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I felt red spread across my cheeks, embarrassed I’d thought the worst. “Oh, thank you, that’s so sweet to say.” Although flattering, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was a compliment.
When I turned and sat on a stool at the bar, a glass of juice was already waiting for me. I looked at it, intrigued, and then to the redheaded woman. The hulk and his dog had vanished into the back. The woman was wiping down the counter. “Juice straight from the carton.” She winked.
I looked down at it ominously. I was certain this wasn’t made on sight. “Thank you,” I said sweetly. I got out my cell, disappointed to find the lack in reception again. How was I going to find the closest town to find a hotel? “Um, excuse me. Where is the next big town from here? I’m wanting to stop over somewhere for the night?”
She whistled thoughtfully, throwing the tea towel over her shoulder casually. “It’s going to be about an hour drive and heading over the border. We’re central in the mountains here, you’re not going to find any major town for a while yet. Sorry, hun.”
I gulped. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with driving another hour in the dark, but I supposed I could manage it. I took a sip of the juice, almost keeling over from immediate sugar overload. “Oh wow.” I gasped, covering my mouth, deplored that I’d said it out loud.
She openly laughed at my misery. “Not what you’re used to huh?”
“It’s different,” I charmed. And definitely not freshly squeezed. “Can I have this in a to-go cup?” I had no intention of drinking it but didn’t want to seem rude. I pulled out my credit card, idly trying to find reception on my cell again as I handed it over to her.
I started swiveling on the chair, hoping the angle I positioned the cell would make a difference as I tried to hit send on my text message.
“Sorry, hun, your card’s declined.”
I looked up at her slowly, dragging myself away from trying to manifest cell reception. “What has? My credit card?”
She swiped it through again in front of me, a big red message appearing. My eyebrows knitted together. “That can’t be right,” I laughed. I flicked through my purse. “Here try this one.”
Again, the same message appeared. “Is this because there’s no reception here?” I asked.
“Sorry, hun, but this worked for Ann and Patrice, just fine.”
Confusion and dread coiled in the pit of my stomach. My parents wouldn’t have... Did my parents cut off my credit cards? “Oh, umm. That’s fine sorry.” I flicked through my purse finding my personal card that I’d almost entirely maxed out until my next pay and handed it to her.
What is happening to me right now? Dread filled me, and I wasn’t sure if I was nervously laughing on the inside or openly, probably looking like a psycho. Oh my gosh. I only had a quarter tank of gas left for the rental car. It couldn’t possibly get me to my friend’s ski resort, I’d have to fuel up somewhere. But if they’ve cut my funds off as consequence for running away… I was completely screwed.
Fuck, suddenly this juice needed vodka or prosecco in it ASAP.
“Yep, that one went all through fine, hun,” the redhead said cheerily. “And here’s your juice to go.”
Go? Go where? How was I going to get anywhere with a quarter tank of fuel. Were my parents purposefully doing this, so I’d have no choice but to call on them? My back straightened. There was no way I was calling them. If I did, I’d only be admitting I depended on their money and would have to fall back into their agreement. A cold sweat ran over me. But hadn’t I been, since I’d been using the credit card all this time?
The doorbell chimed again and an old man missing half his teeth and only a few strands of hair waltzed in with a limp. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me, his hands wringing nervously. “Woah, we don’t get girls like you here in Rosefield.”
“Your wife is sitting here,” one of the ladies harrumphed from the booth.
He gave her a smile and walked over, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You’re still my everything, my beautiful Ann.” There was something oddly sweet in his endearment. “It’s looking bad out there.”
The could-be-secretly-Hercules man walked back out, his width filling the doorframe. He watched me from the corner of his eye and then spoke to the older man. “What is?” The dog sat at his feet, an intimidating glare aimed at the older man. I felt almost bad for him. Together, the duo was terrifying. And yet somehow, this man seemed misplaced in this town. He looked like he should be a part of some mafia or motorcycle club. Oh gosh. What if I was stranded in some dangerous town?
While I spiraled into way too many thoughts, movies, and subplots about how I’d ended up stranded in the deadliest town possible, the man continued talking. “The winds pushed an old tree over the main road heading into the town over, I’m going around and letting the locals know now in case anyone needs to get out any time soon.”
“Wait, in the direction I need to go?” I clarified with the redheaded woman.
She grimaced and nodded. I stared at her. This could not be happening. “Well like there’s back roads and stuff, right?”
The attractive brute, Eric, kicked up a sneering smirk. “In that little car of yours out there, it’s a surprise you made it even this far. You won’t get out on any back road without a truck.”
Despite his reasonable response, I certainly didn’t appreciate his tone or attitude. A tight smile crossed my face and the redhead seemed almost apologetic. What was I going to do? I took a breath and stared at the juice. Great. I had no money. No reception and my only way out had been blocked. How could my luck be that bad?
I held everything in, making sure not to laugh at my circumstances because I was certain I was about to cry. I couldn’t go back to my parents or him. It wasn’t an option. Come on, Cassidy, you’re creative, think of something.
“Are you going to have somewhere to stay?” The redheaded woman worriedly asked. I looked up at her, surprised since I’d been in my own thoughts. A place to stay? I couldn’t even afford a place to stay. I had my car, but what would that do in this snowy cold weather? I’d freeze.
At my lack of response, the locals glanced around at one another. Oh shit, now they were taking pity on me. “Oh yea, I’ll be fine. It’s no problem whatsoever. I’ll just…” I fell short. I’d just what? Chop down the tree in front of my path? Magically make money? Shit, I didn’t get my last pay check for another month.
