Shed been had.
Why did he want her out of town so badly? What was he trying to hide?
She wasnt going to kill Russ, though. That would be too quick and easy. Somehow, she was going to make him suffer for dragging her up here for no good reason.
DO I REALLY HAVE TO buy that expensive shampoo? asked Sylvia Grimes. She was one of Winnie Kleins best, most regular customers. But she also asked the same question every time she walked into Winnies hair salon, the Cut n Curl.
Darlin, Winnie said as she used a soft brush to sweep away the last few stray hair clippings from Sylvias shoulders, you can use any kind of shampoo you want-if you want to be back here in a week begging for a new dye job because you look like Bozo the Clown. I know this all-natural stuff is pricey, but its the best shampoo Ive found for preserving color.
Darlin, Winnie said as she used a soft brush to sweep away the last few stray hair clippings from Sylvias shoulders, you can use any kind of shampoo you want-if you want to be back here in a week begging for a new dye job because you look like Bozo the Clown. I know this all-natural stuff is pricey, but its the best shampoo Ive found for preserving color.
Winnie patted her own deftly highlighted locks. She did the best color this side of San Antonio, if she did say so herself. But a cheap shampoo would ruin everything and Sylvia knew that.
Oh, all right, Sylvia grumbled, stuffing the bottle of shampoo into her bag along with one of each freebie Winnie put out for her customers-a refrigerator magnet, a key chain, a pen, an emery board and a letter opener. Sylvia must have had dozens of each by now, but every two weeks she loaded up again.
Sylvia was Winnies last customer, thank goodness. Her other two stylists, Betty and Glory, were just finishing up with their clients.
Winnie did a tidy little business. Just about everybody in Linhart came to the Cut n Curl to get their hair and nails done. Her customers tended to be extremely loyal; a few who had moved away even made the trek back to town just to have Winnie work her magic on their locks.
As Winnie changed out of her uniform, Betty and Glory swept up, readying everything for tomorrow. Winnie was straightening up the dressing room when the bell over the door rang.
Tell whoever it is, were closed, Winnie called out from where she was gathering used smocks to run through the washer.
Winnie, honey, its not a customer, Glory informed her. Its that handsome son of yours.
Glory Dickerson had been lusting after Russ since the two of them were in high school. In fact, Winnie suspected Glory had gone to beauty school strictly so she could get a job with her, Russs mother, and foster a connection. But it hadnt worked. While Russ was always pleasant to Glory, hed never shown any signs of being attracted to her, despite the fact Glory was curvy in all the right places, with big green eyes and piles of long red hair.
Winnie stuffed the smocks into a laundry bag and emerged from the dressing room with a smile for her son, who offered her a dutiful kiss on the cheek.
Whats the occasion? Winnie asked. Though she saw Russ on a fairly regular basis, he seldom dropped by the shop. The ultrafeminine decor and the perfumed air made him uncomfortable, she suspected.
Not to mention the cow eyes from Glory and every other woman under the age of fifty. But he never dated local women, preferring the glossy city girls he somehow managed to meet.
No particular reason, he said. I just wondered if you wanted to go out to dinner.
Well, Russell, arent you sweet. Of course I would love to have dinner out with my favorite son.
Her only son, but she was sure if she had others he would still be her favorite. When theyd first moved to Winnies hometown of Linhart, shed wanted to pass him off as her half brother. She could have gotten away with it, too, since her father had moved away to parts unknown when she was a baby. But Russ, only twelve at the time, had vetoed that plan. Hed insisted that since they were making a fresh start, they should start as they intended to go, by being honest.
Hed been right, of course. Hed been mature far beyond his years, and thank providence for that. If she hadnt had Russ to help her manage her affairs, shed have blown the rest of her divorce settlement and have nothing to show for it.
Betty said her goodbyes and left for home, but Glory still hung around, sweeping the perfectly clean floor around her chair and blatantly staring at Russ, who didnt seem to notice.
Ill finish up here, Glory offered magnanimously. If yall want to beat the early bird crowd at the Cherry Blossom. Theyre having a special on catfish tonight. She was angling for an invitation to join them.
Russ was either oblivious to Glorys unabated adoration or studiously ignoring it.
I thought wed go to the club, Russ said.
Winnie smiled, pleased by the thoughtful invitation. Sure, hon, but am I dressed okay? She ran her hands over her tight, short skirt. She hadnt gained a pound since her Vegas showgirl days, but she had to admit that her, um, assets had shifted around somewhat.
You look beautiful as always, Mom.
With an apologetic look, she allowed Glory to make good on her offer of closing up. She handed the laundry bag to Russ-shed run the laundry through her machine at home later. Then she grabbed her purse and the two of them set off for the Lake Linhart Country Club, about a fifteen-minute drive away. They would be unfashionably early for dinner, but that didnt matter so much in this little town, not like in Vegas where only the people confined to nursing homes ate dinner before ten oclock.
You said there was no occasion, Winnie said as Russ pulled his Bronco into a parking spot. But why is it I dont believe you? She gasped as an unsettling thought occurred to her. Youre not getting married, are you? That woman whos been into the store the last two days in a row, the one you took dancingis it her?
Russ laughed. Guess I cant make a move without you knowing. The Linhart grapevine is alive and well. But, no, Im not marrying Sydney. Shell be going back to New York tomorrow.
Well, good. I mean, Im sure shes a perfectly nice girl, but I dont understand why you dont hitch up with some nice girl from Linhart. Like Glory.
Glorys nice, Russ said mildly. But she doesnt do a thing for me.
And Sydney does? What kind of name is Sydney, anyway?
A city name, I guess. Dont worry, shes not a girlfriend and I have no intentions toward her. In fact, shes the one pursuing me. Shes, uh, kind of a stalker.
Oh, Russ, that sounds awful. Whats going on? And why hadnt the grapevine supplied any details? Bert, whom she could usually rely on to tell her every detail of Russs business, had remained cagily mum about the dark-haired womans purpose in Linhart. He claimed he didnt know anything, but Winnie could tell he wasnt being truthful with her. His nose twitched when he told a lie.
Russ waited until they were seated at a white-clothed table near a wall of windows where they could watch the sun set over the lake.
Shes got a crush on me, thats all, and shes one of these girls who wont take no for an answer. So if she comes snooping around you or the shop, dont tell her anything about me. In fact, you probably shouldnt talk to her at all. Just tell her youre too busy.
Ill do that, Winnie said. Do you think shes dangerous? Shes not one of those if-I-cant-have-him-no-one-will kind of girls, is she?
Russ laughed. No, its nothing like that. Shes not the slightest bit scary. In fact, shes afraid of Nero.
That old dog? Winnie laughed. Bert had given Nero to Russ as a gift on his eighteenth birthday. Russ and the bloodhound puppy had been inseparable ever since. He loved that old dog and would probably fall to pieces when Nero passed-an event that couldnt be too far off.
Yeah, Russ said, grinning. She claims she simply doesnt like dogs, but its obvious how nervous she is around Nero. The funny thing is, Nero seems to like her.
That is funny. Nero had never before taken to any of Russs many female admirers. The dog didnt care much for her, either.
Winnie couldnt help wondering if Nero was echoing Russs own feelings regarding the woman-that he liked her more than he was letting on.
Winnie couldnt help wondering if Nero was echoing Russs own feelings regarding the woman-that he liked her more than he was letting on.
Is this woman staying in town or what? Winnie asked. Her BMW is still parked in front of the store, I noticed.
She was staying at the Periwinkle, but tonight shes busy elsewhere. Not in town, he clarified. Shell be back in Linhart tomorrow afternoon, but I think thats the last well see of her.
Russ didnt sound as happy about that as Winnie thought he ought to. Something more was going on here than met the eye. But if she tried to worm more information out of Russ, he would clam up. She would have to find out some other way.
The waiter came and took their order. Though the menu featured all kinds of trendy, continental dishes, Winnie ordered the fried catfish.
If Id known you wanted catfish, Russ said, we could have gone to the Cherry Blossom after all.
Yes, but we wouldnt have seen this sunset.
Russ gazed out over the lake, seeming to see the incomparable view for the first time. Youre right. God, thats beautiful. The most beautiful sunsets in the world are right here in the Hill Country.
Not that theyd seen sunsets anywhere else but Vegas. But Winnie thought her son was probably right. She couldnt imagine any place more beautiful.
Actually, I did have a reason for taking you out to dinner, Russ said. I want to give you a present.
Really? Winnie loved presents and she especially loved surprise gifts. Any particular reason?
Well, your birthdays coming up next month. And I would have waited, but this was a deal too good to pass up.
He handed her a red envelope with her name on it.
With quivering hands, Winnie opened the envelope. A whole weekend at a spa! Oh, Russ, what a thoughtful gift. And its that fancy one in Austin- She squinted at the card again. But its for this weekend.
The sooner the better, right?