Keeping Secrets by Linda Byler

Author:Linda Byler [Byler, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781453275870
Publisher: Good Books
Published: 2012-07-31T01:46:00+00:00

Chapter 15

SADIE PULLED THE HEAVY, purple hairbrush through the wet, thick strands of her hair. She winced as she thought how nice it would be if her hair were not quite as thick and heavy.

Mam said in the older days, it was strictly forbidden to cut women’s hair, no matter how long it became. She remembered seeing her aunt with hair hanging to the back of her knees. She would wind it around the palm of her hand over and over, securing it with nearly two dozen hair pins.

Now, Sadie and her sisters kept their hair trimmed to below the shoulders, making it easier to wash and dry. Even the coverings fit better, although she knew it was still a controversial subject. Some of the more conservative mothers absolutely forbid their girls to cut their hair.

With a fine-tooth comb Sadie drew her hair up and back, securing it with barrettes.

That didn’t look right. The whole top of her head looked horribly lopsided. She unclipped the barrettes and started over, leaning as close to the mirror as she could, drawing the comb slowly and carefully through her thick tresses.

Still not right, she thought grimly.

She ground her teeth in frustration at the sound of loud, thumping footsteps. It could only be Reuben. Now what did he want, the nosy little beggar?

“What?” she said to the mirror, as his beanie-encased head appeared in the doorway.

“Mark’s here!”

“No, he’s not.”

“I know he’s not!”

Yelps of glee accompanied his retreat as Sadie shook her head and snorted. Now her nerves were on edge for sure.

She sat on the bed, one side of her hair combed and held with clips, the other side hanging heavily down the side of her face. As she looked in the mirror, it struck her that her appearance matched the state of her heart. Unfinished. Two-sided. One side so different from the other.

She wished Daniel King lived in Montana. Perhaps if she saw him again, she would know if he was the one God meant for her.

How could you tell?

She had no time to feel alone after Daniel left. Mark had reappeared immediately. He was at the ranch, in church on Sunday, involved with the incident with the blue diesel truck and Paris. They had talked of his past again, which was very meaningful to their relationship.

But surely if she loved Daniel, she wouldn’t be so content to stay here in Montana and love Mark. Hadn’t she felt so clearly once more that he was the one?

Getting up, she fixed her hair again and decided it looked all right this time. She had already planned what to wear, so there was no hesitation at the closet. She slipped the paprika-colored dress over her head. It was a dark burnt, but muted orange color.

Orange and yellow were considered much too flamboyant for plain girls. Pink was frowned upon but tolerated for some occasions. This color, Sadie was sure, would cause a stir if worn in church. But this was a Saturday evening date, so she could push the envelope a bit.

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