Page 21 of Finding Hope

“You think I’m not going to be disappointed?”

“I think that when things happen we have to make decisions at important forks in the road,” Jillian said.

“I don’t know if I’m happier with that answer or not. You know you could just save us both the time and let me know what you know and then I can decide if it’s even worth going over,” Claudia suggested.

“Oh no, that’s not my way and I’m not getting in the middle of it. Whatever is going on between you and Austin you need to go and handle it.”

Claudia moved around the counter and then let out a deep sigh. If that’s where you want to be fine. Claudia smoothed over her dress and walked to the front door. When she opened the door she wasn’t surprised to see was that the considerable crowd there.

Then as if school had opened up the doors opened, and people were let inside. Claudia followed them in thinking maybe she wasn’t going to be able to get in with so many people, but she was wrong. In the first largest room of the building there were tables that people could go in work on and all around them were chairs. On each of the tables there was a long runner that ran down the middle. The floral runner had all sorts of desserts and appetizers on platters all equally distant on the runner. In the middle of the room was an attractive woman who commanded attention. Claudia wasn’t sure exactly who she was, but she did look so familiar. Like everyone from outside was in she took a step on a soup that was in the middle of the room, held up her hands and then spoke.

“Hello everyone, sit down and we’ll get this show started.”

This letting Claudia liked about small towns everyone was so respectful. A couple of people who are anxious sitting in the chairs everybody quieted down. Ask Claudia moved into the room she tried to get closer toward the middle to be able to see her better.

“So, I’m sure just about none of you know who I am. You don’t know my face, but you know my work and the work of my sisters. We have decorated the stars with creations that were bold and beautiful on the red carpet. We’ve saved fashion houses and mad creations that you see Hollywood royalty wear to parties, basketball games and balls. My name is Sasha Lipanzi and I’m one of three woman that have the golden touch in fashion.

Recently, my sisters and I have become very bored with the fashion world. As you can imagine it could be very shallow. Then we ran into a well-grounded man who is one of your own. He reintroduced our spark of why we even started in fashion. More importantly he showed the grit of this town and dared to come back to it to bring what he learned and spread his gift.”

Sasha took a pause and the audience clapped some of them even stood up after her speech.

“Be clear, we are here to help Austin spread his gift in a different venue. Let me introduce the next of this boutique house you are all sitting in Austin Brogan.”

Claudia didn’t realize it, but she had taken a step back. A boutique house? He’d been here all of this time making this into the next boutique house across from her?

Austin took a step on the stoop as Sasha yielded him the platform. He was dressed in a stylish coat and his hair was smooth back. It was just enough of a look to say he might know something about fashion with those large cuffs on his sleeves what’s a different pattern on them than his shirt. He waited not wanting to say anything but letting the crowds he said at least that’s what she would have done. She shifted from 1 foot to the other waiting for him to speak and everyone waiting on bated breath for him to say something. When he finally found her in the crowd he smiled.

“I’m glad everyone is here. I want you to know that I grew up here increase and then about beauty fashion is here. I know a lot of towns are going through revivals and I think that Cooper’s Sand could also be in that group. I think that we have the opportunity to show fashion and style straight out of smalltown USA.”

“To be dressed up like people here in this town?” I called out.

Austin looked at the man in the front row and smiled.

“As it turns out lots of people want to be dressed up like we’re dressing here any small towns which make sure look good and being practical. I know you’re not thinking about it, but you got more pockets on those pants than a navy seal.”

The room laughed and a couple of people even slapped the man in front row on the back pointing to his pockets.

“We don’t go ahead and flood with all of those new city people here. Where small town to bring names eventually they’ll push us out of our own town.”

The crowd started to in an uproar. Austin held his hands up and everyone quieted.

“I know your concerns. So, there are some rules that I’m going to share with you that will always be true. I want to hire just from our town. I ‘ve made an agreement to choose from people who have residency for the first two years. Also, I want to make sure I offer the best startup and management positions to those in our town. I won’t be importing any new talent. All the talent I need is right here.”

Claudia wanted to look over her shoulder. Why was Austin looking at her? Did he feel guilty that this would definitely take some of her business? She knew Jillian said she would like this idea, but Jillian thought she should focus more on her personal life and try to go back to school. She wanted her to work on her self-esteem. This was a way but not the way she would have chosen.

“It’ll be fashion, but it will be fashion you can bring your children around,” Austin said.

Claudia had to laugh at that. He was covering all of his bases by pitching this as a company store that was a reflection of the town. She had to admit she wanted it to be true too.

“What I’m trying to tell all of you is, we’re going to open up a boutique you can all be proud of. It will be a place with a showroom which is where you are sitting in and where we will make our own creations on site. On the tables and front of you that have all of this food. We won’t be importing anything and at any time any of the town people can come in and look about. So, this room here you’ll see on all of the tables has food go ahead and help yourself and please feel free to wander around in the back there are some premade items that Sasha will show you how they got made and they will be part of our flagship line. Enjoy!”

Claudia didn’t need to hear anymore, and she certainly didn’t need any of the food. If anything, she was trying to think about how she was going to be competitive with Austin next door having everything. It took her no time at all to walk into her store and she practically bumped right into Jillian.

“How was it? What did you think?” Jillian asked.

“I thought it was great and he seems very organized and focused. His plan will be great for the town,” that was all Claudia could say. It didn’t seem that Jillian was quite happy with that answer, but she nodded and went off. It wasn’t even 10 minutes later that Austin walked in her door.

“Aren’t you supposed to be over there showing off the new place?” she asked.

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