Page 6 of Fake-Off with Fate
“Thank you.” I turn and walk the direction of her pointed finger. Once in the elevator, I realize I haven’t been in this building since my fifth-grade class came here on a field trip. And then, instead of absorbing the wonders of local government, I spent most of that day pining over Jeremiah Hornsicle.
When the doors slide open on the second floor, I turn right and enter the door marked “Mayor’s Office.” Approaching the counter, I make eye contact with a stuffy-looking character. He must be about my age but that’s where any similarity ends. He looks like he just walked out of central casting for the role of nerd inHigh School Musical. If the black-rimmed glasses and argyle sweater aren’t bad enough, this dude is wearing white socks with black pants.
I school my features in an attempt not to show any judgment. He might be very nice and simply have a poor fashion sense. “I’m here to see the mayor.”
Without glancing up from his computer screen, he asks, “Do you have an appointment?”
“I don’t, but I’m his …”
Before I can say “daughter,” he snaps, “Then he can’t see you.”
“But I’m his …”
He finally makes eye contact. “Mayor Thompkins is very busy. You’ll have to call and make an appointment.”
I resist the urge to fling myself over the counter and put this loser in a headlock. “I would appreciate it if you would tell Mayor Thompkins that hisdaughteris here.” I emphasize my status like I’m the crowned princess of Maple Falls returning to the palace after a lengthy tour of the continent.
His eyes open wider as he looks me up and down slowly. “You’reAshlyn Thompkins?” As if I’m special enough for anyone to impersonate.
“I am,” I tell him. “And I’d like to see my father. Unless, of course, you think he’s too busy.”
Instead of responding, he stands up and walks through the first door in front of him with near military precision. I hear him say, “Mayor Thompkins, I’m sorry to disturb you but a woman claiming to be your daughter is demanding to see you.”Claiming? Demanding?Who is this troll?
Almost immediately, an older and slightly rounder version of my dad pops through the door. “Ashlyn, what are you doing here?”
I sprint around the counter to give him a big hug, before telling him, “We need to talk.”
CHAPTER 4
JAMIE
I startto get antsy after hanging up with Dale. If I were still in Manhattan, I’d burn off steam by hitting the streets and running down to the tip of the island and back.
While I suppose I could stroll through the woods behind my house, I’m a little nervous I might lose my way. Also, my city-boy upbringing has me concerned I might run into a mountain lion, or God forbid, a bear. While studying up on this part of Washington, I discovered that black bears are common. And even though Google claims they’re “generally vegetarians” and not “normally” dangerous to humans, I think it’s safest to assume any bear will try to eat me given the opportunity.
My fear of the local wildlife is why I decide to head over to the ice arena where the team practices. I’m not looking to chat with anyone quite yet, but I’d like to get a lay of the land. Grabbing a baseball cap, I put it on and hope it will be enough of a disguise to keep me from being recognized.
The stadium is only a mile from the house I’m renting, so I’m there in record time. It would probably take me thirty minutes to drive the same distance in New York City, which is why I take the subway there. I don’t drive unless I’m going upstate for along weekend. Then it takes a minimum of two hours to go thirty miles.
Getting out of the car, I stop for a few minutes to appreciate the bucolic scenery. The whole landscape is full of the most amazing evergreens. If I’m going to live here, I’m going to have to find a proper guide to teach me the ins and outs of surviving in the woods.
Walking into the stadium, the first person I see is Troy Hart. Troy retired from the game years ago and moved to Washington. He and his wife are raising their four sons here. In addition to owning the Ice Breakers, they also own the stadium where the team practices. Forgetting my intention to stay anonymous, I walk up and greet him. “Troy, how are you, man? It’s been years!”
He looks up from his phone and grins ear to ear. “Jamie! We’re so excited you agreed to join us.” He reaches out and pulls me in for a hug. Then he pats me on the back enthusiastically.
“I’m looking forward to the change of pace,” I tell him.
“You won’t regret it,” Troy says. “I don’t ever want to go on vacation because every day in Maple Falls feels like the perfect getaway.”
“You’re like a walking advertisement for happiness, aren’t you?” I’m only half-teasing. There’s an aura of contentment around Troy that’s quite appealing. I wonder how long it will take for me to feel the same way, if that’s even possible.
He shrugs his shoulders. Like he’s reading my mind, he says, “Give yourself a few months and you’ll know exactly what I mean.”
I grimace slightly. “I’m worried I’ll get bored. What do people do around here for fun?”
“There are some decent restaurants, a movie theater, and even a world-class bookstore,” he brags. “Trust me, you’ll get used to things pretty quickly.”
“Dale says you own a lodge here, too. You going to run for mayor next?”
