Chapter 8: 8: Unwelcoming Town

BELLE

“I’m a really fast learner, and I never get sick,” I told the woman behind the front counter of the cute little boutique. “And I could start as soon as possible, even right now, if you wanted.”

The nice-looking shopkeeper—Loretta, her name tag said—was studying me with a sympathetic gaze.

I could feel her eyes sweep over my dirty clothes and unkempt hair before finally settling on the bruise spanning the left side of my face.

I knew I must have looked extremely out of place in the pristine boutique. Loretta was dressed head to toe in name brands, with red, manicured nails.

There wasn’t a single piece of hair out of place on her blonde head, which framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. She looked expensive. Mature. Beautiful. She looked like she actually belonged in this town.

I was nervous when I first entered the shop. I wasn’t expecting to get a job. I’m sure all of Loretta’s employees were just like her—well dressed, with their lives together.

I wasn’t any of those things. But I was desperate.

Loretta hesitated a moment before replying and smiling regretfully. “I’m so sorry, darling. I would love to interview you, but we’re just not looking to hire anyone new right now.”

I glanced behind me at the front door, and the “Now Hiring” sign it was sporting. It was the only reason I had come into the small boutique.

Loretta followed my gaze. “We filled the position this morning,” she explained hurriedly.

The hope that had been swirling around in my chest quickly dissolved.

“But I would be happy to take your information and let you know if anything opens up,” Loretta continued. She tried smiling again.

I appreciated her kindness and the fact that she was trying to offer me some comfort even though we both knew I didn’t stand a chance.

I nodded. “Okay. I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

This had to have been the fourth or fifth business I had gone into today, seeking employment. I needed a job, and I needed one as soon as possible.

At least Loretta was kind to me instead of quickly hurrying me back onto the streets as the other shopkeepers had done.

I could tell she was a good person. She seemed genuinely sad she couldn’t help me.

“I’m gonna be very honest with you, honey,” she continued right before I was about to head for the exit.

She glanced around quickly as if to ensure no one could hear what she was about to say.

The only other person that had been in the shop with us, an older woman with a very expensive-looking bag thrown over her shoulder, had just left. So we were completely alone now.

“I would love to hire you,” Loretta rushed to say. “I want to help you. I can tell that you could use a break. But I can’t.”

She hesitated, her hands fidgeting in front of her. “You’re not going to be able to get a job in this town. We’re not allowed to hire outsiders.”

My brows shot up. “Outsiders?”

She nodded. “It’s hard to explain, but… This is a tight-knit community. And the ~head~ of our community needs to approve of everyone who is allowed in.”

“The head of the community? Like the mayor or something?”

“I suppose, yes. Our mayor.”

“So I have to go talk to the mayor before I can get a job here?”

She sighed. “Well, no, not exactly. I’m afraid you won’t be able to get any job anywhere in Evergreen. No one will hire you.”

I didn’t understand what she meant. I had never heard of a city only allowing business owners to hire locals.

All I knew was that I was tired. And overwhelmed. And in a lot of pain. I didn’t have the mental capacity to understand what she was telling me. I didn’t even want to try.

I was glad she told me, though. This way, I wouldn’t continue to make a fool out of myself by interviewing for jobs that I didn’t have a chance of getting.

“Okay,” I said slowly. “Do you know if the next town over has the same crazy rules?”

“Woodhurst?” Loretta asked. “No. They don’t. But I wouldn’t go there if I were you.”

“Why not?”

“It’s run down. And there’s a lot of crime. It’s just not a nice place to be.”

The corners of my lips turned up. “I grew up in Minneapolis. I think I can handle a small town in Maine.”

Loretta looked concerned. She studied me, her brows tugging together in worry. But she didn’t say anything else.

“Thank you for your help. And for telling me about the whole job thing.” I gripped the strap of my backpack and grabbed the handle of my suitcase.

I started to make my way over to the door. “I’ll get out of your hair now.”

Loretta stopped me right before I left. “Hold on, darling,” she called out.

I paused and turned to look at her. She rounded the counter, approaching me with hesitancy in her steps.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” she asked.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She glanced around us. “I just don’t feel good about sending you out into the cold, especially in your state.”

I shifted my weight, feeling uncomfortable and a little bit embarrassed. I didn’t look ~that~ bad, did I?

“Are you running from someone?” she continued in a low voice. “Perhaps the person who put that bruise on your face?”

My discomfort grew as I took a step back. I couldn’t believe a perfect stranger was asking me this.

I appreciated her desire to help, but the last thing I wanted to do was talk about what I had gone through with my old mate.

Even just thinking about Grayson made my chest squeeze painfully, sucking all the breath out of my lungs. My mark burned on my neck, and I winced.

“Oh, my darling girl,” Loretta said, obviously noticing my reaction. “I’m so sorry.”

The pain faded a bit after a few seconds, and I was able to breathe once again. I brushed my hair out of my face, my hands shaking. Exhaustion coursed through my veins.

“It’s okay. ~I’m~ okay.” I let out a deep sigh. “I mean...I’m ~going~ to be okay.”

Loretta didn’t look convinced. “Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?”

I didn’t. But I wasn’t going to tell her that.

In all honesty, I didn’t want her help. In my experience, people say they’re going to be there for you and then stab you in the back the moment you start to trust them.

Humans are inherently selfish. I promised myself I would do things on my own. I needed to build myself up again without relying on anybody else. That was the only way I would survive this.

“Yes. I have a place to stay tonight,” I told Loretta, my tone firm.

Her eyes narrowed a bit. It was clear she didn’t believe me. It didn’t matter, though. There wasn’t anything she could do about it.

“I should get going,” I said before she could continue to question me.

“Hold on a second.” Loretta hurried back behind the counter. She grabbed a sticky note and a pen, writing something on it.

When she was done, she approached me once again. She handed me the paper. “This is my cell number. If you ever need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me or the boutique.”

I looked down at her phone number and then back at her. I didn’t understand why she was so eager to help me. What was she hoping to get out of it?

I put the piece of paper in the pocket of my coat, knowing I would never look at it or think about it again. Besides, I didn’t even have a phone. “Uh, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Loretta nodded and smiled once again. She still seemed worried, looking over my form warily and wringing her fingers in front of her.

“Thanks again,” I said. Then I pushed the front door open and left.

I threw the phone number away in the nearest trash can.