Love Fast

Thank god I didn’t throw my cellphone away in the airport trash, like I considered doing. For some reason I thought Frank would chase after me, aided by the GPS embedded in my phone. Then I remembered I don’t live in a spy thriller. Why would a man I humiliated come after me? He probably hopes I’m dead right about now.

The upside of having my phone is being able to figure out there’s an outdoor supply store in town that opens at nine. I slept in my dress because I couldn’t face putting it back on in the morning, even though Byron was kind enough to give me a change of clothes. And a wedding dress covers me slightly more than Byron’s tee—any way I cut it, I’d look like an escapee from an asylum. But I can’t go another moment wearing it, which is why I’ve been standing outside Snail Trail for the past fifteen minutes. Me and a gigantic moose. Not a real one, of course. It’s as tall as me and painted glossy brown, with large cartoon eyes and antlers that obscure a chunk of the Snail Trail window.

A woman with a bright red sweater comes to the glass door, flips the Closed sign to Open, and unlocks the door. I can’t get in there quick enough. I don’t have a ton of savings, but over the years, I’ve managed to put a little away. Mom would always take the majority of our paychecks. For rent and food and other bills. She’d let us keep a small amount for clothes and a rare trip to the movies. Mom would kill me if she knew any of us had a savings account.

“Hi there,” the woman says. Her smile is contagious, even first thing in the morning. “Please come in.” She pokes her head out of the door. “Morning, Marv.” I’m pretty sure she just spoke to the moose, but given my outfit, I’m not fit to judge anyone’s mental health.

“Thank you,” I say as I glance around, trying to figure out what I can wear. Anything is better than what I’m currently in. I don’t even have a change of underwear. I need everything.

“Can I help you with anything?” the woman asks.

I exhale. It’s not like I can cover up the fact I’m dressed in a wedding gown, half covered up with a t-shirt, zipless hoodie and a man’s jacket. “I’ve had an unexpected detour, and I need a full change of clothes. Or two.”

I figure I can start working out a plan once I don’t feel so conspicuous. The wedding dress needs to go.

“Well, I’m sure we can get you set up,” she says. “My name is Marge. Shall we start with…” She looks around the store. “Pants. Then we can decide on everything else.”

I allow myself to unclench my stomach muscles and take a deep breath. Everything inside settles a little. It’s baby steps but this feels like a way forward. I haven’t decided whether I need to go back to Oregon today and face the music or give myself a few days. Or maybe even a few weeks. No matter what I decide, I’m going to feel better after a change of clothes and some time with Marge, whose friendliness is a balm to my spirit.

“So, have you come from the Colorado Club?” Marge asks as she starts shunting hangers from one side to the other on the rack. “We hear it’s getting busier and busier.”

“Erm, no. At least I don’t think so.” Is “Colorado Club” a colloquial term for the airport or something?

Marge pulls out a couple of pairs of pants and laughs. “You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you? I take it you don’t work up there on the mountain?”

I shake my head. “I got into town last night. Kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision to leave Oregon.”

“Oregon.” She gasps. “Oh, the dress! It was… you were in Grizzly’s last night! Oh, you sweet girl. What a mess.”

Marge doesn’t know how right she is.

“What’s the Colorado Club?” I ask.

She looks over her shoulder as if to check that no one’s listening, despite us being the only ones in the store. “You didn’t see it? Just north of here, not exactly halfway up the mountain, but not in our valley either.”

Marge must not realize that she hasn’t actually answered my question. I shake my head. “I came in last night and was just focused on getting here as early as I could.”

“Well, I’m staying positive. I think we should see it as an opportunity for the town. I don’t see a downside, really.” We move to the next rack of clothes and she starts pulling out sweaters and jackets.noveldrama

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, lots of people with lots of money will be close by. And wealthy people like to shop and drink coffee. Hopefully they’ll do that in Star Falls. Look what’s happened to Vail. My momma’s ninety-three this August, and she says people didn’t really come to Colorado to ski when she was a kid. A lot can happen in a short space of time in this world. The Colorado Club could put Star Falls on the map.”

I’m still not getting what the Colorado Club is.

“And even if the wealthy people want Gucci, there are going to be a lot of people working at the Club who will need good outdoor clothes.” She holds up the bundle she’s been gathering.

“So the Colorado Club is… a hotel?”

She smiles. “Kinda. I think. A hotel with lots of land and activities rich people like.”

“A resort, then.”

“Exactly. Good for our little town. Don’t you think?”

“Sure,” I say as she ushers me into the changing room.

“Try these on, sweetie, and I’ll be out here if you want some advice or a different size.”

I strip off the wedding dress and dump it in the corner of the room. It’s filthy now after a full day of traveling. Wedding dresses weren’t designed for wear and tear, I guess. Durability certainly wasn’t one of the attributes I was looking for when I tried on dresses. I’d left shopping to the very last moment—or so the bridal store told me. They said that normally brides come in as soon as they have a date fixed. They also told me most brides bring their moms. My mom had no interest in coming. Anyway, it was easier to go alone. And quicker. I picked the second dress I tried on and, luckily for me, it didn’t need many alterations.

I pull on a sweater over a white, long-sleeved t-shirt and look in the mirror. The pants are navy blue and weirdly lightweight, and the sweater has pockets on the side. It’s practical and warm, and best of all, it’s not a wedding dress. I’ll take it.

I hear more voices in the store and mentally high-five myself for getting here early enough to avoid prying eyes.

“I’m sick of it, Marge. He completely takes me for granted. And there’s never any notice,” a woman’s voice says, her irritation obvious.

As I come out of the changing room, I see a redheaded woman perched on a stool by the cash register. “I might take myself up to the Colorado Club. Get a new job. I’ve got a ton of waitressing experience. They might even make me a manager.”

“You want a jacket?” Marge asks me.

I really need to give Byron back his jacket. His truck was gone already by the time I woke up, so I didn’t have a chance to return his clothes this morning. I hope he had another jacket to wear. “Yes, please,” I call, though Marge is already halfway across the store, searching out the perfect coat.

I smile at the woman with a high ponytail, perched on the stool by the counter. She mouths a hi back.

“Did you say the Colorado Club is hiring waitresses?” I ask. It’s not like I expected to stay in this town when the bus dropped me off last night. But unless I decide to head home, I don’t have anywhere else to go. If there’s a job here, that might be reason enough to stay.

“They’re hiring more than just waitresses,” the woman says. “They want housekeeping staff, restaurant staff, admins. There are a lot of openings from what I can tell. Are you job hunting?”

“I might be,” I say. “I just got into town and I’m not quite sure what I’m doing, to be honest.”

“Honey, I was born in this town and I’m not quite sure what I’m doing.” Her smile is all warmth and understanding. I’m unexpectedly touched, and a lump forms at the back of my throat.

Marge appears with a couple of coat options. “I would recommend the long length. It’s still winter here and it will be for a while.” I nod and decide to go with the one she’s suggesting, which is padded and looks like a giant duvet with arms.

“I don’t know where you’re staying, but the Colorado Club is offering staff accommodation for out-of-towners,” the stranger chimes in. She shrugs and smooths down her black pants. “If you’re interested.”

“Thanks,” I say. “I’m Rosey, by the way.”

“Donna.” She nods at Marge. “We’re sisters-in-law.”

I take the pants in two colors. The sweater too. I collect three t-shirts and a five-pack of socks. I’m able to pick up some panties and a bra, as well as a hat, gloves, and a new pair of boots. My sneakers are still wet from the puddle of water outside the cabin I stepped in this morning.

Marge rings everything up and puts it all in two large bags. “We’re open until six, so just come on by if there’s anything else we can help you with,” she says, sliding the bags toward me.

“Let us know how it goes if you go up to the Colorado Club,” Donna says. “I work at the vet’s and the diner, so I’ll see you around.”

We say our goodbyes and I head out, patting Marv on the head as I exit.

I look like I’m about to hit the trails. But it’s better than looking like you just jilted your fiancé at the altar and hopped a flight out of town without a plan.

I turn right to head up Main Street and find out what else this cute little town has to offer. I could do with a coffee and a chance to think. I’ve never seen a place so pretty. The mountains stretch up behind the town like dramatic scenery in a play. But it makes the place feel cozy. Protected.

As I’m staring up at the clear blue sky stretching into infinity behind the mountains, a young kid offers me a flyer and I take it. Across the street, there’s a café with a gigantic black tea cup in the window. I head toward it while I glance at the flyer in my hand. It’s a notice about job opportunities at the Colorado Club.

I’m pretty sure this is what they call fate.