Bloom by Cassia Leo

Author:Cassia Leo [Leo, Cassia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gloss Publishing LLC
Published: 2018-05-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Isaac

The inside of the lobby at the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce was stiflingly hot. The warm sand-colored paint on the walls and the oak furniture and ceilings only contributed to the feeling that I was being boiled alive. It brought back memories of roasting inside a Humvee under the scorching Afghani sun.

I’d already taken off my coat and hoodie, but dressing in layers was a futile effort in this office. “Excuse me, ma’am?” I said, fanning my face with my hand as I approached the receptionist again. “Do you know how much longer I’m going to have to wait?”

Her eyes widened. “I’m not sure. Susan is still on a phone call. Are you… okay? Your face is pretty red.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m just going to wait outside. Can you get me when Susan is off the phone?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

I stepped out of suite 204 and didn’t find any relief from the oppressive heat until I’d descended the stairs down to the small lobby area and raced outside into the blissful 55-degree weather. Chestnut Street in this quaint section of downtown Stillwater was bustling with people shopping and going about their business.

I didn’t bother putting my hoodie or coat back on as I took a seat on the low retaining wall in front of 200 Southeast Chestnut Street. I watched people coming in and out of the U.S. Bank building across the street. Everyone seemed so focused and serious. I wondered if my perception of Stillwater as one of the most beautiful and friendly places on Earth was biased.

The city of Portland certainly wasn’t going to meet either of those criteria, but Portland — like Stillwater — had its own charm. I would miss the variety of local coffee roasters and breweries I had to choose from in Portland. I’d miss the laid back vibe and the fried chicken at Reel M Inn. But most of all, I’d miss the people.

Most of the girls I’d slept with before Laurel came around were downright sparkling. They had strong opinions on everything from the best local coffee to the worst local politicians. Portlanders were fanatical about their sports teams, but it was totally okay to be a man who hated sports. They shunned religion and deified nature, fiercely protecting their natural resources and vilifying anyone who threatened their green culture.

Portland was probably one of the few places in America where you could find tree-hugging Republicans and gun-loving Democrats happily coexisting. Because no matter your political affiliation, the most glaring societal divide was the fault-line separating Portland natives from out-of-state transplants. The city was an experiment in cultural contradictions, yet somehow it worked.

Stillwater was probably almost as liberal as Portland, but the culture was very different. On the surface, it was in many ways your typical quaint midwestern small town with a population under 20,000. Wedged between rocky outcrops on one side and the St. Croix river on the other, the town was picturesque. A storybook village complete with Victorian-style bed and breakfasts and a historic district brimming with antique shops.

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