He shrugged. “If it gets you to expand your horizons a little—”
“Dad!” I exclaimed.
He held up his hands, and my mom quickly stepped in.
“No one is saying that. We’re just saying that maybe you, Ms. Optimistic, can turn this awful situation into an opportunity.”
They all eagerly nodded in agreement at my mom’s words.
I crossed my arms. Opportunity? What opportunity could I possibly make of this?
My whole life sucked. Even work was going terribly right now. I’d have to call Bev on Monday to tell her that we failed to find a property manager. How humiliating.
All of my buzzing thoughts started to settle as an idea began to form. Maybe I could solve my work problemsandfind some new opportunities all at the same time.
ChapterNine
“This is your captain speaking.We’re going to be experiencing quite a bit of turbulence as we approach the mountains. Please stay seated and keep your seat belt fastened.”
Leather might be permanently embedded underneath my fingernails from how hard my grip on the armrest was.
“You alright, young lady.” The elderly man seated next to me looked genuinely concerned for my well-being.
I nodded but didn’t even attempt to open my mouth for fear of vomiting all over him.
This was only the fourth flight I had ever taken in my entire life. The third one being the flight from Orlando to Denver. And this wasdefinitelythe smallest plane I had ever been on. I had no idea they even made airplanes with only fifteen rows and no middle seats.
The plane was enroute to Key Ridge, Colorado. My new home base. At least for now, that is. When I told Mike I wanted to take the PM position out here, his initial reaction was to say no.
"But it’s a demotion," he had said while trying to talk me out of it.
I told him it didn’t matter. I needed a change of scenery, and I needed it now. Besides, what could be more of an adventure than moving to a small mountain town with only a few days’ notice?
My family wanted me to find an opportunity, and I sure as hell found one. Despite the terrifying plane ride, I could feel my positivity returning as if someone had plugged an IV full of sunshine directly into my veins.
I was excited to try something new, to meet someone new, tolivesomewhere new. I was most excited to see the mountains andsnow. I had never seen snow before, but from what I had seen in Christmas movies, it looked magical.
I clutched my windbreaker tightly around me. Underneath it, I had layered two sweatshirts. Hopefully, I wasn’t too cold upon arrival. I had no heavy coat, and Florida wasn’t exactly the best place to buy one at the last minute. Acquiring weather-appropriate clothing would be high on my to-do list upon arrival.
“Alright, folks, please take one last look at those seat belts and make sure they’re fastened nice and tight. It’s going to be a bumpy landing.”
The man sitting next to me leaned as far away from me as our seats would allow as I started my intentional breathing. So what if I sounded like a pregnant lady in a Lamaze class? It was worth it if it got me through this flight without being ill or passing out.
The plane jerked to the right, and I screamed involuntarily. The last minute of the ride felt like ages, but when we finally hit the tarmac, I sank back into my seat in a puddle of relief.
“Relaxing flight, eh?” the old jokester sitting next to me asked.
“Very.” I tried to smile at him, but I still felt a little queasy.
When we arrived at the gate, I realized I hadn’t once leaned over to look out the window. I cursed my fear of flying. Now I had missed out on the view of a lifetime.
After a few minutes, we deplaned, and I entered the tiniest airport I had ever seen. Sure, I hadn’t had much experience, but this building was only one room. I could see the singular security line, the exit, and the world outside as soon as I stepped through the gate’s threshold.
It should be easy enough to find baggage claim.
* * *
“I’m sorry,but I can’t let you rent this car.” The woman at the rental car agency looked between me and my Florida driver’s ID and shook her head.
