Corporate Connection by Lydia Hall

Author:Lydia Hall [Hall, Lydia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

22

ALEXIA

“I love your sneakers, Alexia,” Ornella commented. But I’m afraid the Montana ranch dust will put an end to them in no time.”

“Yup,” Sarah interjected. “We’d better go shopping and get you ranch-ready.”

“You had me at shopping,” I smiled happily. “I can’t remember the last time I indulged in a shopping outing at leisure. I’m always rushing off to the office. Jenna will be shocked. ”

“Oh, are you ever in the right company?” Sarah grinned. “We love hitting the malls. I have a shoe fetish of note.”

“She’s not kidding,” Ornella sighed. “Imelda Marcos has nothing on my Sarah.”

“Not that you’re into hyperboles or anything,” Sarah countered.

“Ladies, shall we go?” Ornella asked. “We’ll take the Navigator.”

“I’m going upstairs for my purse, quickly,” I said and headed for the stairs.

“Alright. See you in the car,” Sarah called after me.

“And don’t bring any money,” Ornella added. “This one’s on me.”

“I can’t do that,” I protested.

“I won’t take no for an answer.”

“That’s so sweet. Thank you, Ornella.”

“You’re very welcome.”

I had a lump in my throat as I ascended the stairs to my room. Ethan’s family’s generosity and closeness shone a flashlight on my lonely childhood. Oh, come now, Alexia. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You’re a successful, content woman, now. You’re not that lonely little girl anymore.

I could always count on the little voice inside me to set me straight. The voice had carried me through some pretty rough times, so I heeded the advice. I wiped off a rogue tear, grabbed my bag, then made my way to the car.

The drive along the rural roads to Billings was as smooth as a baby’s bottom in the Navigator. We floated above the surface, or so it seemed.

“I’m glad I didn’t bring my hatchback to the ranch,” I laughed. “I expect Ethan and I would be collecting parts of the undercarriage on the way home.”

“I hear you,” Sarah said. “My aspirations of owning a cute little Cooper S went right out the window when I went to college. Unless I was willing to drive at crawling speed whenever I visited the ranch.”

“There’s plenty of time for a coupe hon,” Ornella comforted her daughter. “Once you’re a successful dentist, living it up in the city, you can zip around in your Scalextric.”

I laughed when Ornella said that. Sarah rolled her eyes, then joined in. Next, the girls took me to the biggest boutique in Billings. I focussed on keeping my jaw off the floor as they strolled in and out of the change rooms with gorgeous garments.

“Come on, Alexia,” Sarah said and took my hand. “You’re going to look smoking hot in this.” She held up a pair of ranch boots and pointed to jeans to match the hot ranch chic look.

“Wow, that is nice.” I took the clothes from her and headed for the cubicle to try them on.

“Here,” Sarah said and shoved a cowboy hat into my hands. “You don’t want the sun to ruin your perfect complexion.”

I smiled at her warmth. Sarah was sweet, bubbly, and embraced life as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

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