The stylist put one hand on her hip and snipped the scissors animatedly in her other hand as she thought. It was only then Harmony noticed just how thin the other woman was. Her full collarbone jutted out from her chest like a cylinder had just been stuck on for good measure. She could also see the faint outlines of her uppermost ribs.

Avery caught Harmony staring and quickly turned toward the counter that held her supplies. “Is it a bit cold in here?” she asked as she extracted a lumpy cardigan from the bottom drawer and shoved her arms into it, clearly embarrassed by the exchange.

“Have you seen Josephine Hannah’s newest movie yet?” Harmony asked with a smile, hoping the change of topic would set Avery back at ease.

“The one that takes place in Alaska, you mean?” The stylist took a deep breath and began to spritz her client’s hair with a hot pink water bottle.

“That’s the one. I haven’t found the time just yet, but I heard it’s her best to date. They say she actually fell in love while filming it, you know.”

“With that hunky fireman?” Avery set the water bottle down and took the first of many snips with her scissors.

“Yes, he’s a real cutie. Isn’t he?” Harmony said amicably, even though Josephine Hannah’s newest flame was not even close to her type. She preferred tall, blonde, and pushy, but no way was she ever going to admit that aloud.

“He sure is, but have you seen the new actor who’s playing opposite Jo-Han in her next film?”

The two women laughed and carried on as new acquaintances with shared interests do. Harmony suspected she wasn’t the only one who preferred to keep the conversation light and easy. She said a silent prayer that everything was all right in Avery’s world and that everything would stay right with hers.

Oh, and that they wouldn’t run out of handsome celebrities to discuss before Harmony’s new hairstyle was finished.

Chapter 20

Pastor Adam

That day I brought Cupcake to my office with me for a bit of added company. The poor pup had been particularly disheartened since our Muffin moved out on assignment, so Abigail and I both tried to show her some extra love when we could.

I had a couple appointments scheduled for newlywed counseling, but mostly a quiet day to tend to my devotions and prepare my next sermon. Mrs. Clementine came in for a short while to discuss numbers and bills and whatnot, but I told her—as I always do—that I’d much rather she take charge of that so I’d know it was in capable hands instead of my own fumbling fingers.

By four o’clock, I was getting ready to head on home, but an unexpected visitor found me before I’d made any of the usual motions to leave. Cupcake stood ramrod straight and stared at the door, a low growl sounding from her throat.