“Thanks. That means a lot coming from you. I mean, because you’re an expert,” Dillon said. “Mind if I go look at your trailer now?”
“Of course not. That’s what this is all about. And no one needs to stick with their trailer. Everyone in our group is trustworthy.” She popped the chocolate into her mouth, then headed for Jordan’s trailer.
Dillon was eager to see Vivian’s trailer. With the way it was parked, she still hadn’t seen the exterior set up. But as soon as she stepped into Vivian’s camp spot, she could see it was perfection. Like something right out of one of the vintage trailer books—only better. White wicker furnishings were stylishly arranged with soft pink cushions. And a small white table with two pink canvas chairs was completely set for what looked like a rather formal dinner. Complete with a lacy tablecloth, pink roses, candles, china, and crystal. A little over the top for Dillon’s taste, but admittedly pretty.
Inside the trailer was similar to the outside, but even more elegant. A small crystal chandelier hung over the dinette table, which was set similar to the one outside. The walls were covered in embossed wallpaper that had a pale-pink-and-white treatment. The window coverings were white lace, and the countertops were white marble—the real thing. The floors were hardwood, with a couple of expensive-looking Persian rugs. This was definitely not a space to bring children or pets.
The bedding was layered and beautiful. And the small gilt framed paintings on the wall looked like originals. The bathroom had more marble and the tiny shower had a lace shower curtain. Everything looked fresh and clean and shining and expensive. Scented candles in cut-crystal containers were artfully placed, along with a couple small vases of pale pink roses. It was stunningly beautiful. But overwhelming.
“Wow,” Dillon said as she exited the trailer to discover an older couple preparing to go inside.
“How was it?” the woman asked.
“Wow,” Dillon said again.
The woman rolled her eyes. “That’s what I figured.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Lynette Miller and this is Jim.”
Dillon introduced herself as she shook their hands. “I’m new. My trailer’s over there. Nothing like this.”
“No one’s is ever anything like Vivian’s.” Jim just shook his head.
“She keeps raising the bar,” Lynette said.
“That doesn’t mean you have to keep hopping over it,” her husband told her.
Lynette laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not even trying.” She pointed down the road. “We’re the lime-green job in space #29.” Then they went inside Vivian’s trailer. As Dillon walked away she could hear them saying it was “just too much.” And Dillon agreed.
As she visited the other trailers, she felt a real sense of relief. No one’s trailer compared with Vivian’s. And that was refreshing. Some were bare bones but handsome. Some were shabby-chic and clever. Some were completely vintage, with everything restored to its original appearance. But all were unique and interesting. And Dillon felt like her trailer fit in just fine. Maybe not with Vivian’s showpiece, but she was in good company with the rest of them—and that felt great!
CHAPTER
31
Dillon had made several new friends by the time she was helping to set up the potluck in the covered communal area. Everyone was still chatting about the trailer tour, and not surprisingly, Vivian’s trailer—or the palace, as several women were now calling it—was the hottest topic. Fortunately Vivian wasn’t around to overhear them.
“Who’s she trying to impress anyway?” A no-nonsense woman named Dee stuck a spoon into a big bowl of pasta salad. Her trailer was the smallest. A cute, well-equipped blue teardrop with just enough room for Dee and her terrier, Scotty.
“I thought Viv outdid herself last year,” Lynette said. “Boy, was I wrong.”
“China and crystal,” another woman said. “How on earth did she pack all that—and why?”
“And that wicker outdoor furniture,” Dee added. “She couldn’t have gotten all that into her station wagon.”
“I’ll bet she hired someone to bring it up here for her,” someone said. “I heard she was the first one here. She probably needed several hours just to set everything up.”
“Maybe Jordan brought it up for her,” Dee suggested. “They’ve always been on good terms.”
“Which makes no sense if you ask me. Jordan is down-to-earth and Vivian . . . well, not so much.”
Dillon looked up from where she was slicing onions to see that Vivian was approaching. She quickly called out a greeting to her—partly to warn the other women, and partly because she didn’t want Vivian to hear their comments. Not that the women were being mean exactly, but they were certainly being candid.
“This all looks good,” Vivian announced as she set a big green salad and bag of chips on the table.
“And those burgers sure smell good.” Dee nodded over to the barbecue area where the men were congregated. “I’m starved.”
“Don’t forget to vote,” Vivian said in a cheerful tone. “Jordan plans to count right after dinner, and we don’t want anyone to miss out.”
The discussion returned to the trailer tour observations, only without any derogatory mention of “the palace.”
“I loved that Desert Rose,” a woman Dillon hadn’t met declared. “Very fresh and fun. Whose is it, anyway?”
“It’s Dillon’s,” Lynette told her, pointing to Dillon. “Our newest member. Dillon, this is Kate Green.”
Dillon waved her knife. “Nice to meet you.”
“Well, your trailer is really sweet,” Kate told her. “Nicely done.”
“Thanks.” Dillon turned to the sound of shrill little-girl voices. “Emma and Chloe,” she exclaimed. “You’re here!”
They both hugged her. “Mama said to ask which one is your trailer.”
Dillon laid down her knife next to the generous pile of onion slices. “Why don’t I show you?” She rinsed her hands in the big cement sink, then took the girls down to her trailer. “I’m right next to your uncle. My trailer is called Desert Rose.” She pointed to it.
“It’s beautiful,” Emma declared.
“Can we go inside?” Chloe asked.
“Sure. I’ll go check on your mom.” Dillon found Janelle with their bags out in front of Jordan’s trailer. They greeted each other and Janelle complimented Dillon on Jordan’s new décor.
“He told me you fixed it up, but I had no idea it would be so cool.”
“He wanted it to be nice for you and the girls.” Dillon explained the girls were in her trailer now. “Have you decided who’s sleeping where?”
“I told the girls they could choose since it was their idea to come camping.” She nodded to Jordan’s trailer. “They already saw this and said they want to stay here, so it looks like I’ll be bunking with you—if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
“Good. I think it’ll be better than being with my brother. He snores.”