Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

“One toasted white chocolate mocha coming up.”

When you host the town's book club and work at the library for as long as I have, you get to know what books some will like more than others. That’s one of my favorite parts of being a librarian—when I read a book and know exactly who will love it and then get to share it with them. There’s nothing like a book that hits all those sweet spots you crave.

Everyone has a favorite trope. Even me.





CHAPTER 2





GABRIEL





“You said the adoption was closed, right?” my father asks his wife.

“Anything can be broken with enough money,” I counter and watch the two of them for their reaction.

“But I don’t want to disrupt her life.” Kate looks down at her hands and sighs deeply. “I just want the opportunity to let her know I’m here.” She turns to my dad, and he nods at her encouragingly.

“She can’t contact you if the paperwork is marked as closed. But if anyone can find a way around a contract, it’s Gabriel,” he says, and I nod in agreement.

My dad and Kate have been together for a while, and this is the first time she’s ever come to me for anything. My mom passed away when I was ten, and for a while, it was only my dad and me. Eventually Kate came along, and by then I saw how happy she made my dad.

I didn’t know she had a child until last year when I walked in on her crying while my dad was holding her. Eventually she told me the whole story about how she got pregnant when she was sixteen and her family forced her to give up the baby before sending her to live with relatives states away.

What neither of them knows is that I’ve found her daughter.

My dad means the world to me, and although Kate has always been good to him, I couldn’t chance a long-lost daughter showing up and seeing dollar signs. My dad made all his money on investments, and I’ve got my own wealth to protect. It’s why I was a little nervous about my dad and Kate in the beginning, but she’s erased any doubt I ever had. She’s always been good to him, and that’s what matters to me. Our family is small, and I couldn’t take the risk of letting an unknown person into our circle of trust for it to be broken. Who knows what Kate would be willing to do if her daughter asks for a handout?

So the night after she confessed everything, I began to dig. Today is just a formality to make sure she still wants to go through with me “searching” even though I’ve already found her.

“I have to know.” Kate lets out a breath like she’s been holding it for years. Hell, maybe she has.

I see all kinds in my line of work as an attorney for high-profile clients. Husbands who cheat, wives who backstab, and business partners that put all the profits up their noses. Nothing surprises me anymore, but this request comes from the heart, and I have to admit that it gave me pause.

“I’ll get on it,” I say, and she gives me a soft smile before she squeezes my father’s hand.

“Thank you, son,” my dad says and comes around my desk to give me a quick hug. “Are you sure you won’t join us in Morocco over the holidays?”

He glances around my office, which is uncharacteristically quiet. About ninety-nine percent of the personnel have gone for the holidays and aren’t planning on coming back until after the new year. Usually it’s a mad house here, and although I’ve got a wait list of people clamoring to get on my books, I told everyone I was clearing my schedule.

“No, I told you I’m planning on skiing over the break. I need the fresh air.” The glass window behind me faces the crowded city below, and I think about just how true that is.

At one time, I used to love it here, but the more time passes, the more I’m always looking for an excuse to be away from the office and away from the traffic. The city once made me fall in love with work, but recently it doesn’t have quite the same shine. Is this what getting older feels like?

“Please tell me you’re not going alone.” Kate frowns and looks up at my dad. “Maybe we should go with Gabriel so he doesn’t have to spend it by himself.”

“I’m fine,” I tell her and give her a quick peck on the cheek. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to meet a friend.”

“A friend?” This has her perking up. “A lady friend?”

“Kate,” my dad warns, and she shrugs.

“Just be careful and have a good time.” Kate grins.

“I’ll do my best,” I say and then walk them to the elevators.

I finish the last few things I have pending and send an email to my admin about how to contact me and where I’ll be staying.

“Troping,” I say to myself as I look at the address of the inn. “What kind of stupid name for a town is that?” Looking at the town's website, I see a picture of the mayor holding up a countdown sign for Christmas. “What a dick.”

Grabbing my travel bag, I head outside and meet my driver at the curb. Thankfully, I’ve got my private jet on standby so I don’t have to put up with the holiday traffic, but it still takes forever.

Once I’m on the plane, I toss my phone on the table beside me and put my bag on the empty seat.

“Can I get you a drink, sir?” Adam, my personal flight attendant, asks.