“That’s a cute dog, but how can she bring him in a restaurant?” Katie asked.
“She claims Princess is a service dog—emotional support,” Caroline said. “And it’s probably true. She never goes anywhere without that dog.”
Lucille glanced their direction, and Katie averted her eyes. “She looks harmless enough.”
“Don’t underestimate her,” said Caroline. “If any of you are single, she’ll be trying to fix you up with someone.”
“Is that so?” Grinning, Gary scooted his chair around the corner of the table next to Katie and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She froze in shock. Gary chuckled. “Now, we’re a couple, so I guess Lucille will have a heyday with you, Steven.”
If looks could kill, Gary would’ve been dead on the spot from Steven’s glare. Katie tried to shrug Gary’s arm off, but his hand gripped tight.
“He’s right—you might be in trouble, Mr. Gherring.” Caroline let out a musical laugh. “Hopefully, Lucille won’t have you married off before you leave Indigo Bay.”
“I’m not worried,” said Steven. “If my Gram hasn’t managed to get a ring on my finger in all these years, I don’t think Lucille stands a chance.”
“Shall I have your waitress bring three pieces of boysenberry pie, then?” Caroline asked. “Dessert’s on the house, since you’re going to let us take that picture, Mr. Gherring.”
“Three pies would be great,” said Steven. “Oh, and one more thing, Caroline…”
She paused. “Yes?”
“Can you recommend a place for Katie to get her hair and nails done, tomorrow?”
“Absolutely! There’s a new place called Glam It Up! It’s a local girl, Carla McShann, but she’s been out in Hollywood doing hair and makeup for the stars.” Caroline lifted a hand and smoothed her shoulder-length brown hair. “Don’t judge by the way I look. I have an appointment with her next week. I promise, she’s fabulous!”
“Sounds perfect. I’d be grateful if you got the number for me.” Steven gave a decisive nod, and Katie knew there was no use arguing with him. Though it felt awkward to accept such a gift from her boss, she was excited about the prospect. Having worn the same hairstyle for years, she’d been working up the courage to make a change. Her roommate had been arguing that a new haircut would give her a fresh start.
It can’t hurt as bad as that kayak trip.
9
“Sorry I didn’t answer last night.” Nicole’s animated face appeared on Katie’s phone screen. “I was out late. I had a blind date.”
“Nicole, that could be really dangerous. What if he’d been an axe murderer?”
Nicole showed the whites of her eyes as she looked to the sky. “He’s a best friend of a friend from church, and he was harmless. He was so nice, he probably wouldn’t step on a bug.”
“Well, that’s not good, either. You don’t want to end up with a guy who can’t kill a spider for you.”
“That’s important for you, not me. I can kill my own spiders, thank you very much.”
“I may come home from this trip with the ability to face anything, including spiders. You would’ve been so proud, yesterday. I wasn’t scared at all when I got in that kayak.
“I’m glad! Did you have a good time?”
“I did, but I may have overdone it a little bit. I’m pretty sore today.” Sitting on the floor, Katie bent forward to touch her toes. “It really hurt to do my stretches this morning.”
“What’s on the agenda today?”
“I’m getting a massage at ten and this afternoon I’m getting a haircut. I was thinking of doing something new, but I’m nervous about a change.”
“You should get some highlights in your hair,” said Nicole with the enthusiasm of one who changed her hairstyle as often as the weather. “And get a cute cut with some layers.”
“I thought maybe you could send some hairstyle pictures for me to take to the hair place.”
“I’ve been trying to get you to do something like this for a year.” The room swirled behind Nicole as she danced in a circle. “This is so fun!”
“You told me to step out of my comfort zone, and I’ve been trying to. I decided, if something’s not really life-threatening, I’m going to try it once.”