Page 86 of Falling Slowly
“Their loss,” Kathy said decisively. “I’ve been making art installations in public parks on a tiny budget for years. It’s so rewarding. Using nature as part of our creation… I love that! And being in a location like this, you should absolutely connect with the natural environment and use found materials. That makes so much sense.” She cast a dreamy look out the window, sighing at the scenery, and I saw my opportunity.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bess
Inoticed the spark in Charlie’s eyes before he spoke, and my whole body tensed in anticipation.
“You should stay! The cabin is paid for until Saturday morning. There are two double beds. The meals are included. I already booked myself into another place in town so it’s all yours.”
Mom raised her delicate brows, staring at him in disbelief. “Cabin? Here?”
Charlie got up. “I’ll go sort it out with the front desk.”
“But we don’t have anything. I mean, I packed a change of clothes but not much else. I wasn’t sure how long it would take.” She threw me a questioning look. “And I was under the impression that Bess really needed to get back to Denver tonight?”
Her look turned exaggeratedly meaningful, and Charlie responded with similarly over-the-top eyeballing. “That has been taken care of. She can stay.”
Mom looked a little confused. “What about Celia?”
“She can skip one day of kindergarten, can’t she? We can go to the Fall Festival in Cozy Creek tomorrow. I looked it up and they have a cotton candy stand and a petting zoo with bunny rabbits.”
Celia looked up from the phone, her eyes so huge she could have passed for a cartoon character. “Yes! Please, Mom! Please, Nana!” Her little head whipped back and forth between us.
“Well played,” I told him wryly. “Sugar and baby bunnies.”
“I play to win.” He grinned back, impervious.
Mom was warming up to the idea, her gaze frequently flicking to the mountains, which were beginning to take on that red evening hue. The sun hung low behind the trees, sending golden beams through the branches. “This is an exceptional place. I do have our knitting group meeting on Saturday morning, but I guess I could reschedule.”
“Perfect!” Charlie enthused. “Two nights of fresh mountain air, outdoor spa and catering. You’ll come back a new person.”
She blushed, giving him a shy smile. “You know how to convince a lady.”
“He works in advertising, Mom.” I flicked Charlie a bemused side-eye.
My mother was already sold. “I am borrowing Gail’s car, and I know she’s not fussy about it, but I could return it on Saturday since we’re meeting at her house.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she batted her lashes. “Did you say there was a spa?”
I rolled my eyes. Mom had spent more time studying Rubie Ridge website than I had. She knew exactly what the place offered.
“A hot tub under the stars,” Charlie confirmed with a grin.
“I have a swimsuit you can borrow,” I added, sharing a quick smile with Charlie.
“It is a gorgeous location,” Ilme echoed. “I wish it wasn’t run by pretentious moneybags.”
Charlie looked out the window, eyes hard. “I know the type.”
Listening to my mom and Ilme chat about the healing properties of the mountain air, my face softened into a smile. Despite everything on my mind, I was feeling hopeful again, almost giddy. Even the dull ache in my ankle couldn’t dampen my spirits. Charlie had done it again. He’d somehow turned everything around and saved the day.
“Do you want to see the cabin?” He asked Celia, who nodded vigorously, finally dropping Mom’s phone on the table.
“Will you be okay?” I asked Ilme as we got up. “Do you have to go back to Estonia?”
Her eyes met mine, sharpening. “There’s an Estonian saying—the brave wolf has a fat chest.” She frowned. “Okay, it doesn’t translate well. But it means if you want to be fed, you have to go hunting. I’ll hunt for a new job.”
“If I ever open an art center, I’ll hire you immediately,” Charlie said.
“Watch out. I’ll make people uncomfortable,” she warned him, whisking a long strand of dark hair off her face.
