She didn’t jump on the idea right away, though. She needed time to mull over it, and working on Libby’s hair was the perfect distraction. The gum was so entangled that she’d spent a good half hour on the child’s hair and was just now starting to work the hair tie out of the knot. She was pretty confident she could get this done, but it would take a while.

Unless he’d rather shave her head and be done with the mess.

Pursing her lips, Becca wiped her hands on a towel. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Mr. . . .”

He didn’t offer his name, just got to his feet and followed her as she headed to the far end of the salon, by the front door. It was getting dark outside, the chill seeping in through the windows, and it was long past time for her to close up shop. She kept wiping her hands on the towel, her thoughts all over the place.

The man just kept watching her, waiting.

Okay, she was clearly going to have to carry the conversation. “I think I can get most of the gum out of Libby’s hair, but it’s going to take a while.”

He grunted.

“Like, hours. I have to go slow because her hair’s very fine and I don’t want to pull on it. The other option is to shave her head, but I’m not sure how you feel about that.”

The big cowboy looked over at his daughter, then back at Becca. He rubbed his bearded jaw. “She won’t like it shaved.”

“Well . . . I have time if you have time.” She gave him a bright smile.

He paused. “Is . . . this an inconvenience?” The words seemed as if they were being dragged out of him.

“No, like I told Libby, I don’t have anyone waiting at home for me. It wasn’t how I planned on spending my evening, but that’s all right.”

The big man grunted again. “Appreciated.”

They both paused, and Becca took in a steeling breath. This was her moment. This was the chance she should take. She could ask him out on a date and shake off the specter of Greg and the Wedding That Wasn’t once and for all. So she toyed with a lock of her hair and hoped he found her reasonably attractive. “Is it true what Libby said? That you’re not married?”

The dark eyes narrowed on her. Intense. Scrutinizing. He glanced at her, up and down, as if sizing her up.