Page 11 of Love Fast

“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.

“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 ahiback.

“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 wasbornin 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.”

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