Page 29 of It's Mother-Pucking Christmas!

“Not a problem.” I looked at Dakota, a slow smile spreading over my face.

Her cheeks went red.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Dakota’s brother shook my hand. “The man of the hour.”

“He’s going to give Hudson a run for his money,” one of Dakota’s cousins said with a laugh.

“What the fuck do you mean? He’s going to wipe the floor with him!”

Another of Dakota’s aunts came out with a plate heaping with steaming ham and turkey.

“Jesus, woman, I said get the man a hot plate of food!” an uncle yelled.

His sister shoved the plate at another sister, hauled back, and slugged him in the stomach. Her brother doubled over. I sucked in a breath.

“Don’t even worry about him,” one of her ever-multiplying uncles told me, slapping my back. “He sits on the bench all game. Now, let’s talk strategy.”

13

DAKOTA

Isat down next to Ryder on the wooden swinging chair near the bonfire. “I’m sorry my family was such pieces of shit.”

He draped an arm around my shoulder, one muscular leg gently rocking the swing. “No,” he said, pulling me toward him. “Your family is great.”

“You’re too nice for your own good, Boy Scout.”

“Both members of a couple can’t be belligerent hotheads.” He smiled against my hair. “How’s your nose by the way?” He tipped up my chin.

“Violet had it coming.”

Ryder leaned down to press a featherlight kiss to my bandaged nose. We sat there for a long moment in warm, comfortable silence, then he stood up.

“Where are you going? The party’s just getting started!” my dad begged. “I told you not to run him off, Dakota!”

“Dad, seriously? You were calling Ryder a traitor and talking shit about him with Uncle Bic not even two hours ago.”

My dad was hurt and offended. “You mean my son, my beloved child?” He pulled Ryder down protectively to his chest. “I would never. How could you, Dakota? Lies and propaganda.Slander!” He kissed Ryder noisily on the both cheeks, making the hockey player huff out a laugh.

“He’s our favorite person in the world, Dakota!” My dad’s brothers joined into the group hug with Ryder in the middle while I shook my head, incredulous.

“I have to get up early tomorrow to work out, guys.” Ryder finally disentangled himself.

“Think about the strategy. Watch the videos of Nate in goal. He used to be the goalie for the Arctic Avengers. He’s the ringer. You gotta get those pucks in the net. It’s all mental.” Uncle Bic patted the side of Ryder’s head affectionately.

“He can take Nate,” Hudson called. “Easy.”

Ryder grinned.

I loved his smile. It was genuine, a little dopey, and made his blue eyes soft like a husky puppy’s.

“Thanks for inviting me, ma’am,” Ryder said when my mother came up. He held out his hand.

My mom ignored it and wrapped him in a hug and kissed his forehead.

“You’re family, Ryder. You are welcome here anytime. Let me know if Dakota’s giving you a hard time. She’s hard on men. You can’t be so hard on them, Dakota. And you’re such a nice boy.” My mom handed Ryder a paper sack packed with food. “I don’t want you to starve. I know Dakota’s not feeding you enough. Just come over here for dinner if you miss it because of practice. No, no, I don’t want to hear it. I’ll keep a plate in the fridge for you and make sure these guys don’t take your food. They eat too much anyway, especially since all they do is watch TV.”

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