Anna's Courage (Rose Island Book 1) by Kristin Noel Fischer Read Free Book Online Page A

know,” I agreed.

Chapter 6
    F or the rest of the week, I focused on work and taking care of Travis. Around two in the afternoon on Friday, Nick entered the salon, holding Gabby and the Vera Bradley diaper bag.
    My throat went dry at the sight of him. Why did he have such a profound effect on me? All week long, I’d been successful at keeping my distance—waving from the safety of my bike and exchanging quick text messages regarding taking the kids to school. Sure, I’d helped him figure out Gabby’s bike seat, but I hadn’t lingered.
    Now that he was in the salon, avoiding him would be impossible.
    Bianca clapped her hands and strode across the floor to greet him. “Look at you, all domesticated.” She gave him a big hug like they were best friends. She’d met him briefly at the New Year’s Eve party last year and again at the funeral. But that was Bianca. Despite being overweight, she had the confidence of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.
    “How are you?” Nick asked, slightly taken aback.
    “I’m fine. Now hand over that baby, so we can paint her little bitty toenails.”
    Nick caught my eye as he passed the baby to Bianca. Fearing I might blush, I avoided looking at him and focused on my sister-in-law. “You can’t paint a baby’s toenails.”
    Bianca frowned. “Why not?”
    “Because she still puts her fingers and toes in her mouth, right, Nick?”
    He shook his head and grinned. “Oh, no. Don’t you dare drag me into this. I know better than to get in the middle of an argument between two women.”
    Both Bianca and I laughed. “This isn’t an argument,” I insisted. “Just common sense.”
    Bianca carried Gabby over to her station. “What about a bow? Will the Nail Polish Police allow me to put a bow in the baby’s hair?”
    I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry to ruin your fun, but I have a problem allowing a baby to ingest a potentially harmful substance.”
    “You have a problem with anything potentially harmful,” she shot back.
    I placed a hand over my heart with mock indignation. “Ouch.”
    Shaking her head, Bianca turned her attention to Nick. “Did you know Anna used to be an award-winning helicopter pilot?”
    Nick raised his brow. “Seriously?”
    “I won employee of the month,” I said, refuting my sister-in-law’s exaggeration. “It wasn’t a big deal, and it was a long time ago. Now, I’m a successful hairdresser who’s adamantly opposed to putting nail polish on babies.”
    Nick carefully studied me. “Do you still fly?”
    “No,” I said.
    “Why not?”
    I picked up a broom and began sweeping around my station even though it was already clean. “It’s a long story, but basically, I wanted to try something different.”
    He said nothing as he continued staring at me. Tightening my grip on the broom, I spoke with a forced lightness. “Are you here for a haircut today, Nick?”
    He touched his hair self-consciously. “No. I wanted to ask you about Monday. I’m going to Houston for Gabby’s wall-baby appointment, and—”
    “A what appointment?” Bianca interrupted, her voice clearly amused.
    “A wall-baby appointment?” he repeated, slightly uncertain now. “At least that’s what the pediatrician’s office told me over the phone.”
    Bianca threw her head back and roared with laughter, the sound shaking the salon. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
    “What’s so funny?” Nick asked, confused.
    I smiled. “I think you mean well -baby appointment. Babies get them every few months to make sure they’re well .”
    He readjusted the diaper bag, looking embarrassed. “I guess that makes sense.” One corner of his mouth tugged upward in that quirky smile I found downright adorable.
    Bianca kept laughing. “What’d you think? They put the baby on the wall to see if she stuck?”
    “I didn’t know what to think. This baby thing is completely foreign to me. Besides, the pediatrician’s office called during one of Gabby’s screaming episodes, and it’s