“It’s really long. I was thinking I should get a cut that’s a little more stylish—”
“Don’t,” he interrupted. “At least, don’t cut it, not anytime soon. You’ve made so many changes recently, I don’t want you to do something impulsive and then regret it.”
“You mean, like move to Montana? Agree to marry a stranger?”
He grimaced. “Yeah something like that.”
“Well, I’m having fun so far, and I think it’s a smart move to have me in town. I’m having fun exploring Marietta.”
“Well, we’ll have to get you back up here so you can pick up the car. Or maybe Granddad can follow me down, and then take me back up.”
“Or, I can take you back up and drop you off. Maybe after we have a date night.”
“Speaking of, should I stay over there one night? Our two-hour dates aren’t that satisfying.”
She didn’t answer for a long time. “You could,” she said, hesitantly.
“You’re not ready,” he said bluntly.
“Not quite yet,” she answered apologetically. “But soon, though.”
“Understood.” But he was disappointed. He seemed to need—and want—her far more than she needed and wanted him. But at the same time, he’d been single for years. She’d only recently come out of a serious relationship.
“I’m going to train at the salon this afternoon,” she said, filling the awkward silence, “and then if you don’t mind, I was hoping to work tonight. The salon stays open later on Thursday nights. But if you don’t want me to—”
“No, do that. That’s smart to just jump in. Do you know your hours yet?”
“Tuesday through Saturday right now, ten to six. The salon is closed Sundays and Mondays, although Amanda will come in for certain clients. I guess she does a lot of weddings.”
“Hope you have a good day. Call me when you’re off tonight. I’ll look forward to hearing all about it.”
“You have a good day, too. Say hi to your mom and grandfather for me.”
“Will do.”
*
For Sophie, the day passed so quickly. She couldn’t even believe she’d been at the salon seven hours by the time she helped Amanda close up the shop. It had been a fun day, too, fast-paced and filled with really nice people.
Amanda had shown her how to work the computer and use the salon software to check clients in, and book appointments, and look up individual stylist rates. Sophie took dozens of notes, typing them into her phone, so she’d have a cheat sheet to help her remember passwords, and how to do things, including how to close at night.
“You’re a fast learner, Sophie,” Amanda said to her as they turned out the lights together, and set the security alarm before stepping out the front door. “I’m impressed.”
The wind was cold and grabbing at their coats. Sophie bundled her arms over her chest, trying not to shiver. “I really enjoyed today. It’s fun to work with so many young women. My last job was mostly men, and mostly older men. This is a breath of fresh air.”
“Well, you’re a breath of fresh air. You have such a great attitude,” Amanda said, locking the dead bolt and slipping the keys into her pocket. “What brought you to Marietta?”
Sophie felt a little uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure how to explain it to others, much less her boss of seven hours. “I met someone online and it got serious and so here I am.”
“You moved here for a guy?”
“Yes.”
“He must be pretty special.”
Sophie grinned. “I think so.”
Amanda’s winged brows arched higher. “So it’s serious?”
“Yes.”
“How serious?”
Sophie hated not being totally truthful, but how could she tell the truth? She and Joe had agreed to keep their secret until the time was right to share with others. “We’re getting married… soon.”
Amanda’s eyes widened. “How long have you known each other?”
“A couple months.”
“And you’re really getting married?”
“It’s the plan.”
“But you just met him.” Amanda’s brow creased. “Why get married so soon? There’s no need to rush—” She broke off, expression concerned. “You don’t need to get married? You’re not pregnant are you?”
“No. Not pregnant. Haven’t even had sex.” Sophie blushed. “We’re taking the… physical… stuff slow.”
“He’s either a saint, or he’s not into women,” Amanda said as they headed to the curb.
Sophie’s cheeks felt so hot they had to be bright pink. “We just want to make sure we’re in this for the right reasons.”
“So, who is this amazing guy?”
“I don’t know if you’d known him. He’s not really social.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a rancher. His property overlooks Pray in Paradise Valley.”
Amanda froze on the sidewalk. “Are you talking about one of the Wyatts?”
“Yes. Joe.” Sophie’s heart did a painful little jump. “Do you know him?”
Amanda hesitated, a strange expression on her face. “Very well. He used to date my sister, Charity. They were together a long time.”
Sophie blinked, caught off guard. “Did she read romances?”
“Why?”
“Joe said his last girlfriend got along really well with his mom. They’d pass books back and forth and watch American Idol—”
“That’s Charity.”
Sophie felt like she’d swallowed broken glass. Her stomach hurt. Her heart hurt. “Mrs. Wyatt really liked her.”
“Joe and Charity were together a long time. My sister loved him. He was her first love, and it took her a long time to get over him. Fortunately, she’s found her right person and is happily married, but there was a period there we weren’t sure she would be able to move on.”
Sophie was still trying to take it all in. “Why did they break up?”
“I think the ranch was a big issue for her. She struggled with the idea of being so far away from town and me. We’ve always been really close and she couldn’t imagine not being able to see me often, because in winter, you can’t get into town all the time, not from their property.”
“It’s only a thirty-minute drive.”
“In good weather. Bad weather… blizzards…” Amanda’s voice trailed off, and she was silent a moment before adding, “But Joe adored her. He treated her like a queen. He would have done anything for her… anything but give up the ranch. It’s his legacy.”
“The ranch has been in his family a long time,” Sophie said.
“Seventy, eighty years. Something like that.”
“Joe took it hard when they broke up?”
“Very hard, but Charity struggled, too. For years, Charity compared every guy she dated to Joe, and none were good enough. But then she met Quinn and she could finally get over Joe Wyatt.”
Sophie pictured her Joe—tall, broad shouldered, handsome, with those cool blue eyes—and she wondered if he’d smiled more when he was younger. Had he smiled more when he’d been with Charity? Or had he always been serious? “What’s Charity like?” Sophie asked, suddenly feeling insecure.