Free The Closer You Get by Carter Ashby

need?”
    “Um. No.”
    Still he didn’t leave. Finally he said, “I think I’ll go to Darcy’s after work.”
    “They’re running out of women, Rye,” she said before she could think to stop herself.
    His expression went cold again. “Not hardly. There’s always more women.” He turned on his heel and left.  
    Cora stared after him, regretting the way she’d triggered his defense mechanism. But then, wasn’t it for the best? She could never handle a man like him, and even if she could, it was always a bad idea to sleep with one’s employees.  
    Adam said, “Maybe he has a crush on you.”
    Cora laughed. “I’m sure. Let’s go get my hair cut.”
    Adam drove them to Betsy’s beauty salon. Betsy Goodnight had opened it five years ago when she was fresh out of beauty school. All they’d had in Fidelity before she came along was a little barber shop where the barber only offered one hair style. Betsy was full of bounce and energy. She was two years younger than Cora and Adam, very cute, and also very adept at her work. Her shop had three chairs.  
    Betsy was with a customer, but Karen Seabaugh’s chair was empty.
    Betsy turned, her copper curls bouncing. “Oh hi, Cora! Hi, Adam. Have a seat.” She was wrapping strands of her customer’s hair in bits of foil for highlighting. “Actually,” she said, turning, “I’m running a little behind. Karen had a cancelation if you want to go over there.”
    Cora turned her gaze to Karen, who gave her a tight-lipped smile. Not good. Cora didn’t like Karen and was certain Karen didn’t like her. Still, it was just a hair cut. She stood and plopped down in Karen’s chair.
    “Just a trim today?” Karen asked.
    “Actually, I want a change. I want to go short. But feminine. Not pixie short, but maybe jaw length with some layers. I don’t really know; I just want it to be fun and cute.”
    “And practical, I’m sure,” Karen said.
    “Well—”
    “We’ll fix you right up. I guess you want it out of your way for work and all.”
    “No, actually, I’m just wanting a bit of a change—”
    “Your sisters with all their fancy hairdos, changing colors all the time. Not sturdy little Cora. Never went in for those kinds of frills.”
    Cora jumped to her feet and faced Karen. “I think I’ll wait for Betsy.”
    Karen arched a brow. “Are you questioning my skills?”
    “No. I just don’t think you’re hearing what I want. I’ll wait for Betsy.” She pivoted on her heel and seated herself back next to Adam. Betsy shot her a quick grin. Adam put his arm around her shoulders.
    “Way to go,” he whispered in her ear.  
    She nodded proudly. She was going to stand up for herself and shape her own image. “I’ve got tea at Mother’s Sunday with the WICS.”
    “Ah, yes. The Women In Christian Service. They get together for tea on Sundays and talk about all the problems in the world. Mail a few get well cards. Say a prayer and call it a day.”
    “Shove it. I’ve got tea Sunday, and I want to look different. Not gaudy and pretentious. Just confident. I don’t want to be patronized anymore.”
    “I applaud this new effort, Cora. I’m proud of you. It’s beyond me why you bother going to these things, but at least you can take back your dignity.”
    She frowned at him. “You make it sound as though I’ve been a complete doormat.”
    Adam just arched a brow.
    She slumped back in her seat.
    When Betsy was finally free, she sat and told her what she wanted. After Betsy finished and turned her to the mirror, Cora nearly cried. She looked somehow younger and at the same time more mature. She swung her hair side-to-side and felt her hair bounce against her cheeks. The air on the back of her now-bare neck felt invigorating. She glanced at Adam’s reflection, and he gave her a thumbs-up.  
    “Let’s go shopping,” he said.
    Next, it was over to the big mall in Fayetteville. She wouldn’t have been able to do this without Adam. She hadn’t bought a