Jingle Bells, I spot another couple. Twenty-two. Randi and Turner Jacobs with their son, Carter. I can’t believe that boy is eight now. He looks so grown up. They make the perfect family, singing loudly and unapologetically as one. As if in their own little world and so happy to be in it. Because I have it on good authority that Carter made the nice list this year, I suspect he’ll be getting that remote control stunt car he’s asked for in his letter to Santa.

The new detective, Bash Fraser, strolls up to the crowd with his fiancé Brooklyn Malroy. Both wearing guilty smiles as they join in the singing. I don’t have to wonder too hard if they’re going to make Santa’s naughty list. Again. I can’t help but crack a smile. Oh, to be young again!

“Wilma, are you spying on your couples?” Kendra Bernard says, looping her arm through mine. Thankfully the music drowns out her playful accusation.

“If you want to know if your daughter’s getting engaged tonight, I can’t say.”

“But you do know.”

Though nothing is set in stone, I have a very strong hunch that the crowd will be cheering for more than the official tree lighting before the night is over.

“How about them?” Kendra asks, nodding at Heather and Dex Blackmore. “Were they…you know?”

Number two. A second chance romance if ever there was one. It’s so lovely to see Heather’s father, Daniel, in attendance with them. Accepting Dex like he’s his own son. Daniel holds his one-year-old granddaughter, Janie, in his arms. He points to the band as he sings to her. Dex has his arm around Heather and kisses her forehead as the first carol ends. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t.” Kendra might not buy my lie, but she doesn’t push either. Instead, she joins in singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with the crowd.

I slip away, in search of the next couple. On the opposite side of the fully decorated evergreen, I find Addison and Milo Rush making out like horny teenagers, just out of sight of the crowd. Number seventeen. I heard they recently bought a second house to flip. They’re one of the only couples I’ve known who has grown closer during a renovation. A little birdy told me Santa might be bringing the happy couple a baby soon. I consider congratulating them, but I’m not certain they know yet.

I keep moving, discovering Shea and Cody Mason walking up to the park with their pup, Blitzen. Number four. They spot the animal shelter’s adoption tent, look at one another, then at Blitzen, and head straight for the tent. It warms my heart to think there’s a lucky dog—or two—getting a new home this Christmas.

“Where is my granddaughter?” I murmur as I wander in search of the hot cocoa cart. I expected Piper and Eli to be the first ones at the event, considering it’s Eli’s generosity that preserved the tree lighting for years to come. I wonder if he ever told Piper how little Roy’s inheritance actually was. I suspect that’s a secret he’ll take to the grave with him. He has certainly grown into a fine young man—and an amazing husband.

Ah, there they are. Number nine .

“Grandma, hey!” Piper says, wrapping me in a cheerful hug.

“You might want to reapply your lipstick,” I say with a chuckle.

“Is it smeared?” she asks, touching her lips.

“It’s all over Eli’s collar.”

Piper blushes but doesn’t even try to hide it. “Did you want to come with us?” she asks, nodding toward the animal shelter tent. “We’re going to adopt a dog or cat. We can’t decide.”

“Why not one of each?”

“Great idea,” Eli says.

“You two kids go on ahead. I don’t want to miss the big moment.”

“Grandma, what are you up to?” Piper asks, gentle accusation in her voice.

“They’re lighting the tree after this next Christmas carol.”

Piper assesses me suspiciously. “If someone gets engaged tonight?—”

“Don’t blame me,” I say, holding up my hands in surrender. “You two started that tradition.”

Piper and Eli look at one another.

“We did, didn’t we?” Eli says to her.

Before the two can head to the animal adoption tent, the music stops and Mayor Patterson calls for them on the stage. Eli grimaces, no doubt wishing he could be anywhere else. He’s one of the humblest people I’ve ever met.

“I’ll go with you,” Piper says, slipping her hand in his.

I continue my stroll through the crowd, but I can’t seem to get eyes on Meg and Aaron. Perhaps I’m wrong, and they’ve snuck off. There is a Christmas party at the bakery after the tree lighting tonight. With Meg’s commitment, it wouldn’t surprise me if they headed that way early.

After the mayor wraps up her thank you speech, the crowd begins to count down. Eli and Piper each hold a cord until the crowd shouts one . The massive evergreen shines to life, nearly blinding everyone at the park. I bet Piper had something to do with the amount of lights on that tree.

A hush falls over the crowd, but I can’t see what it’s all about. I search for a higher vantage point, accepting a hand to help me stand on a park bench. “Thank you, dear,” I say to the strapping firefighter, Gage.

In the middle of a clearing in the crowd, I spot Aaron Montgomery down on one knee before the bakery owner. It took him months to wear her down. But between his persistence, and a little Christmas magic, they found their happily ever after.

When Meg shouts, “Yes!” the crowd erupts.

“Party at the bakery warehouse!”

With a giant grin on my face, I carefully take Gage’s hand and step down from the bench. While applause still echoes around the square, I slip away from the crowd.

My work here is done.