More than likely it was a way for her mother to rope her into serving on some sort of dumb committee. “Just the hair? Thats it?

Gwen reached for her hot tea with lemon. “Well, I thought you could be in the show, too.

There it was. The real reason. Styling hair for the show was a bone. What Gwen really wanted was to parade around in matching mother-daughter lam é like they were twins. There were two rules of the fashion show, the dress or costumes had to be made by hand and had to reflect the season. “You and me together?

“Of course Id be there.

“Dressed alike?

“Similar.

Not a chance. Delaney clearly remembered the year shed been forced to dress as Rudolph. She might not have minded if she hadnt been sixteen. “I couldnt possibly be in the show and do the hair.

“Helen does.

“Im not Helen. She reached for a breadstick. “Ill do the hair, but I want the name of my salon printed in the program and announced at both the start and finish of the show.

Gwen looked a little less than pleased. “Ill have someone on the board get hold of you.

“Great. When is the show?

“During the Winter Festival. Its always the third Saturday, a few days before the ice sculpture contest. She set her cup back on the saucer and sighed. “Remember when Henry was mayor and we used walk beside him and help with the judging?

Of course she remembered. Each December businesses in Truly made huge snow sculptures in Larkspur Park, drawing tourists for hundreds of miles. Delaney remembered her frozen cheeks and nose, and her big fluffy coat and furry hat as she walked beside Henry and her mother. She remembered the crisp smell of ice and winter and the feel of hot chocolate warming her hands.

“Remember the year he let you choose the winner?

Shed probably been twelve, and shed chosen Quality Meats and Poultrys fifteen-foot Lamb Chop. Delaney took another stab at her salad. Shed forgotten about Lamb Chop.

“I need to talk to you about Christmas, Gwen said.

Delaney assumed she would spend it at her mothers, complete with a real tree, shiny presents, eggnog, chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The whole bit.

“Max and I are leaving on a Caribbean cruise on the twentieth, the day after the Winter Festival starts.

“What? She carefully set her fork back on her plate. “I didnt know the two of you were that serious.

“Max and I are getting close, and he suggested a warm vacation to find out just how strongly we feel for each other.

Gwen had been a widow for all of six months and already had a serious boyfriend. Delaney couldnt remember the last time shed had a serious date . Suddenly she felt real pathetic, like an old spinster cat lady.

“I thought you and I could celebrate Christmas when I get back.

“Okay. She hadnt realized how much she might have enjoyed a Christmas at home until she no longer had the option. Well, spending the holidays alone was nothing she hadnt done before.

“And now that it has begun to snow, you should park your little car in my garage and drive Henrys Cadillac.

Delaney waited to hear the conditions, like shed have to spend the night on weekends, attend a council meeting of some sort, or wear practical pumps. When Gwen didnt elaborate, and reached for her fork instead, Delaney asked, “Whats the catch?

“Why are you so suspicious all the time? I just want you to be safe this winter.

“Oh. It had been years since shed driven in the snow, and she found it wasnt like riding a bike. Shed forgotten how. Shed much rather slide through stop signs in Henrys big silver car rather than her Miata. “Thanks, Ill pick it up tomorrow.

After lunch, she took the rest of the day off and drove to Lisas to drop off some books on braids and pick up her bridesmaid dress. The red stretch velvet dress was the color of wine in one light but changed to a deep burgundy in another. It was beautiful, and if it hadnt been for Delaneys hair, it would have looked great on her, but so many different shades of red all on one person made her look like a Picasso. She ran a hand over her stomach, smoothing the cool material beneath her palm.

“I didnt think about your hair, Lisa admitted as she stood back and viewed Delaney in her bedroom mirror. “Maybe you could wear one of those big straw hats.

“Not a chance. She tilted her head to the side and studied her reflection. “I could always go back to my natural color.

“What is your natural color?

“Im not really sure anymore. When I retouch my roots, its sort of a warm blond.

“Can you change it back without having your hair fall out?

Delaney put her hands on her hips and turned to face her friend. “What is wrong with you people in this town? Of course I can remove the tint without my hair falling out. I know what Im doing. Ive been doing this for years. As she spoke, the volume of her voice rose. “Im not Helen. I dont give bad cuts!

“Geez, I just asked.

“Yeah, you and everyone else. She unzipped the back of the dress and stepped out of it.

“Who else?

The image of Nick sitting on her couch popped into her head. His hot mouth on hers. His fingers pressed into her thigh. She wished she could hate him for making her want him, for making her tell him that she wanted him, then leaving her alone to dream about him all night. But she couldnt hate him, and she was so confused about what happened that she didnt want to talk about it with anyone until she figured it out. Not even with Lisa. She laid the dress on the plaid quilt covering Lisas bed then stepped into a pair of jeans. “Never mind. Its not important.

“What? Is your mother still bugging you about being a stylist?

“No, in fact she asked me to style hair for the Christmas fashion show. Delaney looked up from the button on her pants. “She thought she could trick me and get me to do that mother-daughter thing I had to do when I was growing up.

Lisa laughed. “Remember that gold lam é dress with the big sash and that bow on the back?

“How could I forget. She pulled an angora sweater over her head then sat on the edge of the bed and shoved her feet into her Doc Martens. “And then my mother is going on a Caribbean cruise over Christmas with Max Harrison.

“Your mother and Max? Lisa sat next to Delaney. “Thats weird. I cant picture your mother with anyone but Henry.

“I think Max is good for her. She tied one boot, then worked on the other. “Anyway, this is the first time Ive been home for ten Christmases, and she leaves. Thats pretty typical, when I think about it.

“You can come to my house. Ill be living with Louie and Sophie, and well have Christmas there.

Delaney stood and reached for her dress. “I can just see myself breaking bread with the Allegrezzas.

“Youll be breaking bread with us at my wedding dinner.

Apprehension settled in Delaneys stomach as she slowly put the dress on the hanger. “Its a buffet, right?

“No. Its a sit-down dinner at the Lake Shore Hotel.

“I thought the dinner was after the rehearsal.

“No, thats the buffet.

“How many people will be at this dinner?

“Seventy-five.

Delaney relaxed. With so many guests, it would be quite easy to avoid certain members of Louies family. “Well, dont seat me by Benita. Shell probably stab me with her butter knife. And Nick? He was so unpredictable, she couldnt guess what he might do.

“Shes not that bad.

“Not to you. Delaney gathered her coat and headed outside.

“Think about Christmas, Lisa called after her.

“Okay, she promised just before she drove away, but there wasnt even a remote chance she would sit across the table from Nick. What a nightmare. Shed have to spend the entire time trying not to get drawn in by him, looking anywhere but his eyes and mouth and hands. You better not be around here on June fourth, otherwise Im going to take what youve owed me for ten years .