Kendall had spent a lifetime as the new girl. She’d entered many a schoolroom or situation knowing no one, set apart from the crowd, and had learned early in life that she’d never be around long enough to let the opinions of others matter. As long as she felt happy and secure, as long as she lived an honest life and could look at herself in the mirror, that’s what counted—more wisdom imparted by Aunt Crystal, and words Kendall took to heart and carried with her always. Wisdom that never failed to buoy her spirits.
Until now. A strange feeling of discomfort enveloped her. Odd for someone used to being the outsider.
“Her hair’s pink.” The statement sounded like a shout in the otherwise silent room.
As half a dozen wide-eyed, curious women continued to stare, Kendall clenched her hands into a fist to prevent herself from lifting a finger to the strands. Her stomach cramped and self-consciousness set in. Another unfamiliar sensation for someone who’d never before cared what others thought of her.
She forced a grin and ran what she hoped was a carefree hand through her hair. “That’s what I came here to have fixed.” Though these people rattled her, she refused to let the insecurity show.
“Everyone go back to your gossiping and quit staring at the girl.” From the back of the shop, an attractive redhead came into view and strode to where Kendall stood. “You ignore these people.” She shook her head in disgust. “I’m Pam. I’m co-owner of this place, and the lady standing next to me with her mouth hanging open is my mother, Luanne.” She jabbed her mother lightly with her elbow. “The other owner, and one who’s usually a lot more polite to her customers.”
“Forgive my poor manners.” Luanne held out her hand and Kendall shook it. “Everyone was talking about Rick’s new lady friend and then I looked up and there you were.” Luanne lifted a hand to her mouth. “I’ll shut up now.”
Pam shook her head. “Good idea, Mom.”
“It’s no problem, really. Besides I’m sure this pink hair attracted the most attention.”
Pam placed her hands on her hips and studied her. “You really don’t know.” She shrugged and leaned closer, whispering as she spoke. “Mom’s serious. It’s not your hair, it’s your status that’s got them talking. Do you have any idea how many of these women tried to land Rick Chandler for just one date and failed?”
“I’d heard rumors . . .”
“Not rumors. Fact. I’m probably the only single woman in this shop right now who hasn’t made a play for the town’s favorite cop. I prefer light-haired men, but most women in this town aren’t so fussy. They just want the gold ring.” Pam waved her hand Kendall’s way. “Not that I think you’re after such a thing. I just met you. I wouldn’t know. But you get my point.”
Kendall nodded, dizzy from Pam’s speech. Used to big-city solitary living, Kendall wasn’t comfortable sharing intimate information with a stranger. But obviously nothing was too personal to discuss when in a small town. “Can I make an appointment for my hair?” Kendall asked, changing the subject.
Pam smiled. “Lucky for you, I’d taken the morning off to run errands and I got back here early. I’ll take care of it for you since—” She leaned closer again. “You don’t want my mom changing you from pink to blue. Mom specializes in the blue-haired set.”
Pam chuckled and Kendall found her light laughter infectious. “I’d appreciate your services.”
“Then come with me.”
Kendall followed Pam to the back room, doing her best to ignore the continuing stares, though she couldn’t help but feel some of the women were actually glaring behind her back.
Pam seated her in a salon chair and wrapped a black cloak around her neck, covering her from head to toe. “Ignore them, honey. This morning’s group of customers isn’t representative of our town as a whole, I promise.” Pam patted her on the shoulder. “Now, you want to go back to blond?”
Kendall nodded. “As close as possible.”
“Okay, we’re going to have to do some serious stripping before adding back some color.” Pam headed for a small closet like area, talking as she worked. “You may still have red tones even when we’re through. Red’s the hardest color to take and the most difficult to get rid of—unless you don’t mind going green.”
Kendall’s eyes opened wide and Pam chuckled. “Just kidding. I only want you to understand what we’re up against. It may take a few tries over a few weeks until the new color sets and takes.”
Kendall doubted she’d be here that long but why get into that conversation with Pam. “Subtle red tones are fine. Anything more natural-looking than what I’ve got now,” Kendall assured her.
“Cut?” Pam poked her head out of the working closet. “I’ve been dying to try that Meg Ryan shag on someone but no one in town’s had the guts.”
Kendall glanced at her shoulder-length hair in the mirror. “I take it you want me to be your guinea pig?”
Pam grinned. “I’ll be your best friend,” she said in a singsong voice.
The chant was reminiscent of the childhood song Kendall had heard others use, but never about her. The happy lyric brought a lump to her throat and a longing for she wasn’t sure what. Kendall inhaled deeply. “Sure. Why not. Make me look like Meg.” She laughed, striving to shake off the unnerving feeling, the sense of loss that accompanied the knowledge that she’d never had a childhood best friend.
Once given permission, Pam squealed with delight. “You’ve got yourself a friend forever.”
That thought not only cheered Kendall but gave her something special she’d never had. “Back at you, Pam.”
For the next fifteen minutes, Pam chatted away while she worked and when she was through, Kendall had dye covering her entire head and a new friend in this town. But despite Pam’s warm demeanor, no one else in the salon attempted a friendly wave or even a hello. Kendall tried to tell herself it didn’t matter, but in her heart she knew it did.
In the four days she’d been in this town she’d come face-to-face with the things she’d never had in life—close friends and family. And for the first time, the loss hurt.
“Another twenty minutes and we’ll rinse you.” Pam set the timer and placed it on the counter. “Relax for a while, okay?”
Kendall did as she suggested and closed her eyes, ignoring the chatter around her, thinking instead of the best way to approach Pam about setting up her designs for display in the shop. Finally, all noises drifted far away and peace descended on her.
“Hi, honey.”
Without warning, a familiar male voice disturbed her rest. The seductive cologne excited her senses. She opened her eyes to find Rick, hands braced on either side of her chair, leaning over her.
“I love the hairdo.” He grinned.
Ignoring the burning flush Kendall felt certain rose to her cheeks, she shrugged. “You know what they say, the things women do in the name of beauty.”
“You are beautiful, even with that slop on your head. Not many women can say that.”
“Please.” She waved away his obvious exaggeration. “If any modeling agency saw me like this, I’d never have gotten my aunt’s bills paid.”