you think Cole or the rest of your family would want you to sacrifice your future for the sake of the ranch, or for them?”
Boy, was this turning out to be a shitty birthday. Rachel rubbed her eyes. “I know it’s hard for you to understand, Jamie.”
“Because I don’t have siblings? Or because my parents were more concerned with serving their country than raising me?”
Rachel gasped. “I didn’t mean it like that.” What was wrong with her? She knew Jamie’s background and of course she would jump to that conclusion. “I swear I didn’t—”
“Relax. Even if that’s what you were getting at, you’d have a point.” She waved dismissively. “It’s just that I’m pretty sure your family never thought you went to college so you could open a dude ranch.”
Rachel smiled. “I promise you my brothers haven’t given it that much thought.”
“Hmm, yeah…okay.” Jamie let out a short laugh. “I’ll give you that one. But your mom?”
Rachel slumped against the back of the couch. “I’ve spent a few sleepless nights worrying about that. Tiring as it is, she loves having guests to look after and chat with, and she’s probably hoping this will be enough for me to stay.” She sighed. “I’m really glad you’re here, and when Shea makes the move it’ll be even better, but I need new scenery. I need a challenge.”
The expression on Jamie’s face made Rachel feel worse, and a little defensive again. Clearly she also wanted Rachel to stay. But Jamie couldn’t fully understand. Her situation was different. She was a travel blogger. Sure she’d moved her home base here but she’d be on the road to faraway exotic locales half the time. Besides, living on a ranch was still novel for her. Just as it would be for Jesse’s girlfriend, Shea, once she arrived. For Rachel it was same old, same old…. Even so, it would be a hell of a long time before leaving was possible.
Jamie’s thoughtful gaze moved to the laptop. Then back to Rachel. “Wanna go to Tahiti?”
Rachel laughed. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“You should share travel duties with me,” she said, “while I fill in here for you. It would give me a break. You, too.”
“That’s crazy.” Rachel wouldn’t admit it, but the idea sent her pulse skittering.
“I’m serious. Think about it, and we’ll talk more later. Tonight your mom has a special dinner planned, with cake afterward. You know all about it….” she said, and Rachel nodded. “But today it’s you and me, kiddo. We’re hitting town, going to The Cut and Curl.”
Laughing, Rachel wondered if Jamie had ever set foot in Blackfoot Falls’s only beauty parlor. Not hair salon, that would be overreaching.
“Wait.” Jamie held up a hand. “We’re going to have the works—manicure, pedicure, coiffing…and streaks. How about purple this year?”
“You’re crazy,” Rachel said, shaking her head. “Have you ever been to The Cut and Curl?”
“No.” She grinned. “And this is the best part—after, we’ll go to the Watering Hole for shots and beer. Who knows? There may be someone new in town and you’ll get laid.”
“Keep it down,” Rachel said, when Jamie’s voice rose with her enthusiasm.
Jamie clamped a hand over her mouth, and giggling like schoolgirls, they both swung glances toward the door.
“Come on,” Jamie said, gesturing excitedly. “Get up. Get ready while I help your mom and Hilda with breakfast.”
It was seven-thirty. Marge’s Diner and the hardware store were the only things open in Blackfoot Falls. But Rachel didn’t care. She was feeling much better. She grabbed her laptop and ran upstairs. Maybe today would end up being special after all.
“DEAR GOD, I HOPE THOSE things aren’t alive.” Jamie stood with her hand on the doorknob, staring at the trio of wigs on foam mannequin heads in The Cut and Curl window display.
Rachel bumped her from behind to get her moving. “Keep it up and you’ll be the topic of conversation at every dinner table tonight.”
“Please.” Jamie snorted. “That was so last week when I arrived with the moving truck.”
“Do not underestimate these women,” Rachel whispered, and pushed harder.
Jamie was forced to either open the door or smash her nose against the glass. Still it didn’t stop her from glancing over her shoulder and murmuring, “You know they’re all dissecting me five ways to Sunday, worried I’m not good enough for Cole.”
She wouldn’t argue that one. People around here were proprietary about their hometown boys as a rule, but the McAllister brothers, Cole in particular, were the cream that rose to the top.
They both stepped inside, a slight whiff of perm solution making Rachel consider turning around. Naturally, Sally, the owner, and her cousin Roxy—the only other beautician in the shop—had already spotted them outside. So had the two customers sitting under the dryers, one of them being Ruth Wilson, a popular teacher now retired. Rachel almost didn’t recognize Mrs. Perkins until she poked her head out from under the noisy plastic bubble.
“Happy birthday, Rachel,” she said. “I ran into your mama at the Food Mart buying ingredients for your cake yesterday.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Perkins.” No such thing as a surprise party in Blackfoot Falls. If anyone ever pulled off such a feat, it would be one for the record books.
Looking pleased that she’d been the first to acknowledge Rachel’s birthday, Libby Perkins waited for everyone else to follow suit, then ducked back under the dryer.
Jamie was trying to control a smile and not gawk at the dated magazine cutouts on the pink walls as she stepped up to the counter where Sally leaned a plump hip.
Rachel remembered something. “Do not ask for a pedicure,” she told Jamie low enough not to be overheard.
Sally stopped blowing on her red glossy nails. “What can I do for you young ladies?”
Jamie hesitated, then frowned at Rachel. “Seriously?”
“Trust me.”
Sally’s fake brows lifted in question. They’d been plucked clean and penciled back in to match her big blond hair. The ’do was really something. Each year she seemed to tease the crown a bit higher—probably her version of a facelift—and poor Jamie, since laying eyes on her up close, seemed to be having trouble breaking contact.
Rachel bit back a grin. “I’d like a shampoo and blow-out, a manicure, too, if you have time.”
“Sure, we do.” Sally gave Jamie the once-over. “What about your friend?”
“Same for me.” Jamie smiled, and subtly nudged Rachel. “And streaks. Just one for me, blue if you have it. Rachel?”
Sally straightened, a twinkle lighting her eyes. “You want a streak in your hair, Rachel?”
“Oh,
