Normally, Emily Carreras loved the snow. There was always something so
pristine and magical about the way it drifted down like powdered sugar, blanketing everything in a thick coat of white, disguising every imperfection. Snow was magical. Every kid who ever made a snow angel or slid down a hill on a sled knew this without question.
    
Today, however, the beauty of snow was the last thing on her mind, despite the fact that the weather reports were predicting well over a foot. This was her last day as the official manager of the Inn’s gift shop and while it started out on an upbeat note, it had quickly spiraled down to one of frustration. As she buckled herself into the driver’s seat of her ancient and battered Jeep, she mentally replayed the more humiliating aspects of her morning, her normally buoyant mood growing darker with each passing second as she focused upon the one sure universal truth of her existence … 

Kim Barrett was by far the most obnoxious and arrogant boor on the face of the earth.
Their lunch meeting had been cancelled because of the storm, but Kim, never being one to pass up an opportunity for self promotion or to be one step ahead of the competition, showed up at the Inn’s gift shop just as Emily was beginning her shift. He looked handsome and impressive in an attractive black Burberry trench coat worn over a dark gray wool flannel suit and just the right amount of Paco Rabanne cologne. His hair was flawlessly styled and his shoes sported a spiffy shine, the heels clicking sharply upon the wooden floor as if announcing his presence. For some reason, this sound irritated Emily, reminding her of other annoying sounds like the buzzing of a mosquito or the incessant drip, drip, dripping of a leaky faucet at two AM. 

“Good morning, Emily.” He leaned up against the cashier counter as if he owned the place and took an appraising look around the shop. Emily tried to read his expression, hoping that he had noticed the Valentine’s Day display in the front window. She had received a fair number of compliments from guests and staff over the display of Eastern styled red lanterns and feathers. However, she was about to learn that her new boss could be cuttingly brutal when offering up opinions on matters where he felt vastly superior in knowledge and expertise.

“I see you have the Valentine’s Day products showcased. Good thinking to set up so quickly after the holidays, but what’s up with the front window display?”

Emily was right in the middle of opening up the cash register and the last part of his comment caused her to lose count. “The front window? I don’t understand …”
“The first thing that comes to mind is that it looks like it belongs in some sort of Moroccan bordello. That might be attractive in one of the trendier shops in town, but I wonder if it’s really appropriate up here at the Inn.”

Emily dropped her handful of uncounted quarters into the cashier tray and closed the register drawer. Was this guy for real? “A bordello? Riley loved the idea and we’ve received numerous compliments from the guests.” Where did he get off suggesting such a thing? “Those lanterns are made by a local artisan and we’ve sold five in the last two days. At seventy five dollars a pop, that’s a rather excellent return.”

“Perhaps.” Kim gave a soft dismissive laugh. “I’ll take your word for it. However, I’m not here to discuss product at the moment. I wanted to touch base with you before tomorrow about corporate image. I know that casual attire is more acceptable here in the shop, but I wanted to make sure that you understood how important it is to present the appropriate image as my assistant.”

He may as well have suggested that she looked like a bag lady, judging by the way he gave her outfit a dismissive once over. Emily bit back her reply, which would have been to tell him that she knew how to dress appropriately for any occasion, thank you very much. Her Ralph Lauren plaid overalls were hardly off the rack cheap knockoffs, but she would certainly never have considered wearing them to work once she reported in to her new position. Just what was this guy’s problem, anyway?
 
Kim could tell that she didn’t like his last comment, but figured that the truth always carried a bit of a sting. He had no complaint about her physical appearance, having already found her to be quite attractive. But he wanted her to present a more professional image if they were going to work together.

He pressed ahead with a change of subject, figuring his point was well taken. “The other day I believe I mentioned that I’m going to implement a new software accounting system throughout the Inn. I assume that you’re familiar with such a task since you changed the ancient system here in the shop. I’d like you to oversee the training sessions with the employees to make sure that everyone is comfortable and familiar with the new program. We’ll have seven days from installation before going live, and I want everyone who operates a computer to be properly prepared.”

“You’ll be changing the system I implemented for the shop, then?” Her stomach dropped at the thought. She was all for making doing one’s job easier, but she felt as if Kim was snatching the feather from her cap.

“Wherever there’s a computer or register. Think you can handle it?” Oh yeah. He was aware of hitting a raw nerve, but he expected her to suck it up and meet the challenge. If she couldn’t handle it, then she wasn’t ready to be his assistant.

But Emily was ready. Ready to show this pompous, arrogant, obnoxious despot just how ready, efficient, and capable she was, despite his offhanded suggestions to the contrary. “I welcome the opportunity to spearhead the transition.”

“You’re not spearheading anything, love. You’re simply following orders.”

This time she didn’t flinch at his delivery. He may not have been aware of it, but he was setting up a challenge that she was more than ready to take on. If she could survive working with this arrogant schmuck, then she could work just about anywhere. “Then I’m ready to follow orders, Mr. Barrett, and I welcome the opportunity.” The opportunity to wipe that smarmy smirk right off your face …

He knocked his knuckles upon the top of the counter for good luck. “Glad to hear it.” Not that he would have expected anything less, but he had to admit that he was impressed by her response. He’d made more than a few assistants cry in his time, but perhaps this little sheila would be the one that would tough it out. He forced himself to look away from her lovely brown eyes, concentrating on a spot right above her eyebrows instead. “And let’s dispense with the Mr. Barrett business. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together, and I prefer that we interact on a first name basis, if you don’t mind.”

Barrett, Schmarret, Kim, Schmim. An arrogant jerk by any other name … “Of course, Kim.” She smiled sweetly and re-opened the register drawer to continue counting her quarters. “I’m really looking forward to all the changes and I’m excited that we’re going to be working together.”

It wasn’t a total lie. But she had to sugar coat the part about finding the prospect of dealing with his arrogance on a daily basis anything but exciting.
 
He glanced over at the display window again and became aware of the weather, realizing with a pang of disappointment that for today at least, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish much. He had to get the Porsche down the hill and talk to Hando about getting a more appropriate loaner vehicle until he got settled. No matter. It wasn’t like he could set up any business meetings during the middle of a blizzard. Not today, anyway.  “Good enough love.” He allowed himself to look into Emily’s eyes once more before turning to go. “You be careful with this weather.”

The sound of concern in his voice surprised her. “We’ll close shop early if it gets too bad. We all follow a regular drill, so we have it covered.” Did he think that she wasn’t used to snow?

She watched as he exited the store, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets as he passed the front display window. Moroccan bordello or not, the lanterns were staying.

As fate would have it, the gift shop did end up closing just before noon because of the weather. She sent her two employees home and despite the allure of having an afternoon to herself, she couldn’t quite bring herself to be in a good mood. She had a closet full of clothes that she needed to sort through, just to ensure that Mr. Barrett would find her wardrobe acceptable. The memory of his comment fueled her anger as she trudged her way across the parking lot, muttering expletives to herself as she got into her car.   
Imagine her amusement, however, when halfway down Mount Mansfield Road she spotted a familiar figure standing beside a red Porsche Carrera, which had apparently skidded into a ditch. She had half a mind to drive right past and ignore him completely, but the worried expression on his face stirred her sense of sympathy.
 
She pulled up behind him and rolled down her window. “Hey, what happened?”

Kim’s eyes flooded with relief and he went over to greet her. “I didn’t think the roads would be this bad yet and I hit a patch of ice. I can’t get anyone on my cell. Fancy giving me a ride?”

Actually, Emily lived just off the bottom of the hill, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to offer roadside assistance. “Oh, I’m sorry; I have an appointment in about twenty minutes.” The appointment was with her computer and hopefully she’d have a message from NYSE411. “I’ll let you try my cell phone though.”

As she dug through her handbag in search of her phone she noticed a large vehicle pulling up behind her in the rear view mirror. “Hey, maybe this guy could give you a lift.” Recognizing the car and driver, she smiled wickedly.

Hank Smithers owned the local funeral home in town. He was just coming back from a call to Mrs. Winston, who lived in one of the mansions at the top of the hill. Two days ago her aged pit bull, Gus, passed away and the old woman had paid him well to cart the dog’s remains with full fanfare and circumstance to the pet cemetery located at the edge of town. While the family business catered to delivering human remains to their eternal rest, Hank wasn’t beyond doing a little side work if the pay mandated special considerations. The hearse had just received a new transmission and this little excursion had ended up reimbursing him for the mechanic’s fees. Wasn’t free enterprise a wonderful thing?

He got out of the hearse and went over to Emily’s window, barely giving any notice to Kim or his Porsche. “Hey Emily, need some help?”

Emily had known Hank for years, ever since she was a teenager and had worked for him during summer breaks as his bookkeeper. He bore a striking resemblance to Ray Bolger from the Wizard of Oz and during Halloween he’d don an old tuxedo and top hat and drive the hearse around town offering ghost tours of historic Stowe.

“Hank, I’d like you to meet my new boss, Mr. Kim Barrett. He hit a patch of ice and needs a lift into town. I’d do it myself, but I’m late for an appointment. Think you might have room in the back for him?”

Kim’s face went white, despite the sting from the snow.

“Your new boss, you say?” Hank glanced over at Kim then turned his head to spit out a wad of tobacco. “How far you going?”

Kim shook his head. “Oh no, thank you. I’ll just wait for a tow.” There was no way he was going to get into that vehicle.

“Oh, it’s no trouble. I can hitch you up to the back of the hearse and tow your fancy car into town fer free.” What was wrong with this boy? He looked like he was about to piss his pants.

Emily almost felt guilty when she saw Kim’s desperate look. Almost.  “Aw, don’t be afraid, Mr. Barrett. Hank is an old friend and he’s a very safe driver.” She held up her cell phone. “And look, oh darn; I barely have one bar showing. Seems like the snow’s affecting my transmission too. Looks like you can either stay stranded along the side of the road until a stray tow truck passes by or be home in about thirty minutes.”

Kim swallowed hard. Bloody hell. It looked like he had no choice. “Do I have to sit in the back?”

Hank took pity on the younger man’s pleading look. “Hell no. Emily was just funin’. The back is reserved for paying customers.”

“Have you towed anything before? With the … hearse, I mean.” He couldn’t bear it if something happened to his Porsche. 

Hank spit out another wad of tobacco. “Not recently, but the trailer hitch’ll hold up to three tons. That little sports car of yours don’t weigh that much, does it?”

“Uh, no.”

“Okay, no problem then. Come on young man, give me a hand, and Emily, you get on to yer appointment. I’ll look after yer boss and get him to his destination safely.”

Emily smiled at both men and put the Jeep into gear. “Okay, Hank, and thanks. Kim, I’ll see you tomorrow, provided you can get a ride into work.”

As she pulled away, she overheard Hank talking to Kim. “What the blazes were you thinking, driving your car in this kind of weather without chains or snow tires? You ain’t from around here, are you?”

 Nope. She didn’t feel guilty at all.