Page 14 of Home in the Country
“I remember you being a lot sweeter when we first started talking again,” I tease even as I narrow my eyes at her.
“Sorry, that’s my fault.”
“And mine.”
“Now y’all are just showin’ off.”
The voices belong to the three gorgeous women now smirking at me outside the dressing room.
“Hi, these two are so rude. I’m Isla,” she says with so much grace and confidence that I’m practically in awe. Her skin is flawless and tanned in a way that compliments her black hair and dark-brown eyes.
She’s stunning, and I’m totally staring.
“She’s married to Hank,” Marlee says, and my head whips toward her as my eyebrows shoot up my forehead.
“Wow, good for you,” I reply and nod like an idiot. “Also, I’m Fallon.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Isla says on a laugh. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you settled in.”
“She’s from here, you know,” Marlee says and then pulls me in for a tight hug. “Welcome home.”
“Shoot, did I not do the welcome thing right?” Isla’s pout is comical. “Fine, let’s shop then; I know how to do that.”
Rhea bumps her out of the way with her hip and then pulls me in for a hug. “Stop being so dramatic,” she says over my shoulder before pulling back and looking at me. “Welcome back, Fallon.”
“Thank you.” I stare at the trio and Cheyenne as I try and pull myself together. “I wasn’t expecting this…”
“Well, get used to it, girlfriend. Now get your butt in the dressing room and let’s see what we’re working with,” Isla says as she takes a seat in one of the chairs facing a full-length mirror.
Rhea and Marlee sit beside her while Cheyenne hangs everything up inside the room.
“Go on.” Rhea makes a shooing motion, and I go with more than a little hesitation.
“This feels like a bit much.”
“I held them off as long as I could.” Cheyenne laughs as she pulls me in for a quick hug before leaving me alone toapparently put on a fashion show.
It has only been a couple of weeks since I descended on Clementine Creek, but so many things have happened in that time. Briggs and I found a small house to rent that we can move into next week, Briggs started kindergarten, and I have an interview at the middle school later this week for the eighth-grade science teacher position.
It’s basically my dream job.
“Okay, this is the first one,” I say as I open the dressing room door and step out wearing a conservative navy blue blazer and skirt suit with a blush silk blouse.
“Very classy and interview appropriate,” Rhea confirms with a nod. “Next.”
“Y’all are ridiculous.”
My laughter follows me as I replace the clothes on the hanger and move on to the next one. There’s no shortage of commentary as each outfit is approved or discarded by my entourage.
By the time I’m hanging up the last dress, I’m exhausted but happier than I’ve been in a while. “I Remember” by Cheat Codes and Russell Dickerson plays, and it instantly makes me think of Otto even though we only had that one stolen afternoon together.
“Last one,” Isla says while handing me a hanger over the top of the door.
“I thought the last one was the last one.”
“Stop whining and put it on,” Marlee says with a laugh.
“How are you supposed to pee wearing this?” I grumble as I pull on the olive-green romper. It shouldn’t work with my coloring, but it’s honestly amazing. The back has a large keyhole cutout and I feel…really pretty.
