AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mom said Wilson told her the prior owners left a lot of the furnishings. She’d said it like it was a good thing. It wasn’t. He should have made them take this stuff. I’d need to find some boxes so I could pack it all up. Or lighter fluid and kindling.
I started a mental list to prioritize tasks. First, set up a room for Georgie. Second, unpack the necessities. Third, find a bottle of wine. Fourth… I’d figure out number four after the wine.
I kicked off my shoes and got to work setting up the dog’s bed and food. Then I dragged suitcases around the house, putting them where the contents would eventually belong. Honestly, most had my clothes in them, so they ended up in the overfull bedroom. But a few found places in the den, kitchen, and second bedroom/storage area.
All seventeen bags distributed, I stood in the living room and hesitated. I turned this way and that, my eyes darting from place to place, seeing all I’d like to accomplish. I threw up my hands—worst idea ever. Unpacking now made no sense. I was hungry, overwhelmed, and lonely. I didn’t need to unpack, I needed to start a new life in Elmer.
I was going to the Fourth of July BBQ.
Ten minutes and fifty layers of concealer on my hickey later, I was picking my way up the dark path to where I’d left my rental minivan and heading for the big party tent on the horizon.
Chapter 5
Rae
I stepped inside theair-conditioned party tent in time to watch an older woman with inky black hair welcome the town to the party on behalf of my brother. She sparkled, and it wasn’t just the blue glitter clogs. It was her inner glow that shone brighter than the fireworks we’d be enjoying later. She was my new life goal. At her age, hell, at this age I wanted half that fire.
People decked out in red, white, and blue filled the tent to near capacity. Cowboy hats and boots were popular choices, and the smell of the most heavenly smoked meat had my mouth watering. The BBQ was a far better place to be than unpacking.
The vibrant woman on stage wrapped up her comments, and red and blue disco lights flashed while the tent interior lights dimmed slightly. A commotion on the far side of the dance floorhad everyone pushing closer to the front. A woman had fainted. And half the town seemed to rush to her aid while the other half turned excited eyes toward the stage. It was a bit like a scene from a movie, a real-life remake of Footloose.
A silver-haired man and his band rushed on stage playing a country song I’d never heard before, but apparently plenty of others in the room had. The dance floor filled with people of every age, and my guess that I’d stumbled into the movie Footloose proved to be spot on. These people could dance. Couples spun around the floor twirling, laughing, and singing along. I watched from the sidelines. In Chicago, normal people couldn’t dance like this.
“Don’t you love Dwight Yoakum?” A man who looked like a brawny, weathered Santa Claus stood at my side.
“I’m not really familiar. But he sounds great.” My toe tapped along to the infectious honkytonk beat.
“You’re new in town.”
“Just arrived today.”
“Welcome to Elmer. Shall we?” He barely waited for my nod before sweeping me into the flow of dancers. “I’m Melvin, proprietor of the Worn Boot, the finest emporium for vintage footwear in Elmer.”
“I’m Rae Phillips—er, Wilson’s sister.” That sounded so lame.
“Marvelous.” Melvin smiled and his blue eyes shone with affection for my brother. “He’s been a wonderful addition to the town. Good taste in footwear and women—both are critical to happiness, you know?” Melvin pushed me out and spun me. I followed his lead, astonished by how easy he made it.
“Footwear is as important as your romantic partner?” I was skeptical, to say the least.
“Absolutely, honey. The parallels between selecting a pair of shoes and a partner are endless. They don’t call it a soul mate for nothing. Take the high-heeled espadrilles you’re wearing, forexample. Tall and fashionable, but hard on the ankles and toes. Like a man that is all flash and no substance. He might make a pretense of supporting you, but he’s just as dangerous as a stiletto.”
“A stiletto shoe or knife?”
“Either one.”
Melvin and I shared a laugh as he pulled me through another fast turn at the corner of the dance floor. The big man was light on his feet, and I was loving how easy he made the unfamiliar dance.
“So if not these shoes, what do you recommend?”
“I thought you’d never ask. I have the perfect boots for a city girl new to Texas at the shop. Size six and three quarters. I’ll set them aside for you.” He punctuated the sentence with a satisfied smile and nod.
Guessing my exact shoe size was a cool party trick, especially since I was sure I was the only person in Texas who would self-identify as a size six and three-quarters.
“Oh. Don’t do that…I’ve never worn cowboy boots. I’m not sure I could.”
“Elmer will change your mind.”
Melvin spun me under his arm another time, and as I came back to him, I caught sight of something that almost made me fall over my feet—and it wasn’t the fault of my espadrilles.
