Only prayers are keeping that heap going, believe me. When it finally breaks down for good, give me a call and Ill help you out.
Unlike you, I have complete faith.
Unlike you, Ive looked under the hood, and that cars doomed, Karen. Im telling you this as a friend. Ive already ordered a used engine.
I cant afford it.
Well work something out or we can barter. Car parts for sandwiches?
Thats a lot of sandwiches.
Zach sent Cecilia a brief, imposing glare. Mrs. Thornton still hasnt forgiven you for dumping her son?
Does it look like it?
If shes upset, whats she doing in your shop?
This is the only place in town to buy a latte. Karen sighed.
Youre doing the right thing, giving it time. He meant to be comforting. Everyone knows you and Jay will get back together.
Everybody doesnt know me, not if they believe that. Im never going to marry Jay. Karen concentrated extra hard on her sandwich making. I suppose thats what you think, too, isnt it? That good, dependable Karen will do whats sensible. And why not? Its what Ive always done.
Thats the problem with a small town. People make up their minds about what kind of person you are, and it doesnt matter how honest you try to be when it comes to their repair bills, they still see what theyre used to seeing.
I know what you mean. Karens pulse skipped again. Had Zachs eyes always been so blue? Have a good afternoon.
Good luck surviving Cecilias death-ray stare. He tossed a five-dollar bill on the counter and took the paper sack from her.
His hand brushed hers and burned her like a hot flame.
Why was she feeling like this? Confused, she watched Zach push open the door, causing the bell to jangle overhead. For a brief moment he glanced at her, his eyes dark with unmistakable sympathy.
Then he turned and was gone. The bell chimed again as the door snapped shut, and Karen felt as if all the warmth had gone from the room. What was wrong with her? What was going on?
She didnt mean to be watching him, but there he was. Striding down the walk with the wind tousling his dark hair. He looked as rakish as a pirate, and yet as dependable as the earth. He hesitated at the top of the stairs and then he disappeared from her sight.
Caffeine, thats what she needed. Karen reached for the pitcher of iced tea and poured a tall glass. The sweet cool liquid slid down the back of her throat, but it didnt ease the confusion within her.
The bell chimed again. Zachhad he come back? Karen held her breath as the door swung open to reveal not her handsome mechanic but someone just as welcome. Her grandmother swept into the room wearing a red T-shirt, a pair of denim shorts and tennis shoes.
Karen nearly dropped her glass. What happened to you?
I raided Michelle and Kirbys closets. Ive been wearing dresses all my life. Its time for a change. Gramma set her purse on the counter. It was a neat slim red pocketbook instead of the sensible black handbag she always carried.
What was going on?
Gramma faced the dining room and clapped her hands. Ladies, Karen sure appreciates your business, but shes going to have to close up shop for a few hours. I know you understand. Here, Cecilia, let me get a paper cup so you can take your latte with you.
Cecilias disapproving glare gained new intensity. Helen, whatever have you done to yourself?
What? A woman cant wear shorts in the heat of summer? Her grandmother looked nonplussed as she transferred Cecilias latte from the mug to the paper cup. Now, head on out so I can lock the door.
Gramma! Karen stepped forward before her grandmother took over completely. You cant do this. Its nearly time for the lunch crowd.
But you have to leave right now. Gramma flipped the sign in the window so it read Closed. Its the only time Dawn over at the Snip & Style could fit us into her schedule.
What do you mean by us? Youre the one getting your hair colored. Im going for moral support. Thats what we agreed to.
Thats not how I remember it. Come on, get your keys. Im not about to be late, not when Dawn has promised me a whole new look.
Gramma, Im glad youre doing this. Im thrilled, really. But lunch brings in the biggest sales of the day. I cant miss it. Maybe Michelle can
Your sister has a client scheduledyou. I mean it, ladies, out of those chairs. Hustle. Gramma gave a good-humored clap, looking as if she were herding reluctant deer from her rose garden. Thanks, ladies. Karen sure appreciates it.
Anything for our Karen, Marj Whitly said warmly. Thats just the thing she needs, Helen. Time for herself at the beauty parlor, a complete shampoo and facial. Restores the spirit, it does. Then shell be over her wedding jitters and can get down to the business of marrying your son, Cecilia.
Karen opened her mouth to protest, but Gramma winked at her, so she offered Marj a lid for her cup instead.
Gramma locked the door after the women departed. Leave your purse. This is my treat.
What treat? Im going to say this one more time so you understand. Im going along for moral support only.
Of course you are, Gramma said indulgently. Now get a move on, because I dont want to be late for my new life.
See? This is what always got her into trouble. In the end, she hadnt been able to disappoint her grandmother. Look what that had gotten her.
It wasnt supposed to do this, Michelle, her youngest sister, apologized. Working with hair is always tricky. You have a lot of naturally gold highlights in your hair, which was a surprise considering its such a dull brown
I never should have agreed to this. Karen wished she had Cecilia Thorntons knack for a death-ray glare. I shouldve never trusted you.
I guess I left the color in too long.
You guess? She could only stare in the mirror at her wet, scraggly hair. It hung in limp, ragged strands and shone perfectly gold. Except in about ten or twelve places. Look what you did to me. My own baby sister.
Sorry. This is the first time Ive ever turned someones hair green. Honest.
Fix it. Whatever you have to do, do it now.
Michelle grabbed a fresh towel. I know what to do. I think.
You think? What did they teach you at that school anyway?
They warned us never to work on our own relatives. Now I know why. Michelle dashed away and disappeared from sight.
Its certainly different, Ill grant you that, Gramma said from the neighboring chair. With those green streaks, you could be in the latest fashion. Anywhere but in Montana.
Thanks, I feel so much better. Karen peered at her reflection, her heart sinking. What if Michelle couldnt fix it? I didnt mind being mouse brown. At least my real color wouldnt glow in the dark.
Thats the spirit. Dont worry. Well turn you into a dazzling blonde yet. Michelle might be new at this, but Dawn here has decades of experience. She can work wonders. Why, look at me.
Im looking. Karen couldnt believe her eyes as the other beautician switched on a blow dryer and began styling Grammas hair.
No more gray curls. Rich auburn locks fell in a short, feathery cut. She looked beautiful. Infinitely beautiful.
Ive always wanted to be a redhead, Gramma confessed above the hum of the dryer. Its a whole new me.
You dont need any improvement. By contrast, Karens hair looked like a cosmetology school disaster. Look at me. I could sure use something. Michelle, I want you to put this back the way it was.
Dont be silly, Gramma admonished. You promised moral support, so dont think Im going through this alone. Youre staying at my side every step of the way, missy. Itll be good for you.
I dont want a makeover.
You need one more than anyone else I know, my darling sister. Michelle returned, armed with a cup that smelled like varnish. I dont know how it happened, but you got all the recessive genes in the family. A shame it is. Gramma, you wouldnt know a good plastic surgeon, would you?
Mess up my hair again, and youll pay, Karen threatened.
Michelle didnt look a bit afraid. I know you too well. Youre all bark and no bite. How about platinum blond streaks? What do you think, Gramma?
No! No streaks. No blond anything. Karen couldnt help panicking a little. Ive come to adore mouse brown. Really. Its the way God meant me to be. Just give me a rinse or something to get this color out of my hair.
Trust us, Karen. Gramma winked. They say that blondes have more fun. Lets find out if its true.
Seeing the happiness on her grandmothers face, how could she refuseeven if disaster loomed?
Zach felt the hot midday sun burn the back of his neck as he twisted the bolt with his pliers. Your car should start fine, Mrs. Greenley.
You, my dear boy, are nothing short of an angel. The older lady blew him a kiss. Tell me why a handsome man like you doesnt have a ring on his finger.
No girl can catch me, I guess. Zach shut the cars hood.
Doesnt a smart fellow like you know not to run too fast?
He wiped the grease smudges from his fingers off her gleaming hood. No one said I was a smart man.
You cant fool me, Zachary Drake. Nora Greenley shook her head at him, watching every movement he made as he reached around the steering wheel and turned the key. Youre not as bad as you seem, even with the motorcycle. How much do I owe you?
The engine rolled over, purring contentedly. He released the key. A movement caught his gaze on the sidewalk across the street. Karen with hair as gold as summer sunshine breezed out of the Snip & Style. She looked more beautiful than hed ever seen her.
Then he remembered Mrs. Greenley was watching him. Anyone with good eyesight would be able to see how he felt for Karen, so he closed his mouth and turned to his client. Ill bill you for the battery. Have a good afternoon.
Ill sure try. The older woman glanced across the street before she climbed behind the wheel. You behave yourself, you hear, young man?
Zach closed Noras car door and waited until she pulled away. Alone, he dared to look across the street again. There she was, with her grandmother at her side, talking with a group of women whod spotted them on the sidewalk. Their conversation rose and fell with merry energy, but all Zach could see was Karen.
She looked great as a blonde. The lighter color made her eyes bluer. Somehow it made her seem more wholesome, if that could be possible, as if shed spent all summer outdoors in the sun.
Karens words from earlier in the day echoed in his mind, replaying over and over again. Everybody doesnt know me, not if they believe that. Im never going to marry Jay.
Words like that could give a man hope.
Home. Finally. Zach snapped on the light switch just inside the door of his apartment over the garage. A bulb popped with a bright flash, leaving him in darkness.
Great. Just great. Too exhausted to even summon up a little anger, Zach rummaged around in the dark. His closet was too messy and so he couldnt find his flashlight. His stomach grumbled in loud protest, not wanting to wait a second longer for supper. Hed change the bulb later and make do with the light in the kitchen.
Sweat trickled down the back of his neck, and he tugged off his T-shirt. Man, it was hot. He headed straight for the air-conditioning window unit and flicked it on high. Tepid air sputtered reluctantly, and the fan inside coughed. A lukewarm current breezed across his heated face.
What? No cold air? He flicked off the machine, marched across the small apartment to the kitchen and yanked open the window above the sink. Humid air blew in. As he circled his apartment, opening the windows wide, his stomach clamped with hunger.
Food. He needed it bad and he needed it now.
Not overly hopeful, Zach scoped out his kitchen cupboards. At the sight of the practically empty shelves, his stomach twisted harder. A can of olives, a stale box of cheese crackers and there was mold growing on the remaining slices of three-week-old bread.
Okay, maybe the refrigerator held more promise. He jerked open the door and stood in the welcome icy breeze, surveying the empty metal racks. There was only a half-empty jar of mayonnaise, the butter dish and an empty container of salsa. His stomach growled so loud, it hurt.
Maybe there was something in the freezer.
Bingo. Hed found supper. Even if it was two beef franks, heavily iced in their original package stuck to the empty ice tray, which was iced to the bottom of the freezer. This was not a problemhe was ingenious and he had a knife.
Using it like a chisel, he inserted the blades tip between the thick bed of ice and the frozen franks. Cold air wheezed across his face as he leveled a careful blow.
The phone rangthe shop phone. It was work and he couldnt ignore it. Reluctantly he set down the knife and knocked the freezer shut with the flat of his hand. A meal, air-conditioning and time to relaxwas it too much to ask?
He grabbed the old black phone in the corner by the door.
Zachs Garage. He tucked the receiver between his ear and his shoulder.
I know its late. Karens voice came across the line, tight with strain. But remember that offer of help you made? I could really use it.
You called the right man. Dont tell me your engine went and died, just like I said.
Okay, I wont, but thats why Im calling. Static crackled across the line. No one at home is answering the phone. Theyre probably outside on the deck, so Im stranded. Im at the grocery store.
Ill be right there.
Thanks, Zach.
No problem. Thats what friends are for. He eased the receiver into the cradle and grabbed his keys.
Dinner could wait. Relaxing could wait. Karen needed him. Even if it was only as a mechanic, only as a friend.
He grabbed a clean shirt before heading out the door.
He spotted her sitting on the curb the minute he turned onto Railroad Street. The night breezes ruffled her silken hair around her delicate face. Her slender shoulders slumped with either exhaustion or defeat. He couldnt tell which.
She turned at the sound of his truck and waved. Behind her, the lights of the closed grocery store were dim and cast a faint glow over her, emphasizing her willowy shape. She stood, holding a plastic grocery bag in one hand.