Page 62 of Her Cadillac Cowboy
Sara paused in her circuit of the room by the reception area. For a moment, she watched the three teens who manned the desk. One teen comforted a sobbing toddler while the other two registered children. To Sara’s amazement, there was a line of parents and children that stretched out the door and halfway down the next block.
The teens were obviously inexperienced but doing their best. The heat outside was terrific. The adults might stand it, but the kids needed to be inside. She did a quick scan for Josh and saw him surrounded by a crowd of staff. He looked harried but happy and very busy.
No crises hung fire at Carson’s, so she could afford some time here. The reception staff needed help, and she was happy to give it.Luville deserves a place like this.
She stepped behind the counter. “Hi! I’m Sara, looks like you need some help,” she introduced herself to the nearest teen.
“I’m Amy,” she shouted over the wails of the toddler. “We’re supposed to have four people manning the desk. Our supervisor—the woman who’s supposed to teach us how to do everything—is stuck out on Highway 41 with engine problems.”
“First, we’ll take care of this big fella.” Sara reached to take the toddler from Amy’s arms. “Then you can show me the phone, and we’ll get your super some help. What’s her name, and what kind of car does she drive?”
Amy told her, and Sara walked back in to the main room and handed the toddler over to a staff member who joyfully cried, “Hi, Andy. ’Member me? I helped you and your mommy make cookies last week before our grand opening. Want a cookie?”
Satisfied that tears would soon become smiles, Sara turned back to the reception area. “Okay, Amy, where’s that phone?”
Amy moved a box of art supplies abandoned on the desk. “Do you have any more pens or pencils? And I’ll need all the registration forms you can get. Blank paper if you don’t have enough forms.”
“I wish we did. These are about to give out.”
“Then take these crayons and the registration forms. Start passing them out to the parents outside. I’ll take care of things in here.” She rummaged in the box to see what other resources she had.
Once she was certain Amy knew what to do, Sara tapped one of the other girls. “What’s your name?”
“Jill.”
“Okay, Jill. Take this marker and these tags. Follow Amy down the line. Write a child’s full name and phone number on each tag, tie the tag to the child’s clothing and get those kids inside before we have to call in medical help.”
“But the parents are supposed to sign first.”
“You’re right. That’s how things should be done. But I know that Mr. McKinley won’t want any of those kids to get sick, nor will he want the lawsuit he’ll get if they do. I’ll take responsibility if Mr. McKinley objects.”
With the immediate problem of the backlog solved, Sara picked up the phone and dialed her office. “Carol, have a truck sent to Highway 41. They’re looking for a Mrs. Whittaker. She’s driving a 2010 Jimmy and needs a tow. Be sure to tell the crew I said it’s a priority.”
“You bet, Ms. Carson. Mrs. Whittaker is the head mechanic’s wife.”Why is Carson’s head mechanic’s wife driving a car that broke down? “Carol, tell him I want to speak with him first thing in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sara hung up the phone.How many more of my employees have connections to this place?
Eventually, the stream of children and parents slowed to a trickle. Jill pointed out the room she’d seen Josh enter a little earlier, and Sara set off to find him. She had to tell him how wonderful this place was and admit that she was wrong. A downtown daycare was just what Luville needed. The number of Carson’s employees alone who’d registered their children was evidence enough to admit that she’d grossly underestimated the need for quality daycare in the area. Maybe, just maybe, she’d underestimated Josh McKinley too.
