Page 12 of The Finder

Helen didn’t say anything, so Emma continued on.

“That’s my idea for getting customers we already have more invested. As for getting new customers, we need to get Sip and Drip on social media. We can take pictures of happy customers drinking our drinks. We can also put the drinks that our customers create on there. I think it would be cool to let people vote for their favorite,” Emma paused again. When Helen didn’t say anything, she decided to try one more thing.

“Then for my last idea,” Emma paused, taking a deep breath. “This one’s a little outside of the box. What do you think about adding cinnamon rolls to our menu?” She rushed on before Helen could stop her. “We already have a commercial oven. It would just be a matter of adding the ingredients for cinnamon rolls to our supplies. I already get here early. If I just get here a little earlier, I could make cinnamon rolls. I’ve been making them my entire life. I’ve been told they’re pretty good. I could make a batch and let you see what you think. If you like them, we could do a trial run and see if the idea takes off. If it doesn’t, then we don’t do them anymore. The idea of adding cinnamon rolls is for your non-coffee customers that wouldn’t normally give our shop a chance. The cinnamon rolls get them in the door, and maybe they will see a drink they like while they’re in here. It could turn non-customers into customers,” Emma finished. She blew out the air she had been holding while she explained everything and waited for Helen to say something.

It was quiet for a few minutes and Emma got to work; she didn’t want to pressure Helen for a response. A few moments later, Helen turned to look at Emma. “You’ve really thought a lot about all of this.”

Emma nodded. “During my breaks, I go to the library. I’ve been reading and brainstorming on how to grow our business,” she admitted. Helen nodded.

“I’ll need to think about it and figure some things out, but I really like the ideas,” Helen said.

“Really?” Emma asked.

“Really,” Helen said with a smile. “Let’s start with a trial. Write a list of what you need for cinnamon rolls, and I will bring stuff from home. We will try a practice batch tomorrow. As for the drinks, let’s try it. I’ll pick up a chalkboard sign today and chalk. You can start by making that drink you told me about. We’ll try that one first, and see if the idea takes off. As for social media,” she shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything about it.”

Emma’s shoulders fell. “I don’t really either. I’ve never had a phone, but my step-brother did and he was always showing me things on social media.”Mostly things he showed just to torment me,Emma thought but didn’t say out loud. “Well, maybe we can figure something out,” Emma said hopefully.

“Maybe Cynthia would know how,” Helen said, but she didn’t sound too certain. They both got back to work and opened the shop a few minutes later.

Emma felt relieved after sharing her ideas. They had gone over better than she thought they would. She was hoping Helen would at least consider one idea. One out of three wasn’t bad at all.

The morning passed quickly.

After her break, Helen came to her. “Emma, I’m thinking about running out and grabbing that chalkboard, so we can get started. It will only take a few minutes. Will you be all right?” Helen asked.

“Of course. I’ve got this,” Emma said. Helen left a few minutes later while Emma was making a drink for a customer. Emma passed off the drink and looked up at the next customer.

“Hey Emma,” Kevin said with a smile.

“Hi Kevin,” Emma responded easily. “What can I get for you today?”

“I’m in the mood to try something new. Any ideas?” he asked.

“Oooh. Yes. Should I tell you what it is or surprise you?” she asked.

He grinned. “Surprise me.”

Emma rang him up, then turned away with a smile. She was going to get to try making the drink she thought of for the first time. She spent extra time making it, being careful to keep track of what she was doing since she was making it up on the go. She heard the bell jingle while she was making the drink. “Welcome to Sip and Drip,” she called out without turning around. When she finished, she brought it over to Kevin and set it down on the counter. “All right. Give it a try,” she said with a grin.

Kevin grinned down at her, then picked up the cup and took a sip. He didn’t say anything and took another sip. “What do you think?” Emma asked.

“I don’t really like it,” he said, and Emma’s shoulders fell in disappointment. “I love it!” Emma looked up at him. “What is it?”

“Really?” she asked.

He laughed. “That’s not the way to sell drinks, beautiful. You need to convince me that I’m going to love it.”

Emma smiled. “Well, I didn’t really know if it would taste good or not. It was my first try. It’s a white chocolate raspberry vanilla latte,” she said.

He looked at her in surprise. “You just made it up without tasting it?” Emma nodded. “Well, we can’t have that,” he said. He slid the cup towards her. “Taste it. It's amazing,” he said.

Emma paused for a moment, unsure. He pushed the cup further towards her. Before she could take a drink she heard a throat clear. “Emma,” she heard in an angry voice. It shocked her, and her head whipped up. She saw Garrett off to the side, waiting.

“Sorry,” she said, looking back at Kevin. “Maybe next time. I need to take orders.”

She watched the disappointment flash across his face before he nodded and smiled. “Catch you later, beautiful,” he said. He moved out of the way, and Garrett stepped in front of the register. His eyes weren’t on her, though. They were on the police officer who had just left.

“Can I help you?” Emma asked quietly, trying to soothe his anger. She wasn’t sure what had set him off—maybe waiting in line?

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