Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

I turn back to face my husband, and if I wasn’t overflowing with happiness, I’d hate how everyone is watching us like their own personal Hallmark movie.

“I know we’re already married, but I still want us to celebrate our marriage and for you to get the white dress and the proposal you deserve.” He drops to one knee in front of me.

“North,” I gasp as he slides a ring onto my finger right up against the band he bought me the day we got married. I stare down at the antique emerald-cut diamond that has a halo of smaller diamonds around it. I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life. This must be the family ring, and although I know we’re already married, this solidifies it.

“Promise me that you’ll forever be my wife because I promise that I will love you for eternity.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as I nod my head, unable to speak. North rises to his feet and kisses me again before everyone breaks out into cheers.

“I love you too,” I tell him the second his mouth leaves mine. “So much.”

“Good, because promise or not, you’re staying my wife.” He holds me tighter to him.

“Love is in the air,” Carol says with her hand resting on her baby bump. “That dress looks gorgeous on you.”

“I love it. Thank you so much for making it so quickly.”

“We knew it was only a matter of time,” Tinsel says as she comes to stand next to Carol. As normal, Jack wraps his arm around Tinsel, keeping her close the same way North is doing with me now.

“Seriously?” I ask. “You guys thought we’d be a thing?”

“Yes,” everyone around us says in unison. And here I thought no one would buy the two of us being a couple.

“So that whole power going out thing,” Tinsel says, “might not have been real.”

“What?” North and I say at the same time. Clearly he’s as confused as I am.

“I turned it off.” Jack shrugs. “The sheriff ordered me to do it.”

My mouth falls open as I think about that night. The power did go off right after she left.

“You’re a brat, you know that?” North chuckles.

“I love you too,” Tinsel says smugly before winking at me. “Welcome to the family.”

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” North whispers against my lips before he kisses me again. The man really is insatiable, but more than that, he’s right.

I am home.





EPILOGUE





NORTH





Around a year later…





“If you think for a second I’m going to let these hussies bid on my man, they’ve got another think coming.” My wife puts her hands on her hips and raises her chin in challenge.

“Joy, it’s a retirement community.” I try to hide my laugh, but Tinsel is behind her with her arms crossed over her chest, and I know she’s only going to make things worse. “These people, men and women, are bidding for us to spend time with them. It’s a great way to volunteer.”

“Don’t you already go there once a week?” Tinsel asks and then nudges Joy.

“Yeah,” Joy says and begins to nod.

“I can’t even with the two of you.” I laugh as I see Jack coming toward us. “Oh, did I mention I got another elf to auction off?”

“What?” Tinsel snaps and turns around so fast she almost falls over.

“Yeah, it seems someone had to drop out, and they needed a replacement.” I wink at my sister as I take Joy by the hand and lead her into the community center.

“I bet they’re just looking for a young man to grope,” she huffs as we go inside.

“I’ve had a talk with Mrs. Nesting, and she’s agreed not to do it again.”

“You can’t even trust old people,” Joy murmurs, and I have to hold back another laugh.

The town of Troping has a retirement community, and each year some of the business owners and city employees volunteer to be their elves. It’s a fun way to keep them involved in the holiday activities and to spend some time with people in town. There’s a penny auction that’s more for fun than anything, and we help the winner with things they need done or let them teach us a craft. Last year, Mrs. Nesting taught me how to crochet and might have “accidentally” pinched my butt.

“But you trust me?” I ask as I pull Joy into my arms and give her a quick kiss. “Right?”

“Of course.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m just selfish of your time.”

“Well, I guess if you weren’t so knocked up, you could do the auction with me.” I place my hand on her rounded belly and kiss her again. “I’m still hoping for a Thanksgiving baby.”

“With the way she’s taking her time, it will most likely be on New Year’s.”

“As long as the two of you are okay, I’m happy to meet her when she decides to show up.”

“Stop making me love you,” Joy teases. “I’m supposed to be the jealous wife.”

“I kind of like seeing you all fired up. Wanna go home after this and see how mad I can make you?”

“Watch it, Mayor.”

“I love when you call me that.”

Someone clears their throat, and I glance over to see the director of the nursing home, Mr. Flynn. “I think we’re all set,” he says and then says hello to Joy.