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“Working full time will help, I’m sure.”
“Absolutely. And if it’s slow, I can still do shampoos. Tips aren’t as good for shampooing as for doing manicures and pedicures, but money is money.”
“My mother always said, a little of something is better than all of nothing.”
Her mother often said something very similar. Hopefully, it would all be enough.
“Hey, where did that bubbly enthusiasm just go?” He took a step closer and seemed to think better of it and rocked back on his boot heels.
“Margie has her regulars, so I’ll have to build my own following. That may take a little time. I know there’s only one salon in Tuckers Bluff but having Margie work mornings only seemed to be good enough till now.”
“I’m sure it will work out. All you need is for word of mouth to spread and all will be well. You’ll see. When do you start?”
She glanced at her watch. “In an hour.”
“Oh.” His eyes widened slightly and then his smile reappeared. “Break a leg.”
Biting back a giggle, she smiled at him. “I don’t know if that works in the beauty business the same as in show business, but thanks.”
With a quick peck on the cheek and a wave to Ryan and the others, she was out the door on her way home for a quick lunch. Shoveling down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, between bites she told her mother what little she knew.
“Don’t you worry. There’s plenty more people in Tuckers Bluff who want to get their nails done. They’ll learn Polly has more help and come. Like that movie. If you build it, they will come.”
That had her chuckling with her last swallow. “Paxton said something similar. But I want to get there early today.” She jumped to her feet and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’m leaving. See you for dinner.”
“Unless Paxton invites you out again,” her mom called over her shoulder.
Rolling her eyes at no one in particular, she ran out the door and practically skipped to the salon. To her surprise, Polly had found the room to add a second nail station. Sandra had assumed that she’d be using Margie’s station, but somehow, knowing she had her own spot made today even more exciting. Putting away her purse in the bottom drawer, even though she had no standing appointments, she proceeded to set the table up in preparation for her first customer.
Sorting through nail files and clippers, and taking note of a few items she’d like to have than what Polly had provided, she made a mental note to order some specialty polishes that lasted longer than the average manicure. She’d brought a few from home, but needed a wider selection. Completely set up and organized, she wondered what to do next when the bell over the door sounded.
Meg Farraday hurried through the door. “Sorry I’m a little late. Had a guest arrive early for check in as I was walking out the door. Is it too late?”
Holding a woman’s long hair between her fingers, and a pair of scissors primed to snip off a long lock, Polly smiled. “Right on time.”
Sandra looked at the woman who had married Adam Farraday right around the same time she had married Ed. The difference, of course, was that Meg had married a good man and had a lovely and very happy family. Expecting Meg to wait for Polly or another of the stylists, Sandra was surprised to see her plop in the seat in front of her.
“My nails are such a mess. It’s so hard to chase after a little one, care for guests, and keep my nails polished. I swear, a few days out and my nails look like hell and break like there’s no tomorrow.”
Sandra pointed to her specialty polishes. “I don’t have many color choices yet, but I’ll be getting more soon.” For the next few minutes, she explained the benefits of this polish over ordinary and was halfway through the manicure when Connor Farraday’s wife Catherine came through the door.
The woman waved at Polly, stopped to chat with Ida Brady in Polly’s chair a moment before, all smiles, grabbed the chair at Margie’s station and pulled it over to her sister-in-law. “Isn’t this fun having someone available in the afternoons for a manicure?”
Meg leaned forward and looked at her hands. “It’s heaven.”
Sandra smelled a rat. Or at least a little mouse.
The two sisters-in-law talked colors, and schedules, and children before circling around to the women’s Friday night Girls’ Night.
“We do hope you can make it some time.” Admiring her nails, Meg switched places with Catherine.
The two women were still chatting when Grace was the next person through the front door. There was no doubt in Sandra’s mind that this wasn’t a coincidence. Not once in the weeks she’d been working here had any of these women come in for a haircut so having all three here for manicures definitely smelled of a rat. A sweet and thoughtful rat.
Unlike the other two women, Grace’s polish was still intact, her hands looked smooth and fresh, and Sandra would bet her old friend had recently had a manicure.
Cordless phone in hand, Polly stopped by Sandra’s station. “I have someone on the phone who wants an appointment later today. Are you open or do you expect another client?”
Wouldn’t she like to know? She almost felt like calling Paxton to ask him if he had any more family he was sending her way. “I think I’m free. Who wants an appointment?”
