She smiled at him. “How happy is that?”
“So happy that I think I want to give you your Christmas present right now.” When she frowned, he realized that they’d agreed to forgo presents. “Listen, I know we said that we weren’t going to exchange gifts, but this is special. And I hope you really like it—”
“But we can’t open gifts.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not Christmas morning.”
“Oh.” He hadn’t realized that she was a stickler for tradition. And he really didn’t want to wait. “Can you make an exception just this once?”
“I suppose.” A big grin lit up her face. She looked excited, like a little kid on Christmas morning after Santa left a sled full of presents under the tree. “I got you a present, too.”
He struggled to keep from smiling. “You broke the agreement.”
“You broke it first.”
“True enough.” He smiled at her, causing her stomach to dip. “I think you’re really going to like my present.”
“Open mine first—”
“Not so fast. Maybe we should flip for it.”
“Or maybe you should be a gentleman and let the lady go first.”
He sighed. “I guess you have me there.” He motioned with his hand. “Okay. Go ahead.”
She smiled in triumph. “You’re really going to like it. The present is under the tree.”
He turned but he didn’t see anything. “Are you sure?”
“It was right there.” She stood and walked over to the tree. She got down on her hands and knees. She looked all around, even under the tree skirt. “It’s not here.” And then she turned around. “Gizmo.”
The dog’s ears lowered and he put his head between his paws.
“Don’t look so innocent. It’s not going to work this time.” Serena got to her feet. “Gizmo, how could you do this?”
The pup let out a whine.
Jackson didn’t want to see the whole day ruined. “It’s okay. It’ll turn up. I can give you my present.”
“No.” And then, as though Serena understood how bad her response sounded, she said, “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated. I have to find your gift. I can’t believe this happened. That dog is such a thief.”
Jackson laughed. “I can’t argue with that.”
“Please help me look for it.”
“What am I looking for?”
“You’ll know it when you see it. It has your name on the front.”
Jackson got down and looked under the couch and then he checked under the armchair. “You know, you could make this a new tradition—hunting for your Christmas present. I’m sure Gizmo would be glad to help.”
“Oh, no. When we get back to the States someone is going back to doggy school. Huh, Gizmo?”
He whined and put his paw over his head.
Jackson chuckled. “I’d like to help you, buddy, but I think she means business.”