Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

I go back behind my desk and start to send out the alerts. We have a mass text line along with a newsletter and city phone messaging center.

“Don’t wait for me,” I tell North. He always thinks he has to walk me out. Sometimes I drive to work if I have plans to go somewhere after work or during lunch, but today I didn’t, so I decided to walk.

“I’m not leaving you here alone.” He comes to stand next to my desk and towers over me. I try not to fidget under his gaze as I work on the newsletter and put in all the information.

“It’s fine. I’m walking home, and you have to drive in that.” I nod toward the front, not taking my eyes off my computer screen.

“I’m not letting you walk home alone in a blizzard.” I glance up from my computer to look out the windows. It’s really coming down now.

“That’s crazy. I’ve never seen it that bad.”

“Only happens if the wind is really rough. You get the mountain snow on top of the normal snow storm.” I let out a small gasp when ice chunks start to hit the window.

“Crap, let me get this out.” I quickly finish the newsletter, and the second I hit send, the power in the building goes off and my screen goes black.

“Shit.” North walks over to the door and enters the code to try and open it. There’s no sound, and the lock won’t budge.

“Are we stuck, sir?!” I pick up my phone and try to call Tinsel, but it shows no service. “Why isn’t my phone working?” North has a pissed-off expression on his face, and I realize I’ve called him sir again. “North?”

“Reception is bad during the storms.”

“What do we do?” I try not to panic as it sets in that we might be stuck here for a while.

“First, I’m going to put that old fireplace in my office to work,” he says before turning and strolling back into his office.

So much for avoiding Mayor North.





CHAPTER 4





NORTH





“How long will the power be off?” Joy asks for the fifth time. Only this time it sounds more panicked than the previous ones.

I remember a bad storm like this a few years ago, and it took a couple of days. We aren’t prepared for that kind of stay here at city hall, but telling her that might not be good for her anxiety.

“We’ve got plenty of blankets and firewood thanks to the storage closet, and it looks like we’ve got food in the break room courtesy of Frostie.” I try to sound lighthearted as I see the look of worry deepen in Joy’s eyes.

“I guess it won’t be the first time I’ve had cupcakes for dinner.”

“Well, I guess that makes one of us.” When she doesn’t smile at my small joke, I worry that I’ve somehow hurt her feelings again. “My dad was a dentist. I couldn’t have sugar until I was old enough to sneak it.”

“Really?” Joy walks away from the window and hesitates for only a second before she takes a seat next to me on the blanket.

“If it wasn’t for Tinsel, I probably never would have been brave enough to do it.” I feel silly telling her this, and I turn towards the window. “But she’s like the little devil on my shoulder making me do the things I know I’m not supposed to.”

“I can actually see that.” She smiles as she looks into the glow of the fire.

“What about you?” I ask, and then I see her smile falter a little. Immediately I regret the question and try to cover it up. “You don’t have to tell me if you—”

“No, it’s fine, there’s just not much to tell. I don’t really like to think of my time before coming to Troping because it feels like as soon as I got here, my life started.”

I’m not sure if she means to tell me all of this because she blushes afterwards. “Me too,” I agree, and this time, I don’t take my eyes off of her when I say it.

She clears her throat to break the moment and then sighs. “I’m sorry we’re stuck here when you probably had plans with someone else.”

“I didn’t.” I cock my head to the side and try to figure out what she isn’t saying. “You’re here with me, all day every day, Joy. Do you think I have anyone else I’d rather spend time with?”

Her lips press together, and she shrugs. “I’m sure you’ve got a life away from work?”

It comes out as more of a question, and I laugh. “That’s where you’re wrong. My life is dedicated to Troping, and I want to make it a place that’s welcoming to all. That everyone who lives here feels welcome and represented and wants to protect our peace.”

There’s a look in her eyes I can’t place, and then she lets out a little laugh. “That must be hard when women are constantly cornering you for a date.”

“Especially when it’s not the person I want it to be,” I say more to myself, but Joy’s eyes find mine. “I mean, it would be a lot easier if I was already married. Then I could concentrate on the things that matter instead of having to hide at events or turn down invitations.”

“Sometimes I think being married would make things so much easier. Especially financially.” She says it more to herself before she shrugs. “Oh well, maybe one day.”