Sweet-Talking Cowboy
Page 8
“Here we go.” Eva returned with a small bowl and sheets of foil. She set them on a moveable tray and pulled on gloves. “I should have known you’d want color when I saw those sneakers. And your socks. Gotta love a woman who wears a different color on each foot.”
“Who has time to match socks, anyway?”
“Exactly.” Eva sectioned off Lucy’s hair, dipped a brush in the bowl and stroked on the creamy concoction that would produce the color. “What brings you to Apple Grove?”
She could deflect the question with a vague answer, but why? “I booked the Buckskin for my honeymoon. When the groom turned out to be a jerk, I cancelled the wedding and came on the honeymoon by myself.”
“Good for you!” She glanced at Lucy’s feet. “Are those the shoes you wore with your wedding dress?”
“They are. I don’t want the dress anymore, but I’m keeping the shoes.”
“You should, girlfriend. They’re stylin’.”
“I like ’em, too. They helped me make a quick getaway. Heels would have slowed me down.”
“You ran out on the ceremony?”
“I did.”
“Awesome! Did you hear that Josette?”
“I sure did. Lucy, you just won yourself a discount on your cut and color. That takes cojones.”
“And adrenaline,” Lucy said. “I didn’t stop to think about it. I just reacted.”
“Sounds like you had good reason.” Foil crinkled as Eva folded it over a lock of hair.
“Oh, yeah. I dodged a bullet, for sure.”
“I’ll bet you had to leave without makeup.”
“I did. I forgot to look around when I came in. Do you have—”
“We carry an excellent line. Be sure and pick up a few things before you leave.”
“Thanks, I will.” She glanced over at Matt right as Josette wrapped a towel around his head and ratcheted up his chair.
He grinned at Lucy’s reflection in the mirror. “Interesting look you have going on there.”
Whoops. When she’d decided to add color, she hadn’t factored in Matt catching her wearing enough foil to receive transmissions from outer space. She’d just have to brave it out. “You’ve never seen anyone get highlights?”
“In my world, highlights are what you see on ESPN.”
“These are different.”
“I can see that.”
She’d been so proud of coaxing him in here. She’d enjoyed admiring his manly self in contrast to the backdrop of this womanly venue.
But since she’d be sitting around with foil in her hair for at least thirty minutes, she wanted him finished and out the door. “Getting color in my hair will make my appointment longer than yours. I don’t want to make you wait for me. Is there a ride-sharing service I could use to get home?”
Josette laughed. “There’s Albert, assuming his cab isn’t in the shop, which it usually is.” She tossed the towel in a laundry bin, picked up a comb and ran it through Matt’s damp hair.
“And he takes weekends off,” Matt said. “No problem, Lucy. I told Henri we might be gone a while. Don’t you want to pick up some clothes while you’re in town?”
“Yes, but I hate for you to be sitting around doing nothing.”
“I won’t be doing nothing.” He seemed to be enjoying himself. “I’ll be watching you get highlights.”
“Oh, I’m sure that will be fascinating.” Her cheeks warmed. Not long ago he’d been the one ill at ease. The situation had neatly reversed itself.
“I always wondered how women ended up with streaks of color in their hair.” He met her gaze in the mirror. “I’ll be the only guy in the bunkhouse who knows the secret.” He reached under his cape and pulled out his phone. “I should take a—”
“Don’t you dare, Matt Ramsey.” He was teasing her. They used to tease and joke all the time. Was this the way to play things?
He tucked the phone away. “Too bad I’m such a gentleman. It would make awesome blackmail material.” He settled back in the chair as Josette picked up her scissors and began to work.
Eva used one more piece of foil. “That does it. You just need to process.” She picked up both bowls of color. Want me to bring you a magazine?”
“Sure. Thanks.” If she held it up, she could shield herself from view. Except then she couldn’t watch Josette cutting Matt’s hair. She took the magazine Eva brought her and pretended to read it while peeking around the edges to check on him.
This had been a very good idea, apart from her going off the rails and opting for highlights. Josette deftly shaped Matt’s hair so it no longer touched his collar. Instead it curled seductively at his nape. She trimmed around his ears without creating a stark outline of scalp. She allowed him enough length in the front that a sexy lock of hair fell over his forehead.
He chatted with her in low tones while she wielded her scissors. He smiled at something she said. Matt at ease was a beautiful sight.
Eva had just returned from the back room when Josette spun Matt’s chair so he was facing them. “Behold, Henri’s number one wrangler. Does he look amazing or what?”
Lucy’s quick intake of breath had likely been a giveaway, but she quickly schooled her response. “I like it.” But he was the one who had to be happy with the cut. “What do you think, Matt?”
His smile was sweet, almost shy. “It’ll take some getting used to. I’ve never had it like this.”
“But do you like it?”
“Yes, ma’am, I like it fine. I’ll catch hell from the guys, but that’s okay. I’m guessing they’ll be jealous more than anything.” He glanced up at Josette. “This is a fine haircut, ma’am. I’m glad Lucy dragged me in here. I wouldn’t have done it on my own.”
Warmth coursed through her. He’d never been more appealing. And less like a buddy.
“I’m glad you like it.” Josette whipped off the cape and brushed any remaining hair from his shoulders.
“I do. Very much.” He stood and reached in his back pocket for his wallet.
She couldn’t stop looking at that haircut. He’d been gorgeous before, but now… whew. Ignoring him had been difficult before he’d let Josette work her magic. Now it would be impossible.
Chapter Thirteen
As Matt finished paying for his haircut, Candace Aronson came through the door.
She stared at him in shock. “I must be seeing things.”
“Hi, Candace.” He’d dated her for a couple of weeks but it hadn’t worked out.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say Josette cut and styled your hair.”
“She did.”
“It looks fabulous.” She gave him a once-over. “Got plans for tonight?”
“I do, in fact.”
“Going to the Moose with the guys?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then maybe I’ll see you there.” She turned to Josette. “Ready for me?”
“Sure am. Have a seat in my chair and I’ll be right with you.”
Matt glanced at Josette. “Where can I park myself until Lucy’s finished?”
Candace looked over at the other chair where Lucy was having her hair washed. With her slight build, sequined sneakers and mismatched socks, she could have been a teenager. “You babysitting today?”
Irritated, he opened his mouth to contradict that notion.
“Never mind. None of my business.” She flounced over to the chair he’d just vacated, her high-heeled boots tapping out a quick rhythm on the tile.
He couldn’t say why the sound of her footsteps in those boots irritated him. Josette and Eva wore similar ones that clicked on the tile and he was fine with it. But Candace—okay, he knew the problem. She minced. He preferred a woman capable of running out of a church full of people, skirts gathered up and sequined sneakers pounding the pavement.
Josette gestured toward a chair. “How about taking that and setting it in the corner at the back of the salon?”
“Good idea.” He picked up the chair, carried i
t to the spot she’d indicated and settled in.
Lucy was just rising from the shampoo bowl, her hair swaddled in a towel. She blinked moisture from her eyes as she looked up at Eva. “You must heat the towels.”
“We do. At least in the winter months. Our clients love that.”
Matt chose to alert Lucy to his whereabouts so she wouldn’t be startled when she eventually noticed him. “I sure did.”
She gave a quick glance in his direction. “There you are. Listen, if you have something else to do in town while I’m—”
“I’d rather stay here. Unless you mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” She smiled. “I just love your haircut.”
“Yeah, me, too. Thanks again. I didn’t know what I was missing.”
“Will you keep coming here?”
“I just might.” Except it wouldn’t be the same. Lucy wouldn’t be here.
“That’s good.”
Eva turned Lucy to face the mirror and combed out her damp hair. Lucy with wet hair was nothing new. Sometimes on his afternoon off, he’d ridden down to the lake with her for a swim. Innocent fun. Or so he’d convinced himself.
“Would chin length work for you?” Eva asked. “Maybe taper to a little shorter in the back?”
“Sure, why not?”
He leaned back in his chair. Lucy-watching had been his favorite pastime years ago. That hadn’t changed, either.
Eva picked up her scissors and set to work. “How long are you in town?”
“A week.”
“Nice. You should cut loose at the Choosy Moose tonight, show off your new look. The band’s hot.”
“That sounds fun, but I don’t have wheels.”
“Yes, you do,” Matt said.
“Look at that.” Eva gestured toward Matt. “You have a ride to the Moose.”
Eyebrows raised, Lucy met his gaze in the mirror. “You were planning to come to town tonight?”
“A few of us, most of the guys, Millie and Kate. We were planning to invite you.” Instead of the dread he’d felt previously at the thought of dancing with her, the evening had taken on a new sparkle. He’d never been to the Moose with her.
“I’d like that very much. But now I absolutely have to pick up some clothes.”
“No worries. We can grab some lunch at Gertie’s Fountain and then hit the Denim Junction.”
“Perfect. As I recall, they have some cute stuff at the Junction.”
It would be cute on her, that was for sure. “Millie and Kate like it.”
Since this was his first time in a ladies’ hair salon, he’d never watched the transformation that could take place there. He’d watched a woman blow-dry her hair before, but this was a whole other level.
Eva’s cleverness with scissors changed the shape of Lucy’s hair. The back was almost as short as his. Along each side, the length gradually increased, swinging forward against her cheeks.
When Eva put down her scissors and picked up the blow dryer, the rich new color she’d added appeared. It grew more luxurious with each sweep of her brush until Lucy’s hair almost seemed to glow.
He longed to get his hands in it and find out if it felt as good as it looked. But moves like that weren’t in his future. At least after their discussion in the truck, Lucy knew where he was coming from.
Maybe, just maybe, they could return to the platonic friendship they’d enjoyed in the early days. Except it had never been platonic. He could be kidding himself about navigating this week without getting caught in the rapids. Especially when Eva finished, took off the cape and presented Lucy in all her glory.
He was dazzled and it probably showed. “Looking good, Luce.”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed with pleasure. “I appreciate you waiting for me. I’ll pay for this and we can leave.”
He nodded and followed her to the front of the salon. Gertie’s was only a few doors down, so he left the truck where it was. Carried his Stetson, too, instead of putting it on. After all Josette’s effort, it’d be a shame to end up with hat hair.
“Why aren’t you wearing your hat?” Lucy’s full lips tilted in a smile.
“Because this salon appointment has made me vain. I don’t—well, damn.” He crammed his hat on his head.
“What’s the matter?”
“That’s Jake’s truck in front of Gertie’s.”
“So what? I thought you wanted to show off your—”
“To other people. Not Jake. Not yet, anyway.” He turned up his coat collar and tugged his Stetson’s brim down another notch. “He’s never seen me with a haircut like this.”
“From what I’ve heard, nobody’s ever seen you with a haircut like this. He’ll have to see it sometime.”
“I was thinking tonight, after I’m used to it. And we’ve all had some beers.”
“I’m thinking now, unless you want to forget having lunch at Gertie’s.”
“I don’t. My mouth’s all set for one of their club sandwiches. Can you see my hair?”
“Of course I can see your hair.”
“Probably not that well, though, right? Let’s go in. He probably won’t notice if I keep my hat on.”
“Do you normally?”
“Not unless I get something to go. But that would be weird. We’re not leaving the square. Ah, what the heck. He won’t notice.” He held the glass door for her and followed her into Gertie’s. Bypassing the tables, he gave Jake and Rafe a wave as he ushered Lucy to the counter in the back.
They both nodded and continued their conversation.
The lunch hour had come and gone, so nobody stood in the ordering line except them.
“Hey, Matt!” A noticeably pregnant young woman stood behind the counter.
“Hi, Gertie. How’s little Gertie doing?”
“Just fine.” She laid a hand on her stomach. “Won’t be long, now.” She glanced at Lucy. “Love your hair.”
“Thanks, but wait, you’re Gertie? I thought—”
“It’s my professional name. Like Cher. Except there’s only one of her and there are three of us alive, one about to be born and one who’s passed, my great-grandmother who started the business.”
“I’m so confused.”
“Only my great-grandma had Gertie on her birth certificate, but my grandma thought it would be good marketing to use Gertie when she started working here. My mom did the same, and now I’m following tradition. All our name tags say Gertie.”
“It’s gone on so long that I’ve forgotten your real name,” Matt said.
“Sarah. But in here, please call me Gertie. That’s our unique twist and we’re proud of it.”
“It’s unusual, all right,” Lucy said. “I’ve been coming to this place since I was a kid, but I never noticed that everyone’s Gertie.”
“Sometimes it takes people a while to catch on. I—hey, wait a minute. You’re Lucy Patterson, the artist!”
“I’m Lucy, but I’m afraid I don’t—”
“I was fifteen the last time you were here. I looked way different and wasn’t wearing the Gertie nametag yet. That’s my mom prepping the condiments. Mom, Lucy Patterson is here.”
“No kidding?” Her mother glanced up. “Welcome back, Lucy. I framed that picture you drew of my daughter’s kitten. We put it in the baby’s room.”
“Now I remember. I was in here doing some sketching and you asked if I’d do one of your kitten from a picture on your phone.”
“Yes, ma’am. You signed it, too. That’s why I remember your name. I love that drawing of Scamp.” She glanced past them as the bell jangled on the front door. “More customers. Guess we’d better tend to business. What can I get you guys?” She quickly took their order and gave them a number.
Matt followed Lucy to Jake and Rafe’s table and pulled out a chair for her. “Hey, doesn’t Lucy’s hair look terrific?”
“Sure does.” Jake grinned. “Yours, too, hotshot.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I talked him into going there,” Lucy said.
Jake nodded. “So I heard.” He gestured in Matt’s direction, laughter in his gaze. “Let’s see it. For all we know, you asked Josette to put purple streaks in yours.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” He took off his hat. “There you go. Happy, now?”
“I’m plum disappointed,” Rafe said. “I was hoping for purple streaks, blue streaks, or red ones like Lucy’s. Next to her hairdo, yours is flat-out boring.”
Matt smiled. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Guess it’s a good thing I got highlights, huh?” Lucy glanced over at Matt as they left Gertie’s bound for Denim Junction. “Took the heat off you.”
“Yes, you did, and for that I’m grateful.”
“I think they liked your haircut. I’ll bet they’ll consider going to Tres Beau next time.”
“I’ll bet they won’t.”
“Just wait ’till we go to the Moose tonight and all the women are asking you to dance because of your stylin’ hair.” A buddy would say something like that, and she was his buddy, right?
His cheeks turned a cute shade of pink. “That won’t happen.”
“I’ve got five bucks that says it will. That cut ramps up your hotness factor.”
“Lucy, stop.”
“Well, it does. I heard a little bit of the conversation with the redhead who came in after you were done. She’ll be lying in wait.”
“And I’ll be on my guard. I don’t want to attract Candace’s attention.”
“That’s good, because she’s not your type.”
“What do you know about my type?”