Page 1 of Snowed Under

CHAPTER 1

COLE

Fudge greetsme in the hallway when I walk in and dump my tool bag on the ground. He’s a scruffy ginger cat that I was ‘fostering’ last Christmas, but we kinda grew on each other and he just never left.

“Hey, Fudgey.” I scoop him up in my arms and he pushes his face into mine. He lets out a good ol’ mewl, indicating he’s not happy about the several hours I’ve been gone. He acts as if he doesn’t sleep for twenty-three hours a day.

It’s taken a good while for him to be affectionate with me, but after a few scratches to my money maker — and more than one close call with his razor-sharp teeth to the rest of my body — I think we’re cool. It’s not his fault he was abandoned as a kitten the day after Christmas and was left out in the cold. Poor little guy. He was lucky to survive.

Travis is my boss and his wife, Presley, is the local vet and owner of Piney Paws. She asked me to look after him since I’ve done the offhand favor of pet sitting for the good townsfolk of Silver Pines, Wyoming. Including their dog, Rigger and their cat Bronx. The rest is history.

My little guy ispretty cute, even if he is a scraggly thing. “How’s your day been, Fudge?” Yep, I talk to my cat too. I mean, he’s a good listener as far as four legged friends go. Aside from scowling, he never talks back.“Dad’s been up in the rafters at the Town Hall again, yes he has, yes he has.” I tickle his chin as he laps it up. If anyone could hear me now, they’d think I was nuts.

If the rumors around town were true, you’d hear I’m a ladies man and can cozy up to any female this side of Wyoming. But that’s not entirely true. Women are slim pickings in this tiny town, making most of the single guys excited for tourist season. I was too, until last year when a certain little librarian caught my attention.

I look down at my tabby like he’s gonna answer me before I kiss him on the head and place him back on the floor. I move into the kitchen to get his food and grab myself something to eat. “Dad also has to do some shopping,” I mutter, after examining the contents of the fridge and realizing I ain't got shit. Takeout tonight might just have to do.

I go in search of a snack. Finding and heating up a small container from last night's leftovers to see me through. I’ve been a bachelor for a couple of years now and while I can’t say I’m Silver Pine’s greatest chef, I can survive. That’s the main thing, right?

I kick off my boots and shrug out of my jacket, grabbing Fudge’s treats from under the counter as I fill up his bowl by the door.

He looks up at me with eyes that would say, ‘is that it?’if he could talk. And if that were the case, I’m sure he’d have a lot to say.

“Fine.” I chuckle and reach for the can ofFancy Felineand pull the lid back. Grabbing a fork, I empty the contents into the bowl adjoining the biscuits and break it up. Just how he likes it.

He immediately waddles over and sticks his head in the bowl, having a good sniff before he decides if it tickles his fancy or not.

I can never get it right with Fudge. Some days he just wants his dry food, other days hisFancy Feline,and on those random days he’ll have both, thank you very much.

While Fudge eats, I grab my leftovers and walk down the hallway of my small cottage. It was built over a hundred years ago but seems to have weathered every storm Silver Pines has thrown at it. The blizzards here can be a total disaster, especially around the holidays.

I scarf the food down and place the container on my bedside table. Stripping out of my clothes, I jump in the shower to wash away today’s dirt and grime. I spent most of the day up in the rafters fixing the mezzanine section in the Town Hall. I’ve spent my life building and fixing things, it’s what I know. Construction has always been my ultimate passion because I love to fix shit and see things transform. As a bonus, it pays the bills. Also, I get to work for my best friend, so that’s a plus.

It’s only when I’m drying off and shrugging into a fresh flannel button down that I hear a loud beeping noise from out front. It sounds suspiciously like a truck reversing.

The house next door has recently become available for rent. There was a showing about a week ago, but I haven’t heard about the new tenant yet.

I go take a look because I’m a nosy bastard. Hopefully, it’s a cute chick in need of a cup of sugar or something. Not that shit like that ever happens to me, knowing my luck it’ll be some dear little old lady. I’m always the groomsman, never the groom.

“Back in a sec,” I call out to Fudge, who’s taken to laying in one of his many beds around the house. In this instance, he chose the hallway. He has an array of beds. I have meticulously placed them around different parts of the house, in all of his favorite places to lay. His decision is usually based on where the sun is shining on any given day, not that the sun is shining in Silver Pines with it being winter right now.

With my curiosity piqued, I step outside to see if someone is moving in. Normally, I hear everything that’s going on around town. That’s the beauty of living in a tiny place like Silver Pines. I’ve been so busy at work lately, I’ve not had time to follow the gossip mill.

My eyes land on a familiar sight, and my grin pulls from both sides of my face.

Well, well. If it isn’t little Ainsley Parsons.My favorite librarian.

It seems I could be so lucky, after all. My heart rate accelerates.

Ainsley isn’t just the adorable Little Miss Sunshine from the library, she’s also a friend and the girl who’s been starring in some of my late-night dreams.

She is on the Silver Pines welcoming committee, including the annual Christmas decorating team, and various other charitable roles through our town. A good ole’ hometown girl.

I step outside. “Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that you Ains?” I make a show of rubbing my eyes with my palms as I flash her a grin. I’ve been told since I was a teenager that I have a baby face, and apparently my Grandpa told the entire family I’d be a heartbreaker. I’m not sure about that last part, because I’ve never settled down or had my heart broken. But baby face? I guess it’s something to do with looking young and being able to get whatever I want. While not entirely untrue, I don’t consider it a bad thing that my crinkly smile and cheeky comebacks don’t make the best of them smile. My blonde ruffled hair and hazel eyes don’t seem to hurt either.

Hey, that’s what I’m here for. I don’t just like making women smile, I like makinghersmile.

Ainsley’s eyes flick up toward me as the U-Haul maneuvers out front, parking in line with the cottage next door.

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