Page 57 of A Moment In Time

“I’m having trouble keeping up with all the mayor stuff I need to do.”

“You’re not even in office yet.”

“I know. I don’t know how I’m going to make it work.”

“Lyric could probably spare a few hours a week when the boys are in school. She checks on the boarded horses every morning. But her afternoons are generally free.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The last of the customers left and Cooper cleared the tables and wiped them down, then swept and mopped the floor. Gage cleared the bar, washed glasses, and closed out the register. Then together, they restocked the bar. Rand would be working tomorrow and he would’ve been fine with them leaving him something to do. But Gage liked to leave the bar ready to go for the next day’s business.

They were finished by one and went out the front door together. The snow was falling in big wet flakes and the road had gathered two inches of fresh snow since the last plow.

Cooper whistled. “Man. This doesn’t look good. Do you think we’ll be able to get up the road to my place?”

“Maybe. But beyond that, probably not.”

“You’re welcome to my couch.”

“I’ll just hike the last mile.”

“At this time of night?”

“Sure.”

“Dude.”

“You know I like to sleep in my own bed. Or my office couch. Which I would sleep on tonight. But I want to make sure you make it home.”

“Alright. You follow me home and we’ll discuss it further when we get to my place.”

They had both parked behind the restaurant, so they circled the building and got into their trucks. Cooper left first and Gage followed close enough behind him to see him through the snow. But not so close that he’d run into him if Cooper lost traction and skidded.

Highway Three, like the roads in town, had a couple of inches of new snow. But their four-wheel-drive was handling it okay. The road to Cooper’s barn was worse, however, with nearly four inches of snow. Cooper slowed down and drove the mile to hishouse. He parked in front of the house, then walked over to Gage, who was stopped on the road.

Cooper shook his head when Gage rolled down his window. “Don’t even try it, man. Take my couch.”

“I’ll leave my truck here. But I’ll walk to my house.”

“You are so stubborn.”

“It’s a beautiful night.”

Cooper looked up at the falling snow. “Right.” He backed away as Gage parked his truck next to Cooper’s. Gage got out, and they shook hands.

“I need to get to town in the morning, so I hope Cory plows the road for you.”

“I’m sure he will.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

“Call me when you get home, please.”

“I’ll try. But you know how my service is. Especially in this weather.”

“I won’t worry if I don’t hear from you, then.”

Gage started walking, and after twenty minutes, he was second guessing his decision. Without the snow, he would’ve been there already. He should’ve just stayed in town. Ten minutes later, he could see the dark shape of his house. He went inside, started a fire, then went to bed.

---