“Handsome?” She snort-laughed.
“Hey.” I pulled down my sunglasses and eyed her over the top of them. “I clean up good.”
“You’re okay. If you like that kind of thing.”
I chuckled.
Timeless Beauty wasn’t far—nothing was far in our town—and I found a parking spot right out front. We got out and I held the door to Mari’s salon so Penelope could go in first.
Stacey, Marigold’s front desk person, greeted us as we walked in. “Hi. Can I help you?”
“We’re here to see Marigold.”
“Sure. Do you have an appointment?”
I took off my sunglasses. “Sort of. I called her this morning. She knows we’re coming.”
Stacey blinked. “Oh, Theo. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
I winked at Penelope. My plan was already working.
“Hi, Theo,” Marigold said, her voice friendly, as she came out to the lobby. Her long brown hair was pulled up off her face and she wore a navy blue dress.
“Hey, Mari. Thanks for squeezing us in.”
“Not a problem. My schedule is packed today, which is a good thing, but this won’t take long.”
“Do you know my friend, Penelope?” I gestured to her. “Pen, this is my sister-in-law, Marigold.”
“Hi,” Pen said with a shy wave. “I don’t think we’ve met, although I’ve seen you before. That sounded creepy. I just mean I’m usually at the football games and you are, too. You know, with your whole family. And I’m just there because I work there.”
“Pen’s the art teacher,” I said. “And…um…my roommate.”
Marigold’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh. That’s news.”
“Yeah, kind of a long story.”
Marigold turned to Pen. “It’s so nice to meet you. Can I give you a hug? I’m a hugger.”
Penelope adjusted her glasses. “I love hugs.”
Marigold hugged her, then gestured to the back of the salon. “Let’s get you all ready. I have a gorgeous wig for you.”
We followed Mari back to her station and Penelope sat in the chair.
Marigold ran her fingers through Pen’s hair, brushing it out. “Penelope, your hair is gorgeous. Is this your natural color?”
She nodded. “I’ve never been brave enough to dye it.”
“You certainly don’t need to. It’s beautiful. But let’s have some fun making you blond for the day.”
“I’ve never worn a wig before.”
“Don’t worry. They’re easier than they seem.”
Penelope took her glasses off, and I blinked a few times at her reflection in the mirror.
“Wow, Pen. You look so different without your glasses.”
