Love Inspired May 2015 #2 by Missy Tippens, Jean C. Gordon, Patricia Johns Page B

crinkle.
    Violet stifled a laugh. “Not your usual hangout, huh?”
    â€œHardly.”
    Two stylists stood at stations with customers. One snipped at the ends of a young woman’s long dark hair. The stylist looked like something out of the fifties, wearing a poufy hairstyle and an old-fashioned waitress outfit.
    The other stylist squirted something liquid on the white hair of an older woman, hair that was wrapped around colorful curler things. He suspected the solution was the source of the chemical smell.
    â€œHi, folks. How can I help you?” asked the one in the pink waitress uniform.
    Jake nodded at them. “Good morning, ladies. Do y’all know if Peace House is still in business?”
    The hands of the hairdresser stilled. Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you asking?”
    â€œI believe my cousin lives there. I’m trying to locate her.”
    The young woman in the seat, whose back was to him, glared at him in the mirror.
    He could understand their concerns.
    Violet stepped closer with a pleasant, friendly expression. “We read online that it’s a shelter for victims of domestic violence. I assure you, Jake here is not a husband or boyfriend of a resident. He just wants to help his cousin.”
    Fifties Woman seemed to relax a bit. “The shelter itself is in a secret location. The office is only open a couple of days a week. But they won’t give you any information. You’ll have to email the address on the website. If your cousin is a resident, they’ll pass along your message to her.”
    â€œAnd if she’s no longer there?” he asked.
    â€œI doubt they’ll give any forwarding information.”
    Secret location. Limited access. But they were dealing with an organization designed to protect. He’d have to be patient and let the system work. A system that might be protecting his own family.
    Anxiety clenched at his gut. Was Remy safe? “Thanks for your help. I’ve already emailed them. I guess I’ll have to wait and pray I find Remy.”
    Something flared in the stylist’s eyes. Did she know Remy? He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I’d appreciate it if you’d call me if you run into my cousin. I want to help her.”
    The woman glanced at Abigail as she reached out with long, hot-pink fingernails and took the card. “Will do.” She read Jake’s information, then tucked it in a pocket of her little white apron.
    â€œThanks for your help,” Violet said.
    â€œYeah, we appreciate it.” Jake hoisted the diaper bag and then picked up the carrier.
    Lifting a section of hair, the stylist gave two brisk snips. “The three of you make a beautiful family.”
    His heart gave a jolt. He wasn’t going to go into details of his situation with strangers. It could put Abigail at risk. “Uh, thanks.” His gaze snapped to Violet, who glanced away, her cheeks flushed.
    Fifties Woman and the other stylist shared a look.
    They knew something.
    â€œWell, I’ll give you a call if I find out anything about your cousin. Remy...?”
    â€œRemy West.” He nodded as he held the door for Violet. “Thanks again.” Following her out, he grabbed the salon’s business card off the checkout counter.
    Dotty’s Dippity-Do
    Dotty Simmons, Owner
    As soon as the door closed behind them, Violet spun around to face him. “They know something.”
    â€œI agree. We have to hope they’ll decide I’m safe and will contact me. Or they’ll at least contact Remy if they know where she is.”
    â€œYeah. I’m afraid that’s as close as we’re going to get for now.”
    Abigail pushed out the bottle. Violet burped her and then placed her in the carrier.
    â€œHey,” he said. “Sorry about the lie of omission in there. About us being a family...”
    â€œOh, no big deal.” As she leaned over the baby and adjusted the