Page 19 of Show Me How
Lacey stops in front of a rack of clothes and starts flicking through the hangers. “I’ve seen photos, so I’d have to agree. I can imagine it’s better in person, though. Are you a skier?”
“I’ve done it a few times.”
It’s a massive understatement, considering I had my first pair of ski boots custom made for me when I was four and was forced to skip the bunny hill entirely before being dropped on the rabbit.
“I think I’d prefer snowboarding,” Lacey says, pausing her search.
The knit sweater she’s staring at is a pretty peach colour that I’ve always avoided because I was told it washed me out. I’ve always loved it, though.
“I’ll take that one,” I rush out before she can move past it.
“You sure? It’s not really?—”
“It’s just fine. Looks warm.”
She grins and takes it off the rack. “Then it’s yours. Now, for pants. Do you like leather? What about dresses?”
“Please, no leather. And I don’t shy from dresses and skirts.”
“You got it. Jeans?”
“Maybe not.”
A few minutes later, there’s a stack of things in my arms, and she still shows no sign of stopping. I don’t say anything as she drops article after article of clothing onto the pile and tells me all about herself and this shop.
“Okay, let me take some of this over to the register before your arms break,” she says.
“I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to wear all of this.”
“So, take it all home with you. If you don’t, all of this will just sit here and collect dust. I’ll never be able to sell most of this to anyone else. Skirts and tights aren’t really a big fad here.”
“Most of them still had the tags on.”
“Exactly. You’ll find more cowboy boots and jeans here than stilettos and dresses. But that’s working out in your favour today. And mine!”
I try to smile and stand at the register, my eyes on the clothes but not focused. “I’ll stand out, then.”
“Do you want a pair of boots? The entire back wall is dedicated to them, and I’m sure we could find you a pair.”
“No. I think that would be worse, actually,” I mutter.
Lacey starts inputting all of the prices of my items into her old machine as I glance out the window. Across the road, Maggie’s is open, a consistent rush of people entering and exiting. I could really use a shot of espresso right about now.
“If you’re interested, I wouldn’t mind closing down the shop for a couple of hours and taking you into Cherry Peak. There’s a new boutique there that carries the cutest panties.”
My heart lurches with excitement. “Really?”
“Yes! I’ve only been there on the grand opening and have been wanting to stop in again. It’s a bit expensive, but the owner handcrafts everything in the back of the shop.”
“I’d love that, actually.”
“Okay, great. I’ll finish getting you rung up, and then we can head out. Do you want me to store these things in the back while we’re gone?”
“That would be nice of you. All of this is, really. I wasn’t expecting it,” I admit, almost hesitantly.
Lacey’s eyes are soft as they focus on me. “Consider this a warm welcome to Oak Point, Millie.”
I’ll take it.
