Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

“Plus, I’m good at my job,” I tease.

Tinsel gave me a few details of what she wanted in a dress, but I added some of my own touches that I knew she’d love. She can be a tomboy at times, but there’s still softness to her. I wanted to put all of that into her wedding dress, and I wanted it to be hers. Not only because it’s custom but because it represents her.

“It’s perfect, but you’re supposed to be relaxing.”

“Drawing is relaxing for me.” I sit down in the chair and put my hand on my small baby bump. “Are y’all going to tell me what’s going on, because I know something is up.” They glance at each other before Tinsel’s face grows serious.

“Time’s up, Caroline. We’re done doing this dance. Who is the baby daddy, and does he know?” That’s Tinsel's version of getting right to it. I’m impressed she lasted this long, honestly.

“I’m going to tell him. I just haven't done it yet. He’s not from here.” I know I have to call him at some point. I’ll tell him about the baby and give him an out.

“Why haven’t you told him?” Frostie asks, and her tone is softer.

“Because he’s married.” They both gasp. “I mean, he wasn’t when we did the deed,” I rush to say as panic rises inside of me. I don’t want them to think I’d do that knowing he belonged to another woman. “He was engaged, but I didn’t know that until after, and then the next day, it was just all…I, ah.”

“Slow down.” Tins grabs my arm. “Take a breath.” I suck in a deep breath, knowing she’s right. I can’t let myself get stressed or worked up. “Now start from the beginning.”

I give them a toned-down version of what happened, at least when it came to the sex part. They didn’t need to know how many times we went at it. They’re shocked enough that I’d taken a random man to a hotel and given up my virginity.

“He’s married now, and I’m about to blow up his life,” I mutter as my eyes fill with tears. “I swear when I saw him, I thought my soul had found my other half. I know it sounds crazy. Clearly I am because I was wrong, but there’s a woman out there I’m going to hurt too. If he tells her.” A very sweet woman whose wedding dress I made.

“If he tells her?” Tins lifts a brow.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m going to give him a choice. He can be a part of the baby's life or not. I’m not sure if I should tell the wife.” Tears start to stream down my face because I hate thinking about him being married and in love with some other woman. How could he love someone and do what he did?

“Are you sure it was him getting married?” Frostie asks skeptically.

“Of course.” They said the groom was on the other side of the door, and I looked through the peephole. When I saw Colden was there, I never jumped back so fast in my life.

“Is this him?” Tins turns her phone toward me, and my eyes widen when I see his face on the screen. Not only that, I know where that picture was taken.

He’s here.





CHAPTER 4





COLDEN





“Hello, how can I help you?” the lady at the front desk asks.

“Yes, I’m wondering if you can help me find someone.”

Last night, I tossed and turned, even though the room at the inn was perfect. It was knowing that Caroline was so close, yet I couldn’t find her. I asked the bartender last night, but they said they were new in town and couldn’t help me. Deciding I’d do better in the daytime, I woke up this morning and went straight to reception.

The lady there with the name tag Emily told me that she didn’t know anyone by that name or if the town of Troping had a dress shop. I’m generally good at reading people, and she was definitely lying.

It was time to pull out all the stops and find my woman. The investigator I hired could only give me a last known address, which is her business, but there’s got to be more of a paper trail than that. Realizing that town records are my best option, I marched down the street to City Hall.

“I’ll do my best. I’m afraid I moved here not too long ago so I’m not familiar with everyone yet.” She has a little name plate on her desk that reads Joy, and she seems like a nice enough person. I’m going to tread lightly so she doesn't shut me down like every other person in this town.

“You see, I’ve got a family friend I haven’t seen in years, but she’s not living at the address I have. I don’t have an updated number, but I thought maybe she would be listed on the register of deeds.”

“That should be easy enough. What’s the name?”

“That’s another thing,” I hedge while thinking fast. “My mother swears she got married, so she doesn’t know the last name. I know she worked at the dress shop downtown and—”

“Caroline?” Joy pipes up and I nod. She waves her hand away dismissively. “Oh, she’s not married.” She turns to her keyboard and clicks on a few things as my heart begins to race. “Okay, I knew it was close. Let me write this address down for you.”

Just as she’s about to hand me the piece of paper, the door behind her swings open abruptly. “What’s going on?”