Page 6 of Abundant Moon
Chapter 3
AWEEK LATER, DOWNTOWNGladstone
With only two weeks to go before Christmas, the New Moon Artists Co-Op kept Katrine and Mandy hopping. The locals were thrilled to have quality merchandise to choose from right here in town instead of relying on the big box store in Escanaba. Customers couldn’t get enough of the various hand-made goods by regional artists: pottery, photo prints, jewelry, scented soaps, quilts, and a dozen other unique products. Katrine’s paintings took center stage just inside the door, surrounded by related gift items bearing her most popular images.
As their due dates were at the end of the month, both ladies were great with child and being run ragged all day left them exhausted. Though the co-op rules required each artist to work a certain number of hours per week, it left them with barely enough time and energy to keep the place running. Presently, the shop was fully staffed and Mandy insisted her mate work on the commissioned painting she’d promised to finish before the holiday arrived.
“I can’t leave you out here alone with all these customers! Maybe after lunch I can...”
Mandy shook her head and almost dragged Katrine to the secluded studio space in the back.
“No deal. You need to finish the project before it’s too late and we’re busy with feedings and diaper changes! Besides, you’ve been on your feet all morning and need to sit for a while.”
“What about you? It’s not fair to dump the whole thing in your lap while I paint.”
Mandy smiled, leaning down for a tender kiss.
“Hon, if you don’t paint, we don’t eat. This was the deal from the beginning and I’m not going to argue about it now. I have four helpers until three o’clock and most of what I need to do is phone calls and paperwork, which can be done sitting down. Even better, Jonah promised to bring us lunch in about an hour. Now, you get busy while we deal with the mob up front. Love you!”
Feeling guilty, Katrine gave in. She’d already lost the argument, so instead of wasting even more time, got the supplies ready for another go at the canvas.
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MANDY SAGGED IN RELIEFas the scent of Omega and a greasy meat-lovers pizza reached her sensitive nose. Jonah appeared at the door and she hurried to let him in; slapping the ‘CLOSED FOR LUNCH’ sign on the glass before anyone else showed up. He set the boxes down and looked at Mandy with a raised eyebrow. She nodded.
“It’s just us. I sent our helpers out to get their own food, but we only have a half hour. I hope you didn’t waste your entire break to pick up our lunch!”
He smiled and gave her a quick hug.
“No worries - I still have about twenty minutes left. I called ahead but you should have seen the mob at the pizza place! From the look of things in here, you must have raked in a lot of cash this morning!”
“We have, and it’s been crazy! How’s business at the gift shop?”
“Non-stop since I opened the door. Robyn, Jack, and William were with me all morning, but all I got done was ordering more merchandise. Be sure to tell Katrine the photo prints of her artwork are selling like hotcakes, and not only here. In fact, I’ll take whatever you can spare if you have a minute.”
Mandy loaded an assortment of images into a box while Jonah took the food into the kitchen. He grabbed the prints on his way out the door, stopping abruptly to say one more thing.
“Almost forgot! Carol Jo Dowling stopped in earlier and said she intends to see the two of you sometime today. Something about bringing your holiday gifts in person. Thought you might like a heads-up.”
With a friendly nod of farewell, he stepped out into the brisk winter wind, heading for the LRC office on the next street over.
Mandy appreciated the warning, as meeting up with Carol Jo took some mental preparation and careful choice of words. While always discreet, the human woman excelled at coaxing information out of people whether they wanted to reveal it or not. Hopefully, the shop would still be swamped when she arrived, cutting the visit, and any fishing expedition she might be on, short.
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AT TEN MINUTES BEFOREclosing, Carol Jo arrived in a cloud of perfume, clad in a leopard print ensemble and jangling bracelets. She carried two oversized gift bags, garishly festooned with multicolor ribbons and bows, and a wide friendly smile.
“Ladies! So good to see you again. My goodness, you look like you’re ready to pop! What’s your due date?”
