In this excerpt from "A Virgin River Christmas" by Robyn Carr, the character Marcie finds herself questioning societal expectations regarding personal grooming. As she jokingly asks a man if he will shave her legs for her, the moment becomes tense, leading him to express disbelief at her need to do so at all, given their rugged surroundings. His reaction highlights the stark contrast between their lifestyles and the trivial concerns of urban life.

Marcie reflects on the absurdity of worrying about her leg hair in the wilderness, where she is surrounded by nature and far removed from civilization. Despite her practical circumstances, she admits to the man that, on some level, she still desires to maintain those grooming standards for herself. This reveals her internal conflict and a recognition of personal identity beyond societal norms, emphasizing the complexities of self-image in different environments.