Falling For Mr. December. Kate Hardy

is quite diverse. I’m assuming they’re original artworks, given that one of them is acrylics?’

      He nodded. ‘I like to support local artists where I can. There’s a gallery not far from my chambers. The gallery owner gives me a call if something comes in that she thinks I’ll like.’

      ‘That’s fabulous. It means both the artist and the art-lover win. Well, obviously, and the gallery owner, because she gets her commission.’

      ‘Something like that.’ He paused. ‘Can I ask you something personal?’

      Her heart skipped a beat. From his body language and the way he’d relaxed with her, she had a feeling that the attraction was mutual. Was he going to ask her out?

      And, if he did, would she have the courage to act on that attraction and say yes?

      ‘Sure,’ she said, affecting coolness.

      ‘Your hair,’ he said. ‘What you said about me being in the military—is that why your hair’s so short, too? You spent time in the Forces?’

      The question was so unexpected that she answered it honestly before she realised what she was saying. ‘No. I have a crop like this every two years.’

      He blinked. ‘Why two years?’

      She could try and flannel him and say that it was a fashion statement, but he was observant. She was pretty sure he would’ve picked up the cues. ‘Because it takes that long for my hair to grow twelve inches.’

      He looked puzzled. ‘Why do you need to grow your hair twelve inches?’

      ‘Because seven to twelve inches is what they need for wigs,’ she said softly.

      The penny dropped immediately. ‘You donate your hair?’

      She nodded. ‘There’s a charity that makes wigs for kids who’ve lost their hair after chemotherapy. My sister Jenny and I have our hair cut together every two years. We normally get people to sponsor us as well, and the money goes to the ward so they can buy things for the kids. You know, things to keep them occupied and cheer them up, because being stuck in hospital isn’t much fun—especially when you’re a kid.’ The hair cut before last had been on the actual day of Sammy’s test results. She and Jenny had celebrated the news with a hair cut and a bottle of champagne.