Page 4 of Mountain Man's Naughty Elf
"What the hell?" His voice was deep and rough, as if he didn't use it often.
I tried to speak, but my teeth chattered violently between words. "I—Car. Accident. Stranded."
He stared at me for one long moment, then looked past me at the worsening storm, then back at me with an expression of profound annoyance.
The man's scowl deepened, but he stepped back from the door. "Get inside before you freeze to death and I have to deal with the paperwork."
I didn't need to be told twice. I stumbled into the warmth of his cabin, my numb legs barely supporting me. My frozen skin burned as the cabin's warmth hit it, like I'd jumped from an ice bath straight into a sauna.
"You're dripping all over my floor," he observed flatly.
And indeed I was. Melting snow pooled around my boots, streaming from my clothes and hair. My bells jingled weakly as I shivered.
"S-sorry," I stammered. "I didn't exactly p-plan to go hiking in a b-blizzard today."
He looked me up and down, taking in the full ridiculousness of my appearance. "What are you supposed to be?"
"An elf." I gestured weakly at my outfit. "Head elf, actually. North Pole Village. I'm the events manager."
His eyebrows knitted together as if my explanation had only deepened his confusion.
"It's the Christmas attraction in town," I added. "With Santa and the reindeer and—"
"I know what it is," he cut me off, voice sharp as icicles. "I avoid it specifically."
"Right. Not a Christmas person. I'm getting that vibe."
The man sighed heavily, like I was the most inconvenient thing that had ever happened to him. "Stay there," he ordered, and disappeared down a hallway.
As he disappeared, I took stock of my situation. Stranded with a stranger who clearly wanted nothing to do with me or the holiday I professionally embodied. Hunted by my corrupt ex who had both political power and muscle on his side. And all the evidence standing between children and a gift-less Christmas was tucked in my ridiculous hat. This was turning out to be the least wonderful time of the year.
I stood awkwardly in the entryway, trying not to create an even bigger puddle, and took in my surroundings. The cabin was surprisingly spacious and modern inside, with an open floor plan featuring a stone fireplace, comfortable-looking furniture, and a sleek kitchen. My eyes drifted upward to an open loft bedroom that overlooked the living area—a design choice that suddenly struck me as potentially awkward for two strangers stuck together in a storm. What the cabin did not have was a single Christmas decoration. Not even a sad little dollar store candy cane. The horror.
He returned with a towel, which he thrust at me unceremoniously. "Dry off. Then explain why you're on my mountain."
I took the towel gratefully and began blotting my dripping hair. "I didn't exactly choose your mountain specifically. My car slid off the road about..." I racked my brain trying to guess how far I'd trudged through the drifts. "I have no idea how far back. The winter tempest hit, and I needed shelter."
"You couldn't call someone?" His dark eyes flickered briefly to the bells on my costume.
"No signal." I pulled out my phone to demonstrate the sad "No Service" message. "And my car died."
He looked skeptical, but the howling wind outside lent credibility to my story.
"Look," I said, my voice softening, "I just need a place to wait out the storm. Once it passes, I'll be out of your hair. I promise not to bring Christmas cheer into your clearly cheer-free zone."
"Why would you be running around in this weather in the first place?" He nodded at my festive uniform. "Not to mention in your...full regalia. North Pole Village closed an hour ago."
Ah. Now came the tricky part. How exactly do I explain that I'm on the run from my embezzling ex-fiancé who happens to be the town mayor?
"It's... complicated." I twisted the towel in my hands. "Let's just say I made an unexpected exit. It involves local politics, charity funds, and an ex with questionable ethics."
He raised an eyebrow, waiting for more.
I sighed. "I discovered the mayor—my ex-fiancé—diverting money from the children's toy drive. I copied the evidence, he caught me, and now I'm on the run with the proof." I tapped my pointy hat. "It's been a busy evening."
For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then, to my surprise, the corner of his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile, but something.
"You're hiding from the mayor of Evergreen Falls? Nolan Wickett?" There was a note of recognition in his voice.
