Not seeing Jordan in the front of the store, Dillon got a cart and began her shopping expedition. As was her habit, she made selections with frugality in mind. Even though her savings account had grown since paying off her school loans, old habits died hard. Plus, she needed to remember her current unemployed status. And unlike her mother’s lavender project expenses, Dillon would not charge any trailer purchases to Grandpa’s account. That was just wrong.
After gathering various pieces of hardware, some window screen, and items for the bathroom, she discovered the paint department. To her delight, the man working there assured her that he could mix any color she wanted. She explained what she was working on and her relative inexperience with painting.
“Don’t worry, I can help with everything. Just pick your colors.” He waved to a display full of paint sample swatches. Eventually, she found a turquoise blue, an exact match to her grandmother’s ring, which she’d purposely worn. And she was just selecting a nice creamy white color for the walls and ceilings when Jordan came over to say hello.
“Painting?” he asked.
“I am,” she told him.
“How’s the lavender project coming?”
She told him how the drip line was in place and working. “I’m sorry we haven’t returned the unused pieces yet. I’ll bring them on my next trip to town.”
“I’m surprised you have time to paint. I assumed you’d be up to your ears planting lavender right now.”
She was about to explain the teen helpers and that the lavender project was actually her mother’s responsibility when a feminine voice called out her name. Dillon was pleasantly surprised to see her old school friend. “Chelsea Willets!” Dillon declared. “Is that really you?”
“It is.” Chelsea hugged her. “Oh, it’s so good to see you, Dillon. You look fabulous!”
“You too!” Dillon felt dismayed to see Jordan waving goodbye to her as he went to assist a customer. “What are you doing in Silverdale, Chelsea?”
“Good question.” Chelsea laughed. “Blame my sister Kellie. She took a management job at the parks and recreation and begged me to come help her out. To be honest, I was getting disenchanted with big city life. So here I am, back on my home turf again. Have you moved back too?”
“I’m not sure.” She handed the young paint guy her color samples, explaining the uses for each one. She read the name tag on his shirt. “So, Ryan, can you figure out what I need and how much?”
“No problem.” Ryan’s smile was congenial. “But it’ll take a while to get it done. I’ve got a real big order to mix that’s already in the works.”
“Have you had lunch?” Chelsea asked. Dillon admitted she hadn’t, and Chelsea insisted on going to Lucianna’s. “It’s not as swanky as it used to be, but the food is good.”
Dillon smiled. “I haven’t been to Lucianna’s in ages. Not since my grandma took me there on my eighteenth birthday.” She looked at her cart. “Just let me pay for these, and I’ll meet you there.”
Before long, the two old friends were having lunch at what used to be the fanciest restaurant in Silverdale. Dillon couldn’t help but notice it had grown a bit shabby around the edges. Still, it felt nostalgic to be there.
“So what are you doing back in town?” Chelsea asked after their iced tea was served.
“I’m not really sure.” Dillon explained she’d left her job and boyfriend, and that she’d hoped to be of some help with her grandpa. “I’ve been doing some housekeeping, working in my grandma’s garden, helping with an irrigation system, and—”
“Sounds like you’ve been uber-busy.” Chelsea laughed. “But isn’t that the way you always were—no one could ever keep up with your achievements.”
“Or overachievements.”
“But what about a job? Will you be looking for employment?” Chelsea sounded hopeful.
“Well, I don’t know. I haven’t had time to even consider—”
“Because I have a job for you—if you want it.” Now Chelsea explained how her sister had put her in charge of the aquatics program. “Just because I used to be on swim team.” She pointed to Dillon. “Remember those days?”
Dillon smiled. “Yeah, that was a good time.”
“Well, unfortunately the swimming classes have been severely mismanaged. As it is, I’ve barely got the summer program in place and we’re getting a late start, but registration is full, and I plan to start classes next week.”
“That must be fun for you to manage the old pool.”
“Frustrating fun. Anyway, here’s the deal, I’m still short a couple of teachers. And you’d be such a godsend, Dillon. Remember the summers we both taught together? You were so good at it. All the kids loved you.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Yes, but you were a great instructor. And what kid didn’t want to be taught by the star of our high school swim team?”
“Flattery will get you—”
“Please, Dillon. Even if you only agree to one session, it would help me immensely.”
“How’s the pay?” Dillon’s expectations were low.
“Oh, you know, it’s not great. But for you, well, I’ll talk Kellie into top wages.”
Dillon considered the expenses of restoring her little trailer. Perhaps this would be a way to preserve her savings. “Okay,” she agreed. “I’ll do it. But just part-time.”
“Fantastic.” Chelsea reached into an oversized bag. “As fate would have it, I just happen to have a schedule on me.” She grabbed a pen, using it to circle the sessions she really hoped Dillon would teach. “Your first class will be Monday at eight. Your last class will end at one. Does that work for you? Or do you want more hours?”
“That’s perfect. Then I can have afternoons to work on my trailer.”
“Your trailer?”
“Yes. That’s what I was getting paint for.” As they ate, Dillon described her plans to restore her vintage trailer. “I know it’s silly to be so excited about an old trailer. But I just love it. And I want everything in it to be absolutely perfect.”
“Well, then you need to go to see Vivian Porter ASAP.”
“Why?”
“She owns the Silver Slipper.”
“Huh?”
“It’s this sort of funky home décor shop just a couple blocks down. Vivian has a real knack. And listen to this—she loves old trailers too. She has a section in her store dedicated to old trailers. I’ll be honest—I don’t get it. But Vivian is a fanatic.”
Dillon could hardly wait to finish lunch now, and as soon as they were done, after Chelsea insisted on picking up the check, Dillon excused herself and hurried on down to the Silver Slipper. She was barely in the door, but aware she’d come to the right place, when a tall brunette offered assistance. Dillon quickly explained how Chelsea had recommended the shop, and the woman introduced herself as Vivian.
Still slightly breathless, Dillon explained her mission to restore an old trailer. “It’s an Aloha Oasis and it’s a real mess right now, but she’s going to be a beauty.”