Page 18 of The Deal Maker

The man gives me a small smile and says, “Great. I’m John Cox from the DreamTime Vacation’s main office. They sent me to see how things are going here.”

My stomach twists into a couple of knots. Nothing like a surprise inspection a few weeks after opening.

“Awesome,” I say, turning to shake his hand. “Come on in and we’ll talk.”

I’m not sure what we’ll talk about, but he’s got to be here for something.

Most of the office space is cabinets and posters, with brochures on almost every available surface. Not only do we schedule the appointments to learn about timeshare opportunities, but we help negotiate other prizes for people willing to listen to a presentation.

“Looks like things are taking shape. Are you going to do a little more to those walls?” He motions to the area across from me. I wasn’t planning on adding anything else.

“I’m still trying to figure out what should go there.” Not a complete lie.

John nods. “We’ve got a few new posters and things we could send over. Let me make a note of that.”

“You’ve got all the paperwork for people interested in a program?” John asks, and I can see a small checklist on his tablet.

I walk around one cabinet and pull out a box. “Right here.”

“Those are outdated. You’ll need to get the newest ones as soon as possible.”

I frown. “I just purchased these three weeks ago.”

John nods. “Yeah, they didn’t have the new ones done until yesterday. I’ll get those sent over, free of charge. The memo might not have made it to the supply office yet.”

“Is there anything else that’s changed?” I ask, trying to keep the irritation from my voice.

Being unprepared is one thing I hate most, and so to have this new development for my business is a big deal.

John walks around a bit, picking up a brochure here and there. He even walks out back to inspect the bathroom.

Once he comes back to the front, he hands me a piece of paper. “Everything else looks good.” The paper says passed.

“Thanks,” I say, hoping the guy will leave now. There are several people who’ve passed the window, walking slowly to read the signs and I should’ve been out there to chat with them. Some people don’t know exactly what they want and I can be good at persuading them. Not over the line, of course. I’m not even one of the guys who puts on the programs for where people can actually buy the timeshare.

John is almost to the door when he turns and says, “Oh, and I forgot to give you this.”

He opens a pocket on his tablet cover and pulls out a bright green half sheet of paper.

“What’s this?” I ask, not sure I want any more bad news today.

“It’s an invitation to the company party in three weeks. Bring your girlfriend or wife.”

I frown. “And if I have neither?”

John glances at me up and down. “You’re a handsome guy. Find one. Believe me, the big boss is a little old school. If he thinks you can’t find someone to spend time with romantically, you’ll be blocked from any advances.”

Not that I was thinking about a promotion after opening this store a couple of weeks ago, but I hate people putting limits on my future.

Nodding, I say, “Thanks for the heads up.”

“You seem like a nice guy and this is way more organized than a few of the other new spaces we’ve had open in the last few months. I figured you deserved a heads up.”

We walk toward the door and I’m ready to flip the inner switch to connect with passersby to get them interested in what we have to offer.

“Oh, I was also supposed to tell you that there will be some kind of competition here in Willow Cove. We’ve offered the prize package for the end of it.”

I raise an eyebrow. Why would that be an important thing to add here? I don’t have any part in what happens around this town.

---