Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

“Last night. We haven’t told anyone.” I swear hearts are dancing over her head.

“I’m the first person you’ve told?” I grab her and pull her in for a giant hug. The girl gets married and is knocked up within seconds. Mayor North really doesn’t do anything half-assed.

“You’re the first I’ve told. I’m not sure if North told his parents or not yet.” She gives a small shrug, her blush growing.

I know Joy loves Troping, but I also think we can be a lot to handle. She went from a small town that was a jerk to her to one that was overwhelming with acceptance. Not to mention her parents kind of suck.

She never outright says that, but there is a lot in what she doesn’t say. They haven’t come here once since she moved to Troping, and Joy has never talked about visiting back home. She should go back to her old town and shove it in all their faces that she’s living a fairy tale, but that’s not Joy’s style. Their loss was our gain. Now she really does have a true family, and I don’t only mean everyone in town but Tinsel and North’s parents are sweethearts too.

I knew she was going to be a perfect fit for this town when she told me she took the job as North’s personal assistant and then told me how much she loved office romances. It was her favorite trope.

Not only did her life turn into that, but she also got herself some forced proximity that stuck her and North together all night where he talked her into what she thought was a marriage of convenience. The only thing convenient about it for North was him coming up with a quick way to get Joy to marry him.

“North’s mom is gonna die, but you better tell them soon. No one can keep anything from Tinsel.”

“You two talking shit?”

“Ahh!” I scream as my heart jumps into my throat. Where the hell did she come from? Again, everyone in the library turns to glance our way. Sorry! I mouth.

“Stop apologizing, you own this place now.” Tinsel puts her hands on her hips, and I see she has on her uniform along with reindeer ears on top of her head. She’s in full holiday mode, but I guess we all are.

“You have frosting right here.” Joy runs her finger under Tinsel’s chin, collecting it for her.

“Thanks, sis.” Tinsel winks at her. “So talking shit about me?” Her eyes bounce between the two of us, and a small smirk starts to form.

“No,” I say so Joy doesn’t have to lie. Besides, is it really a lie? I wasn’t talking shit. I was stating a fact. Tinsel is always in the know about everything. As the sheriff probably should be but that has nothing to do with it. “You find out who the baby daddy is yet?” I switch the subject over to something else that I know Tinsel will follow, and her face scrunches with annoyance.

“No, but trust me, I will.” It comes out sounding like a vow.

I pity the man that has to deal with her wrath. Tinsel might be down for a lot of funny shenanigans until it comes to crossing one of her girlfriends. We all adore Carol, and it’s hard to believe a man would knock her up and walk away.

“How is Carol?” Joy asks. Carol had a small scare, and I think when she called Tinsel it was her first real emergency. Things are quiet around here for the most part. If anyone is up to anything, it’s our own sheriff.

“She’s good.” Tinsel lets out a long breath, growing serious for once. “She scared the crap out of me, but everything is good. The baby is cooking up just right.” I notice Tinsel’s hand slip over her own stomach. I’m not sure she’s conscious of the fact, but I know where her thoughts are. It would be interesting to see Tins as a mom. “Don’t think I didn’t catch this change of subject, but I'm gonna let it slide today, ladies.” She snags one of the cookies from off the display I have set up. “I’m here about Mark.” She bites into the cookie, almost eating the whole thing in one bite.

“Wait, that was real?” Joy asks, confused. I’m not shocked Joy has heard about this even though it only happened last night.

“Oh, it’s real. He got to Noel’s a little before seven last night and stayed for a few hours.” And there is my point. Tins always knows everything.

“Don’t say it like that.” I give a playful smack to her shoulder. She makes it sound as though only Mark came to my home and we had a private dinner. It was a long two hours.

“Assaulting an officer, Noel?” she says, and I roll my eyes at her. “I want to make it clear Mark isn’t happening.”

“You killed him?” Joy whispers, making me snort a laugh.

“I will if I have to.” She polishes off the rest of her cookie and points her finger at me. “He’s not for you.” Then she points her finger in the opposite direction. I follow it and see Mark walking into the library.

“Crap,” I mutter under my breath.

“Want me to arrest him?” Tins offers. She really is a good friend.

“No,” I quickly respond because knowing her, she might. “He’s almost a lawyer,” I remind her. He’s got one semester left until he takes the bar. I know because he brought it up five million times. I don’t know why I tell Tins that. She doesn’t give a shit, and the expression on her face makes that extra clear.

I glance back toward the front doors to see Mark heading my way. My eyes catch when another man enters behind him. The tall, dark stranger is unmissable, and he makes Mark look like a boy in comparison. He’s dressed in all black, making him stand out in the sea of holiday colors. Our eyes lock, and a flutter of excitement lights through my whole body.