Chapter 25 Present Problems
Christmas was always a special time when Andrea was growing up. Even though her mom couldn’t afford to buy her girls much, she always got them something, and the family spent the day together, usually at her grandparents’ farm. Now that Andrea was older and could afford everything she wanted, it wasn’t about getting gifts for her, it was about giving them.
There was just one problem. She’d had her family’s gifts shipped to her mom’s house weeks ago. She hadn’t planned on Case being there. It wasn’t until late Christmas Eve, when the family was singing Christmas carols around the piano while her sister played that she realized she had nothing.
Andrea had dashed out to the mall to try and find something, but it was difficult, and what she finally picked out seemed silly now as they all sat around opening presents. Case seemed content just to watch. She assumed he had enough money to buy anything he wanted, too, and probably didn’t care much for presents, but she still felt bad.
“Case, I was able to do a little shopping the other day,” Karen said with a big smile on her face as she pulled out a large present from behind the tree. Andrea raised an eyebrow. “I hope you like it.”
“For me?” Case looked around, stunned. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting anything.”
“Everyone has to have a gift on Christmas morning!” Karen protested, handing it over. She’d also already made sure he received a stocking full of candy, like her daughters.
“Well, thank you.” Case opened it up to reveal a battery operated heated blanket. It was dark blue, the same shade as his the majority of his racecar. “This is great!”
“I figured you could throw it in the trunk of your car in case you ever find yourself stranded in the snow. It’s supposed to keep a person warm for hours.” Karen’s smile showed she was proud for coming up with something he actually seemed to like that was practical.
“That is a great idea. We do get snow in North Carolina. Thank you so much, Mrs. Testa.”
“Please! It’s Karen!” She swatted at him, her smile beaming.
“There’s another one over her for you,” Leslie said, pulling out a much smaller box.
“That’s, uh, nothing.” Andrea hit her face behind her hand. If she had known her mother was going to get him a nice present, she would’ve asked her to pick something up for her as well!
“It says it’s for Case. From you.” Leslie’s eyebrows arched. For a moment, Andrea felt like leaping across the room and tackling her sister like she might have when they were younger.
“I didn’t make it out shopping until late last night....”
“I’m sure I’ll love it, no matter what it is.” Case smiled at her, but Andrea still felt ridiculous.
He unwrapped the box and opened it. She watched his face and saw a hint of amusement. “It’s.. a tie. With racecars on it.”
“Now that there’s a nice tie!” Grandpa Jack said from his seat in the recliner near the tree.
“The cars are the right color, too,” Case added. “Thanks, Andrea.”
“I... I’m sorry. I’ll get you something better next year, I promise.”
His smile met his eyes when he realized what she was saying, and Andrea’s heart skipped a beat. Would they be together next year? She hoped so.
“All right! Let’s clean up the paper and head to the dining room for Christmas breakfast!” Karen clapped her hands together to show her joy.
Once the room was cleaned up, Leslie helped Grandpa into the dining room where Karen and Tim were already setting the table. Andrea was about to follow when Case gently tugged on her arm. “I have something for you.”
“You do?” She had noticed he’d bought gifts for the rest of her family, all of them much nicer than her stupid tie, but she assumed her gift was just getting her there.
“Of course. You didn’t think I’d get everyone else something and not you, did you?” He smiled at her, and she couldn’t help but stare at his luscious lips, remembering the feel of them on hers.
“I... I guess not.”
He pulled a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her. Andrea opened it to see a beautiful, shimmering diamond necklace. The pendent was the shape of a snowflake with a large diamond in the middle and several others making up the rest of the snowflake. “Oh, Case! It’s beautiful!”
“I wanted to make sure you never forgot our adventure together. I hope it’s the first of many to come.”
Tears filled her eyes at the sweet gesture. “Thank you so much!”
He bent down and pressed his lips to hers quickly, too quickly. Andrea wanted it to last longer. “Do you want to put it on?”
“Yes, please.” She took it out of the box and handed it to him before turning and pulling her hair out of the way. His warm breath caressed the back of her neck, and the feel of his fingertips on her skin as he hooked the clasp had her knees threatening to buckle.
She turned back to show him, and he grinned at her. Andrea wanted to kiss him again, longer this time, to show him how much he was beginning to mean to her, but her mom was calling from the other room. It would have to wait for later. “You’re amazing, Case. I’m so glad you talked me into getting into the SUV with you.”
“Me, too.” He brushed a strand of red hair away from her eyes and then gestured for her to head into the dining room. His hand on her shoulder just felt right. Andrea was starting to get used to the idea that she belonged with Case.
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