“Shh,” she whispered and leaned down to give him a hug. “My bad. I shouldn’t have said the W word. But we don’t want to wake anyone up so if I agree to this wa—” Riley caught herself just in time. “If I agree to take you out, then you have to be a good and not bark. Deal?”
Comet wagged his tail and spun around once.
Riley laughed. “Okay, just hold on. I have to get my coat.”
A couple of minutes later, Riley felt invigorated as she breathed in the cool, crisp air and admired the frosty landscape as she walked Comet down to the lake. Actually, the truth was, Comet was walking her down to the lake, and he was in a hurry.
“Slow down,” she told Comet. “It’s slippery out here.”
Comet somehow took that as a cue to speed up.
Riley laughed as she tried to keep up without falling.
They were just arriving down by the lake when Riley saw Luke and Caylee stringing up some more Christmas lights on one of the trees along the shoreline.
“Hey, guys. What’s going on?” she called out. “You know it’s past midnight? Even decorating elves have to sleep sometimes.”
Surprised, they both turned around to look at her.
“What are you two doing down here?” Luke asked. “I thought you were on a date.”
“I was,” Riley said, “but Comet had other ideas.”
Comet looked up at her and wagged his tail.
Riley looked around, taking in all the Christmas lights. “What are you two, the Christmas light fairies who put up more lights while everyone sleeps?”
Caylee laughed. “I like that idea. You should use it in one of your books. Christmas light fairies.”
Riley laughed. “Maybe I will.”
“And will you use three ex-boyfriends showing up to try to win back their old girlfriend?” Caylee asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“No, I will not be using that crazy storyline,” Riley said.
“They say truth is stranger than fiction,” Luke added.
“Well, I’ll agree with the strange part,” Riley said.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I still think everything went great,” Caylee said. “Everyone seemed to be having a fabulous time. The Christmas Campers all love you and love Christmas and seem really happy to be here.”
Riley turned to Luke. “What did you think?” As she asked the question, she realized how much it mattered to her what Luke thought.
Luke nodded. “I think Caylee’s right. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and that’s what matters most, right?”
Riley nodded. “Right.”
“Are you okay, is the big question,” Caylee said. “Are you going to be able to do this with your three boyfriends here?”
“Ex-boyfriends,” Riley quickly corrected her. “I’ve just talked to them, and we’re good. It’s going to be fine. They’re going to do their own thing, and I’m going to do Christmas Camp.”
“Great,” Caylee said as she handed Riley her lights and took Comet’s leash. “Then you’re now officially on lights duty. It looks like the snowstorm blew some of them off so we’re just replacing them. I need to check with Maryanne to make sure everything’s ready for tomorrow.”
Before Riley could protest, Caylee was already heading back to the lodge with Comet.
Riley held the tangle of lights up that Caylee had given her. “So what do you want me to do with these?” she asked Luke.
“Find a place that needs them and go for it,” Luke said.
He’d already gone back to work putting up the lights he was holding.
When Riley stared at the tree and just stood there, Luke glanced back at her. “Anything wrong?” he asked.
Riley wasn’t about to confess that she’d never put up lights before. “Nope. All good.” Still, she didn’t move.
“You can start on this side,” Luke said, pointing out a spot that didn’t have any lights yet.
“Got it,” Riley said as she rushed over to the tree. She watched what Luke was doing and tried to copy him. How hard can it be? she asked herself.
When she was done, she proudly stood back to survey her work. “Nice,” she said, excited.
Then a gust of wind blew all her lights off the tree.
Luke laughed.
Riley didn’t. “What happened?”
“You did great,” Luke said, “but with the wind out here, you really need to put them deeper into the tree and kind of hook the lights around the branches. Like this.” Luke picked up her lights and started stringing them back on the tree.
“See?” Luke said. “This is what you do with the branches . . .”
At the same time as Riley leaned in to get a better look, Luke turned around to face her. They were so close Riley could feel his breath on her cheek. Their eyes locked.
The way her heart raced confused her even more than the lights did.
They both stepped back at the same time.
“You’re obviously the pro,” Riley said quickly as she regrouped. “Maybe I should just let you do this.”
She looked over to the Christmas Lake Christmas tree. Its sparkling lights were perfect. “So who is going to watch out for your tree on the lake when you sell this place?”
Luke stuffed his hands into his coat pocket as he followed her gaze.
“That’s a good question,” he said. “I hope the next person who buys it will keep up the tradition. It means a lot to a lot of people.”
“Will you miss this?” Riley asked.
“Putting up lights?” Luke asked.
When Riley gave him a look, he smiled back at her. “You mean, will I miss this when we sell the lodge?” Luke said.
Riley nodded. “It seems like you really love it here.”
When Luke sat down on the little bench by the trees, Riley joined him.
“I grew up here,” Luke said. “I have so many good memories here, but I agree with my mom, it’s too much for her to handle. It’s time to sell.”
“Have you ever thought about running it yourself?” Riley asked.
Luke laughed. “A long time ago, but so many things have changed, and with the Skyline Resort over in the next community, the lodge can’t compete anymore. People want all the new fancy amenities, a swimming pool, an ice rink, a health club, a spa.”
“Wait, they have a spa?” Riley asked, only half-kidding.
Luke laughed. “See what I mean?”
“But seriously, couldn’t you turn this into one of your Green-friendly properties?” Riley asked. “You said this is where you were first inspired to do something to help protect the environment. Why not start right here at the lodge? That Skyline Resort might have a lot of bells and whistles, but if you could turn this into a Green property that would get a lot of attention. I know a lot of people who would come to stay just to support this kind of healthier living.”
Luke gave her a surprised look.
“What?” Riley asked.
“Nothing,” Luke said. “It’s just that years ago I had thought about doing exactly what you’re saying, even before the Skyline Resort was built, but at the time, my dad didn’t want to make any changes.”
“Maybe now is the time,” Riley said. “It’s never too late to follow a dream.”
Luke laughed. “Did you write that in one of your books?”
Riley smiled back at him. “No, but maybe I should.”
“Speaking of your books and your inspiration for your stories, where are your boyfriends?” Luke asked. “I’m surprised they let you out of their sight. They seem very . . .”
“Loyal?” Riley offered.
“Determined was the word I was looking for,” Luke said.
“Oh, that’s right,” Riley said. “They told me you helped them plan all these special dates. Didn’t you think it wa
s weird that three guys wanted to plan dates with me?”
“The part about guys wanting to go on dates with you, I didn’t think that was weird at all, Luke said. “You’re great. Who wouldn’t want to go on a date with you . . . ?”
Riley’s eyes flew to Luke’s face to see if he was being sarcastic, but he looked sincere.
“But,” Luke continued.
Riley knew there would be a but . . .
“The part about all three guys saying they were your boyfriend was a little weird,” Luke said with a laugh. “But, hey, not my business how many boyfriends you have.”
Riley gave him a look. “I don’t have three boyfriends. They’re all from my past.”
“So you told them all to go home?” Luke asked.
Riley kept looking out at the Christmas tree on the lake. “Uh, no . . . They’re staying.”
“So you’re going on the dates,” Luke said. It was a statement not a question.
“I am,” Riley said, “It’s the only way I’ll really know . . .”
“Know what?” Luke asked as he turned to face her.
Riley looked into his eyes. “If there’s still something there. I loved them all once. They’re all three great guys.”
“So you’re thinking you could love one of them again?” Luke’s expression was impossible to read.
“Maybe?” Riley said. “I mean, do you ever really get over someone you loved? Now that the timing is different, maybe there’s a chance. I write love stories about second chances all the time. Anything’s possible . . .”
“Especially at Christmas,” Luke finished for her.
When Riley looked back at the Christmas Lake Christmas tree all she could think about was that this Christmas had been full of nothing but surprises so far. She just wasn’t sure yet if they were good surprises or not.
She shivered but not just from the cold.
Luke noticed, took off his scarf, and wrapped it around her. “We should go. The wind’s picking up.”
Riley looked into his eyes. “I’m fine. I don’t need an extra scarf. I don’t want you to get cold . . .”
Luke got up. “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. Let’s go.”
As they walked toward the lodge together, they walked in silence.
“You better get some rest,” Luke said when they got closer. “You have a big day tomorrow.”
“We have a big day tomorrow. It’s our first full day of Christmas Camp,” Riley said, smiling back at him.
“And you have a six o’clock adventure date,” Luke reminded her. He checked his cell phone. “That’s starting in less than six hours.”
“So what am I going to be doing?” Riley asked. “Since you helped plan all these dates, you can give me a heads-up.”
“Oh no. This was all supposed to be a surprise so you’re on your own,” Luke said.
“I don’t like surprises,” Riley said.
Luke laughed. “Well, maybe you should have told your boyfriend’s that,”
“They’re not my boyfriends,” Riley said.
Luke laughed. “Yet they’re all still here.” He headed for the side of the lodge. “I’m just going to check a few more lights. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night,” Riley called out as she watched Luke disappear around the corner.
She was about to walk up to the front door when she remembered the singing bear and did a big detour around it.
The last thing she needed to do was wake up all the Christmas Campers with “We Wish You a BEARy Christmas.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
It was still dark out when Riley woke up to the sound of Comet barking. Only this time, she quickly realized Comet wasn’t outside her bedroom door. He was outside her window.
She threw off her covers and ran over to the window to see what was going on. When she looked outside and saw Brendan and Comet playing in the snow, she couldn’t help but laugh. Brendan was throwing snowballs at Comet, and Comet was trying to catch them in his mouth.
When Brendan looked up and saw her, she waved. He smiled and he motioned for her to come down.
Riley checked the time on her phone. It was almost five thirty, and she had her date with Brendan at six. Even though she’d only gone to bed a few hours earlier, she was excited for her adventure with Brendan.
Twenty minutes and a quick shower later, she was ready to go. She remembered Brendan warning her to dress warmly and she’d seen him outside in his ski gear, so she was wearing her new ski pants and coat, along with her red hat and gloves. When she went to grab her scarf, too, Luke’s white scarf was twisted up with it from when he’d put it on her last night. She smiled as she untangled the two scarves, and she brought Luke’s scarf to her face where she’d inhaled the scent of his clean, earthy cologne.
As soon as she got downstairs, Comet came running over to her. She leaned down to give him a hug, and she brushed some snow off his nose.
“Well, you look like you’ve been having some fun,” she said to Comet. “But you can’t bark so early in the morning. You’ll wake everyone up.” Riley looked up at Brendan.
“I know,” Brendan said. “It was my fault. I came downstairs to get everything ready for us, and Comet was sitting by the door. He’s pretty impossible to say no to.”
Riley laughed as she continued to pet him. “Yes, he is.”
Brendan picked up a backpack off the couch. “So, I have everything we need, if you’re ready to go.”
Riley eyed the backpack. “I thought you said this was a breakfast date. I hope you have food in there. I’m starving.”
Brendan laughed. “Don’t worry. I know you need to eat breakfast or you get hangry.”
Riley laughed. “Lucky that you remembered that. In that case, I’m ready.”
“Let’s do this,” Brendan said as he slung the backpack over his shoulder.
For the next two hours, Brendan did exactly as he’d promised and took her on an adventure. He reminded her of what it had been like when they’d traveled the world together, how they’d always get up for the sunrise whenever they were in a new place.
For this sunrise, Brendan had planned a snowshoeing trip up to Christmas Lake Point. Riley laughed when Brendan told her that Luke had been the one to suggest snowshoeing, saying how much she loved it.
At least this time she was able to get the snowshoes on.
It was tricky getting up to the lookout with all the fresh powder, but by working together, they’d made it just in time to toast the sunrise with the mimosas Brendan had brought along. A sunrise toast was another one of their favorite travel traditions.
For breakfast, Brendan had packed her favorite granola bars and also some homemade croissants and fresh fruit Maryanne had put together for him. It was the perfect picnic. Riley smiled. It had been a long time since she’d done something like this—too long.
And Brendan was as fun-loving as she’d always remembered him. She liked that he also now had a more mature side, sharing with her how he’d turned his passion for traveling into a successful, profitable business. He now owned his own touring company, with almost a hundred tour guides that did tours all around the world.
As she listened to the amazing places he’d traveled to, she had to admit she was jealous. She’d put aside her love of travel to do what she thought was the right thing, to buckle down and be an adult and get a real job. Now, listening to how happy Brendan was, she wondered if she’d made the right decision in giving up one of her true passions and walking away from Brendan.
He also wanted to hear all about her life as an author and had asked a bunch of questions, seeming genuinely interested in her writing process. He’d admitted that he’d followed her over the years, keeping track of her success. He admired her gutsy move to start over and move to New York to be an author.
It had been funny hearing him say that because Riley had never thought it was gusty. She had just thought it was survival. She liked Brendan’s version better.
After their sunrise toast and breakfast, Brendan had another surprise for her.
Riley watched with curiosity as he pulled a leather pouch from his backpack. When he unzipped it, Riley saw a folding saw, and she backed away a little.
“Uh, what are you planning to do with that? Tell me this date isn’t going to have a bad ending,” she joked.
Brendan laughed. “You and your imagination. No, actually, I thought this could help us start a new Christmas tradition.”
Riley’s eyebrows arched. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Brendan said. “I was thinking about when we dated, and one of the things I regretted is that we never really celebrated Christmas together.”
“We were together at Christmas,” Riley said.
“We were together, but we didn’t celebrate it,” Brendan corrected her. “We were always traveling, and you said you weren’t into Christmas so we never put up a Christmas tree or did anything like that.” Brendan held up the saw. “So I thought we’d change that.”
Riley gave him a skeptical look. “What are you thinking?”
“That we needed to get a Christmas tree together,” Brendan answered with a grin.
Riley didn’t even pretend that she thought it was a good idea.
“We can’t do that,” she said with conviction.
“Why not?” Brendan asked.
“We can’t cut down any of these trees. They’re Luke’s family’s.”
Brendan laughed as he looked around. “And there are hundreds of them. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Riley shook her head. “Actually, I think he would. He’s all about conservation and protecting the environment, and they don’t even cut down their own tree at Christmas. Did you see the one in the lodge? It’s a live tree so it can be replanted.”
Brendan looked impressed. “Okay, that’s pretty cool.” He looked around and walked over to small tree. “Then how about we get this one? I can come back later and dig it up, and it can be replanted later, too. Then we can still have our first Christmas tree together. What do you say?”
Christmas Ever After Page 26
