Looking around, Riley thought the little town, with its Bavarian feel, looked like something you’d find inside a Christmas snow globe, and she couldn’t help but be charmed.
“This doesn’t even look real,” she said as they pulled up to a store called Merry and Bright.
Luke smiled at her. “It’s not. It’s better than real.”
Riley returned his smile as they got out of the truck. She liked that. Better than real. She’d have to write that phrase down and find a way to use it in her book.
“This is our one clothing store in town, but Lisa has a little bit of everything. She should be able to help you out,” Luke said as he continued walking down the street.
“Wait.” Riley stopped walking. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
Luke laughed. “You really want me to go shopping with you?”
Riley, embarrassed, continued quickly. “No. Of course not, but where will I find you?”
“I’m going to go talk to Brianna. She’s the local realtor. Her office is the last one on the right. Just come meet me there when you’re done.”
“Got it,” Riley said as she headed into Merry and Bright. But as soon as she walked in the door, she froze. Every inch of the store was decorated for Christmas. There were giant Santas and reindeer and snowmen and Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland, and the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was playing.
Riley laughed. “Not this song again . . .”
“Not a fan of the song?” a cheerful woman asked as she walked toward her. Riley guessed she was probably in her mid-sixties. Before Riley had a chance to respond, the woman gave her a candy cane.
“Merry Christmas! This is for the little girl inside you,” the woman added with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m Lisa. Welcome to Merry and Bright.”
As Riley took the candy cane and looked around, she wondered if she was in the wrong shop. She didn’t see any clothes. All she saw were Christmas decorations. Lots of Christmas decorations. There were so many bright and blinking, sparkling things it was starting to make her dizzy.
“I’m Riley.” She held out her hand.
Instead, Lisa gave her a warm, welcoming hug. “I’m a hugger, and I know just who you are, my dear. You’re one of my favorite authors.” Lisa pointed over to a giant Fraser fir Christmas tree in the corner. “See?”
Riley did a double take. The tree was decorated with her books. Every book she had ever written was expertly tucked away in the tree branches, spotlighted with Christmas lights so you could still read every cover.
Blown away, Riley walked over to the tree. “Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this. All my books are here.”
“And some book reviews,” Lisa pointed out by taking a cut-out paper heart ornament off the tree. The review was written in the middle. Lisa started reading it out loud. “Get ready to fall in love all over again with Reynolds’s latest novel, A Summer’s Heartbeat, which shows the power of true love.”
Riley didn’t know what to say. She was so touched. She looked back at Lisa. “This is truly amazing. This must have taken you so long to do.”
Lisa smiled proudly. “I was honored to do it. I feel like your writing is such a gift to us all, and isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Giving to others? All your books are about love, Christmas is about that, too, so they needed their own special place, and I thought this Christmas tree would be perfect. I hope you like it?”
Riley touched her heart. She was still in awe. “I love it.” She gave Lisa a grateful hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Lisa smiled. “We are so happy to have you here at Christmas Lake. I just know this is going to be the perfect place for you to write your first Christmas novel. You must be so excited.”
“I’m actually not going to be writing it here. I’ll be getting ideas from the people who come to Christmas Camp and then hopefully using some of those ideas when I do start writing it later.”
Lisa’s eyes lit up. “Well, maybe you’ll come back when it’s time to write it. I’m sure you’re going to find lots of inspiration here.”
Riley nodded. “I’m sure I am. Although, right now I think I might be in the wrong place. I was looking to buy some clothes.”
Lisa linked arms with Riley. “No, you are just where you are meant to be. What are you looking for?”
“A jacket, some winter clothes,” Riley said hopefully.
Lisa led her to the back of the store where there were some winter clothes in the corner on racks that were covered with white twinkle lights.
Riley couldn’t believe it when she even recognized several designers.
“Will this work?” Lisa asked, giving Riley a friendly wink.
Riley, impressed, smiled and nodded. “This will work!”
A half hour later, Riley was happily strolling down the street in one of her new outfits on her way to find Luke.
She was surprised that she’d actually found some really cute things that were all Colorado Rockies approved. Right now, she was wearing a stylish pair of black ski pants that hugged her figure in all the right places and a pretty red ski coat with a black faux-fur-lined hood. Lisa had insisted she buy the red coat instead of the black one she’d been eyeing and had promised her that with the chic black fur trim, she didn’t look anything like Mrs. Claus.
She’d also picked up some really nice wool sweaters in bright and cheerful holiday colors and a red fleece with matching red gloves and a hat. The only place she’d struck out was finding some new boots in her size. Lisa was all sold out. So for now she was going to have to keep wearing her yeti feet and hope
