Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

I’m pretty sure they didn’t want me to go away to college any more than I wanted to leave Troping. I love it here, and even though I may not have been born in this town, I was raised here. This place is where my parents adopted me when I was only a few days old. I don’t think they could have hidden the fact that I was adopted, not with my wild red hair, green eyes, and all my curves.

It’s a stark contrast to them, but it never mattered. They are my mom and dad, and I’ll never see them any other way. Even if they can be a bit overbearing at times. Not in a controlling way, but my mom can be nosy. Today she even packed my lunch, which I’m thankful for, but I’m also twenty.

I’ve been volunteering at the Troping library since I was old enough to read. Mrs. Kringle would give me small tasks at first, and the older I got, the more she would let me do. I thought there was no way I’d be asked to take over her position when she retired, but I could run the place in my sleep. Whenever Mrs. Kringle wasn’t there, I could do everything she did, but I was sure everyone would think I was too young.

When both Mayor North and Mrs. Kringle pulled me in for a meeting and asked if I would take over, I almost screamed with excitement, yet I somehow managed to keep it together.

A message pops across my screen, and of course it’s my mom. This is what I mean by overbearing. She stuffed me with breakfast and kissed my cheek before I went out the door, and she’s already texting me. I’m not even all the way down our sidewalk yet.

Mom: Have a great first day! Love you. See you tonight.

Me: Love you too.

She’s so full of it because we both know I will not see her tonight. I bet all the icicles in Troping that she’ll end up at the library at some point this afternoon. I smile when I see I have a text from Snow.

Snow: You’ll do great

Me: Thanks

Me: Did you read it?

Snow: Of course I read it.

Me: Why aren’t you saying something?!

Is she trying to kill me with suspense? I met Snow in an online book club. I have one in Troping that’s in person, but sometimes a girl needs a few book clubs. I read a lot, and I want to talk about what I’m reading all the time.

Snow and I hit it off quickly and switched over to texts. She’s always asking me for book recommendations and then reads them all. This time, though, I sent her something I was working on. I don’t know why I started writing, but I read so many romance books that I started to crave to have something with my own touch on it. I don’t think I have some big passion to write, I’m just yearning for a romance to call my own. The downfall to a small town is there aren't a lot of romantic options unless you're willing to date someone that someone else you know already dated. No thanks.

Snow: The heroine. She’s you.

Me: Maybe.

I don’t know why my face warms with a blush when I admit that, but I suppose it’s personal. Although I share everything with Snow. It’s crazy how quickly we got close even if it’s only ever been through our phones.

Snow: Your hero is dominant.

I snort a laugh at that.

Me: Is that really shocking?!

I mean she knows all my favorite books.

Snow: You do know bear shifters aren’t real? Right?

I burst out laughing and Carol glances my way as she opens the door to her dress shop. There’s a romance story for you. Carol’s pregnant, and no one knows by who. Secret baby alert.

“Morning,” I say as I pass her.

“Morning, Noel.” She gives me a bright smile as her hand rests on her small baby bump. “You’re going to kill it today.”

“Nothing is really changing,” I admit.

“Still, I bet that romance section gets even bigger.” She wiggles her eyebrows playfully at me.

“This is true.” I’ve already got a list of books I want to order.

Me: He’s not a bear shifter.

Snow: He growls a lot. I thought maybe he was. You like bear shifter romances.

Me: I enjoy fated mates. I just favor the bears. As in shifters. Not that football team.

I pause when I pass by Frostie’s bakery, wishing my mom hadn’t stuffed me full of breakfast this morning. When Frostie waves for me to come in, I do because it would be rude otherwise. I’m sure I can make a little room for something.

“Coffee is on me today,” she says when I enter her bakery.

“You always give me free coffee.”

“Is that true?” Tinsel jumps up from the little table she’s sitting at with Jack. Tinsel is the town sheriff, and Jack owns the resort.

Those two were dancing around each other for as long as I can remember. Or at least since Jack moved to Troping. He went to college with Major North, who is Tinsel’s brother. Now that they cracked and are together, I wonder what the sheriff will do all day if she doesn’t have Jack to harass with baseless crimes she makes up and blames him for. Troping is a town where you can leave your doors unlocked. It’s Christmas year round here, but right now with Christmas really being around the corner, we’re in full swing.

“She introduced us to Laurann Dohner. You think that doesn’t get free coffee?” Frostie fires back at her best friend.

“This is true,” Tinsel agrees and drops back down in her seat.

“I think I introduced you to a lot of things,” I tease Frostie, who enjoys her romance with a sprinkle of darkness. Frostie’s cheeks turn pink as she gives me a knowing smile.