“Clearly, you loved Santa,” Caylee said. “Just look at that smile on your face. You are so adorable.”
A rush of so many different emotions flooded Riley—joy and sadness all mixed together. By avoiding all her Christmas memories all these years, she had never really dealt with them, and now they were back to haunt her like the Ghost of Christmas Past.
“You need to send the picture to your agent, right?” Luke asked.
Riley nodded, thankful Luke had helped her refocus. “Yes, right away.” She needed to concentrate on work. Right now she couldn’t deal with any more Christmas memories.
She quickly e-mailed Margo and attached the photo and felt instant relief when she pushed send.
She turned back to Luke. “Okay, done. Now let’s finish finalizing the activities for Christmas Camp.”
“Sounds good to me,” Luke said. “But before we start, I want to run one thing by you.”
“Sure,” Riley said.
“What do you think about doing a Christmas Camp dance on our last night? We could play Christmas music, and everyone could get dressed up, and we could invite people from town. We used host a dance every year, but when money got tight after the economy crashed, my parents stopped. I thought it might be nice to do one more time before we sell the place.”
“I think it sounds great, but if we’re inviting people from town, where would we do it? I don’t think you have enough room,” Riley said.
Luke chuckled. “Let me show you.”
Five minutes later, they had walked to a part of the lodge Riley hadn’t seen yet. When they got to the end of a long hallway, Luke opened two massive French doors to reveal a beautiful ballroom.
“This is where we have the dance,” he said.
Riley’s jaw dropped as she stepped inside and looked around the beautiful ballroom. It had vaulted, beamed ceilings and a wall of windows looking out over Christmas Lake. “This is amazing,” she said. “Why haven’t you been using this?”
Luke shrugged. “There’s been no reason to.”
Riley gave him an incredulous look. “Are you kidding? This space is spectacular. You could have weddings here, parties, corporate events—everything, anything. This view is priceless.”
“It’s the best view in town,” Luke said proudly.
“I believe it,” Riley said.
“So is that a yes to having a Christmas Camp dance?” Luke asked.
Riley grinned back at him. “That’s a huge, yes. Yes, please.”
After they made their way back to the lobby and sat down by the fire, Riley actually started getting excited listening to all of Luke’s ideas.
“We’ve planned everything from your traditional, and always a favorite, baking and decorating cookies and making Christmas crafts to cocktail mixology classes, movie watching, and a special Christmas Camp Bingo,” Luke said. “We’d already posted some of the activities on the website so the Christmas Campers and the media would know what to expect, but we saved spots for any activities you thought would be a good fit.”
“I think this all sounds great,” Riley said. “You’ve done a fantastic job.”
Luke smiled back at her. “Thanks. I appreciate that. When it comes to the outdoor activities, it will depend on the weather, so we’ll play that by ear.”
Riley nodded. “Sounds good.”
“But on the list of potential activities we have snowshoeing, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, and even a snowman-building contest. We also added daily ‘Miss Christmas Author Chats’ so you can talk with the Christmas Campers about the kinds of things they want to see in your book. That was Mike’s idea.”
Riley laughed. “Of course, it was.”
“We also made sure to put free time so the Christmas Campers have a chance to relax and do whatever they wanted to do, and the same for you, in case you need to get some work done,” Luke added.
“I appreciate that,” Riley said. “I have a book outline I need to be working on so this should work out great.”
Luke looked pleased. “Okay, so we have a plan. Tomorrow’s the big day. The first Christmas Campers should start arriving around three o’clock and the cocktail party welcome reception is scheduled for six o’clock.”
Riley nodded. “Okay.”
“And Caylee had an idea about the cocktail party . . . and you,” Luke continued. She thinks, and Maryanne and I agree, that you should make a grand entrance . . .”
Riley’s smile quickly turned into a frown.
Luke laughed. “Just hear me out. We know the Christmas Campers are going to start showing up at different times, and everyone is going to want to talk to you. It could get a little chaotic. This way, you can be in your room, relaxing, and then we’ll introduce you at the party and everyone will see you at the same time. Caylee thinks it will create a little anticipation and excitement, too.”
“You’re serious?” Riley asked.
Luke nodded.
She shrugged. “Okay, if you think it’s a good idea, sure.”
“Great! Thank you,” Luke said.
Caylee and Maryanne entered the room at the same time as there was a knock at the door. They all looked at one another, confused.
“Are we expecting anyone?” Caylee asked.
“No,” Luke said as he got up and headed for the door. “Comet, it’s okay.”
Comet instantly stopped barking but didn’t leave Luke’s side.
“Maybe it’s one of the Christmas Campers checking in early,” Maryanne said.
Riley gave Maryanne a worried look. “I hope not. We’re not ready. I’m not ready . . .”
They were all standing up, looking concerned, when Luke returned holding a big box.
“It was just Fred, the postman,” Luke said, holding up a big two-foot-by-three-foot package. “He apologized for the late delivery but said it was express mail and needed to get here right away.”
Riley collapsed back on the couch, relieved. “Thank goodness.”
Luke walked over and held the box out to her. “And it’s for you.”
“Me?” Riley took the box and looked confused. “Who’d be sending me anything?” She set the box on the couch.
Caylee, excited, rushed over. “Open it. See what’s inside.”
Luke laughed. “Some things never change. You should see Caylee
