“Yes. As big as a house.”

She laughed. It was a small one, but I’d take it.

“So Violet’s hiring someone?” she asked.

I told her what little I knew about Anna, and how I’d worried Violet would be irritated with me for taking a role in the hiring process.

She waved an unmanicured hand. “She’s lucky you’re lettin’ her work there at all after the stunt she pulled.”

“I know, but it’s complicated.”

“What’s so complicated about misappropriatin’ money?”

It was hard to argue with my bookkeeper.

She fell back into silence the rest of the way into town. I pulled into the closest open parking space near the Nip and Clip, but it was next to the landscaping office.

“Are you trickin’ me into goin’ to work?”

“Shoot, no. I promised you a fun afternoon. Although you do love workin’ with that accounting program.”

“Then where are we goin’? Because you have Dena’s cupcakes sittin’ right next to me, and I’m not feelin’ inclined to go anywhere without them.”

“Let’s take them with us. I’ll explain where we’re goin’ while we walk.”

“Okay…” She sounded unsure, but she still got out of the car. I looped my arm through hers and we started walking slowly down the sidewalk.

“It’s warmed up a little and the sun’s come out,” I said.

Neely Kate stopped and turned toward me. “Is this what we’ve resorted to? Talkin’ about the weather?”

“I don’t know what to say, Neely Kate,” I said in a quiet voice. Every word I thought of seemed inadequate.

She sighed. “Just treat me like normal. Even if I’m anything but.”

I cracked a grin. “You’ve never been normal. That’s what I love about you.”

A real smile spread across her face. “Then treat me like you always did.”

“That’s easy enough. And that means you should love my surprise.” I led her to the beauty salon and stopped outside the door. “This is it.”

She lifted her eyebrows and turned to me with a questioning look.

“I made an appointment with Beulah to get colored stripes in your hair.”

“What?”

Oh dear. Maybe this had been a terrible idea after all. “You’ve been saying you wanted them—”

She threw her arms around my shoulders. “Thank you.”

I hugged her back, careful not to crush the cupcakes. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a Negative Nelly about you getting them. If anyone can pull off this look, it’s you. You’re gonna be even more beautiful.”

We walked into the shop and Beulah fawned all over Neely Kate, as did the other hairstylists, never once mentioning the miscarriage. Neely Kate decided on pink and purple for her colors, and I sat in the empty chair next to her. We ate her cupcakes while her hair sat in its foils. She was still quiet but she gave me a ghost of a smile when I teased her about looking like something out of a science fiction movie. A little over an hour later she sat in the hairdresser’s chair, smiling at her reflection. Beulah had curled her long blond hair, and even though Neely Kate wasn’t wearing makeup, she was beautiful.

I stood behind her, beaming. “I’m sorry for trying to talk you out of this. You look like a model.”

Her smile was genuine, but it disappeared as soon as she glanced at her reflection.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, and looked into her eyes in the mirror, whispering, “Don’t you feel one bit guilty for bein’ happy, Neely Kate. You deserve it.”

Tears filled her eyes and she forced a smile. “Thank you, Rose.”

I gave her another squeeze and stood. “Come on. We’re gonna show your new hair off all around town.”

I followed Beulah to the register and gave her Mason’s credit card. She ran it through without comment, but as I signed the slip, she glanced at the name and raised her eyebrows. “Is there something you’re keeping from me?”

My heart leapt into my throat. What did she mean? Did she suspect I’d stolen Mason’s card? Or maybe that I was taking advantage of him? But a smile spread across her face. “Girl, are you marrying Mason Deveraux?”

Neely Kate’s head whipped around to look at me, her eyes wide with surprise.

I shook my head. “No. Nothing like that. At least not yet.”

“But this…” Beulah waved the card at me, and my face burned with embarrassment.

“I think you two make a lovely couple.” The voice behind me sent ice water through my veins.

I spun around and faced my least favorite redhead, although it was a very tight race with Deputy Abbie Lee Hoffstetter. “Hilary. I’m surprised to see you here.”

She glanced around, then smiled at the stylist. “Why, everyone knows Beulah is a miracle worker. In fact, I’ve bragged about her so much, I have friends from Little Rock and El Dorado who come here to have Beulah her work her magic.”

I stared at her in shock. While she’d moved to Henryetta to try to convince Joe to resume their volatile relationship, she’d made it perfectly clear that she considered the town equivalent to a third-world country. The fact that she would not only slum it by going to a Henryetta hair salon, but she’d tell her friends about it, was jaw-dropping. Although I had serious doubts she was capable of having friends.