Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I have some Equinox shears back home,” Lalani shared.
“Those are nice. I have a set of Kamisori Serenity scissors tucked away. Would those work for you?”
“Work for me? Those scissors are so good they could almost cut by themselves,” Lalani said, looking shocked. “I’m afraid I can’t afford those.”
“You can today. My parents own the store. They don’t sell anything anymore. Just give things to people who need them. You’re already helping others by cutting hair. What else do you need? A cape? A sharpening kit for the scissors?”
“I’d love all of that. And a few hairbrushes and combs.”
“You are a professional. The addiction is powerful in those who do hair for brushes and combs. Here’s a basket. Pick out what you need,” the young woman said.
In a half hour, Khadar carried a bag filled with an assortment of supplies, including an old-fashioned straight razor, a lathering brush, and a pot of shaving soap. His mate had not been greedy but had taken what she knew she would need and a few items that would allow her to give his staff an unexpected treat. Lalani had almost cried when the young woman had handed her the scissor set. She still held those close to her, afraid they’d get lost in the bag.
“Ready for pizza?” he asked, squeezing her hand to pull her from her thoughts.
“I can’t believe she gave me these,” Lalani repeated for the seventieth time. “They’re so pretty and they fit in my hand like… I don’t know what they’re like. These are so incredible.”
“So, let’s think of something we could do for the family that would be equally nice. I’ll gather some information and see what they need.”
“I would love that. Thank you, Khadar.” She darted in front of him, making him come to a stop before rising on her tiptoes to kiss him.
“You are welcome, mate. Now let’s go get dinner before I decide I want something else to eat.”
“Khadar!” she said, turning a pretty shade of pink as she looked around to see if anyone had overheard him.
“Daddy.”
“Daddy,” she whispered.
“Good girl. What do you want on pizza?”
“Cheese and anything else you want. There isn’t a pizza I don’t like,” she told him.
“So, I can have them load it up with spinach, black-eyed peas, and raw oysters?”
“You cannot like that stuff on a pizza,” she told him with a look of complete disgust on her face. “How about pepperoni, black olives, or even anchovies?”
“That does sound better,” he agreed, steering her into the restaurant.
Chapter 12
A picnic basket served as a perfect organizer for her supplies. With that draped over her arm, Lalani set off the next morning to catch Robbie at his house before the beekeeper headed out to tend the hives. She wanted to make sure he was at the top of the list for steering her to that store.
“Be sure to tell everyone I’m cutting hair in the mornings on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the shade of the mountain. Right there in front of Khadar’s house,” she told Robbie when she was finished.
“I can’t wait to show everyone. Thank you, Lalani. You’re going to have a line a mile long,” Robbie told her.
“I may need to open more days then,” she worried.
“Start with two. We’ll squeeze in during that time,” he assured her.
“See you soon, Robbie.”
As she approached the house, Lalani saw a gold flash in the sky. Drake was landing. And then a silver. Argenis was here, too? What was going on? It must be something tragic. Bursting into a run, Lalani raced toward the house, her picnic basket thumping her side as she hurried.
Princess. Do not panic. Everything is fine. Your friends are here to visit you.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she slowed her pace a bit and dropped into a walk before turning the corner. Aurora and Ciel waved enthusiastically when they spotted her.
“Hi!” Lalani called. She set her basket down to hug her friends.
“A little birdie told us you are a hairdresser,” Ciel confessed.
“A birdie?” Lalani repeated.
“Okay, so it was a big, green dragon,” Ciel admitted.
“And he didn’t tell us, he told our Daddies,” Aurora added.
“Oh, that makes sense. Do you need a haircut?”
Ciel blew a gust of air out of her mouth up to ruffle her bangs. “These things are driving me nuts. I was going to cut them myself, but I can’t cut a straight line.”
“Oh, I can do that easy,” Lalani assured her.
“Could you trim mine up a bit?” Aurora asked hesitantly.
“Of course. Let’s get a chair and we can do everything out here. It’s beautiful in the shade,” Lalani suggested.
“I brought some nail polish. I could do everyone’s nails when you’re finished, Lalani,” Aurora offered.
“I’ll do yours for you, Aurora,” Ciel offered. “This is fun. Like a spa day.”
“What are our Daddies going to do?” Lalani asked.