“Stephen King says you have to read a lot to be a writer. So let’s put you on some type of plan. Maybe a writing craft book, then a book in your genre or one I loved the writing in. First you need King’s On Writing book and a crazy-plotted book. I know, Oona Out of Order. She goes back and forth in time, so the plotting is amazing. I’ve got a copy of both of them at the store. Then I’ll make you a list of what to read for the next few months.”
Jonathon didn’t answer, and when she looked up, she realized he was staring at her. “What? Have you already read those?”
“No, I’m just amazed that whatever problem gets thrown at you, you always have a book to recommend. Bookselling was always supposed to be your career.” He covered her hand with his. “And now you’re on your right path. Some of us take a little longer to find our perfect line of work.”
“I’m happy to help.” As she finished her coffee, she realized that was true. She was right where she was supposed to be. Maybe not in Sedona, but even that was turning out to be a perfect place to live a life filled with friends and activities. She glanced at the clock. “We better get going, or I’m going to be charged for a haircut I didn’t get.”
She drove to the salon, and Jonathon sat outside in the car. “Are you sure?”
“The women in those places look at me like I’m some sort of puzzle to be figured out. I can see you from the car. If you go back farther, I’ll come inside to wait, but for now, I’m going to give Edith a call. I like to touch base with her before she starts her day.” He held up the phone. “Unless you want me to go inside with you.”
“No, I’ll be fine. It will be refreshing not to have a shadow everywhere I go.” Rarity went into the salon and checked in with the receptionist. It was a different girl than who was here the last time. “Rarity Cole to see Roger Kamp?”
“His Saturday morning clients tend to no-show, so I’m not sure that he’ll be glad to see you. He’s typically taking a nap in the back. I’ll go let him know you’re here.” The girl, Salena, stood.
Well, that was interesting. Maybe Trish didn’t show on that Saturday. Rarity held out her hand. “Hold on a second. What happens when someone no-shows. Do you take the appointment off the schedule?”
Salena shook her head and turned the computer. “No, we just put an X by the name. That way, the next time they call for an appointment, we know they didn’t show for this one. If they get three Xs in a row, they have to get the stylist to agree to see them again.”
“Can I see the schedule for the first Saturday in September?” Rarity hoped Salena wouldn’t say no.
“Sure, I know he had at least one no-show that day. He sends me out for muffins and pays if we get two in a row.” She hit a couple of keystrokes, and there was Trish’s appointment with an X by her name.
“So this one, for example. That’s a no-show?” Rarity asked. Excitement filled her as she waited for a response.
“Yep. But let me tell Roger you’re here so he can get ready.” She reached out and touched Rarity’s hair. “You really need a cut to get rid of those split ends.”
Rarity thought about just taking off as Salena went to the back to get Roger, but maybe he had more to say about Trish. And as she pulled her curls toward her, maybe she did need some self-care time. She turned to look out the window and saw Jonathon watching her. She gave him a thumbs-up gesture, and he nodded.
“He’s coming out. Please take this chair.” Salena stood at a chair near the front.
Rarity headed to where Salena stood and, as she sat down, glanced over at Jonathon. He repeated her thumbs-up gesture, so he must have been able to see her clearly.
Salena put a cape over her and asked, “Do you want some cucumber water?”
“No, I’m good.” Rarity leaned back and tried to relax.
“Probably for the best, I haven’t made any fresh today. I can get you some coffee if you want,” Salena whispered quietly. There was only one other customer in the shop, and they were sitting in the waiting room with a glass of water in their hand.
“No thanks. I’m doing breakfast after this, and I had two cups at home. I’ll be shaking from the caffeine soon.”
“Good morning. I’m glad you decided to come and not waste Roger’s time,” a male voice said, and Rarity met his gaze in the mirror. Roger was talking about himself in the third person. Interesting.
“I’m glad you could fit me in. My life is crazy, so doing this early really helps.” Rarity smiled at him. “I run a bookstore in Sedona.”
“Books are fabulous. I’m thinking of writing a book about my life. Of course, I’ll have to change all the names, but you’d be surprised at what people will tell me.” He ran his fingers through Rarity’s hair. “You still want this in layers? I think it would frame your face better if we shortened it a bit.”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.” She hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake. “I just don’t want something too short or too labor intensive.”
“I will make you look beautiful even if you just got out of bed.” He winked at her and sprayed water on her hair. “So a bookstore, huh? One of my clients just found out her sister worked at a bookstore before she died. Trish was very upset that her sister had chosen retail work.”
“That was Janey. She worked for me. She was so sweet and smart. I’m going to miss her.”
“Well, she wasn’t like her sister, then. Sweet and smart are not words I’d use to describe Trish. Demanding, pushy, mean. Those words are more accurate. Funny how twins can be so different.” He picked up scissors and started cutting Rarity’s hair.
She sent up a prayer that it would look okay and swallowed. “I didn’t know they were twins.”
“Yes. I knew their mother before she passed. The girls had both just started college. Trish went back east for school, but Janey, she stayed nearby. Mrs. Ford was very ill by that time, but she still came in weekly for a style. Janey would bring her to her appointment, but she didn’t get her hair done. She didn’t need to. She was beautiful. But I could have done more.” He chatted about the family and their lives, at least before Mrs. Ford had died. “When Trish moved back after college, she started coming to me as well. She didn’t like to talk about her family much, though. For her, it was all about the charity events.”
Rarity listened as he went on and on about the different events she’d attended, and he’d done her hair to match her designer gowns. Finally, he turned her to the mirror. “So what do you think?”
Rarity reached up to touch her hair. It looked curly, healthy, and bouncy. She loved it. “It’s great.”