“Besides, Harold’s no lightweight,” Adelaide said. “And the best of his hair left him years ago. Surely you’re not suggesting he rates a supermodel.”

Patricia drew herself up and her jaw tightened. “Of course not, but the reality is when a man has a steady job with good pay, he can score a woman who’s better-looking than him.”

“He already did,” Dottie said. “Marina.”

Adelaide gave her an approving nod.

“Some people age better than others,” Patricia said.

“So despite the fact that Harold looks like a woeful toad,” Adelaide said, “you’re implying he has taken up with someone else because Marina is no longer pretty enough for him?”

Adelaide had already heard the rumors about Chastity LeDoux, and the fact that Patricia was her aunt and Marina’s employer was exactly why Adelaide had required an emergency hair session.

“I might have heard something to that effect,” Patricia said.

“Who in their right mind would take up with Harold?” Adelaide asked. “I don’t care if he’s as rich as Caesar. I can barely shake the man’s hand without having to use that antibacterial hand gel afterward. I don’t know what it would take to wash the ick off my privates. Maybe bleach.”

“I don’t think we need to hear about your privates,” Dottie said. “But I think we can all agree that it’s a woman of dubious ethics and character who takes up with a married man.”

Patricia’s jaw clenched and Adelaide could tell she wanted to say something but didn’t dare. Adelaide had figured Patricia would side with her niece. Especially since Patricia’s brother was the town attorney and gunning for mayor. The salon owner loved nothing more than throwing his name around to get faster service, tables at the local “fine” dining even when they were booked, and a host of other things she wouldn’t otherwise rate if she wasn’t sister to the only man in town who could sue everyone.

“Most marriages have ended long before the actual separation,” Patricia said.

“For one of them that’s usually true,” Dottie said. “The problem is the cheater always forgets to tell his wife. Ah well, I suppose it will all come out sooner rather than later and everyone can make up their own minds. Not that it should be very difficult.”

Patricia sniffed. “Well, I believe there’s always two sides to every divorce.”

“Sure,” Dottie said. “The right side and the wrong side.”

“And you don’t want to be on the wrong side of things in Last Chance,” Adelaide said.

Dottie nodded. “People here are long on memory and short on forgiveness.”

Adelaide looked over at the clearly agitated Patricia. “What did you mean when you said you didn’t know what Marina’s plans were? I can’t imagine they’d be much different than now except she wouldn’t be living with Harold any longer. She’s hardly the type to get a tattoo and leave on a Harley trip around the country.”

Patricia shrugged but Adelaide could tell the salon owner had spoken too much, too soon, and now she was going to attempt to backtrack.