“Well, that too,” Bailey says. “Maybe a drop of brandy in said cup of tea. My grandfather always said it warmed the cockles of his heart, and steels your nerves.”
“I don’t own any brandy,” I grumble. And I’m not about to go and buy any. Not with all my expenses suddenly mounting up, and now having no income.
Do not panic!
“That company and the people in it are all useless assholes, Sadie. You know it as well as I do. It’s always the bottom line with those bastards. You’re just a number to them.”
“You’re not kidding. They promoted Veronica above me after I trained her! All because she’s younger than me and cheaper labor. It isn’t fair.” I know I sound whiny, but I don’t care. I’m allowed this.
Bailey lets out a string of profanities, and it makes me feel a little better. She has a calming effect on me.
“Thank you for listening,” I sniff again. Knowing I have to do some serious soul-searching tonight and also let my folks back in Colorado know what’s going on. Maybe I’ll tell them I’m job hunting because they’ll only worry. It sounds so much less severe thanfired.
“Anytime, babe. And if you need me to hop on a plane and come over there to smack some sense into someone, namely that stupid Mrs. Ruin, then so be it.”
I shouldn’t giggle because I don’t condone violence, but I know she only means it in the sticking-up-for-her-best-friend sense. Bailey is tough as nails, so I guess I wouldn’t put it past her to give my ex-boss a piece of her mind. But there really is no point. Iamjust a number. A number that ultimately didn’t mean very much to them after all the hours and unpaid overtime I put in over the years. “Thanks, Bails. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“No problem. And since you’re now freed up from that horrible place and haven’t had a vacation since god knows when, why don’t you come out for a visit? It’s beautiful here with wintertime approaching.”
She says it like I don’t know. I’ve always loved Alpine Falls, not that I’ve been there in a while.
It’s pretty, unassuming and quaint. A small town where everybody knows everybody.
Alpine Falls thrives in the winter with ski resorts and snow activities, and there’s an amazing Christmas tree farm and cute little shops dotted around town.
“A visit?” The hope in my tone is pathetic. But I don’t want to be alone for the holidays.
“Why not? It will be Christmas soon, we could spend it together.”
Well, that does sound appealing.
Hot cocoa.
Snow boots.
Winter mittens.
Fun.
I could do with some fun.
I tap my fingers on my chin while I consider it. “Maybe I could come on a little extended vay-cay,” I chime, suddenly feeling like this isexactlywhat I need. I could spend a few weeks in the snow hanging out with my best friend. Though job hunting should be on the forefront of my mind, the thought of seeing my bestie sounds much more appealing. “It could be just the break I need.”
I have to be careful with funds, but I should receive enough severance for a plane fare and support myself for a few weeks. By the end of the month, though, I’ll be homeless, and I still have to try and find Kelto’s portion of the rent so I don’t get a black mark against me. My two other friends in New York, Jane and Viola, will be away for the holidays, and that fills me with dread.
Am I just realizing now how pathetic I am?
“Sounds perfect to me. A mini-vacay could be just what the doctor ordered,” Bailey says. “You can stay with me for a fewweeks until my parents arrive, and I’ll cover the airfare. You won’t have to worry about anything.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “You don’t need to do that, Bails. I’m okay?—”
“Nonsense. And if that little bitch Kelto doesn’t pay up, I’ll be on the first flight over there to drag her ass over to your landlord.”
I huff another laugh under my breath. Bailey really means well in her own way. Even if it is offering to punch people who have done me wrong. “I love you, do you know that?” I say, my voice shaky, but there is meaning behind my words because it’s true. Bailey and I would do anything for each other. We grew up in Colorado, but she moved to Wyoming a few years back when she got the job at Lawless Farms as stable manager. She also has her own stables on the property she bought a few years ago.
“I know it, babe. And I love you, too. You will get through this. I promise. Christmas in Wyoming, here you come!”
I know it’s only November, but Christmas will be here before we know it.
