Page 183 of Snap Shot

Landon catches me yawning after one too many chlebícky and offers to walk me back to the guest cabin. He turns on the fireplace on his way out and loiters on the front steps, keeping his hands in his jacket pockets and flapping the panels. I angle against the doorframe, crossing my arms.

“You have something to say?”

“Yeah.” He chews on his lip. “My family does gifts on Christmas Eve after dinner.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And we usually play a friendly game on the big pond Christmas morning. Did you bring your skates?”

“They're in the car.” If there's something that makes me more nervous than meeting Landon's family, it's playing puck with him again. “No stick though.”

“No worries. We have extra. And,um…I got you something.”

A ridiculously large smile splits my face.

“It's not a big deal…”

“I got you something, too.”

“You did?” Genuine surprise reaches his eyes.

“I'll bring it when I walk over tonight.” A ripple of excitement bubbles in my chest. “I hope you like it.”

He scoffs out a laugh to the side, then takes two strides to meet me at the door. “I like everything that has to do with you.”

Dinner plays out like a dream. I divert myself by gorging on my meal, savoring the breaded, fried carp, creamy potato salad, and tart cranberry wine, but between Landon looking completely delicious in a cable knit sweater and the way he runs his eyes over me while chatting with his family, I'm on edge.

Babi has us sitting next to each other and every slight brush of our hands or thighs under the table and not being able to actually touch him is torture. When I accidentally drop my fork and bend over to get it, he palms the corner of the table, so I don't knock my head on the way back up.

Everyone gathers around the tree after. It's decked in golden string lights and traditional red ornaments. The scent of fresh fir and burning wood from the fire blankets the room with comfort. It's not long before presents are passed around. The adults show off new hockey gear, rave over gadgets and pass around wine as the kids tinker with new toys and books.

“Here,” Landon whispers, sliding over a glossy, dark red gift bag.

I pass him the neatly wrapped rectangle from next to me. It was supposed to be subtle, while everyone was busy in their own worlds, but the room goes dead quiet.

He goes first, face paling, then flushing at the items. “A sketchpad and Staedtler pencils?Wow,” he says through a sigh. “Thank you.”

His mom and sister throw each other a look.

I stumble through an explanation, trying my best not to be obvious. “'Cause you like to draw. And I figured you haven't in a while.”

“That's sweet,” Babi coos. “What a thoughtful gift, Indi.”

“What'd you get her, Landy?”

Tissue paper rustles as I remove the item from the bag. “Oh.”

“Socks?” Delaney asks. “You got hersocks?” She shoves her brother by the shoulder. “Yousuckat giving gifts.”

“Shut up.” He shrugs her off by his elbow.

“No, they're nice.” Which isn't a lie. The knit slipper socks are thick and have a plush fleece lining, but they're not exactly sentimental. “I like them.”

“They're grippy on the bottom so you don't fall.”

“Thanks. I'll get good use out of them.” I hide my disappointment with a forced smile. No one seems to notice.

“Time for bed, you rascals,” Delaney calls to the sprawled-out kids on the floor. She and Seth carry Sadie and Gunnar up the stairs, waving sleepy good nights. Others get up to do the same and I take the cue to head back to my cabin.

---