“Okay.”
Renee smiled as she began to wield the blow-dryer and a brush. “Watch what I’m doing here. It’ll be easy to maintain. You’re going to have the sassy, the layers, a touch of shaggy, right? And this long sweep of fringe from right to left. Got your bold. It’s not going to look all done up, and it’ll have nice movement.”
Amazed, Morgan watched the transformation until she sat complete. Gone was the blunt, angled cut she’d worn before. Gone the admittedly inexpert attempts to trim.
Her hair looked fresh and fun, and no, not all done up, which she didn’t have the time or skill to maintain.
What she had? Easy, casual, and—she supposed—bold and sassy.
She lifted her gaze to Renee’s in the mirror. “I will never snip again.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“Can I book an appointment for when you think I need it done again?”
“I like hearing that even more. We’ll set you up.”
She drove to the nursery a few miles outside of the town proper, bought pansies and pots and everything she needed to plant them.
When she heard her ladies come home, she poured wine.
“Morgan, the pansies! They’re so sweet! Something smells so good. Did you cook? It’s not your day to— Oh my God!” Her mother stopped dead. “Your hair. Your hair’s adorable!”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Turn around, turn around. I love it. Mom, look at our girl!”
“I am. It suits you. Young, confident. What are you making here?”
“I found a recipe for leftover chicken, and it seemed easy. It always seems easier than it is, so I won’t believe that again. But I think it’s good. I tasted it, and I think it’s good. Chicken chili.”
“What a surprise. Three surprises at once. And all wonderful.” Audrey took the wine. “What a busy day you’ve had.”
“It felt good. It all felt good.”
“Let’s all sit down a minute.” Olivia picked up her wine. “And feel good.”
* * *
When Nell hustled into the bar just before noon, Morgan stood behind the bar handling the setup.
“First, great hair.”
“Thanks. Can I get you something?”
“Not yet. Where’s Nick?”
“In the dentist’s chair getting a root canal.”
“Ouch.” Instinctively Nell sucked air between her teeth.
“Reminds me to get a local dentist.”
“Are you working a double? Couldn’t you get anyone to cover?”
“Charlene’s kid’s home sick. Rob has two classes today and finals coming up, so I didn’t want to pull him in. I’d have tried Becs but she worked a double yesterday because Charlene has a sick kid. The Lodge has a private event so it didn’t make sense to tap them when I could come in. It’s fine. I’ve got it.”
“How sick? Which kid? Jack or Lilah?”
“Jack, and his fever broke this morning. He’s better.” And it mattered, Morgan thought, that Nell had asked, and knew the names of Charlene’s children.
“Okay then. My brothers are coming in. We’re having a meeting, grabbing some food.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m early. Miles will be on time. Liam will be late.” Sliding onto a stool, she tapped the sign placed in front of sprigs of lavender in a bud vase. “So?”
“Moving nicely. Group of five—spa packages, annual repeaters—ordered two rounds. Want to try one?”
“Not yet. My mother said the one you had delivered to her was delicious. That was cagey of you, pinning her location, sending her one. I respect cagey.”
“I’m glad she liked it.”
“She did. Actually, I could use a latte.”
“How about a lavender latte?”
The look that crossed Nell’s face combined fascination with horror. “Are you joking?”
“I’m not. You game?”
“If I say no, I’m a weenie. And that’s more cagey.”
“You’re no weenie.” Morgan walked to the coffee machine. “If you don’t like it, I’ll make you a regular. I heard about the new summer event—the Picnic by the Lake.”
“Really?” Shifting, Nell watched Morgan work. “Word travels.”
“It does if you listen. It’s a great idea. Yours?”
“Something my mother and I came up with brainstorming.”
“Good brains. I’m going to have staff fighting duels to work it. And it’s a way to keep things fresh and new. Like a lavender latte,” she said as she set the oversize cup in front of Nell.