“People always take too long to open their gifts!” Caylee said, defending herself. “So come on, Riley, open it.”
Everyone laughed at Caylee.
“Hold on,” Riley said, fighting with the packing tape. “I’m trying.”
Caylee leaned in and grabbed a piece of tape and dramatically ripped it off for her. “I can do the rest if you want.”
Luke chuckled. “See?” he said as he pulled Caylee back. “Let Riley open it.”
When Riley saw Caylee’s disappointed face, she pushed the box toward her. “It’s okay. Go for it, Caylee.”
It only took a second for Caylee to tear into the box and another second to open it up to find another box. This one was only a little bit smaller than the first, and it was white and glossy with a big, red satin bow.
“This looks fancy.” Caylee took out the new box and handed it to Riley. “You should open this one.”
Riley took the smaller box out and set it on her lap. When she took the top of the box off, the first thing she saw was a bunch of gold tissue paper.
“Yup, it’s fancy, all right,” Caylee said as she leaned in closer.
Riley laughed, knowing if she didn’t hurry, Caylee would rip the tissue paper off for her. As Riley pulled the tissue back, Caylee gasped. Inside the box was a spectacular dress covered with red sparkling sequins.
“Wow!” Caylee said, taking the words right out of Riley’s mouth. But they were both speechless when Riley held up the dress and they realized the box was filled with more clothes.
There were two more sparkling dresses and three sequin tops, and almost everything was the same color—Christmas red—except for one stunning white dress at the very bottom and a silver sequin top.
Riley picked up the note card and read it out loud.
“Making sure you have something festive to wear for Christmas Camp. I’m sending a photographer to cover it. We need good pictures. Mike.”
Luke laughed. This must be because you wore black for that TV interview.”
“What’s wrong with black?” Riley asked.
Luke and Caylee exchanged a look.
“It’s not very Christmassy,” Caylee said.
Luke nodded. “What she said.”
Riley playfully rolled her eyes as she held up another spectacular sparkling red dress. “Wow, Mike really went overboard. This is too much.”
“What?!” Caylee said, taking a sequin top out of the box. “I’d say this is just right.” She happily held it up to her chest. “I want to know who is this Mike and where can I get one?”
Everyone laughed.
“What happened to the tomboy I knew who would have never been caught dead in a dress, much less sequins?” Luke asked as he took the top from Caylee and handed it back to Riley.
Caylee never took her eyes off the top. “She grew up. I might be a soldier, but come on, every girl loves a little sparkle, right?” She looked over to Riley and Maryanne for support.
Maryanne nodded but Riley didn’t.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything sparkly in my life,” Riley said as she closed the box and set it on the couch. “None of this is my style.”
Luke laughed. “Then it’s a good thing Mike sent all this because you’re going to need to look the part.”
“What part?” Riley asked, confused.
“Miss Christmas,” Luke answered. “Everyone’s going to want to take pictures with you, and Mike said they’re sending a photographer so . . .”
“So you have to look Christmassy,” Caylee finished for him as she grinned at Riley.
“Exactly,” Luke said.
Riley gave them both a skeptical look. “I brought clothes that will be just fine.”
Caylee frowned. “Well, fine doesn’t sound very Christmassy. Fine sounds . . . boring.”
When Luke gave Caylee a look, she shrugged and looked back at Riley. “Sorry.”
Riley smiled back at her as she stood up. It was impossible to be mad at Caylee. “That’s okay. Everyone has different taste. These clothes just aren’t mine. I’m going to go have a little chat with Mike, set a few things straight, and make sure he doesn’t have any other surprises for me. I don’t like surprises.”
When Riley saw Luke and Caylee exchange a look, she frowned. “What was that look?”
Luke feigned innocence. “What look? There was no look.”
“No look at all,” Caylee chimed in.
Riley’s eyes narrowed as she studied Caylee’s grinning face. She knew something was up and just hoped that Luke and Caylee weren’t planning any surprises for her. She really didn’t like surprises. All she wanted to do was follow the plan and get through the weekend.
“I’ll see you guys later,” Riley said as she left the room, reluctantly taking the box of clothes with her.
“See you later, Miss Christmas,” Caylee cheerfully called after her.
“Bah humbug,” Riley said under her breath.
Comet barked. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw he was right on her heels. She knew he’d heard her bah humbug, and she felt like her new, furry, four-legged friend was doubling as the Christmas police.
She couldn’t help but laugh a little as she thought about how Comet was a watchdog all right. He was watching her like a hawk, making sure she had Christmas spirit. But then her smile faded.
If I can’t fool a dog, how am I going to fool the Christmas-loving Christmas Campers?
When she got to her room, she immediately called Mike on FaceTime.
He picked up almost instantly. “Riley? He shouted over all the noise. “Where are you?” He laughed. “You look like you’re in Santa’s workshop.”
Riley, embarrassed, looked behind her and saw all the Santa figurines were in the shot. She quickly moved over, but this only got her bed and all the Santa pillows in the frame.
She gave up. The Santas were everywhere. There was no avoiding them. “I’m in my room at the lodge,” she said.
He laughed. “Nice background. We’ll have to get some shots of you in that room. That’s gold! Did you get the clothes?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s why I’m calling,” Riley said as she
