Chapter 6
MILLIE
The rock-hard mattress beneath me doesn’t so much as creak when I sit up. There’s no give to it, and I’m feeling painfully sore after two nights in these scratchy sheets.
I stare at the small TV on the dresser in front of the bed and hesitate to get up.
I’m exhausted despite having done nothing but venture to the gas station for food.
My hopes weren’t high the first time I left the campground to find something to eat, but when I spotted the prepaid phones tucked behind the register, I felt a sprinkle of relief.
Of course, the moment I got back to my cabin with my armfuls of junk food and set up the phone . . . I quickly realized there wasn’t any reason for me to have it in the first place. Besides my parents, I don’t have any other numbers memorized, and I wasn’t about to call either of them.
It’s that thought that’s kept me in this cabin longer than I was expecting.
For the first time in my entire life, I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be. I’m in a place completely different from where I’ve spent my last twenty-six years, and I don’t think I want to leave yet. Not without at least learning a bit about this tiny town first.
My accommodations could be better, though. There’s hardly any hot water in the pipes, and considering I don’t know how to start a fire in the fireplace, it’s been cold at night. At least it’s clean enough. And quiet.
I force myself out of bed and across the freezing floor to the bathroom.
The yellow light burns my eyes when I flick it on and strip out of the black hoodie I haven’t kicked aside yet.
Even after grabbing my spare clothes from the car my first morning here, I opted out of wearing my cinched top and kept the hoodie on instead.
Paired with my tight-legged leather pants and stained sneakers, I know that I was walking through the gas station looking like some wannabe biker chick or something along those lines.
It was that or nothing, though. I’ve even run out of clean underwear, which has thrown a bit of a wrench into my whole sticking-around plan.
From what I’ve seen, there isn’t anywhere to do any shopping around here other than the second-hand shop Shade mentioned, but I certainly won’t be getting any underwear from there.
My skin itches at the thought of going there at all, but I’m truly out of options here unless I want to continue wearing my dirty clothes every day. The townspeople will send me packing because of my stench.
Decided, I turn the shower on and wait the five minutes for the water to heat up before scrubbing myself with cheap body wash.
My hair feels dry and underconditioned when I step out and wrap it up on the top of my head.
I’ve never in my life used complimentary shampoo and conditioner before, and I’m already unimpressed.
Half an hour later, I’m standing naked in front of the bed, my clothes laid out neatly over the duvet. My hair is dry and almost crunchy as I pull it behind my shoulders and dart my eyes to the black hoodie and sweat shorts near the pillow.
I sigh, reaching for the proper clothes.
The pants are tight around the waist, but I wiggle into them anyway and then slip the top over my head.
The cinched material at the stomach is uncomfortable, but I ignore it while slipping my feet into the wedding heels once again.
Yesterday, it was so cold out that I worried it would snow already, and from my view out the window, it looks like it’s the same temperature.
With my keys and phone in hand, I slip out of the cabin and to the gravel drive where my car is parked. The wind is bitter this morning as I slide into my car and start the drive into town.
To get anywhere in Oak Point takes all of two minutes, but to get there from the campground is about triple that. I park in front of the thrift shop and take a deep, reassuring breath before stepping out on the curb.
Twice Treasured is what’s written on the sign and drawn across the front window of the shop. It’s a cute name.
I pull the door open, and a bell twinkles from above it. At first glance, I get overwhelmed. There’s a stale smell and terrible lighting that exposes the rows of white tubs full of clothes and toys. Without labels pointing me where to go, I just stand inside the shop, my hands held at my middle.
A loud bang from the left has me shifting. Another sound follows, like something’s fallen off a shelf.
“Oh! Welcome! Is there anything I can help you with?”
I search for the woman who’s spoken but can’t see her. “Hi. I’m not sure, actually.”
“Give me one second! I’m just—” she grunts. “Sorry, we just got a few boxes of things in from a couple over in Calgary, and it’s been a long time since these many things have been dropped at the door.”
“No rush,” I call back, moving out of the doorway.
There are a few bookshelves beneath the large window, and I browse over the titles, not recognizing any of them.
Most of the shelves are children’s books, and neither of my parents was big on reading.
I’ve always navigated more to romance. Even in my early teen years when I had to sneak them home in my backpack.
“Okay, I’m free. I’m so sorry about that,” the woman rambles, drawing my attention away from the shelves.
I try to hide my surprise when I come face to face with her for the first time. She’s not what I was expecting in the slightest. The complete opposite, actually.
“I’m Lacey. I don’t think we’ve met before, have we? Are you here for a drop-off?”
I jerk myself out of my thoughts. “Uh, no, I’m not. I’m Millie. I’ve been staying at the campground for the past couple of nights.”
Lacey can’t be much older than me. Her brown hair is chopped into a bob with bangs to match, and they actually fit her face perfectly. There’s a genuine, welcoming smile on her face as she stares at me, her hands rubbing over her denim-clad thighs, leaving dust behind.
“How are you liking it? Have you had a chance to check out the lake? It’s mountain water, so I wouldn’t recommend swimming in it this time of year, but if you’re into ice baths, you might enjoy it!”
“It was more of an unintentional trip, so I haven’t had much of a chance to see it. That’s kind of why I’m here, actually.”
Her eyes glow with intrigue. “Really? Well, I’m here to help with whatever you need.”
“I need some clothes. And maybe some recommendations on where I could go to find some more intimate items,” I say, fighting past my immediate embarrassment.
“Sure. What are you looking for exactly? We have a pretty big selection.” She presses her lips together, dropping a look at my shoes. “I don’t think we have anything like those here, though.”
I pinch my brows together. “Like high heels? That’s okay, I can make do.”
“I mean, we don’t really get many luxury brands here. One time, we got a vintage purse from an older woman passing through, and there was a fight in the corner over who saw it first, but that hasn’t happened since. Are the bottom of those . . . red?”
“They’re old. Knock-offs, probably,” I blurt, knowing that I’m lying.
They were purchased by my mother only last week for my wedding day, and considering I wasn’t offered the time to break them in, today has been the longest I’ve ever worn them.
Luxury shoes might look beautiful, but they aren’t crafted for comfort.
I’d take my sneakers over this pair any day, but it seems I still can’t shake the habit of what I should and shouldn’t be wearing in public.
“If you’re okay with something a little simpler, we did just get a great pair of heels in the other week.
They’re a bit shorter than the ones you have on, but I’d bet they’re more comfortable,” Lacey says, keeping the judgment I know she has to be thinking out of her words.
“They’re just over here, if you want to come with me. ”
“Sure, yeah. And if you have anything a bit warmer, I wouldn’t complain. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk all that well in heels once the snow falls.”
We head a few rows over, and she begins digging through the white bins for the shoes, laughing. “Of course. Are you planning on staying for a while, then?”
“I’m not sure. I just figure I could be prepared in case. My selection of clothes right now is very slim.”
“I sense that there’s a story there somewhere.”
I huff in agreement. “The horror kind.”
“Well, if you do choose to stick around for a bit, I’d love to grab a coffee or something. Have you been to Maggie’s?”
“No, but I was told how good the coffee is there.”
With a whoop, Lacey pulls the heels free of the pile of sandals and boots they were under. There’s no rhyme or reason to where things are put, and the disorganization feels like nails on a chalkboard to me. But it’s not my place and not my mess . . .
“Here they are! I’m just guessing that these are your size, so I hope I’m right. Try them on!”
I take the shoes when she shoves them toward me and take a step back. The heels are a simple nude colour, and despite the worn soles, they look in fairly good condition. I notice the size stamped onto the heel.
“You were right.”
She smirks. “I have a pretty good sense of feet size. You were absolutely a six.”
An odd skill.
I drop to a crouch and trade my wedding heels for the second-hand pair. The difference between them is instant, and I bite my tongue before I start cussing out the designer ones for being so uncomfortable when they could have been like these.
“They’re really nice,” I admit.
“Yes! Okay, now, let’s find you some clothes. You’re going to freeze wearing that once the snow falls. Though you do still have a few weeks. We don’t usually get any until later on in October,” she says while leading us a couple of aisles over.
“How cold does it get here?”
“Oh, that depends on the time of year and how cruel Mother Nature wants to be. Last year, we got to about negative forty with the wind chill, but it was only for a couple of days.”
I trip over my feet and bump into her back. “What?”
“Where are you from? Is that out of the ordinary?” she asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.
“I’m not used to more than negative ten at the coldest.”
“BC? You don’t sound like you’re from out East.”
I snort a laugh. “Whistler, yeah.”
“I’ve never been.”
“It’s beautiful.”
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.
Sure, it isn’t my first welcome . . . but Shade’s a guy of the past. I doubt I’ll ever see him again, and this girl could be someone I do see in the future. And even if it’s only today, I’ll still be glad I met her.
I’ve been offered more kindness in this town by two strangers than I have ever before, and that’s something I’m going to be thinking about for a long time after this.