Both sounded like solid options. Instead, Riley took another sip of cider and focused on anything else—the flickering candles on the tables, the Christmas music playing softly from a speaker in the corner.
“I’ve got a Christmas present for you,” Jody said. “Stay here and I’ll get it.”
“Ah, you didn’t have to get anything for me.” What a sweet gesture. Besides the Secret Santa gifts the employees did every year, Riley hadn’t gotten presents for anyone. Well, unless you counted the gift she’d given Lucas a week ago—a taxidermized wallaby with accusing glass eyes that she’d left outside his room on the fourth floor.
Amazing what you could find on eBay. And totally worth the shipping cost from Australia.
She hadn’t been there to hear his reaction, but later that day, the thing turned up in the housekeeping room, and she heard Wendy’s loud and persistent scream then.
After that, the wallaby moved around the inn until it ended up in Sara’s car, waiting for her in the dark after her shift.
Stuffed Tippyroo was never seen again.
“I wasn’t sure what to get you,” Jody said, “but at least it will be memorable. Don’t go anywhere.” She left Riley and disappeared into the crowd.
Riley took another sip of cider. Her mind went to last Christmas when she’d been dating Lucas. They’d gone skiingwith his family and stayed in a mountain resort. She’d shared a room with Elsie, Lucas’s sister, and he’d been frustrated that he didn’t get to spend more one-on-one time with Riley, so in the evening, they met in the lodge by the large stone fireplace.
On their last evening, they sat on the couch, sipping hot chocolate and bemoaning the fact that they’d have to return to their jobs the next day.
“Do you think you’ll always stay with the police force?” she asked him.
“I’m not sure.” He finished off his hot chocolate and set his empty mug down on the coffee table. “What about you? How long do you see yourself working at The Riverside?”
She’d almost told him about wanting to buy the inn. It had been on the tip of her tongue. But she was still sorting the possibility out in her mind, trying to decide whether she could really make it work. If she started telling people she wanted to purchase the place and it didn’t happen, they’d think she was the kind of person who dreamed big and didn’t follow through.
She just shrugged. “I plan on staying there for the foreseeable future.”
“Good,” he said with a grin. “I’m glad.”
“You’re glad I work at an inn?”
He slipped his arm around her. “I’m glad you’re not the type who sees Lark Springs as a dead end and plans on leaving the first chance you get.”
He meant Winter. That’s what she’d done. At that moment, Riley was thankful she was a small-town girl at heart. “I’m here to stay.” It seemed like an oath, a promise.
Lucas pulled her closer and kissed her. There by the fire, safe in his arms, she’d felt like the world couldn’t be better.
As though summoned by the memory, Lucas appeared in front of her. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“What?” She had the sudden worry that he could read her mind, that he could see the memories of last Christmas swimming in her eyes. Could he tell how much she missed him?
His hands slid into his pockets. “Jody said you wanted to speak with me.”
“She did?” That didn’t make sense. “You’re sure she meant me?”
His eyes squinted in question. “I’m pretty certain she knows who you are.”
Why had Jody sent Lucas over? Riley’s gaze circled the room, looking for her and a possible explanation. She spotted her standing with the group of college girls that Lucas had just left. Jody smiled at Riley and gave her a little wave.
“Well,” Riley said, finishing her cider, “maybe she was just trying to help you shake off your college groupies.”
Lucas bit back a smile. He seemed to sense Riley’s jealousy and relished it. “They’re very nice young women. Quite dedicated to the inn.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “They’re teenagers. With luck, they might be dedicated to their homework.”
His smile grew. “Do you have a problem with those staff members? As the manager, I should know if they have any shortcomings that might cause problems later.”
They didn’t have shortcomings, just stars in their eyes. Before Riley could think of a response, Sara and Mariah swept up to them. Sara had forgone the typical ugly Christmas sweater in favor of a gold blouse and fluffy cardigan. Mariah wore a headband with reindeer antlers, and her nails were painted a red and green plaid that matched her sweater.