“I have some,” Riley’s mom said, interrupting her. “I have some really adorable ones I think would work great.”
Riley instantly stopped talking. “You do?” Her voice sounded faint.
Riley’s mom laughed. “Yes, of course. One of my favorites is a picture you took with Santa when you were eight. I also have some where you’re decorating the Christmas tree with Dad and—”
“The one with Santa,” she said quickly, cutting her mom off. “That should be fine.” She didn’t want to hear anymore. She couldn’t hear anymore. She didn’t want to remember. “Do you think you could just take a picture of it and e-mail it to me?”
“Sure,” her mom said. “How soon do you need it?”
“As soon as you can send it,” Riley said. “You know how Margo and Mike are. They want everything yesterday.”
“And you’re sure you just want the one picture?”
“I’m sure,” Riley said emphatically. “One is all I want to see.”
“Consider it done,” Riley’s mom said. “I should be able to get it to you in the next hour.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Riley said, feeling conflicted.
She knew she should feel grateful that she’d found a picture, but she didn’t know how she felt about seeing that picture or sharing it with the world.
“Oh, and Mom, I forgot to tell you—our internet and cell service have been down here. Luke was going to get it back up and running, so why don’t you wait and I’ll let you know when I can get the e-mail.”
“That sounds great, honey,” Riley’s mom said. “And who is Luke? Is this a new boyfriend you’ve also forgotten to tell me about?”
“Ha! No,” Riley said. “Who has time for a boyfriend? Luke is just the guy who is holding this Christmas Camp. It’s at his family’s lodge.”
“Well, I know you’re busy, but you’re never too busy to find love.”
Riley laughed loudly. “Mom, you must be reading too many of my romance novels.”
“Never.” Her mom replied. “And I can’t wait to read this next one. I think this Christmas novel of yours is going to be very special.”
“I hope so,” Riley said. “I really do.”
“Oh, wait. I have a quick question. I know you’re busy and have to get back to work, but I have to ask you . . .”
“What, Mom? Ask me anything.”
“Which old boyfriend were you talking about on the news yesterday? Colin from college, Brendan, or Tyler the lawyer?”
“Mom, I wasn’t talking about just one of them. When I said that in the interview, I meant my old boyfriends, plural. I was talking about all three of them in general,” Riley said. “There’s no big secret I’ve been hiding. I don’t have one person who was the love of my life.”
“That’s not what it sounded like on TV,” her mom said.
Riley groaned. “I know. Thanks to that wannabe host.”
“Well, I think everyone’s asking the same question I am. Maybe all the mystery will help with the publicity for your Christmas book.”
Riley laughed. “Okay, now you sound like Mike. I’m going to tell him your gunning for his job.”
Her mom laughed. “You know I only want you to be happy.”
Riley nodded. “I know, Mom.”
“And I hope you do find your one true love,” Riley’s mom said. “It’s time.”
“Actually, Mom,” Riley said, “you’re wrong about the timing. Even if the perfect guy showed up here at Christmas Camp, I would be too busy right now to even notice.”
“Just remember you can’t see the forest for the trees,” her mom said.
Riley laughed. “Oh no. Is this another one of those sayings you’ve made up?”
“Oh, I can’t claim this one,” Riley’s mom said. “You can’t see the forest for the trees is an old, famous saying your dad always used to say.”
“What does that even mean?” Riley asked.
“It means,” her mom answered, “Don’t let your emotions in the moment prevent you from losing sight of what’s really important—the big picture, what will make us happy in the long run.”
Riley still looked confused.
Riley’s mom chuckled. “It’s just something to think about.”
When Riley looked out the window, all she saw were snow-covered trees. She couldn’t see the entire forest.
“I’ll think about it,” Riley promised. “But right now, I have to see if our Wi-Fi is working so you can send me that picture and make Margo and Mike happy. I’ll e-mail you as soon as I know.”
“Sounds good,” Riley’s mom said. “And, Riley . . .”
“Yes, Mom?”
“I’m glad we had this talk . . . about Christmas. I love you. Merry Christmas.”
Riley abruptly stood up and almost knocked over the phone again. She saved it just before it crashed to the floor.
“I love you, Mom. I’ll talk to you again soon.”
Chapter Twenty-One
As soon as Riley hung up with her mom, she checked her cell phone. The Wi-Fi still wasn’t working.
“Okay, where’s Luke?” she asked Comet.
As if understanding, Comet ran for the front door. Riley gave him a suspicious look. “Is Luke really outside, or do you just want to go for a walk?”
At the sound of the word walk, Comet barked twice and wagged his tail.
Maryanne came into the room, laughing. “Oh, now you’ve done it,” she said. “You said the magic word.”
“Walk?” Riley asked.
When Comet barked again, Riley understood. “Let me guess,” she said. “Anyone who says walk—”
Comet barked again but this time louder
“—has to take Comet for a w-a-l-k,” Maryanne finished, spelling out the word. “See?” She smiled at Comet. “I’ve learned my lesson.”
Comet wagged his tail and then expectantly looked back at Riley.
“Okay, okay,” Riley said. “You win. We can go. But I need to find Luke.”
“Oh, he’s down by the lake,” Maryanne said. “And that’s Comet favorite place to go.”
“Perfect,” Riley said.
“The leash is in the hall closet, and you better bundle up. It’s still snowing out there,” Maryanne
