Page 97 of Slap Shot

“I bet she’s going to love them.” I finish off the last of the dirty dishes and dry my hands. The oven dings, and I toss two potholders her way. “Let’s go, Galloway.”

She laughs and pulls out the trays one by one. “Stop being so damn impatient.”

“They’re cookies,” I draw out. “How can you not be impatient?”

Madeline picks one up off the pan and blows on it. She holds it my way, and her lips pull up into a coy smirk. “Want a taste, hockey guy?”

Fuck,do I ever.

“Yes.” I swallow. “Please.”

She hums and brings the cookie to my mouth. I open my lips and she feeds me the bite, tossing me a full smile when I sigh.

“What do you think?”

I lick my lips and wrap my fingers around her wrist. Her breathing hitches when I tilt my head to the side and take the rest of the cookie in my mouth. My tongue brushes against thetip of her finger, and I swallow. I know I’m playing with fire, but for once, I don’t give a damn.

“Delicious,” I say, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.

“I’m glad you like it,” she answers. When she touches her thumb to the corner of my mouth to wipe away a crumb, I have to hold onto the counter. “I hope you’ll be around to open presents with us tomorrow.”

“Would that be okay? I don’t want to take away from what y’all have planned.”

“Lucy wants you there.” Her eyes meet mine, and her smile is soft. “And so do I.”

“Then that’s where I’ll be.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

HUDSON

I’m exhausted,but I’m awake before my alarm the next morning. I don’t remember the last time I was this excited to be up at the crack of dawn, and I practically sprint down the hall. When I make it to the living room, Lucy is on her hands and knees in front of the tree, scouring the presents. She signs something to Madeline, then gives me a big smile and a wave.

“That’s how you sign Merry Christmas,” Madeline tells me, and she repeats the hand movements Lucy made. “I’m not sure if you’ll use it again, but now you have it.”

I hope I have a reason to use it again, so I mimic what Lucy just showed me. I’m not sure I’m doing it right. I’m not nearly as fluid as they are, but Madeline doesn’t correct me.

I take that as a win.

“Did I miss anything?” I ask.

“We’re about to start the presents,” she says, signing at the same time. I’ll never not be in awe of her ability to hold a conversation two different ways. “We’re going to do half of the presents now,then the other half after breakfast so no one gets cranky.”

“Uh oh. Is this based on past experience?”

Madeline grins. “Unfortunately. I’ll do anything to avoid a meltdown, and that includes taking a twenty-minute break for eggs and bacon.”

“I like this plan. Do you want some coffee?” I ask. “If you’re as tired as I am, it might help wake you up before we dive in.”

“Do you mind? I can hold her off for five minutes so we can be revived.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Could you make mine with a?—”

“Splash of milk and a little bit of sugar.” I smile at her. “I remember, knife girl.”

“You do?”

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