Page 58 of Merry Christmas, Montana

Schools were closing on Friday for the Christmas break, which meant he had the rest of today and tomorrow to make a plan to persuade Riley he really loved her. He’d been wracking his brain, trying to think what else he could tell her or do to persuade her he’d meant every word he’d said to her.

His phone rang as he walked into his house. It wasn’t any of his contacts, but it could be a parent.

“Mitch Miller.”

“Mr. Miller, my name is Paul Winters, I’m an editor at…”

Mitch sat down quickly. He knew exactly who Paul Winters was—a well-known editor at one of the major publishers. What he didn’t know was why the guy was calling him.

“O’Sullivan phoned my wife. I was curious enough to read your manuscript.”

“Um… O’Sullivan… sorry, I didn’t quite catch what you were saying?” Rubbing his face, Mitch swallowed his groan. He sounded like a complete idiot.

“Riley O’Sullivan phoned my wife, Elana, about your manuscript. They’ve been friends since grade two or three, I forget exactly when. Anyway, I remember seeing your email, but we get so many submissions, I probably wouldn’t have read yours before sometime next year. Fortunately, because Riley phoned, I have. Do you mind sending me the rest of the manuscript as soon as possible? At this point, I can’t guarantee we’ll publish your book, but I can tell you I like what I’ve read so far.”

“Yeah… I mean, yes, thank you. Of course, I’ll send it right away.”

His head reeling, Mitch put his phone down after the editor had ended the call. Riley had phoned a friend about his manuscript? He had to call her, right now. Minutes later, though, he threw his phone down. She wasn’t answering. Damn it, what was he going to do about her?

Paul wanted his manuscript. Racing up the stairs, he felt lighter, happier. Nothing was quite certain at this moment—not about Riley or his manuscript—but his future wasn’t looking quite so bleak either.

His phone rang. It was Vivian.

“Hi, Viv,” he said with a smile. “I’ve just sent the rest of my manuscript to a publisher. And apparently, I should thank Riley for the opportunity.”

“Riley? I don’t understand.”

Laughing out loud, he told his sister what had just happened.

“Oh, Mitch, I’m so happy for you!” Vivian exclaimed when he’d finished. “I hope you’ve thanked Riley.”

“She’s not answering my calls, but I haven’t given up hope.”

“Well, while you’re planning your next move, Annie and I have decided to treat you with a trip to Bozeman. Monday is Christmas, and we haven’t done any shopping yet. We’ll pick you up after school on Friday. Craig and Aiden will meet us in Bozeman. They’re picking up Janice and would be leaving earlier.”

Shaking his head, Mitch laughed. “It seems I don’t really have a say in this?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, fine. But the two of you will have to help me find a way to persuade Riley I meant it when I told her I loved her.”

Vivian chuckled. “That’s what sisters are for.”

*

Riley had neverbeen this nervous in her life before. For the umpteenth time, she checked her phone. No text or missed calls from any of her family members. She’d seen Mitch’s call earlier, but she wasn’t ready to talk to him just yet.

She smiled and greeted the guests as they arrived at the exhibition, but her eyes kept wandering to the door.

A sharp-looking Dylan was standing proudly at her side. Aunt Janice had taken them shopping this morning. Riley had tried her best to tell her aunt she really didn’t need more clothes, but Aunt Janice on a mission was not easily stopped.

“Here you are,” Aunt Janice said, out of breath. “Riley, sweetheart, your work… those portraits of Mitch… I’m blown away by your talent.”

As Riley turned to greet her aunt, she couldn’t help smiling. Nobody could ever mistake Aunt Janice for a wallflower. Dressed in red and animal print, bangles on her arms, a pair of red high heels complementing her outfit, Aunt Janice was anything but your typical godmother.

“Thanks, Aunt Janice. I couldn’t have done what I do without your support.”

“And look at you!” her aunt gushed. “I’m so glad you settled for this soft yellow dress. The high neckline in front with the lower back—it suits you perfectly. You look absolutely stunning.”

---