Page 50 of The Innovator

If this retreat was as spectacular as she described, then it would have cost a lot of money. I’d been to private retreats before, so I knew the price range.

“What do you mean? Ihaveto pay you back. I’m certain this high-end retreat isn’t something anyone can sign up for. It sounds niche, and those things are costly. I won’t go if you won’t let me pay you.”

“You know that novelty sweater you wore the first time we met you? The one with the LaRue label?” Kiera’s eyes brightened. “Get me one of those sweaters and we’ll call it even. Any color is fine.”

The price for the retreat couldn’t compare to the cashmere sweater, but I appreciated her generosity. I didn’t remember the last time any of the girls in my old circle gave me something more valuable than what I’d given them.

I smiled at Kiera and turned to Audri. “Do you want one want too?”

“I’d never say no to gorgeous clothes. Fall and winter aren’t too far away.” Audri smiled.

“Okay. I’ll take care of that. I’ll get one for Michelle as well.” I tapped my phone to set a reminder.

“You know someone who knows someone?” Kiera asked.

Guilt squirmed and knotted my stomach. I had to tell them the truth about my identity before I returned home. “Something like that.”

It wouldn’t be hard for me to get them each a LaRue sweater. That sweater had been one of my early designs that sold well, and the company kept the style on reorder. I’d love to gift my friends something that originated from me.

The friendship with these girls hadn’t been on my agenda when I arrived in Providence. They had accepted me wholeheartedly without asking a lot of questions. I supposed true friendship happened naturally, without the need to explain anything. Life often placed you in situations where you met people who would change your perspective.I treasured their friendship more than they could ever know.

This retreat appeared at the perfect moment. I couldn’t wait to visit The Fortress. Just thinking about a getaway eased the tension. In the past, when I visited the States, I’d only been to New York and Los Angeles for fashion shows. So this trip into the wilderness was something new and exciting. I had a feeling this vacation was the reprieve I’d been waiting for.

Perhaps Kiera was right about finding answers. A clear mind made room for new ideas to bloom while a cluttered mind hid important things in piles of debris. It was time to declutter.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

NATALIE

August in the Vermont woods offered exactly what I needed. As I drovethrough the winding roads, I left the windows down, letting in the fresh air that made my lungs rejoice. The summer heat wasn’t so bad with so many trees. I felt like I was driving toward a magical place hidden away from the world. The road snaked around and around, finally straightening out and guiding me to a pebbled path.

I arrived at a gorgeous retreat that took my breath away. It wasextraordinary. A magnificent tree house greeted me with its unique presence. It was like an art installation that some creator placed inside the woods for the lucky few to witness and admire. I’d never seen anything like this.

This wasn’t a regular kid’s tree house, but an unconventional architecture built meticulously around a massive oak tree. The oak tree was part of the tree house, or rather, the tree house was part of the tree. That was the beauty of it.

I didn’t see any cars around. Was anyone here to check me in? I looked at the address Kiera had given me. This wasThe Fortress, and the GPS had brought me to the right place. Maybe the attendant went out.

I got out of my car and browsed the area. I felt like I just stepped into tranquility. Lush vegetation filled the surrounding area with pretty flowers. The plants didn’t appear too manicured, allowing them to grow free and wild. But someone took care of this gorgeous space, though. The variety of stones and pebbles gave it a nice curb appeal.

Manicured lawns seemed too restrictive. I preferred greenery with more freedom. Didn’t we all crave freedom?

Walking to a garden, I held a fuchsia-colored rose in my hand. “No one likes to be told what to do or how to grow, right, flower? You’re the most beautiful when you can grow however you want.”

A butterfly floated by and landed on a leaf as though greeting me.

“Hello to you too,” I said, not caring if anyone could hear me.

Talking to myself was one way to help me focus on the present moment, and it was a gentle form of therapy.

I walked to the hibiscus plants, smiled at them, and then wandered to the blue hydrangeas, admiring their limitless beauty. These flowers didn’t have any restrictions. They possessed immeasurable freedom—the kind my heart yearned for.

In certain ways, my family’s legacy restricted me. Duty kept me bound to what I had to do rather than let me be boundless. I loved my family and the name it represented. My grandparents and my parents worked hard to keep true to the LaRue brand and its mission statement: timeless elegance. Don’t get me wrong, I loved what LaRue stood for. But my soul wanted to try something else. It was like a flower seeking the sun and knowing that reaching the sunlight would allow it to grow even more. I wanted to take a detour from the norm. I gravitated toward novelty that didn’t fit in with the LaRue brand, but to branch off on my own would be a disappointment to my family. It felt like a betrayal to them. I couldn’t let that happen.

You can’t always get what you want.

Despite my desires, I couldn’t abandon my family at a time like this. My family needed me now more than ever.

Stop thinking about work. You’re here for a break, remember?

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