Viva Vermont! Read Free

really in need of some exfoliating.”
    Casey rolled her eyes, and Rhiannon handed DJ her cane.
    â€œWe’re off to see the wizard,” sang Taylor as they trekked down the stairs with DJ slowly bringing up the end of the line, “the wonderful wizard of odds.”
    Grandmother and the other girls had already left, and since they were running late, DJ opted to let Taylor drive.
    â€œThat’s probably just as well,” said Rhiannon as she and Casey got into the backseat. “Since you’re obviously impaired.”
    â€œAre you on pain meds?” asked Casey.
    DJ closed her eyes and leaned her head back, wishing that they would all be quiet so she could sleep. “Yeah … I was in pain, okay?”
    â€œI’m just jealous,” muttered Casey. “I could use a little something for this fashion show myself.”
    â€œCasey!” snapped Taylor.
    â€œKidding,” said Casey. “Well, sort of.”
    â€œHow’s your rehab counseling going?” asked Rhiannon.
    â€œI’m doing the program, okay?” said Casey in a grumpy tone.
    â€œAnd DJ is doing the drugs,” teased Taylor.
    â€œAre you going to be okay on the runway, DJ?” asked Rhiannon. “You’re not going to pass out or anything, are you?”
    â€œI’ll be fine,” said DJ, without opening her eyes. Sure, she was a little groggy, but at least her leg didn’t hurt. “The sooner we get this over with, the happier I’ll be.”
    â€œWhile you were snoozing, your grandmother gave us a copy of the lineup,” said Rhiannon. “Eliza leads off the big show, and you follow.”
    DJ brightened some. “And then I’ll be done. That’s nice. Maybe I can sneak back to the car to sleep.”
    â€œThat’s so unfair,” complained Casey. “At least you should have to stay and watch. I mean, the rest of us have to do the runway at least twice.”
    â€œI’m doing three,” said Taylor, a trace of pride creeping into her voice.
    â€œYou really do like this, don’t you?” Casey accused her.
    â€œSure, I like it. You know me. I love being admired.” Taylor laughed that big husky laugh of hers. And DJ knew that she was simply stating a fact. Taylor did love being the center of attention—she went out of her way for the limelight. Well, vive la différence!
    Casey groaned. “You make me sick.”
    â€œWhatever.”
    Soon they were there. The “models” were all cloistered in this stuffy room that had apparently been set up for brides, since Keller Tavern was a favorite wedding location. A couple of women from the Chic Boutique were supervising the clothes. And as far as DJ could tell, everyone was getting along and getting dressed. Of course, a simple thing like “getting dressed” wasn’t a great challenge to most people. But for DJ—with a walking-boot cast and cane to maneuver about, combined with no place to sit—it was starting to feel like an Olympic event. She’d managed to get her hoodie jacket off, but was having a problem with her sweatpants. She was looking around for an inconspicuous exit when Rhiannon joined her.
    â€œLooks like you need a hand,” she said as she steadied DJ from toppling into the clothes rack.
    â€œI was thinking more like I needed an escape route,” admitted DJ.
    â€œOh, look,” said Rhiannon as she removed some items that were bundled together on the rack. She pointed to the tag that said Desiree Lane . “Here’s your outfit, DJ. Nice.”
    â€œThanks a lot,” said DJ. “The challenge of locating the clothes wasn’t hard, it was figuring out how to get dressed without breaking my other leg.” Just then a girl trying to pull up a pair of boots bumped DJ from behind, causing her to grab onto Rhiannon to keep from falling. “See what I mean.”
    â€œLet me help,” offered Rhiannon as she