Page 45 of The Wish List
“No puppy,” Ash said, making an apparent effort to retain his patience with his daughter’s exuberance.
“I think your father is the one to thank,” Trinity reminded Michaela. “This was his idea.”
The girl gave Ash a huge hug, and Trinity could almost feel him melting. “Thanks, Daddy. I’m gonna go show Gran. She can drive me to Cameron’s house for the sleepover on her way to book club.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Use your good manners and stuff,” Ash counseled his daughter. “Winter break is coming soon, and you don’t want to spend it in your room grounded.”
She nodded and after a quick hug for Trinity, ran out the back door.
“And stuff?” Trinity asked with a laugh. “That sounds like it encompasses a lot.”
“I hope so.” Ash ran a hand over his jaw.
Normally, he was clean-shaven, but end-of-day stubble shadowed his jaw in a way that appealed to her. She found everything about him appealing.
“I hope it’s enough when she’s an actual teenager. I have a feeling I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
“I have a feeling you’ll do a great job.” She quickly swept the hair trimmings into a pile. Before she could bend over to gather it in the dustpan, Ash took the broom from her hand.
“Let me. You shouldn’t be bending over in your condition.”
“I’m pregnant. It’s not a back injury.” But she did appreciate the assistance, even if she didn’t want to need it.
“It’s okay to accept help,” he said gently. “It doesn’t mean you can’t handle it on your own.”
Trinity gave a reluctant nod. “I know and thank you.”
She grabbed a clean smock from the box of supplies sitting near the refrigerator. “I’m ready for my next customer.”
“I appreciate you doing this. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to find time to make it to the salon.”
“You’ve got a lot going on.”
As he sat back in the kitchen chair, she stepped closer and tucked his collar under the cape. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the skin on the nape of his neck was warm. It wasn’t as if he were a vampire.
But that slight touch made her want more. Wanting more was dangerous to a woman in Trinity’s situation.
“It’s not just my schedule. The last time I got my hair cut, it felt like everyone was staring. Like they’d been waiting for me to walk in the door.”
She could imagine they had been. There were a couple of single cowboys who’d come into the shop she’d worked at the longest. It was always a big event for the female hairdressers. Several of the male ones as well.
“Your virtue is safe with me.”
He chuckled. “That’s disappointing.”
Heat rushed through her. “Just a trim?” she asked, needing to remind them both why he was here.
“You’re the expert. Whatever you think it needs.”
She liked when clients had faith in her, and Ash’s confidence felt more poignant. Maybe because he was strong and capable in real life. For him to relinquish control to her felt like it meant something. Something she liked very much.
She handed him a small towel. “Cover your face with this while I wet your hair. I’m sorry we don’t have the setup for me to give you the full treatment. Michaela fit on the counter, but I think you’re a bit too tall. I can’t imagine what my mom would think about me cutting hair in the middle of her kitchen.”
“Maybe she’d surprise you and get in line.”
“Maybe,” Trinity agreed, although she couldn’t imagine that being true.
Ash was the kind of client she liked. He kept his chin level and looked straight ahead as she moved around him. He didn’t even react when her stomach accidentally bumped him several times.
