Page 2 of Mountain Man's Naughty Elf
One quick glance. That's all.
I tapped the trackpad to wake the screen fully, and the spreadsheet came into focus. What I saw made my stomach drop through the floor.
Column after column of North Pole Village donation funds being diverted to something called "EF Downtown Revival LLC." I wasn't a financial expert, but even I could recognizewhen money meant for children's toys was being shuffled elsewhere. The amounts were staggering—over $50,000 already "reallocated."
My hands trembled as I scrolled through the document. There was no legitimate reason for charity funds to be moved like this. I'd worked in event planning long enough to recognize fraud when I saw it.
My heart pounded against my ribs. This wasn't just questionable—it was criminal. With trembling fingers, I grabbed my USB drive and plugged it in. The icon blinked as I copied not just this file but everything in the folder labeled 'NP_Financials.' Digital breadcrumbs of corruption.
"What are you doing with my laptop?"
I nearly jumped out of my striped tights. Nolan stood in the doorway, his politician's smile nowhere in sight.
"I—" My mind raced for a plausible explanation. "I was just checking if you needed these donor thank-you letters signed before you left." I gestured to a stack of papers on the desk, hoping he hadn't noticed the USB in his computer.
His eyes narrowed as he crossed the room. "You were looking at my files."
"Why would I do that?" I forced a laugh. "I was just closing your laptop so it wouldn't get damaged."
"Then what's that?" He pointed to my USB drive, still plugged into the side of his computer.
Busted.
I yanked out the drive and clutched it in my hand. "Nolan, what's EF Downtown Revival LLC, and why are you moving Toy Drive money into it?"
His expression hardened. "That's none of your concern."
"It absolutely is my concern! I run this place, and those donations are meant for children!"
"It's a temporary reallocation. The money will be returned." He reached for the USB drive. "Hand it over, Pepper."
I took a step back. "So you can delete the evidence? I don't think so."
"Don't be dramatic. This isn't what it looks like."
"Really? Because it looks like you're stealing from a children's charity at Christmas. That's like... Grinch level villainy, Nolan. And not the cute Jim Carrey version—we're talking original cartoon, heart-two-sizes-too-small evil."
His face flushed. "I'm developing the downtown area. The whole town will benefit—"
"With money meant for kids who might not get Christmas presents otherwise? That's your justification?" I was practically shouting now.
He lunged for the USB drive. I dodged, thanking my lucky stars for all those Zumba classes, and stuffed the device into my hat, tucking it securely under the white fur trim.
"Pepper, don't make this difficult." His voice had that dangerous edge I recognized from our worst arguments. "No one will believe you over me. I'm the mayor."
"We'll see about that." I grabbed my curly-toed boots, not bothering to put them back on. "I'm taking this to Martha and the board."
"They won't be able to do anything without proof," he hissed, advancing on me.
I backed toward the door. "Good thing I have some, then."
That was apparently the wrong thing to say. Nolan's face contorted with anger, and he lunged again. I yelped and darted out the door, the bells on my festive uniform jingling madly as I fled.
I ran through the village, painfully aware of how ridiculous I must look—an elf in stockinged feet, clutching her boots, jingling like a one-woman Christmas band, being pursued by the townmayor. Thankfully, the crowd was thick enough that I could weave through it more easily than Nolan, who had to maintain some semblance of mayoral dignity.
"Excuse me! Coming through! Elf emergency!" I called, dodging a group of tourists. "Just my luck, caught in a battle over giftwrap with the mayor," I muttered to myself.
I spotted Martha by the hot chocolate stand and changed direction, but before I could reach her, I saw two of Nolan's "security team" (really just his gym buddies who enjoyed throwing their weight around) heading her way. If they reached her first, they'd spin some story about me stealing something, and I'd never get to show her the files.
