“Ideas?” Harry asked.
Riley nodded. “Yes, for my first Christmas book. We’re asking my readers what they want to see in the story so they can feel like they’re part of the creative process.”
“Well, I know what I’d want to see in the story,” Harry said.
“What?” Riley and Luke asked him at the same time.
“Santa Claus, of course,” Harry said.
Comet barked and wagged his tail. They all laughed.
“I’m good with that as long as he brings everyone presents,” Riley said.
“What kind of presents would you want?” Harry asked, putting her on the spot.
Luke also gave her his full attention.
She scrambled for an answer because she’d never done the whole Christmas gift-giving thing. She decided to tell them the same thing she always told her friends at Christmas.
“I don’t really believe in giving gifts just because it’s Christmas. I think if there’s something you see that reminds you of someone, or you see something you think someone would want, you get it for them no matter what time of year it is. Plus, who says it has to be a gift? Maybe just doing something together is the best gift of all.”
Luke looked surprised.
“What?” Riley asked him.
“I just . . . Well, I agree,” Luke said.
Riley laughed. “And that surprises you?”
Luke was smiling as he nodded, and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. Maybe she had a shot at winning him over after all.
“You know,” she said, “we could make that a part of Christmas Camp. We could challenge everyone to find a gift that really means something to someone in their life.”
“I like that,” Harry said. “I think this Christmas Camp is a wonderful idea. We could all use a reminder now and then of what Christmas is really about. I know my Annie would have been first in line to sign up for this kind of camp.”
“I agree the idea’s great, but it has to be done right,” Luke said. When he gave Riley a skeptical look, it stung.
Comet made her feel a little better when he came and sat next to her. As she reached down to pet him, Comet wagged his tail.
“It was going to be the last event we did here at the lodge before we sell it,” Luke added.
“You’re selling the lodge?” Harry asked, sounding both surprised and disappointed. “Didn’t I read that it’s been in your family for a hundred years?”
Luke nodded. “This will be our ninety-ninth year to be exact. We’ve had a good run, but now it’s time for another family to take over.”
“You have a buyer?” Harry asked.
“We’ve had some interest,” Luke said. “We just haven’t found the right fit yet.”
Riley listened, taking in all the information in case there was something she could use to try to persuade Luke not to cancel the Christmas Camp.
Luke stood up. “I’m sorry, Harry. I should have asked if you wanted something to eat or drink after your long drive up here. We have a special hot chocolate the lodge is known for.”
Riley felt like waving her hand in the air and saying, Hello, I’m here, too. Remember me?
Harry smiled at Luke. “Thanks, but I was actually thinking I might just go up to my room and relax a little bit, if that’s possible?”
“Of course,” Luke said.
Harry got up and started heading for the door. “I’m just going to grab my bag from the SUV. I always keep one for emergencies like this.”
“No, I’ll get that for you, Harry. Don’t worry about it,” Luke said. “Let me show you your room.”
Harry gave Luke a grateful smile. “Thank you. And thank you for taking me in tonight.”
Luke nodded. “Not a problem at all.”
As they started to walk off, Harry looked back at Riley. “Good night, Miss Reynolds.”
“Please, call me Riley.” She smiled at Harry. “And thank you again for getting me here safely.”
“My pleasure,” Harry said. “I’m glad it worked out. It looks like you’ve picked the perfect place to celebrate Christmas.”
Riley didn’t have a chance to respond before Luke jumped in. “Actually, Miss Reynolds will be going back to Denver with you in the morning, Harry.”
“Oh,” Harry said, sounding surprised.
As Luke and Harry left the lobby, Riley smiled down at Comet and whispered, “We’ll just see about that.”
While Luke couldn’t have made it any clearer that he didn’t want her there, he hadn’t planned on one thing. She didn’t give up easily, especially when her entire publishing career was on the line.
She wasn’t going anywhere.
Chapter Ten
While she waited for Luke to return, Riley walked over to a table full of framed family pictures to take a closer look. She picked up a wooden frame and studied the picture inside. It was of Luke with who she guessed to be his mom and dad, standing down by the lake next to all the lit-up Christmas trees.
She took the picture and walked over to the window to try to find the spot where the pictures had been taken. She could just barely see some of the tree lights twinkling through the falling snow.
“Wow, the snow’s really coming down now,” she said to herself, leaning even closer to the window.
“But it’s supposed to let up by morning,” Luke said from behind her. “So you should have no trouble getting back to Denver with Harry.”
Riley took a breath, then forced a smile before she turned around to face him. “About that. Can we talk?”
Luke crossed his arms as he studied her. “About?”
When he noticed the picture she was holding, he came over and held out his hand. When she placed it in his hand, she looked up into his eyes.
“Are these your parents?” she asked.
“Yes.” He walked back over to the table and carefully put the picture back exactly where she’d found it. “If you’re tired, I can show you your room,” he offered. “You’re just down the hall from Harry.”
Riley smiled at him. “Actually, I’d love to take you up on your offer of a cup of the
