Chapter 23
Scarlett rolled over on the bed in her new surroundings.
The cabin felt homey and relaxing, exactly what she needed after the last couple of days.
Candy gave her a talking watch and a clock for her room.
They worked on how to tell different denominations of bills apart, and now her wallet was organized.
Even her credit cards were marked for distinction.
They organized her closet by the colors of the rainbow and used braille tags to mark her clothes, making dressing easier.
Kassie set up an appointment for Scarlett to improve her Braille reading.
Her phone rang and she tapped the bedside table until she located it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Scarlett. It’s Ty. I’m calling to check on you. How do your burns feel?”
Lazily, she leaned back against the pillows and smiled. His voice sounded sexy on the phone, and her stomach fluttered.
“The blisters burn every once in a while. Showers suck. Sledge covers my hand and arm, but it makes it hard to hold the soap. Let’s not even get into washing my hair. I’m managing, and feel lucky it’s my only complaint,” she said, twirling her fingers in her hair.
“Good. Doc mentioned he gave you a couple of days off. I’m waiting on the insurance investigator to get back to me. I hoped you might like to come out and spend the day at the ranch.”
“Today?” she asked.
“If you’re up to it. You’ve experienced a harrowing few days, and it might give you a break,” he suggested, sounding nervous.
“I don’t know how to get to your place. I’ll ask one of the veterans…”
“I’ll pick you up,” he offered before she even finished her sentence. “I’m meeting with Leo and Chase in about thirty minutes. Then, I can swing by in about an hour and a half to get you.”
Scarlett sat up, pulling the blankets off her. “Uh, sure.”
“Great, I’ll see you soon,” he said, hanging up.
She bit her lip as her hand went to her hair. Hitting the number Candy assigned to the hospital, she waited for the operator.
“Winter Foundation, how may I help you?” the receptionist answered.
“May I speak with Kassie Winters, please? It’s Scarlett Peterson.”
“Hold please.”
A minute later, Kassie answered, “Hello, Scarlett. Is everything all right?”
“Uh, yeah. Ty called me and asked if I'd like to visit his ranch today. He plans on picking me up in an hour and a half. May I ask you a favor? Can you help me put on my makeup again? I still don’t know what I’ll wear, and I’ll have to put my hair in a ponytail.
Maybe if I wore a hat, he won’t notice. I’m sure you’re probably busy, forget it. ”
“Slow down, Scarlett,” Kassie giggled. “I took the morning off to help Lizzy with a few arrangements. Slip into jeans and a T-shirt. I’m coming to get you.”
“Oh no, help Lizzy,” she protested.
“Debbie made her wishes known, and we’ve already arranged everything, and we’ll set it in motion at a later date.
We can’t do anything until the coroner does an autopsy and releases Debbie.
We’re chatting. Lizzy needs to return home to the kids, and I’ll be there in ten minutes.
Bring Ice, and I’ll pick you up,” she said mysteriously.
“Thanks,” she said before hanging up.
Throwing on a shirt and jeans, she brushed her teeth and longed for a nice, long shower. Scarlett brushed her hair back and awkwardly twisted the ponytail holder in. Attaching the leash to Ice, she led him outside to do his business.
She heard the truck pull into the driveway and waved in Kassie’s direction. Ice walked by her side, and she picked up the backpack with all her makeup in it.
“Let’s get going,” Kassie called, guiding her to the truck. She seemed excited about something, making Scarlett feel left out of the secret.
“We can do my stuff here. You didn’t have to come get me,” she said, buckling her seatbelt.
“I’m taking you to the spa. Chase booked me a monthly appointment for some mommy time. I texted Ty and asked him to pick you up there, telling him I needed you.”
“A spa? I’ve never visited one,” she admitted. “How expensive is it?”
“Don’t worry about it. We usually make one for the women veterans when they graduate.
You’re excelling, and we decided to give it to you early.
Samantha will love getting her hands on your hair.
Plus, she does makeup better than any of us.
I imagine bathing sucks with your hand situation.
You’ll feel like a brand new woman,” Kassie said, pulling into the driveway.
They entered, and Scarlett breathed in the relaxing scent of the spa.
“Hey, ladies, take a seat. I’ll take Scarlett back first since we’re on a time crunch. Susanna and Lori will be right out,” Samantha greeted them.
“I have Ice, will he be a problem?” she asked hesitantly.
“No. My husband, Whiskey, has a service dog named Hope. Ice will be fine.” Samantha led her back and down a long hallway.
“I’m giving your body a sugar scrub and moisturizer.
Strip down and cover yourself with the sheet on the bed in front of you.
I’ll get your clothes. Ice may go into the dog bed in the right corner on the opposite side, and I’ll bring him water. ”
“I don’t have time for all this. If you’ll help me with my makeup, I’ll be fine,” she stammered.
“Don’t worry, I’m a fast worker. And I can’t wait to fix your hair. What were you thinking? You have the military style tidy cut, but some layers will accent your eyes and soften your features,” Samantha said, getting excited at having a new test subject.
“I didn’t know you planned on cutting it,” she said, surprised.
“I can style it if you prefer. It’s up to you. I’m sorry. They must not have told you how overzealous I get when I have a new person to try stuff on.”
“I need something I can easily style,” she said, pulling her sneaker off.
“I’ll give you some privacy and will return in a few minutes. We’ll talk about it then,” Samantha assured her before closing the door.
Scarlett undressed, set her folded clothes at the edge of the bed, and climbed under the sheet on her belly. She inhaled the pleasant scent of the room and felt herself relaxing.
Samantha knocked before entering. She took Scarlett’s things and set them nearby.
“Here’s what I’m thinking. I can cut it to shoulder length.
You have some waves, and they’ll curl nicely.
Today, we’re in a rush. We’ll set up an appointment, here or at your cabin, for me to show you how to wear it in different styles.
I pulled some clothes from the rack for you to try on.
We have a lovely green sweater to match your eyes and a pair of jeans to enhance your ass. ”
Scarlett laughed. “I, uh, wasn’t expecting a makeover.”
“Ty never invites women to his ranch. We’re surprised someone hasn’t snatched him up for his cooking skills alone.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. We’re a nosy bunch of busybodies trying to play matchmaker.
You’re absolutely correct. We love him, but it’s hard to see him alone all the time.
Although he doesn’t say anything, we think he feels like the third wheel. ”
“He only asked me to the ranch for a break after the last couple of days. It doesn’t mean anything,” she insisted as Samantha began wetting down her legs, covering her burns and private areas.
A few minutes later, she added a scrub and rubbed it in.
“Ohhh,” she moaned as Samantha’s hands worked wonders.
“Yes, girl. I love it when Whiskey does this for me. When we do the front, I’ll rinse you off and then give you a couple of minutes to cleanse your private areas. You’ll smell incredible, Ty will want to eat you instead of his cooking.”
“We’re friends. He’s only trying to make me feel better after the fire,” she explained. “I think you have the wrong idea.” She tapped down her excitement at seeing him. At least Samantha didn’t ask her how she felt about him.
Samantha washed her down and then asked her to flip over.
“I’m washing your hair here. Once you dress, we’ll take you into the salon, cut it, and style it.
Then we’ll finish you up,” she said excitedly.
She wet Scarlett’s hair and squirted shampoo in her hand.
She massaged it into her hair, making Scarlett groan in appreciation.
By the time Samantha finished, Scarlett felt like one relaxed blob.
“I left two towels and a robe at the edge of the bed. When you’re done drying off, wrap up, and I’ll come get you and Ice,” Samantha instructed.
Scarlett rose and grabbed a towel, bringing it to her face. Even they smelled like heaven. She dried off and slipped into the robe. Going to the dog bed, she retrieved Ice as Samantha entered. She held out her arm, leading her into the spa. Once they got Ice settled, Samantha started on her hair.
Scarlett bit her lip, worried she might’ve made a mistake as the scissors snipped away.
Samantha blow-dried, curled, and finally set it with hairspray.
Turning her around, she brushed Scarlett’s makeup away.
“This will be better for your skin and you won’t have to worry about blending,” she advised, using her products.
When she finished, she pushed Scarlett into a dressing room to change into the green sweater, jeans, and cute little boots.
Scarlett felt the underwear and sucked in a breath, realizing how thin the material was.
Lace decorated the edges of the panties and bra, letting her know they matched.
She slid into the clothes and stepped out from behind the curtain.
Samantha fixed a few stray hairs and tucked the sweater in at the front. “I have a light brown jacket, and the hat’s a darker shade. Everything will complement your skin and eyes.”
“How much do I owe you?”
“You’ll allow me to play with your hair on another day when we aren’t rushed. We’ll go through skin care, too.”