Taryn took a sip of her soda and refused to speculate on the obvious. Because it didn’t matter if there was someone for her. She wasn’t interested.
“It’s fun that she’s trying so hard to be conventional,” she said instead. “I don’t know a lot about her past, but I’m guessing this is the first time she’s tried to be like everyone else.”
“You’re right,” Isabel told her. “I swear, Ford is terrified of her.”
“Angel won’t admit to fear,” Taryn said with a grin, “but he gives her a wide berth. Which only makes me like her more. Yet it all comes down to pleasing Kent and wanting to fit in. I know guys will change when they get in a relationship, but it seems that women change more. Or are willing to. Maybe I’m generalizing.”
“I don’t think so.” Isabel leaned toward her. “As a gender, we want to bond. The connection is important. Even for a woman like Consuelo. I don’t know everything about her past, but I get the impression that she’s always wanted to go her own way.”
“Or maybe she’s just had to,” Taryn murmured, thinking people were often defined by what they’d been through.
She rose and walked over to the single rack of clothes Isabel had brought in. They were for her to try on. All beautiful, she thought, fingering the fabric. Custom-made by up-and-coming designers. They would go for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand.
Once the store was open, Isabel would carry a range of prices. While she would never be competing with a discount store, not every garment would be expensive. They were hoping to cash in on the tourists spending time and money in town. Her business plan also included selling to residents.
Still, could someone like Bailey afford to shop here?
“Fool’s Gold needs a consignment store,” she said absently.
Behind her, Isabel made a choking sound.
“Wh-what? Are you trying to put me out of business before I even get opened?”
Taryn glanced at Isabel and saw she was staring wide-eyed.
Taryn immediately held up both hands. “Sorry. I’m not trying to frighten you. I was just thinking there are people who can’t afford a thousand-dollar handbag.”
“So they don’t need to buy one. A consignment store? Tell me you’re not going to invest in one.”
“I’m not.” Taryn returned to the desk. “Seriously, it’s okay. I was just thinking...” She sighed. “There’s this woman I met. She’s a single mom and she’s about to enter the job market and from what I can tell she doesn’t really have an interview suit. I’m not sure she can afford it. I don’t know why that bugs me, but it does. And it’s not like I can give her one. She’s not going to take it. So I was thinking a consignment store would be the answer.”
Isabel’s breathing returned to normal. “Why didn’t you say so? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Which was not my goal for many reasons.” She thought about Bailey. “I don’t know what to do. I went to Mayor Marsha and she basically blew me off. She said she was sure I’d figure out a solution.”
“Our mayor Marsha?”
Taryn nodded. “Shocking, right? That’s what I thought, too. Doesn’t she have a reputation for meddling? Which means I don’t know how to help. Like I said, I can’t really go up to her and hand her a suit. It’s weird and she might be insulted.”
Isabel picked up her soda. “So let’s have an exchange party.”
“A what?”
“A clothing exchange. We can hold it here. We invite a bunch of women to bring in clothes they no longer want and we exchange them with each other. We can ask for a small donation for a local charity if you want to make it seem like there’s a cause involved. So your friend doesn’t get suspicious.”
“It’s Bailey Voss. Do you know her?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“She’s great. If we wore the same size, I would give her one of my suits.”
Isabel eyed her. “Is anyone your size? Aside from supermodels?”
“Very funny. I like your idea of an exchange party. I could buy a couple of suits and pretend they’re part of the exchange. How do I find out her size?”
“I’ll take care of that,” Isabel said, writing down the name. “After working in this place, I can judge a size at fifty yards.” She looked back at Taryn. “Don’t buy anything too fancy. She won’t be comfortable in it.”
Taryn nodded. “Should I let you take care of the suit purchasing?”
“No offense, but yes. I’ll also have one of my tailors at the party to do instant alterations.”
“I’ll cover that cost,” Taryn told her. She remembered Bailey’s scuffed flats. “Let’s do shoes and handbags. Why don’t we say everyone has to put five dollars in the pot for every item they take? Can you judge shoe sizes?”
“Not as well,” Isabel admitted. “How tall is she?”
“About five-seven.”
“So nothing below a seven, most likely.” Isabel grinned. “You have big feet. Bring some of your old shoes.”
Taryn glared at her. “I do not have big feet. I’m tall. My feet are appropriately sized.”