“Was she right?”

“You need to ask? We both know she has an aesthetic eye.”

“Now who’s being harsh? Anyway, she insisted I go to that new unisex salon. I’m still in shock at the price. It’s the most expensive haircut I’ve had in my life. What do you reckon? Was it worth it?”

Alice tilted her head and studied him. Without the shaggy mess, his salt and pepper hair sat thick and neat, giving him a distinguished yet casual look. Alice wondered if this was closer to the hairstyle he’d sported before grief settled over him. It suited him and he looked good.

“You never know, it might just earn you a casserole or two from the mothers at school,” she teased.

He gave a dismissive wave. “I’ve been getting those since I arrived in the bay.”

Really? “Well, in that case, now you’re neat and presentable, you’ll be fending off invitations to the school trivia night.”

“Been doing that since well before the haircut.”

Women were asking Harry out? Alice didn’t know why it surprised her other than she’d never thought about him in terms of dating. But she supposed for divorced women in their forties, Harry was probably a catch. Except, Harry had clearly given her the impression he wasn’t ready for another relationship.

“So, you’re dating?”

“God, no. Just eating a lot of casseroles and enduring some long evenings at community fundraisers.”

“You could always say no.”

“That’s not as easy as swiping left, Alice.”

He walked inside and she followed him, trying not to take his comment as a criticism. The house was back to its usual state of clean clutter—a lot like Alice’s bedroom—but the kitchen was a little more chaotic. A trail of cocoa spilled across the counter and the sink was full of dirty baking implements. Lopsided cupcakes cooled on a rack and a cooler and picnic basket sat on the floor.

Alice handed Harry the large butcher’s. “I didn’t know what everyone liked so I got a mixture of plain, herb and garlic and a couple of chili sausages.”

“Sounds perfect, thanks.” He pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“My treat.”

“Don’t feel you need to pay for them just because you collected them.”

“I can afford to buy a few sausages, Harry!” The quick rise of irritation came out of nowhere, blasting furnace heat across her skin. She jerkily pulled at her jacket, ripping it off, desperate to cool down. Sweat pooled beneath her eyes. Sweat or tears? She didn’t know.

Harry lifted her jacket out of her hands and hung it on a chair, then he opened the freezer. He offered an icepack. “Stick that on the back of your neck.”

Alice wished the floor would open and snatch her away. When she didn’t move, Harry put the cold pack in place for her. The instant chill killed the fulminating heat almost as fast as it had flamed her, but its presence meant Harry knew exactly what was going on. His kindness had exposed her mortifying and devastating secret.