Shoe Strings

by Christy Hayes

  “Hello,” Kerri Ann heard the woman say to Min as she propped her white-framed sunglasses on top of her head. “I’m looking for a gift. For a man.”

  Kerri Ann stopped mid-stride and stifled a gasp. The woman was buying Bryce a gift. When her lunch threatened to make an encore appearance, Kerri Ann leaned her hand against the wall and watched it disappear into a bin of fishing rods. The clattering noise made everyone turn in her direction.

  “Hello again.” The woman stepped closer, a smarmy smile on her full ginger lips. “You’re the woman from the Pizza Den.”

  Kerri Ann straightened the rods and tossed her head casually. She’d hoped to slip out before the woman saw her and went running to tell Bryce what an idiot she’d been. “Yes, yes, I am. You’re still here, I see?”

  “Um huh.” Her eyes lingered, probably laughing at Kerri Ann’s outfit and scuffed tennis shoes. “Maybe you can help me. I’m looking for a little something for the man I’m renting my cabin from. Perhaps you know him? Cal Bloodworth?”

  The surge of relief she felt at the mention of Cal’s name had her practically skipping with joy. “I know Cal very well. He’s my father-in-law.”

  She smiled brightly and didn’t seem surprised at the revelation. “You must be Ty’s mom and Jesse’s ex-wife.” She extended her hand. “I’m Angelita Barros. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your son is wonderful and such a help to Cal.”

  “Thanks.” Kerri Ann felt like the ball in a ping-pong match. Her emotions swung from jealousy to pride in a finger snap. “I’m Kerri Ann. So, you want to get Cal a gift?”

  Angelita moved like a model through the haphazard array of items in the store. “Yes. He’s been so delightful, bringing me muffins and wine. I simply have to reciprocate. Nothing too big, just a token of my appreciation.” She turned to face Kerri Ann. “Any suggestions?”

  “Well,” Kerri Ann’s eyes wandered the collection of items she’d just perused with new interest. “Maybe a nice picture frame or possibly a candle. I was just admiring the smell of these over here.” She led her to the tiered display.

  The woman’s own scent could have been captured in a candle, a deep red candle and given a name like fire or sex. She didn’t want to like Angelita, but when she lifted the candle to her nose and gave her a dazzling smile, Kerri Ann couldn’t help but be swayed.

  “I like this one.” She flipped the container over and red the tag. “Enchanted Forest? Do you think he’d enjoy this?”

  “Cal likes things that smell good, so I’m sure he’d love it.” She thought of Cal and his need to take care of others and his insistence that no one pamper him. “You’ll embarrass him though.”

  “Oh, I know. But he’s made my stay so pleasant.” Angelita studied her for a moment and Kerri Ann wondered if she’d gone off with sauce splashed on her face. “You have great symmetry in your bone structure,” Angelita said. “And great hair. I love the color.”

  “You do?”

  “Um huh.” She nodded. “Do you get highlights or are these natural?”

  “Um, natural, I guess.” Although she’d meant to highlight for the winter when her straight blond hair tended to turn mousy. It was just another thing she’d let slip. Wasn’t much reason to fix herself up. “I used to highlight. In high school,” she said with an embarrassed jerk of her shoulder. Where the hell was this conversation heading?

  “My hair’s an unruly mess.” She gestured to her perfect loose corkscrews that floated like a veil around her shoulders. “The humidity is a killer. I’ll bet your hair stays straight, no matter the weather.”

  “Straight as a pin.” Kerri Ann unconsciously ran her hand over the ponytail. “Unfortunately.”

  “I’d love it.” Angelita lifted an orange candle, sniffed, and, after crinkling her nose, placed it back on the glass shelf. “I need a good cut. Can you recommend someone in the area?”

  “Well, most folks around here go to Shelly Stanton over at the Hair Barn just off Main Street. She’s…” annoying, a gossip, after her man, “competent. I’m sure she’d love to get her hands on your hair. It’s so…bouncy.”

  Angelita let out a hearty chuckle. “I guess that’s one way to describe it.” She picked up the green candle. “I think I’ll go with your suggestion and tell Cal you recommended it. He adores you.”

  “Yeah, Cal’s the best.”

  “You know, I’d love some company. Why don’t you and I play hookie and spend the day at the salon? I haven’t had a girls’ day in ages.”

  Was she kidding? Kerri Ann hadn’t had a girls’ day…ever. “Well, I don’t know. I’ve got to get back to the restaurant.”

  “Oh, come on,” she prodded. “I’m sure you’ve got people who can cover for you for an hour or two. It’ll be fun and my treat—for your help with the gift.”

  She looked so excited and Kerri Ann felt an eager sensation in the pit of her stomach. Maybe this would cure her mood. She hadn’t done something so…spontaneous since high school. She shrugged her shoulders. “Okay. I guess one afternoon won’t kill me.”

  Angelita clapped her hands and grabbed Kerri Ann by the shoulders. “Great. Just let me pay for this and you can lead the way to the Hair Barn. Do they do nails? Or facials?” she asked over her shoulder with an animated grin.

  “I don’t really know.” Kerri Ann followed Angelita to the checkout counter. What had she gotten herself into?

  ***

  Lita couldn’t believe her luck in getting Kerri Ann to spend the afternoon with her. She had liked her from the moment she’d seen her flinging glassware around her restaurant in a fit of jealous rage; Lita felt a kinship with her she couldn’t explain. Now that she didn’t have to pretend she didn’t know who Kerri Ann was anymore, they could relax and get to know each other. As much as she could relax around Jesse’s ex-wife after the unexpectedly intimate dinner she and Jesse had shared two nights ago.

  She’d thought of nothing but him since he’d left her cabin. Because I intend for us to be more than friends, I’ll call you Angelita. His words echoed in her mind constantly. She thought of him with a mix of anticipation and dread. He’d sparked her interest from the very moment she’d laid eyes on him and yet she knew she couldn’t trust herself in matters of the heart. She’d wanted so much to dismiss him as an arrogant slacker, but he’d revealed himself, in only one evening, to be so much more.

  Jesse was comfortable with his life and his mistakes. With the proverbial monkey on his back, he worked hard to repair his relationship with both Ty and Kerri Ann. For all she’d witnessed, and learned from Cal, Ty seemed unscathed by his parents’ divorce and his father’s temporary absence. For being such young parents, they certainly did a hell of a good job.

  Jesse had been persistent in his pursuit of Lita, and constantly around, until he’d announced his intention on the way out the door. A very calculated move and quite a successful one. For she was certain his goal was for her to think of him.

  She’d see today, hopefully, how resilient Kerri Ann proved to be. As hard as it was for Lita to be comfortable around men, particularly men who were good-looking and interested in her, she loved the companionship of females. It sounded very much like Kerri Ann had the dream high school experience—before her pregnancy. Lita’s experience couldn’t be described as a dream. She hadn’t had any close friends or boyfriends, until Marc and her own unplanned pregnancy.

  It was Sophie who’d changed Lita’s life. Their friendship and partnership had allowed Lita to open up to another person and experience a truly loving relationship. Kerri Ann stopped under a bright red awning that hung over the sidewalk like a giant strawberry. Lita blew a curl from her face and stutter-stepped to catch up. “Here we are.” Kerri Ann opened the glass door and ushered Lita inside with an impatient wave of her hand.

  A woman wearing a startling amount of makeup and a too-tight wrap dress moseyed over to where they stood by the door. “Well, Kerri Ann Bloodworth. Twice in one week. How’d I get so lucky?” The woman eyed Lita suspi
ciously. Despite the southern music that played in the background, she obviously didn’t believe in southern hospitality.

  “Shelly, this is Angelita Ba….”

  “Barros,” Angelita said.

  “Angelita’s just visiting in town and wanted a good cut. Of course, I brought her here.”

  “Well,” Shelly began, her eyes doing a thorough head to toe scan of Lita. “I didn’t think you were from around here. Tell me you’re not wanting to cut off all this gorgeous hair?”

  “No.” Lita wondered if she really wanted to entrust Shelly with any part of her body, hair included. “Just a trim. If you’re too busy…”

  “Goodness, no. Your timing’s perfect.” She turned her back and led them to two side-by-side white vinyl salon chairs. An older woman sat under a dryer straight out of the 1950s with a full head of curlers. “I’m free until three. Mrs. Morrison has a standing appointment every Tuesday for a style.”

  “Great,” Lita said and threw Kerri Ann under the bus. “Kerri Ann wants a cut too.”

  “Well, I…” Kerri Ann hesitated and slumped into a chair. “Maybe just a trim.”

  Shelly moved to stand behind Kerri Ann. “Girl, you’ve had the same cut and style, or no style,” she grinned and winked at Lita, “since high school. I’ve been begging you to let me put a few layers in. You’d be amazed how it’ll soften up your face, bring out your eyes.” She moved over to Lita and ran her hands through her hair. “See now. I’ll bet you didn’t even realize that Angelita here had layers? Hers are longer than I’d do on you—she’s got all this curl to contend with, but you see how subtle they are?”

  Lita could see Kerri Ann regretting her decision to play girl for the day when she sighed and twisted her lips at her reflection. “I agree with Shelly,” Lita said before Kerri Ann could refuse. Despite Shelly’s appearance, she was giving Kerri Ann the right advice. “A few well-placed layers can transform your look.”

  “I’m at the restaurant all day long. I need to be able to pull it back in a ponytail.”

  Shelly patted her shoulder companionably. “You’d still be able to put it up, but you won’t have to because it’ll fall nicely around your face. Or you could just clip the front part back.” She paused while Kerri Ann stewed. “Hair grows, Kerri Ann. If you don’t like it, it’ll grow out. At least this way you’ll know.”

  Lita was impressed at the way Shelly carefully dealt with Kerri Ann. “Oh, all right,” Kerri Ann said. “But if I hate it, I’m gonna be mad.”

  Shelly beamed. “You won’t hate it, Kerri Ann. It may take some getting used to, but you won’t hate it.” She clapped her hands with glee. “Oh, this will be so much fun.” She tossed them both a smock and pointed to the back. “You two go change.”

  “Who wants to go first?” Shelly asked as they simultaneously emerged from the hall. “The other can get a pedicure while you wait. Melinda just got back from lunch.”

  Kerri Ann threw her head toward Lita. “Let her go first while I think about whether or not I want a change.”

  Shelly pulled on her arm. “Come on, Kerri Ann. Don’t be a chicken.”

  Shelly led Kerri Ann to the washing station and motioned for the young girl hovering in the corner to see to Lita. “Hi,” the girl said with a shy smile. “I’m Melinda. You’d like a pedicure?”

  “I’d love one,” Lita said.

  “Go on over and pick a color and I’ll meet you at the pedicure chair.” Lita picked out a bright coral and slipped her shoes off before sliding into the massage chair.

  “Temperature okay?” Melinda asked and then gasped when she picked up Lita’s shoes to move out of the way. “Oh my God. These are Angelita Feet.” She picked one up carefully and turned it around and around like a fine piece of art. Her gasp had everyone looking, including Shelly and Kerri Ann.

  Lita couldn’t help but smile with pride. “Yes, they are. Do you…like her shoes?”

  “Gosh, yes. Where’d you get them?”

  “They’re mine.” Lita sounded like a proud parent. “I’m Angelita.”

  “Oh-My-God!” Melinda screamed.

  Shelly walked over from the washing station, her hands dripping with water, and Kerri Ann sat up in the reclining chair wiping suds from her face. “What’s going on over here?”

  “She’s a famous shoe designer,” Melinda said.

  Famous was a bit of a stretch. Before the article in Atlanta Wears, their publicity had consisted of a few well-placed PR pieces in small local papers.

  “Famous what?” Shelly asked.

  Lita tried to explain. “I’m a shoe designer. I suppose Melinda here has heard of my shoes.”

  “Heard of them? I worship them.” She picked up a slide and placed it on her outstretched hand. “They’re works of art.”

  Shelly shrugged and clucked her tongue. “Pretty, but I swear, Melinda, you’ve got to stop that screeching.”

  “Sorry.” Melinda placed the shoe reverently back on the floor as Shelly walked back to Kerri Ann. “But I can’t believe you’re here, in Sequoyah Falls.”

  “I’m on vacation.” Lita never expected anyone to recognize her shoes, especially in Sequoyah Falls. “How do you know about my shoes anyway?”

  “My sister moved to Atlanta to study fashion design.” The girl removed Lita’s polish and applied cuticle cream. “She discovered your store about a year ago. She’s going to just die when I tell her I met you.”

  “You’ll have to give me her name so I can keep an eye out for her when she comes in.”

  “Ooohh,” Melinda screamed. She whispered, “Sorry,” over her shoulder when Shelly glared. “That would make her day.”

  Lita sat contentedly, having her feet massaged in the warm water and her new color applied. Melinda’s praise reminded Lita why she worked so hard to build the business.

  “Do you own any of my shoes?” she asked as her nails dried and she waited for Shelly to finish with Kerri Ann.

  “Oh, gosh no.” Melinda ducked her head to clean the footbath. “They’re sure pretty and all, but I can’t afford a pair.” Her eyes flicked up to Lita’s before she went on. “Besides, my boyfriend, Derrick, he’s not much taller than me and he doesn’t like it when I wear heels.”

  Another plus for expanding, Lita thought. Keeping her operation small meant forcing the customer to pay high prices for the one-of-a-kind shoes. Mass marketing would lower the cost and allow people like Melinda to run to the local mall and wear her brand without forking over a week’s worth of pay. If she and Sophie hadn’t struck gold with their company, she’d never have been able to afford them either. She sighed as the weight of her decision came pounding back. She couldn’t hide in the mountains forever.

  When Kerri Ann cleared her throat and Lita looked up, she had to shake her head in amazement. “Well, well, well…look at you.” Kerri Ann looked amazing. Shelly had cut soft layers in Kerri Ann’s straight hair leaving a fall of long wispy bangs to hang mysteriously over one of her green eyes.

  “I thought I’d have to punch up her color a bit, but once I got the layers in, it really took on a life of its own.” Shelly rustled the ends with her hand.

  “Shelly, you’re a genius. How do you feel?” Lita asked Kerri Ann.

  Kerri Ann shrugged her shoulder and tried to hide the smile that wanted to form on her lips. “The same, I guess.”

  She hobbled up from the chair and reached up to clasp Kerri Ann’s shoulders, turning her round to face the mirror. “You look beautiful. I love the layers and the bangs. It looks like you’re ready for fun, Kerri Ann.”

  She let her smile bloom. “I don’t really know what I’m ready for, but I do like it.” She lightly touched the ends of her hair with her fingers. “I’m glad you talked me into it.” Kerri Ann turned to face Lita and a crease grew between her brows. “My God, you’re short without those heels on.”