Read Online Snow Falling on Bluegrass by Molly Harper - Free Book Online

I’ve been listening to the radio this morning and the news isn’t good, folks. The governor has declared a state of emergency and is filing for federal disaster area status. The damage is widespread, across six states. Western Kentucky was the hardest hit, of course. We’ve got the most trees down and the worst accumulation.” Luke spared a glance at me and the corner of his mouth lifted a bit. “Frankfort got a bit of snow on the ground, but suffered very little in the way of outages. So at least you know your homes are okay. Hundreds of thousands of homes are without power here, middle Tennessee, and Southern Illinois. People are dying, from exposure and wrecks and trying to heat their homes in stupid, dangerous ways. Really, we’re lucky to have the shelter and the supplies we have here.”
    I noticed, with gratitude, that Luke didn’t point out that if I’d answered his calls and the staff had gone back home, we would have been just fine. We would have had to drive carefully, but we would have had heat and electricity. Silent mode, you vicious, hateful bitch.
    â€œAt least we don’t have to worry about laundry, right?” I offered cheerfully.
    â€œWell, if we stay another week we might,” noted Theresa, who had become a lot more forceful in her opinions since she’d been promoted to web designer.
    â€œCan you just let me have my moment, Mary Thundercloud?” I whispered harshly.
    Luke snorted softly and continued. “The highways aren’t bad, but rural roads like ours, they’re covered with snow. And we’re not a priority. The transportation department has snowplows, but nowhere near the number and heavy-duty caliber required to clear this much accumulation. Not to mention the complication of downed tree limbs blocking the roads, which will require chainsaw crews to clear out just so electrical teams can repair the power lines. So we just have to sit tight until they get to us or the ice melts off, whichever comes first.”
    â€œAnd how long might that be?” Dorie Ann asked, with the slightest quiver to her round little chin.
    â€œI can’t answer that,” Luke said.
    â€œThis is ridiculous! What the hell were you thinking, bringing us out here?” Gina exclaimed, shooting Sadie a baleful glare.
    I put a “firm” hand on Gina’s arm. “I’m thinking that while she’s not your direct supervisor, Sadie still ranks above you and you should watch your tone.”
    Oh, I would have to address this shit. Outbursts like that sowed trouble in the office setting, and even more so now that we were out of our comfort zone. Our department ran smoothly because we trusted Sadie to take care of us and support us. Undermining that trust would cause nothing but tension and inefficiency. And while I might be a mess personally, I did not tolerate tension and inefficiency in my office.
    Sadie couldn’t confront Gina directly without looking petty in front of the group. I, on the other hand, didn’t need my coworkers to count on my leadership skills, so I could go after Gina’s kneecaps. In a metaphorical sense, of course.
    â€œYou rank lower than I do, Kelsey,” Gina spat. “And you should remember that.”
    â€œSweetie, the last time I checked, personal assistants weren’t listed on the KCT’s ‘ascension to the throne’ chart. So just settle down before you hurt yourself, mmkay?”
    Gina rolled her eyes and huffed off. The group began grumbling among themselves, a low rumble of complaints that would only lead to increasing drama over the next few days. Still, Sadie remained completely composed as she turned to me and said, “Since we’re probably going to be here a few days—Kelsey? Logistics?”
    I took a deep breath. I was trying to remember every survival tip I’d ever picked up from episodes of Lost , but beyond “Avoid the Others and polar