Page 56 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“What do you make of all this bridge repair stuff?” Amber took a sip of her drink.

“It’ll be hard on the town without the hikers coming through.”

“When I was doing Barbara Jean McCafferty’s hair, she told me the bridge might be closed into next season too.”

“That’s not true. It’ll take no more than six months.”

“Hope you’re right. I mean, the salon will be fine—we don’t get many hikers. But the town needs that income. It’ll put the hurt on your family’s store for certain.”

“It’ll be hard on pretty much all the retailers, motels, hostel, and campground.”

“How is Gavin doing these days? I saw him in town the other day and he seemed better. He was friendly.”

“He’s doing pretty good. Just needed a little time, I think.”

Her lips curved knowingly. “And maybe a certain woman?”

He hiked a brow.

“I do Donna Jenkins’s hair. She was venting last time she was in.”

Donna was Gavin’s former mother-in-law. She was no doubt bitter Gavin was moving on with another woman even though the divorce had been final for a year. Anyway, Cooper didn’t want to hear a bunch of gossip. “Well, I’m sure you get that a lot.”

“For sure. But hey, I think it’s great about Gavin. He deserves to be happy. How’s your sister doing? Is the clinic going well?”

“She’s fine. Clinic seems to be clipping right along, and she’s been pouring herself into it.”

“It’s good to have a doctor on hand. When Gretchen Miller’s husband had that stroke over the winter, Avery saved his life.”

Pride welled up inside. His sister had busted her butt to get through med school and she made a fine doctor. Even if she did pretty much leash herself to the clinic. “That’s my sis.”

Laughter from the other table snagged his attention. With the discipline of a saint he took a sip of his coffee and forced himself to focus on Amber’s doe eyes. “How’s your sister doing?”

“Danielle? Oh, she’s fine. Knee deep in diapers and baby food. I don’t know how she does it.”

Danielle.That’s right, her sister was married with a few kids.

“I mean, some days I think being on my feet all day is going to kill me, but I love what I do. I love doing hair and chatting with different people. If I had to be holed up with kids all day I’d go mad.”

“To each her own, I guess.”

“I do want kids though, don’t get me wrong. Kids are great. I love my little niece and nephews. I’m over there all the time.”

Sister lives in town.

He gazed at Kate’s table. Beth leaned in, listening intently, elbows on the table.

Amber glanced over her shoulder to see what he was looking at.

Get it together, man.“Um... did you get to take a vacation this summer?”

The distraction worked. “I’m saving for a hair conference in Orlando next year. It’s like the who’s who of stylists. Gotta keep those skills sharp.”

He couldn’t imagine the folks around here benefiting from the latest in hairstyles, but what did he know?

“What about you? Go anywhere fun?”

“Between work and the campaign I couldn’t get away this year.”