Saturdays at Shear Delight were always tightly scheduled. That would be a challenge because Nicole had a certain cowboy on the brain. Cutting and coloring hair required concentration and disasters were born when a stylist gave in to wool gathering.

Her customers deserved her best effort, and that went double for Jo Fielding, who was her eleven o’clock. Jo’s position at the bank kept her from making weekday appointments and the wedding was coming up.

No matter how busy Nicole’s Saturday turned out to be, she always had a hug for Jo. The woman had been a lifesaver in the chaotic days when Nicole had been battling grief over losing her beloved great aunt and coming to grips with the reality of owning a house that came supplied with a cat. Jo’s steady hand had guided her through setting up a bank account and navigating the terms of Aunt Henrietta’s will. Then Jo had introduced her to Colleen, the owner of Shear Delight.

Jo was all smiles as she sat in Nicole’s chair. “You were wonderful the other night. I’m so glad you’ve agreed to play for the ceremony.” She unhooked her hoop earrings and tucked them in the pocket of her jeans.

“I’m honored that Zane and Mandy want me to.” She fastened a cape over the Shear Delight smock Jo had put on.

“Ryker was convincing when he raved about your abilities, but once I heard you sing, I knew you would be perfect if you’d agree. Your version of Breathe was a knockout.”

“I love that song.” She combed her fingers through Jo’s short gray hair. “Same cut?”

“Yes, please.”

“Then let’s get you shampooed.” She stepped back and followed Jo into the adjacent room. “How are the wedding preparations coming along?”

“Well. The Whine and Cheese Club has made the place cards and favors for the reception. The flowers and cake are ordered. Mandy’s all done with the bridesmaids’ dresses and is almost finished with her wedding dress.”

“Incredible. How many brides sew all the dresses themselves?” Nicole rinsed the suds away and wrapped a towel around Jo’s wet hair before levering the chair upright.

“Not many, I’m sure. But she’s picky and nothing in a bridal shop would have suited her.”

“I’ll bet she made clothes for her Barbie when she was a kid.”

“Believe it or not, she never had a Barbie.” Jo walked back to Nicole’s station and settled into the swivel chair. “She grew up with the McGavin boys and was a total tomboy back then. Still is most of the time. She didn’t get seriously interested in fashion until high school.”

“It’s her calling, for sure.” She blotted Jo’s hair with a towel and ran a comb through it.

“Yep. Since she moved back I’m the best-dressed woman in town. It’s great fun.”

“I’ll bet. In fact, I’d love her to make me an outfit for performing at the GG.” Nicole picked up her comb and scissors and went to work. “I have the ones from when I performed in Idaho Falls, but I know Mandy could come up with something more creative.”

“And have fun doing it. She loves her work. Just like you.”

“I absolutely do. I had several Barbies when I was a kid and they all had interesting hair once I got through with them. Then I started working on my own hair. I had an elaborate set of mirrors. It was crazy.”

Jo laughed. “Did you get into unusual colors?”

“Of course! Horrified my mom.”

“I’ve never seen you with wild colors in your hair, though.”

“No, I got tired of that. I like my natural color so I decided to stick with it. Makes life so much simpler.”

“Trust me, it does. So what are your mom and sister doing about their hair now that you’ve moved here? Do you pop over there every few weeks?”

“Don’t need to. My mom’s had the same person for years and she loves how that stylist does her hair. No point in messing with what works, right?”

“Guess not.”

“My mom’s really particular when it comes to her hair, so it was kind of a relief that she wanted to stick with her same person. My sister goes to her, too.” And Ray, once he started getting chummy with her parents.

“Well, they don’t know what they’re missing.”

“Thank you. Aunt Henrietta liked me to do her hair. Most of the time she wanted purple streaks, except when she went through a gold and silver phase. She said the colors reminded her of her days as a flower child in San Francisco.”

“I’ll bet she had some fascinating stories. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know her better.”

“You would have had an uphill climb getting to know her. She said she didn’t accept invitations because Jimi made it impossible for her to return the favor. She had her Saturday nights at Ellie Mae’s house and that was it.” Nicole finished Jo’s haircut and used mousse and a blow dryer to give it some style. “There you go! Ready for your walk down the aisle with Mandy. I think it’s so cool that you’re giving her away.”

“I’ll be a blubbering mess, but yes, it’s very cool.” Jo put a tip in the jar next to the plush turtle. “I noticed you had a bigger one of these on stage.”

“Yeah, it’s my thing.”

“And it’s cute.” She gazed at Nicole. “I realize you’re living in Eagles Nest because of Jimi, but I’m hoping we’ll make a good enough impression that you’ll stay after Jimi goes to his ultimate reward.”

“I’ve definitely thought about it.”

“Excellent! If I don’t see you before, then I’ll see you at the wedding. Thanks for making me presentable.” Jo gave her a hug and went up front to pay.

Nicole swept the floor and straightened her station in preparation for her next client. No doubt Zane and Mandy’s wedding would be a big deal in Eagles Nest and she looked forward to being a part of it. But Bryce’s story last night had made it clear why he wasn’t playing guitar during the ceremony.

* * *

Now that Bryce had a decent band lined up, he’d asked Zane and Mandy to stop by Saturday night and give a listen. After they’d heard several songs and danced to a couple of them, he left Mike in charge at the bar so he could sit and talk to them about it.

Grabbing a seat, he shoved back his hat. “So?”

Mandy gave him two thumbs up. “Perfect. I like that they rotate the solos and they all sing backup. I’m impressed that the one guy can switch off from banjo to fiddle. They’re all excellent musicians.”

He turned to Zane. “Do you see any weak spots?”

“I don’t. Great sound. Where’re they from?”

“Billings. They’ve only been together about six months so they haven’t built up a huge following yet. I predict they will, but I’m going to see if I can lock them in for a while because they’re head and shoulders above some of the groups we’ve had.”

Zane chuckled. “You know I think the world of Lou, but he does not have an ear for music. While you were in Texas, we suffered through the bands he hired because we love him and love coming to the GG.”

“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”

Zane leaned forward. “Now that you’ve located this band, I have an idea. How would you like to help me put together a fundraiser for Raptors Rise and hold it here?”

“I’d love to. I can guarantee Lou would be on board. He supports what you’re doing.”

“We just got another corporate sponsor today,” Mandy said.

“Yeah? Who?”

“Badger Air.”

“Ryker’s airline?” Bryce rubbed his chin. “Not to disparage his generous impulse, but how the hell does he have the money to—”

“You don’t ask that when someone offers your charitable cause money.”

Bryce grinned at her. “I suppose not. That would be rude.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Zane said. “Ryker’s Air Force buddy comes from old Southern money and he seems to thoroughly enjoy being a silent partner in the business. I think this sponsorship is courtesy of Badger Calhoun’s sizable trust fund.”

“If he’s really old Southern money, there’s no way his parents named him Badger.”

Mandy laughed. “You think? According to Ryker his legal name is Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun, but woe to the person who calls him that to his face.”

“Will I ever get the chance to make that mistake?”

“You might,” Zane said. “Ryker invited him for Christmas and he’s threatened to show up. His main reason would be to check out Badger Air, but now he’s interested in the raptor operation, too. Considering his generous sponsorship check, I’m prepared to roll out the red carpet and call him anything he wants.”

Bryce smiled. “Wise man.”

“Hey, guess who just came in?” Mandy waved to someone. “Nicole’s here!”

Bryce’s pulse redlined. The last time they’d been together she’d kissed him. It hadn’t been a sweet, innocent kiss, either. If she’d shown up tonight, she might be thinking…anything. He couldn’t guess. But he could dream.

He and Zane both stood as Nicole made her way to their table. She wore a short denim skirt, boots and a body-hugging blue plaid shirt. Sexy yet understated.

“Hey, everybody!” Her gaze swept the three of them and didn’t linger a millisecond longer on Bryce than the other two.

“Hey, Nicole!” Mandy pulled out the chair next to her. “Nice outfit.”

“Thanks. That reminds me, when you get back from your honeymoon, I’m hoping you’ll have time to design another show costume for me or maybe two. My old stuff is boring.”

“That leather one isn’t.” Bryce quickly wished he’d kept his mouth shut because Zane gave him a raised eyebrow. Damn. He didn’t want to be telegraphing his moves to any of his brothers. They all treated him like a bird with a broken wing. They’d be like his mother, warning him to be careful.

“I didn’t see that one,” Mandy said, “but your Monday night costume was fun.”

“Jeans with bling and a lacy top. Everybody does that.”

“Then let’s come up with something you like better. Once this wedding craziness is over, I’ll research what the big stars are wearing these days.”

“I saw something the other day I liked.”

“Oh, yeah? Describe it to me.”

As Nicole and Mandy settled into a discussion of styles and fabrics that would work well on stage, Bryce looked over at Zane and smiled. This was a topic about which they knew nothing. “How’s work coming on the new barn?”

“It’ll be weatherproofed before the first snow.”

“That’s a plus. When will you move horses in?”

“As soon as possible. People are begging us to finish early. That’s gratifying. We’ve heard from one family that’s keeping a horse in the backyard with the wading pool, the birdfeeder and the playground equipment. That’s not a good thing and I want to get that animal to a better environment if I can.”

“You’re a rescuer at heart, big brother.”

“Thanks. And speaking of that, I have a bald eagle I need to check on once more tonight.” He glanced at Mandy. “I should go, but if you want to stay, I can—”

“The bald eagle. Right. I’ll go with you. I want to see how she’s doing, too.” She gave Nicole and Bryce a hug before leaving with Zane.

Bryce glanced at Nicole. “And I need to get back to the bar. I just looked over there and Mike’s overwhelmed.”

“Yes, please go.” She made a shooing motion with her hand. “I’ll be fine here on my own.”

“If guys ask you to dance, you should do it.”

“Then maybe I will.”

But although he kept a close watch on her table, she never accepted the invitations that came her way. She ordered a glass of wine and made it last. The signs were all there. She was waiting for closing time. She was waiting for him.

Once he’d figured that out, he had trouble concentrating on his bartending. Usually he was the one who made sure Mike served the right drink to the right customer and didn’t make a mess in the process. Tonight, Mike did the double-checking and several times Bryce mixed up an order. He also knocked over a Dirty Martini and a goblet of red wine.

Mike didn’t say anything. Not one word. Instead he kept glancing at Bryce with a smile on his face.

Finally, Bryce couldn’t take it anymore. “What the hell are you grinning about?”

“I’ve never seen you rattled about a woman before. It’s highly entertaining.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Mike just looked at him.

“Okay, I’m rattled. I’ve been out of the loop for more than a year. Before that I was engaged for three years so this dating thing…I’m convinced I’m going to screw it up.”

“I doubt it. You really like her, right?”

“Yes, I really like her.”

“And you have condoms, I hope? Gotta have those little raincoats.”

“As a matter of fact, I do, smartass. Bought them today at Pills and Pop.” He hadn’t purchased that item in more than a year, either.

Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “Then you’re all set. Nicole likes you a lot, too. These kinds of things are never guaranteed to work out, but I consider your chances of success are extremely high.”

“Thanks.” Funny how that conversation and Mike’s vote of confidence steadied him. Last night he’d tried to convince Nicole that she wasn’t ready for this step, but judging from his behavior he wasn’t any more ready than she was. He would be, though. He was a lucky SOB to have a woman like Nicole interested in him and he wouldn’t blow it.

Once the band packed up their instruments and the crowd walked out into the cool night, one customer remained. Bryce sent Mike home, and his assistant bartender had the nerve to give him thumbs up on his way out. He hoped Nicole hadn’t seen that.

At long last everyone was gone. Nicole continued to sit at her table, which he found interesting. He locked the front door before walking over and pulling out a chair. “Sometimes my customers just hate to leave the GG.”

She didn’t look at him. “I can understand that. It’s a warm, inviting environment.” Then she turned the full force of her blue-eyed gaze on him. “Then there’s the manager. He has a way of making everyone feel welcome, valuable, cherished.”

Lust slammed into him, stealing his breath.

“Will you please take me upstairs and make love to me, Bryce McGavin?”

He dragged air into his tight chest. “Hell, yes.”