Page 5

She nodded and continued closing up the register. “Some people have a retirement plan. I have this salon. Raleigh and I have put everything into this place over the years.” After a moment, she said, “We all do the best we can, don’t we, Maggie girl?”

I lifted a corner of my lips. “I probably should have done better for Rhett this morning.”

She let out a laugh, then walked out the front door with me. “Rough start, but we made it through,” she commented as we walked toward our cars parked along Main Street.

My cheeks heated at the strip of too-short hair I’d left at the back of Rhett’s head. “I promise it won’t happen again,” I said. “I was just a little caught off guard. I didn’t expect to run into him quite so soon.”

She stopped at the curb in front of the old Ford pickup she’d been driving for years. “Arnie Weston.”

I raised my eyebrows. “That name sounds familiar.”

She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “We broke up when I was twenty-two, and he still drives to the next town over for his haircuts because I told him I’d impale him if he came by here again.”

My jaw dropped open. “Sweet Rhonda, threatening violence?”

“Oh hush,” she batted my arm. “We all have our moments of weakness. Just don’t make it a habit, sweetie. A town this size, you can’t afford to make enemies. Especially when they’re as well-loved as Rhett Griffen.”

I nodded in understanding. “I promise, I won’t.”

She gave me a short hug and a kiss on the cheek. “See you tomorrow morning, darlin’.”

“See you,” I replied.

We went separate ways to our cars, and when I pulled up to my house, Dad’s truck was already out front and he was sitting on the front porch steps. My heart warmed at the sight of him and his sweet three-legged rescue dog.

“You’re early, Daddy,” I said.

He smiled at me before struggling to get up. He cringed with pain, pushing on his thighs to stand up straight.

“Daddy?” I asked. “Are you okay? I thought your back was getting better.” At this rate, everyone around me was hurting.

He shook his head. “I’m okay. Just acts up sometimes.”

Still not convinced, I said, “Okay, let’s get inside.” I went to the door, unlocking it for us, and stepped inside the house, mostly covered in boxes. Cam’s parents had helped us unload everything, and it was a hot mess.

“Oh, honey,” Dad said, taking off his hat and wiping his forehead.

“I know,” I said with a sigh.

Eileen nudged her head under my hand so I’d scratch her ears. “Good thing we have you here, sweet girl,” I said to her. “We’re going to need all the emotional support we can get.”

She bumped her wet nose against my hand like she understood.

“Better get to work,” Dad said, readjusting his Gibson Trucking ball cap. When he bought his own semi-truck, I’d had it made for him to celebrate his new business.

We went back to my bedroom, and he started piecing together my bed while I unpacked my clothes, sorting them into my dresser and closet.

“Have you ever thought about downsizing?” he teased.

“No way.” I laughed. “I have thought about the nursing home for you and your stuff, though.”

“Hey now,” he said with a chuckle. “I won’t say another word about all your junk.”

“How was work today?” I asked him.

“Great, until I got home and found out none of the wiring in the house is up to code.”

I stalled on the shirt I was hanging up. “What?”