One Stubborn Texan

pink uniform. And she was tall-probably close to six feet; most of it legs.

Could this woman possibly be Russ’s mother? She didn’t look old enough.

“What can we do for you today?” the woman asked with a big smile.

Sydney stared at the two women who were having their hair done by the other stylists, who also wore pink uniforms. She hadn’t teased and sprayed her hair like that since her role as Marie Antoinette in her high-school play.

“I’m in desperate need of a manicure,” Sydney said, showing the woman her pitiful nails. “Can you take a walk- in?”

“Honey, for those nails, I’ll make room in my schedule. What have you been doing, climbing trees?”

Sydney relaxed, smiling at the woman’s frank appraisal. “Something like that.”

“You just come on back to the manicure table and we’ll get you soaking. What about a pedicure, too? We got a special going, half-price on the toes if you do the fingers. I know it’s winter and no one sees your feet, but it’ll make you feel pretty on the inside just knowing your toenails are all bright and shiny.”

“Okay, sure.” The price list was posted by the front door, and this place was a bargain compared to what she was used to in New York. She could indulge.

“I’m Winnie, by the way,” the woman said as she led Sydney to the manicure table, confirming her suspicions. “Would you like a trim, too? Maybe a shampoo and blowout? Don’t be put off by all the big hair. Lots of the ladies around here won’t give up their permanent waves or the Dolly Parton look.” She patted her own shaggy bouffant. “But we can do the latest hairstyles, too.”

Much as Sydney would love to indulge in a whole day of pampering after her backwoods adventure, she didn’t have that much time. “Not today,” she said to the affable Winnie.

“Not even a facial? I’ve got this new cucumber mask that I guarantee will leave your face feeling like a baby’s bottom.”

“Is that what you use?” Sydney asked as she unlaced her hiking boots. They didn’t look new anymore. She’d broken them in but good. “I couldn’t help noticing how pretty your skin looks.”

“Well, thank you, hon!” Winnie smiled ear-to-ear, revealing perfectly straight, blindingly white teeth. “I’ve always used a lot of sunscreen, that’s the key.” She disappeared into a back room, and a short time later reappeared with a footbath full of warm water. She plugged it in as Sydney rolled up her jeans and eased her poor, abused feet into paradise.

“My word,” Winnie said, “what did you do to your foot?”

“I sprained my ankle,” she said. “A hiking mishap.”

“Don’t tell me my idiot son took you out into the woods and tried to get you to hug trees.”

Uh-oh. Apparently Winnie had her ear to the ground, because she knew Sydney and Russ had been together. Sydney had better tread carefully. “Well, sort of.”

“I swear, that boy doesn’t have a clue how to impress a woman. Couldn’t he see the moment you stepped out of that car wearing those pretty clothes that you weren’t an outdoorsy type?”

“Oh, but I’m not…that is, we weren’t…” Oh, hell. How was she going to explain this? She couldn’t breathe a word about her true purpose or she would break her promise to Russ, not to mention possibly ruin someone’s life.

Then a thought occurred to her. If Winnie thought Sydney and her son were involved romantically, there would be no need to explain her presence in Linhart. And it wouldn’t be a lie at this point. She and Russ were, after all, going out on a real date tonight, even if it would be their last hurrah.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” Winnie said in a confidential whisper. “I’m not one of those mothers who thinks no woman is good enough for her son. Truth is, I’d like for Russ to settle down and give me a couple of grandbabies.”

“It’s not that serious!” Sydney blurted out. “I mean, we just met…we’ve only started…” Her face went hot. This was getting worse and worse. No matter what she said, it seemed to give the wrong impression. Winnie had to know she and Russ had spent a couple of nights together.

Winnie laughed. “Settle down, hon. I won’t push, I promise. So other than ruining your ankle, did you enjoy the camping? Frankly I have no use for freezing in a tent and tinkling in the woods, but some people really seem to like it.”

“It wasn’t terrible,” Sydney answered, realizing it was true. “You’re right, I’m not really the outdoorsy type. But Russ made it fun. Besides, there was a cabin, not a tent. And a bathroom, once I found it. He’s a good guy, your son.”

“Oh, don’t I know it,” Winnie said. “We went through some hard times, him and me, back when I was young and stupid. He took care of me more than I did him. From the time he was a little bitty thing he was watching out for me-almost like he knew he was destined to be the strong one of the two of us.”

“He obviously loves you a lot,” Sydney said.

Winnie sniffed and Sydney wondered if she was crying. Maybe she was one of those women who cried at anything. But then she seemed to shake herself out of it. “What color did you want today, sweetie?”

Sydney chose a deep, dark red nail polish, which suited her mood. Then she lay back and let Winnie give her the facial and rub her feet. It had been so long since she’d pampered herself, or spent an afternoon gossiping with a female friend. She missed her mother and the long conversations they used to have, particularly during that last year, when she was ill.

By the end of the afternoon Sydney had the most beautiful hands and feet in the world-and a new friend. Winnie was nothing short of delightful, funny and painfully honest about herself. But Sydney sensed a vulnerability about her, a certain naivete. She could just imagine how a fast-paced, me-first city like Las Vegas could chew Winnie up and spit her out.

By the time Sydney was done at the beauty shop, it was getting late. She hadn’t brought any clothes with her that were suitable for a fancy restaurant, so she darted next door to Rose’s Dress Shop. The clothes in the window looked very stylish and high quality to Sydney, so it was worth a shot.

With the help of the elderly proprietor, who had a keen eye and knew what would look good on Sydney’s petite, slender frame, she picked out a slinky cocktail dress the color of a caramel apple. She had a pair of low-heeled pumps that would match perfectly and wouldn’t put too much stress on her ankle. Despite the disaster of Baines & Baines’s financial situation, her personal finances were still in decent shape-although nowhere near enough to pay off her father’s debts-and she could certainly afford a dress.

It was dark and most of the businesses on Main Street were closing up by the time Sydney hurried across the street to meet Russ at the general store. She couldn’t wait to see him again. And she was practically coming out of her skin as she considered spending another night with him. How in the world was she going to simply get in her car and drive to the airport tomorrow morning, never to see him again?

WINNIE WAS CLOSING THE BLINDS at the Cut ’n’ Curl when she saw Sydney crossing the street with a large shopping bag from Rose’s Dress Shop. Betty came over and joined her.

“What’s she up to?”

“Just went shopping, apparently. She’s putting her clothes and things into the trunk of her car. I wonder if she’s leaving.”

“She seemed nice. I was busy with Irma’s highlights so I couldn’t really eavesdrop, but it seemed like you two were having fun.”

“She is nice,” Winnie confirmed, which had surprised her. Usually it took some time to win over one of Russ’s girlfriends. At first they were always reserved, ready to compete for Russ’s affections. As if he didn’t have enough to go around. She knew that secretly they thought her big hair was tacky and that she ought to dress more conservatively.

But she was who she was and she’d sensed total acceptance from Sydney. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. If Russ did ever settle down, Winnie hoped she and her daughter-in-law could be friends.

“Nope, she’s not leaving,” Betty said. “She’s going back into the general store. Did she tell you anything more about why she’s here?”

“She and Russ are involved, apparently, despite what Russ said. He took her on some wilderness adventure and she didn’t run away screaming, so that’s a good sign.”

“I thought Bert told you she was here on business.”

“He did. But he was being cagey about it. Come to think of it, Sydney was a little bit vague, too, about how she