She’d stayed up late trying to do some research on traditional Christmas activities so she’d have some ideas to give to Luke this morning, only she couldn’t get the Wi-Fi password to work to get online. After she’d unpacked, she’d gone back downstairs to see if Luke could help her with the Wi-Fi, but the lobby and kitchen had been empty. She’d followed another hallway and found a charming library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases on each side of a vintage fireplace, but still no Luke.
She’d finally given up and gone back to her room, where she’d continued to try to get at least one of her devices online. She must have fallen asleep trying.
When she heard Comet bark from outside her door, she grabbed her phone to see what time it was. She was shocked when she saw it was already eight in the morning. She usually got up at six.
When she heard Comet bark again, she rushed to the door in her black silk pajamas, flung the door open, and laughed.
Comet was sitting there wearing a Santa hat. “Very funny, my friend,” she said, still laughing.
As Comet trotted off, she grabbed the first thing she saw in her closet, dressed quickly, and headed downstairs.
She found Luke and Harry in the lobby. Both men did a double take when they saw her.
“Good morning,” she said, as she smiled back at them, wondering what they looked so surprised about.
“Good morning,” Harry said.
The way Luke was still staring at her with a perplexed look on his face made her glance down at her outfit.
She wondered what was wrong. Am I wearing two different shoes? Is my top on backward?
Nope. Everything looked good to her.
She was wearing black leather pants with one of her favorite black silk blouses, along with her black leather pumps and a simple pearl bracelet and earrings.
“What?” she finally asked when Luke just continued to stare.
“Sorry,” he said. “I was just trying to figure out where you were going all dressed up like that.”
Riley laughed. “This isn’t dressed up. This is one of my casual outfits. For Christmas Camp.”
When both Harry and Luke looked at each other and back to her, she put her hands on her hips. “Okay, guys. What is it? What’s wrong?”
Harry was the first one to speak. “I don’t think anything’s really wrong . . .”
“Right,” Luke added. “I think that outfit is . . . very nice.”
Riley arched an eyebrow. “Very nice? Why do you say that like very nice is not so nice at all?”
Harry tried to cover up a laugh but didn’t do a very good job. “I think what he’s trying to say is that, around here, we’re pretty casual.”
Riley frowned. “I get it. I live in Arizona where we’re really casual too—jeans, T-shirts, flipflops—but if I’m hosting an event, I have to dress the part. So that’s what I’m doing—or at least trying to do.”
“But this is a Christmas event,” Luke said. “You’re wearing all black like you’re about to step into a board meeting.”
Riley laughed. “What is it with everyone being against black?”
“It’s fine,” Harry said. “It’s just not very, well, you know, Christmassy.”
But Riley didn’t know. She stared back at both of them.
“And up here, we host events wearing jeans, not black suits,” Luke said.
Riley gave him a look. “This isn’t a suit. Sheesh. What do you want me to wear?”
“Jeans would be better,” Luke said.
“What?” Riley asked, and she didn’t even try and hide her confusion. “You’re saying I’m supposed to host this Christmas Camp in jeans? You’re kidding, right? How is that professional?”
“Well, I don’t know about professional, but I know jeans are a lot more practical for the kinds of activities we usually do around here,” Luke said. “Or ski pants would work.”
Riley’s eyes grew wider. “Ski pants? We’re going skiing?”
“No, but you know, with all the outdoor activities we’re going to be doing, some kind of winter pants for the snow would be the best, whatever kind you have.”
Riley looked down at her outfit again and then back up at Luke. “This is the warmest thing I have. I was going to pick up some things in New York, but I didn’t have a chance . . .”
“And she wanted to stop in Denver to get something yesterday, but we had to get going because of the weather,” Harry offered.
“I get it. Don’t worry,” Luke said. “We have a shop in town where you can get some stuff. You’ll be all set.”
Riley breathed a sigh of relief. “That would be great. Thanks.”
“Well, I better get going,” Harry said as he headed for the door. “I have some more airport pickups this afternoon, and then I think I’m scheduled to bring several of your Christmas Campers up here on Friday. So I’ll probably see you both again in a few days.” Harry shook Luke’s hand. “Thank you again for your hospitality.”
“It was my pleasure,” Luke said and smiled back at him. “Anytime. We’ll look forward to seeing you back here soon.”
“Thank you again, Harry, for getting me here safely,” Riley said with a grateful smile.
“I was happy to be of service,” Harry said, smiling back. “Good luck to you both planning your Christmas Camp.”
“Thanks,” Riley answered quickly. “We’re going to need it.”
“We are?” Luke asked.
Riley scrambled to recover. “I just mean we have a lot to do.”
“Then I better be on my way so you can get started,” Harry said. He waved as he went out the door. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas,” Luke called back to him.
“Have a safe trip,” Riley said.
Even Comet, who was still wearing the Santa hat, barked his goodbye.
As soon as Harry left, Luke turned to Riley. “Okay, let’s get started,” he said in a no-nonsense voice.
“With breakfast?” Riley asked hopefully.
“We can do that, too, but I was talking about finalizing our Christmas Camp activities. Do you have a list for me?”
Riley’s heart sank. She hadn’t been able to google anything because she couldn’t get online. She got her phone out of her
