Belle caught Barb’s eye and gave her an approving nod, and Wy was already in the chair and talking to Vera, marveling how twin sisters went into the same profession.

Barb sat long enough for Ruby to fasten the cape around her neck, and then she moved to the last shampoo station. When the warm water began flowing over her hair, then soaking into her scalp, she closed her eyes and relaxed. Ruby’s place was always the sanctuary of Blessings. Here she was safe.

As the appointments progressed, the talk among the three chairs grew lighter in tone.

Ruby knew how Barb wore her auburn shoulder-length hair, but paused before she started to dry it.

“Did you have something special in mind today, honey? Anything in particular about the style?”

“Maybe, but I didn’t quite know what to settle on.”

Ruby began running her fingers through the length, then pulling it up on the top of Barb’s head to make sure it was long enough for what she was thinking, and it was.

“You have such beautiful bone structure and this gorgeous widow’s peak. What do you think about sleeking it all back away from your face into a topknot, then curling the length into a soft waterfall of curls?”

“Yes! Do it!” Belle said.

“I love the idea,” Wy added.

“Then let’s do it,” Barb said. “It will show off my earrings perfectly tonight.”

Ruby smiled. “Wonderful!”

Ruby and the twins were almost finished when the door opened, then closed.

Ruby felt Barb suddenly tense.

“That’s my next appointment,” Ruby said. “And she’s early, so no worries.”

Barb nodded, but without knowing who it was, she dreaded the confrontation, however brief it would be. She didn’t realize Wy and Belle had seen her smile disappear, but they had and immediately gave each other the eye.

The sudden silence in the shop was noted by Ruby and the twins, but they just kept working. A few moments later, they all heard footsteps coming into the workroom, and then Rachel Goodhope appeared.

“Ruby, I’m going to get a cup of—” She stopped, then shifted her direction from the coffee station to where Barb was sitting. “Barb, sweetheart, I didn’t know you were here. I am so sorry for your loss. Bud and I send our deepest sympathies to all the family. We will be at the service, and we’re praying for you.”

“Thank you so much, Rachel.”

Rachel patted Barb’s hand and went back to the coffee station, got her coffee and a couple of tea cookies, and headed back to the waiting area.

“Rachel and Bud own the B and B at the far end of Blessings. They are very nice people,” Barb said softly.

Belle and Wy relaxed.

A couple of minutes later, they were on their way out and stopped to pay.

“No,” Ruby said. “The girls and I are gifting you with the appointments, and it was very nice meeting you.”

“Well, that is just the sweetest thing,” Wynona said. “I wonder if I could ask one of you to take a picture of us outside the salon? We just love the name of your place, Ruby, and want to show our friends back home.”