I don't own anything. I just come here for fun.
.
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Nathan Grant was having that kind of day. Bill was going on and on about some nearby bank robber and Nathan needed some peace. He thought his rounds would be an escape but he passed Lucas and Elizabeth out for a drive. It still stung to know that she chose Lucas.
As he turned Newton back towards town he debated whether he would ever fully move on or would he be left in some sort of love triangle limbo. Allie was getting to the age where she needed a mother. He pulled at his collar. It was a hot day. His hair kept itching his neck.
Resolved to take care of it, he rode over to the barber shop. The bell jingled as he opened the door. "Hello Fiona".
Fiona looked up from the chair. "Nathan! Hello. Come on in. How can I help you today"
Nathan walked into the room, unbuckling his Sam Browne belt and cross strap. "I'm hoping you can fit me in for a cut?"
Fiona looked thrilled. "Sure. Easy as pie. Why don't you drop the serge and take a seat here". She gestured to the seat open in front of her and turned to grab her supplies.
Nathan laid his uniform to the side, then sat as directed. Fiona turned and started to comb through his hair. Nathan briefly closed his eyes and took a moment to enjoy the sensation.
"Long day?"
Nathan's eyes flew open and met Fiona's in the mirror. "Just hot".
Fiona nodded and returned her focus to his hair. Quiet overtook the room, the only sound coming from Fiona's scissors working away. Nathan briefly considered engaging Fiona in conversation but was determined to enjoy the peaceful silence he had been craving.
As time passed, Fiona started to hum to herself as she worked. The tune was soothing and Nathan closed his eyes. He had heard that song before...
"You're all done." Fiona announced cheerfully.
Nathan's eyes shot open. He examined himself in the mirror. "Thank you Fiona". He brushed his fingers along the sides and nodded his head in approval "It's just the right length".
Fiona brushed the excess hair off his neck and laughed. "Don't sound too surprised". With one last brush off his shoulder she said "You are good to go".
Nathan turned and reached for the cash in his pocket but Fiona stopped him. "This one's free". Nathan stared at her. "Really" Fiona said, pushing his money away, "For all you have done for the town, the least I can do is give you your first cut free".
"Fiona, I can't accept this" Nathan started to protest but Fiona had moved away to grab her broom. "It's really no trouble Nathan. Just be sure to tell everyone you are happy with your cut. A little free advertising from our local Mountie could help a girl out."
"I appreciate that." Nathan looked down. It still made him uncomfortable when he felt people were giving him a service in exchange for him doing his job. He looked back up, determined that this time Fiona would take his money. Their eyes met. Fiona winked at him as she cleaned.
Unnerved, Nathan turned to grab his serge and started to get his uniform back on. As he hooked on his belt, he struggled a bit with his cross belt. It was always tricky to do with one person and he failed to keep a sigh from escaping his lips.
Fiona looked up from the dust pail and laughed. "Having some trouble there?"
Nathan signed again. "Normally Allie helps me. You'd think I'd have a routine by now but sometimes it gets turned around…" Nathan's voice trailed off as Fiona grabbed the cross belt and smoothed out the section coming around the back. As she thread the cross belt through his epaulette Fiona spoke softly "It can be hard to do things ourselves". She pulled on the front section and exclaimed "There! Good as new". Nathan took the cross belt from her hands and clipped it to his belt.
"Thank you". Nathan couldn't determine why he was suddenly speaking so softly. Fiona looked at him and he could see a debate flash in her eyes briefly before she spoke. "I do hope you know you have friends here. If you ever need to talk, I hear barber shops are good for that".
Nathan laughed. "I'll be sure to drop in again sometime."
Fiona flashed him a smile "Be sure you make it a habit."
Nathan nodded, grabbed his hat and headed towards the door. Before he left he paused to look back at Fiona. He wanted to acknowledge how much her kind words had meant to him but he was never one for flowery speeches. "Thank you Fiona".
She raised her head up, smiled and waved him goodbye. As he walked through the door he laughed to himself. Friends indeed.