“Hello, Merry Christmas,” the male voice on the other end of the phone said cheerfully. “My name is Colin, and I’m calling to talk to the owner or whoever is in charge of the upcoming Christmas Camp.”
Luke sat back in the chair. “That would be me, Luke. I’m the owner’s son. How can I help you?”
“I was hoping to get a reservation,” Colin said. “I went on your website and saw that you’re already sold out, but I know Riley and was hoping there was a way to still make this happen?”
Comet trotted into the room and sat down next to Luke.
“Oh, so you’re a friend of Riley’s?” Luke asked.
“Yes,” Colin said. “We go way back to college. I saw her interview on TV, and I knew I had to come see her.”
“Well, we do have a few rooms available. We are trying to keep the group small, but if you’re a friend of Riley’s, I’m sure we can make an exception . . .”
“That would be great,” Colin said. “Thank you so much.”
“Sure, no problem,” Luke said. “You can just go back on our website and send all your information through the contact form. I’ll process your reservation in the morning. How long did you want to stay?”
“The whole time,” Colin said. “Whatever that is. The weekend, right? If that works for you?”
“That works,” Luke said. “I’ll put you down for the whole weekend and let Riley know.
“No!” Colin pleaded. “Please don’t tell her I’m coming. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Oh, okay,” Luke said. “I won’t say anything. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Perfect,” Colin said. “And when I get there maybe you can help me plan some special activities with Riley.”
Luke gave Comet a confused look. “Well, you know she’s hosting all the Christmas Camp activities?”
“Yes, I heard, but I’m talking about when she has free time. Some special romantic dates. I have some ideas, but I might need some help in making them happen.”
“Romantic dates?” Luke asked, surprised.
“The more romantic the better,” Colin said. “You know how Riley loves romance.”
“Yeah,” Luke said, thinking he didn’t really know Riley at all. “Whatever you need.”
“Great,” Colin said, sounding relieved. “I’ll send you that information right now, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Safe travels,” Luke said before hanging up the phone.
He had no sooner hung up when the phone rang again. He instantly picked up and laughed. “Did you forget something?”
“Hello? Is this the Christmas Lake Lodge?” a different male voice asked.
Surprised, Luke shifted in the chair. “It is. I’m sorry. I was just talking to someone else, and I thought they were calling back. How can I help you?”
“My name is Brendan, and I’m calling about your Christmas Camp . . .”
“I’m sorry. We’ve completely sold out,” Luke said.
“But I know Riley,” Brendan said.
Luke lifted his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Brendan said. “We go way back. We dated. We used to live together.”
“Got it,” Luke said, even though he had no clue to what was going on. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m actually living here in Colorado,” Brendan said. “I work at the Mountain View Ski Resort. After I saw Riley on the news and found out she’d be up here hosting the Christmas Camp, I knew I had to come see her. I tried to reserve the weekend on the website, but it said you were sold out. Is there someone I could talk to a manager or the owner so I can explain why it’s so important for me to be there?”
“That would be me,” Luke said. “I’m running the camp.”
“Great!” Brendan said enthusiastically. “Then I’m talking to the right person. So can you help me make this happen? Do you have room for one more? I know Riley will be really happy to see me.”
“So she asked you to come?” Luke asked.
“In a way, yes,” Brendan said. “If you saw her TV interview, I’m the guy she was talking about. That’s why I want to surprise her.”
Luke laughed. “Oh, I bet she’ll be surprised.”
“So we can make this happen?” Brendan asked, sounding hopeful.
“Yes, I think we can,” Luke said. “Just go on the website and send me your contact information and how long you want to stay, and I’ll confirm your reservation in the morning. Our Wi-Fi is down right now, but it should be back up tomorrow.”
“Oh, I know how that goes.” Brendan laughed. “The Wi-Fi woes of living in the Rockies.”
“Exactly,” Luke said. “Thanks for understanding. We’ll look forward to seeing you soon.”
“And please, don’t tell Riley,” Brendan said. “I want to surprise her. This is going to be epic.”
“Got it,” Luke said. “I won’t say a word. Have a great night.”
“You too,” Brendan said before hanging up.
After Luke hung up the phone, he looked over at Comet. “That was weird. Two guys both wanting to surprise Riley? I sure hope she likes surprises.”
Luke had just stood up and was walking over to check the fire when the phone rang again. He paused and looked at Comet. “Seriously? Please, tell me this isn’t another someone wanting to surprise our star author.”
Comet trotted over to the phone and stared at it as it rang again.
“Just hold on,” Luke said to the ringing phone as he walked over and picked up the handset.
“Christmas Lake Lodge, may I help you?” he asked.
“I hope so,” another male voice replied in a commanding tone. “I’m Tyler Caldwell. I’m an entertainment attorney from Manhattan, and I’m calling to reserve a space at your Christmas Camp. I know you’re full, but . . .”
“Let me guess,” Luke cut in. “You know Riley?”
“Yes,” Tyler said, sounding surprised. “How did you know? Did she tell you about me?”
Luke hid a laugh. “Uh, no. Let’s just say I had a hunch.”
“I’m hoping to surprise her,” Tyler said.
Luke couldn’t help but laugh. “She must really love surprises.”
“She’s always loved surprises from me,” Tyler said, his voice full of
