Rekindling Christmas Read Online Free

Ryanne
went to the desk and turned on her laptop. Once it booted up, she reached
inside her leather case for her cell phone. As she removed the phone, a sheet
of paper came fluttering out.
    Leaning over, she swiped the paper
from the floor. About to shove it back in her bag, the words drew her gaze. It
was the ad Mattie had e-mailed her.
    Frowning as she gathered her things
together, Ryanne couldn’t recall bringing the ad with her. It was like a bad
penny; the ad just kept turning up.
    Tapping in the web address for the
airline’s booking page, she waited for it to load as she read the advertisement
again.
    The single life—for some a curse, for
others a blessing. Whether you’re nursing a breakup, seeking “the one,” or just
looking for a little spark in your single life, here is the best destination
for singles to meet, greet, and mingle around the world. Join us on our
inexpensive hosted singles ski vacation for a big mountain experience, great
food, fun-filled happy hours, and lots of other singles to enjoy it all with.
Don't be lonely this holiday. Wave good-bye to the tub of ice cream, put down
the remote, and get traveling.
    Staring at the ad, she tried to
remind herself how silly it was for anyone to go to a singles retreat for the Christmas
holidays. However, she wasn’t feeling the same indifference for the holiday
getaway as she had in her office getting ready for the conference. Now, her mind
played with the idea of going somewhere for a few days and just relaxing before
being consumed in the familial atmosphere of the McCall brood.
    Due to the last-minute conference,
her parents were not expecting her until Sunday night. If she went to Starview,
Colorado for a few days, no one would even miss her. If things went well, she
could extend her stay to Christmas.
    Tapping her lip with a finger, she
seriously considered the possibility of going. Lowering her gaze down the page,
she noted the dates for the resort adventure and realized that it had already
begun, yesterday in fact. She doubted they would even have any more space
available.
    Setting the sheet down, she tapped
in the airport and dates to see if travel was possible. She wasn’t a snow driver,
so renting a car and cruising along the icy mountain roads was not going to
happen.
    When the screen displayed not only a
flight option but one that would allow her to arrive that very night, her heart
began to race. It was such a reckless decision to go to a resort alone, knowing
that everyone there would be looking for an easy hookup.
    Her mind replayed the conversation
with Todd and his taunt about the office thinking she took her job too
seriously and needed to get laid. Not that she’d ever believed sleazy Todd’s
words. However, it had been a long while since she’d dated or had anyone in her
bed besides her sky-blue vibrator.
    Maybe I do need a hookup . Picking up her cell, she dialed
the number from the ad.
    “Hello, this is Stacy at Village
Resort. How may I assist you?” The professional tone of the woman’s voice came
clearly through the line.
    Swallowing, Ryanne said, “Hi, Stacy.
I happened to see an ad for your holiday singles escape. I know it’s last
minute, but I was wondering…”
    “If we still have suites available?”
Stacy provided when Ryanne’s voice faded away.
    “Yes. If there are still any rooms.”
    “How many singles will be in your
party?”
    People were coming by groups? “Just myself.”
    There was a clicking sound on the
other end, then Stacy said, “We do have one single suite remaining. Would you
like me to reserve that for you?”
    This is it. Starview or St. Augustine? Taking a deep
breath, she blurted out, “Yes.”
    She must have startled the
receptionist because she was silent for a moment, then she said cheerfully,
“Not a problem. When will you be arriving?” More clicking.
    Glancing at her laptop screen for the
flight’s time of arrival, she gave Stacy the info. “Do you have a shuttle
service from