Chapter 5 - A Close Shave

Fiona Miller couldn't say that she was surprised to find Mike Hickam knocking on the door to her barber shop moments before the "Open" sign was flipped. It was something of a recurring joke in the area - at least as far as the locals were concerned.

Mike's smiling face greeted her as she pulled back the curtain covering the window. His expression became even more jovial at the sight of Fiona, if that was even possible. Fiona found herself shaking her head.

"Fancy seeing you here, Mike," she said with a smile as the door opened. Mike remained rooted to the spot, his hands clasped together in the nervous fashion that Fiona had grown accustomed to seeing on him in recent months.

"Good morning, Fiona," said Mike. "I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

"For you, there's never a bad time," Fiona replied, stepping aside to let him into the shop. "But, I have to say. People are talking."

"Yes, I remember."

"And it's not for the reason you think," she added. "You can't keep meeting me here to talk business."

"Oh - I'm not here on business," Mike added, a little breathlessly. "At least not business as far as the two of us are concerned, here, right now. I was hoping that you'd give me a quick shave before the day gets started."

"A shave?" Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Normally you do that yourself. Since when did you start trusting me with a sharp knife under your neck?"

Mike gave a half-nervous, half-amused chuckle as he made a beeline for the chair positioned in the exact center of the small establishment.

"Well," he explained, "I am expecting someone important to be calling at some point. I'm already a few days behind on shaving, and I don't really trust myself to do it quickly. The last thing I want is to be taking a meeting with bits of paper stuck to the nicks on my cheeks."

"Ah." Fiona went over to her workstation and briskly began assembling all the things she would need. A large razor, freshly polished so that the morning sunlight gleamed off its reflective surface. A small cup filled with shaving cream. And a large round of fabric to protect Mike's clothing. The man let out a sigh as he was covered from shoulders to feet in the large drapery. "In that case," Fiona continued. "I guess I'll take it as a high compliment that you trust me with this. And...to be quite honest, I was starting to think that there was something up with the way your beard was sprouting."

"I hide it pretty well," Mike grinned. "Usually. But, with the handover of the oil business, I've been too busy to keep up. Thankfully the guys don't seem to mind."

"I wouldn't expect they would," Fiona replied. She started covering his lower face with the shaving cream, swiping a soft brush across his cheeks and chin. "Those guys are the rough and tumble type. Therefore, they're just my type."

"Oh?" Mike tilted his head to look up at her curiously, to which she scolded him.

"Head front, please! Unless you want me to take off your eyebrows."

He settled in resolutely.

"As my confidant," she added gently, "I suppose you should feel privileged hearing something like that from me. I mean, not that I'm looking for a man. But, I just appreciate the rugged type."

Mike looked a bit defeated, but the disappointment disappeared like a deer through a meadow when Fiona approached with the razor.

"Don't worry," she reassured him. "You won't feel a thing. I've actually had pretty good practice with this."

"O-oh yeah?" Mike gulped. "On who?"

"If you must know, Sheriff Avery comes by every couple days for a touch up."

"Well, i-if it's good enough for Bill, I suppose it's good enough for me."

She set to work. It was a bit terrifying for both of them, but after the first few drags of the blade across his skin, Mike relaxed. This also set Fiona at ease. Little by little, the growth of soft hair on Mike's beard was removed and the typical smooth baby face took its place.

"You know," said Fiona, "I think you look good with facial hair."

"You do?"

She nodded. "Not too much, but it gives your face a nice texture. Though, I can see why you would want to be clean-shaven for an important meeting."

Mike smiled broadly.

"Always put your best face forward," he said.

Without warning, the front door flew open and none other than Robert came bustling into the barber shop. It caused both Fiona and Mike to jump - and thankfully, Fiona had the razor held off to the side where she was wiping away the excess on a warm towel.

"Good morning!" said Robert cheerfully. "I've got your mail, and also a copy of The Valley Voice. Miss Miller, I was told that there was a story in there that you would be very interested in."

"Oh?" Fiona reached out to take the stack of mail from the curly-haired boy. "A story that would interest me? Let me guess that Rosemary is the one who said that."

"Who else?" Robert grinned.

She glanced at the front page of the double issue, scanning the text. "I never say 'no' to more reading," she muttered. "Thank-you, Robert."

He saluted dramatically. "I'm only doing my duty. Good-morning!"

He was off in a flash, leaving both Fiona and Mike shaking their heads.

"I think getting a job was the best thing to happen to Robert," said Mike.

"You know, you're not wrong."

She continued to scan the paper as she turned, walking over to the counter. She fully intended to put the stack of mail down until she finished with Mike, but something caught her attention on the page.

"Oh my - Robert was right. This is interesting. What a small world."

Mike craned his neck. "What is it?"

She tapped the paper with a finger. "There's an article in here about my friend from Union City. You know, the one who said they would invest in our pipeline idea."

"Oh, yes?" Mike snaked a hand out from beneath his covering. "Mind if I read while you finish up with me?"

"Please." She handed him the paper and continued to work on his other cheek. "She's a fascinating person."

"She?" Mike raised an eyebrow. "Your investor friend is a woman?"

"Are you so surprised?" Fiona loved to see the expression on Mike's face. "We ladies stick together. You're lucky to be part of our club. It's very exclusive."

"That's what it says here in the article," Mike added. "'Smart women are descending upon boom towns, making their mark and earning their own fortunes alongside the men.' Fascinating. Rosemary should have included you in this article, Fiona. You have a head for business."

"So do you," Fiona said. "I'd say we compliment each other."

"Two heads are better than one." He finished reading. "So, your friend's name is Ellie Bancroft."

"Yes," said Fiona. "We met back when I was first learning the switch board. Goodness...all the laughs that we had. I knew that the world was changing back then. It's still changing today - and I have Ellie to thank for pushing me to pursue my dreams. You'll have to meet her someday."

"Without a doubt," said Mike. "I'm actually meeting her today."

Fiona stopped in mid-stroke across his cheek, meeting his eyes.

"What?"

Mike returned her look as if he were waiting for her to catch up. "Yes. I'm meeting Miss Bancroft this afternoon. I didn't know that she was the friend you knew from Union City, but everything works out in the end, doesn't it? I just assumed that she was another potential investor interested in the new management. Looks like I'll be killing two birds with one stone."

"Mike, you could have told me this." She shook her head slightly, to which Mike sighed.

"So much for this not being a business meeting," he muttered. Then he caught a look at himself in the mirror and smiled. "Our first big investor, coming to Hope Valley to see our business in action. At least I'll be all ready to make a good impression when she walks in the door."

For the second time that morning, the door to the barber shop opened, causing Mike and Fiona to jump.

Walking through the doorway was a sharp woman dressed in a striking pant suit and a broad-rimmed hat. She was so eye-catching that Mike was taken aback.

Fiona, on the other hand, stepped away from the chair and gave an excited squeal.

"Ellie!" she cried.

The woman in the hat spread her arms out as she also squealed.

"Fiona, my dear! Surprise!"

Still stuck in the chair, dropping the newspaper to the ground, Mike gulped once more.

"Oh boy," he said.