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“Of course. The plans are clear and I could see it all coming together as you explained what would go where. And that big backyard is fabulous for raising a family and maybe a dog or two.”
Paxton turned back to Owen, whose gaze had narrowed and the muscle in his jaw twitched which meant his mind was working. No doubt the two men were thinking the same thing. But first, he would have to find out more about Sandra Lynn’s situation. Maybe this would be a way to bring that smile to her face and keep it there.
Chapter Six
So far so good. Sandra Lynn pushed the broom around the empty stylist’s chair. There was enough hair on the floor to make not one but several wigs. Not that they were saving the hair, but still.
“Here you go.” Mrs. Brady smiled at her and shoved a bill into Sandra’s hand. “It’s nice to have you back.”
“Thank you.” She waved at the woman and waited until no one was looking to peek at the tip. The bills tucked in her palm made her smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. She’d shampooed four different women’s hair this morning and Mrs. Brady was the biggest tipper yet. At this rate, it would take a long while before she could afford to rent a place of their own for her and David, but she could be patient when she had to.
“Morning, Emily.” Polly smiled at the woman coming through the front door. “I’ll be ready for you in just a bit. Have a seat at the shampoo station and Sandra Lynn will get you ready.”
The squeal Emily let out could have been heard clear to Oklahoma City. “I heard you were back! Why didn’t you let anyone know you were coming home?”
Any lingering embarrassment that she felt from slinking home after a failed attempt at Prince Charming and happily ever after slid away at Emily Taub’s excited greeting. “It all came together rather quickly. There was no time.” Truth was, she saw her chance to get out of Dodge and took it. Her ex had spent the better part of the last two years drunk more than sober. When he refused to agree to regular drug testing, the judge had denied joint custody and given her permission to return to her hometown. If Ed wanted to see David, he would have to make the eight-hour drive. Not the end of the world.
“Has Grace told you about our Friday Girls’ Night?” Emily sank into the seat and leaned her head back in the basin as Sandra turned on the water and squirted her hands with shampoo. “Nothing special. Just us girls, maybe a movie or dinner. Sometimes we’ll go over to the Boot ’N’ Scoots in Butler Springs. With everyone so busy with kids and things we try to do Girls’ Night at least once a month.”
Giving her friend a brief massage, Sandra found herself smiling. Really smiling. It just struck her how nice it’s going to be to have friends again. “Sounds like fun.”
“Oh, good.” Emily grinned. “I think our first night together should be a pajama party.”
Sandra rinsed the shampoo out and wrapped a towel around Emily’s head. “Do y’all do pajama parties?”
“Not usually.” Emily sat up. “But once in a while to celebrate, yeah. And they’re so much fun. And your returning home is definitely worth celebrating.” Before Sandra could say a word, Emily threw her arms around her and squeezed. “Welcome home.”
How had she been so blind to let Ed talk her into leaving everything she loved so dearly? “Just let me know which Friday and I’ll make sure Mom can take care of David for me.”
“Oh, that’s right!” Emily sprang back. “You’re a mom now.”
Her cheeks tugged hard at the corners of her mouth. “My pride and joy.”
The bell over the door rang and Mary Sue Carter, the afternoon shampoo girl, came into the salon. “Hey, Polly, Sandra. Sorry I’m a few minutes late.”
“No, problem.” Sandra glanced at the clock over the wall. Fifteen minutes wasn’t going to make or break anything. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hang up my apron and get ready to head home. My son is probably wondering where I am.”
Emily frowned. “He’s not in school?”
“Not yet.” Sandra shook her head. “I had to straighten up some paperwork, but he should be starting on Monday.”
“Your turn, Emily. Have a seat.” Polly waved her customer over to her chair.
A few more rounds of glad you’re back and see you soon floated back and forth before Sandra was able to grab her purse and head home. Thank heaven’s Tuckers Bluff was small enough that if you had time, a person could walk anywhere. It was only about twenty minutes to her mom’s house. A nice walk in good weather. And today, the walk flew by as her mind ran over all the wonderful blessings falling into place, one by one, since returning home. Soon, she’d save enough money to rent a little house for her and David and she could start giving him the life she’d always wanted for him.
At the curb of her mom’s place, she was surprised to see a big truck. Wasn’t that Paxton’s? Making her way up the front steps to the porch, she came inside and expecting the loud sounds of a rambunctious little boy, she was surprised by the library-like silence. “Anyone home?”
“Hey, sweetie.” Her mother called from the laundry room. “Washing sheets. David and Paxton are in the yard.”
David and Paxton. In the yard? Crossing the kitchen to the back door, she drew to a stop at the sight in front of her. It took a moment, and then she realized her son was holding a hammer. What the heck? Another minute of silent observation and she could hear Paxton.
“That’s right. Let the weight of the hammer bang on the nail. Want to try it again?”
Her heart tripped and her mouth fell open. Was Paxton actually teaching her son how to use a hammer? His voice was so smooth and gentle urging David on. Another swing, and from the way David spun around and smiled at Paxton, the sheer joy in his expression, she was willing to guess that her son hit the nail. Swallowing hard, she blinked back tears. She should never have left Tuckers Bluff.
Hanging out with kids was not the norm for Paxton, but this kid was just a bundle of energy and excitement that could make anyone smile, no matter how hard their day. “That’s perfect. Now you’ve got the hang of it. Remember be careful with your thumb. I don’t want your mother mad it me for letting you work with my tools.”
David bobbed his head, and nibbling on his lower lip, held the nail and let the hammer swing down on it. Of course, even with momentum, a young boy like David needed to repeat the move multiple times, but what mattered is he did it on his own and he knew it. Until now, Paxton hadn’t really given any thought to having a family, but these few minutes gave him a view of how sweet having a son of his own could be.
