Page 38 of Your Love

“Wildflower, I love it. But it’s expensive. How did you afford that?”

“I’m hooking on the side,” I say with a tilt of my lips.

“Well, keep at it because this is awesome!”

I giggle and climb off his lap to grab another box. “There’s something else in your stocking,” I say.

“This is too much,” He says. “I feel like such an ass because I didn’t get you anything this nice.”

“If I’m totally honest, these gifts are from all of us, not just me. My grandparents wanted to get you something. And you should know I don’t care about material things,” I say. “But Cher also chipped in, so that you know.”

“Well, I would hope so. She’s loaded.” He jokes.

He pulls the Sega Genesis console out of the box and stares at it with a wide smile on his face. “This is going to make studying infinitely more difficult, but it’s so worth it.”

“The other one is in your stocking,” I repeat with barely controlled glee.

“You are killing me here.”

“Shut up and open it,” I command.

“Mortal Kombat! Yes! I can’t wait to play this.”

“So you like it?” I ask.

“I love it. It means so much that you all put so much thought into getting me a gift like this. I would’ve been fine with a Christmas kiss, but this is so, so cool.”

I clap my hands together wildly and jump up and down. I’m so excited he likes his gifts. I’m one of those people who would rather give a gift than receive one, and seeing him this happy makes my entire Christmas.

Landry scratches the back of my neck while looking down at the two gifts he brought—one from Pais and one from him. He grabs the smaller of the two. “This one is from Paisley,” he says.

I sit on the couch like a queen on the throne, awaiting my present. He sets it on my lap, and I stare at it for a minute, trying to memorize this moment.

“Open it!” he says.

I push the tissue paper to the side, revealing a rich walnut frame. Inside is a watercolor painting from Paisley. She’s captured the day they visited the farm. Landry and I stand with our backs to the viewer, our hands brushing one another’s. The barn is centered in the foreground. Paisley and Cocky are the center of the painting. She is lovingly petting the crazy rooster. She’s managed to make him look welcoming—content, even. And her face is alight with the glow of the best smile I’ve ever seen.

I trace the cold glass frame with my fingers as my eyes nearly overflow with tears.

“This is amazing,” I say, barely above a whisper. “She’s so talented.”

Landry throws his arm around me. “It’s true. She spends the majority of her time doing art projects, whether that be drawing, painting, or sculpting.”

“She’s outdone herself with this. Paisley managed to capture the fun and beauty of the day so well. I think I’d like to keep this here,” I say thoughtfully. “We can keep it on the mantle. Papa and Nana will love it, and since I’m destined to come back here someday, I can take it then.”

“Of course. But I feel stupid about it now. It’s not anything like what you got me.”

I place my hand on Landry’s cheek and smile as the rough stubble tickles my palm. “It’s not a contest,” I offer. “Like you said, I’d be happy with a Christmas kiss.”

He leans over and dips his head, placing his lips firmly against mine. My mouth parts, allowing him to probe my mouth with his tongue before he sucks on my lower lip and places his lips against mine softly.

“That was perfect,” I say. “Now, where’s my present?”

Landry shakes his head and chuckles before setting the box on my lap.

“This is a stupid idea,” he mumbles. “I should’ve gone to Macy’s, like my mom suggested.”

“Stop it!” I say sharply. “Anything from you will always be perfect.”