Why hadn’t he noticed that then? Maybe it was because his mother more than made up for the lack of paternal guidance. Or maybe it was because that dissatisfied, sarcastic, begrudging man was the only father he’d ever known and he didn’t know anything different. But he did now.

Then Ruby tapped him on the shoulder and turned him around to face the mirror.

“Okay, Hunt, what do you think? I’m calling it quits unless you want more taken off the length,” Ruby said.

Hunt eyed the cut and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Nailed it,” he said. “What do I owe you?”

Ruby grinned. “We’ll settle up front, and I’ll get you those potluck tickets, too.”

Vesta and Vera were folding towels but looked up long enough to giggle and tell him goodbye.

Hunt nodded and smiled. “Ladies,” he said, and grabbed his jacket on the way up front to pay for the haircut and tickets, and then he was gone.

Hunt checked his phone to make sure he hadn’t missed a call or text from the painters, and then swung by the Crown to pick up some groceries for Ava. It would give him a chance to see Junior in action, and a little brotherly pat on the back for a job well done was always a good thing.

He pulled into the parking lot at the Crown and as he did, he saw Elliot Graham walking toward his car and jumped out to catch him before he drove off.

Elliot was putting groceries in the trunk of his car when he heard footsteps behind him and turned around.

“Hello, Hunt. It’s good to see you again,” Elliot said.

Hunt eyed the old man in disbelief. He hadn’t aged a bit since he’d seen him last. Still a little on the thin side. Still had that thick shock of white hair and eyes with a hint of sparkle. And to Hunt, he still looked a little bit like a fairy king.

“It’s good to see you, too,” Hunt said. “I wanted to thank you for delivering that message to us from Mom. It has changed all of our lives for the better.”

Elliot shrugged. “As I told Birdie, I did nothing but deliver a message, but I was happy to do it, and I am gratified to know of the impact it has had on all of you.”

“Thanks again,” Hunt said.

Elliot smiled. “You’re most welcome.” Then he paused. His eyes got a faraway look in them as he tilted his head sideways, then he blinked and looked back at Hunt. “She’ll die and be reborn, so don’t quit.”

Hunt forgot to breathe, then took a step forward.

“What do you mean? Who dies? Reborn how? Quit on what?”