Page 24 of Merry Murder Season
As I opened the bookstore, I was surprised to see the purple van of Sadie Michaels, my friend and owner of Pies on the Fly, pull up in front of the shop. “I didn’t think we were getting a delivery today.”
“Evie called in another one yesterday. She said they’d had a run on the snowman cookies, so I made you up a special batch of snowmen, snow angels, snowflakes, and even some pretty snow-covered cabins. Those are gingerbread. Since I had made the batter, you have gingerbread people as well. I went a little crazy.” She glanced at her watch. “Come help me unload these before the parking police find me and gripeto the mayor.”
“Hold on a sec.” I hurried inside, then turned on the lights and tucked my tote behind the counter. As I came back out, I said, “The ban doesn’t start until nine, and besides, I don’t think Josh is open this early.”
“I can handle Josh. It’s that Matty Leaven. She’s horrible. She complained that the choir practice was too loud last week. A church choir. She just thinks she is in control of everythingand everyone.”
“I’m not too fond of that woman either. She’s not nice to Josh. I mean, he’s an acquired taste, I get it, but don’t be nice to his face, thenlaugh at him behind his back. It drives me crazy.” I grabbed the two trays of cookies that Sadie handed me. “I have no respectfor the woman.”
“She’s trouble with a capital T. I’m so glad I can say these things to you. If I said it to Bill, he would tell me I should turn the other cheek or see things from her side. But I could tell the choir thing didn’t settle well with him either. He’s just better at hiding his emotions.” Sadie followed me in with four trays.
The discussion I’d had with Beth this morning came to mind. “Hey, would Bill ever tell his secretary not to take a better job? Or more specifically, tell her soon-to-be husband to tell her?”
“You’re kidding, right? Bill is always without a secretary because hefindsthem better jobs. Church employees don’t make a lot of money, so after they get the experience of working in an office, he makes it his mission to place them in a better-paying job. He sees it as hiscalling. Why?”
I told her about Beth’s problem. I probably shouldn’t have, since it wasn’t my story to tell, but I trusted Sadie and I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone else.
“If he’s doing that, it’s for his benefit, not God’s.” Sadie shook her head. She was in a class for spouses of members of the clergy. Her engagement ring sparkled on her left hand as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. “You tell her to stand her ground. God gives us talents for us to serve him, not hide them under a barrel.”
“Maybe you guys could have coffee together some afternoon before she leaves?” I wanted Sadie and Beth to have some time to talk. I knew Sadie wouldn’tlead her wrong.
“How about Wednesday? I have to be up for my women’s meeting that afternoon. We could meet at three. Do you mind if we meet at Lille’s? That way I can eat an early dinner while we talk and then crash before I have to be backup and baking.”
“That’s perfect. Thanks for making time for Beth.” I hugged her. “And for all of these adorable cookies. I’ll getthem put away.”
I’d meant to get them put away, but I started getting busy. I found myself selling off the baking tray sitting behind the counters as soon as the shoppers saw the cookies. I didn’t think we would be as stocked up as Evie had hoped when she called in the extra order.
When Deek came in for work, he didn’t say anything. He put on an apron, then took a tub out to the dining room to clean tables. When we finally had a breather, we were both putting cookies in the display case. “Good to see you.” I grinned as I picked up a snow angel and broke off her wing to eat.
“I think we’re going to be busy until New Year’s,” he said as he slid an empty tray under a full one.
“Not a bad problem to have.” I glanced at my phone. I had lunch plans with Amy in ten minutes. “You good here?”
“I’m fine, but Jill, I think we need to talk about me taking some time off. I need to get a few things done.” He picked up the cookie trays to put them in the back. “Before Christmas.”
Chapter 10
Amy was already seated at our favorite booth at Diamond Lille’s when I arrived. I’d wanted to stay and talk to Deek more, but he’d waved me off when customers came in. With Toby working overtime with Greg, I didn’t have the room to lose Deek for any substantial time until after the year’s end. Tilly was working full-time already and Judith was planning a trip around the end of the year. I couldn’t even call on Aunt Jackie for a few shifts since she and Harrold had cruises scheduled almost nonstop this winter.
I couldn’t put it off anymore. I needed to hireanother person.
“You look miserable,” Amy said as she pushed a menu toward me when I sat across from her. “Is it a fish-and-chipsandmilkshake day?”
I nodded and pushed the menu toward the edge of the counter. “Yes. I have to hire someone newfor the shop.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Amy set her menu down on top of the one I’d pushed away. She was probably eating something healthy to make me look bad when I ordered. “I mean, your shop is busier than I’ve ever seen it. I’ve heard tourists chattering about how cute and well-stocked it is. Not to mention you serving Sadie’syummy treats.”
“You’re right, it is a good thing. I just don’t like change. Or new people. It took me five years to hire my first employee and Aunt Jackie did that. Besides, I just hired Judith and Tilly.” I leaned back into the booth. I didn’t know anyone who needed a part-time job but maybe my baristas would. Well, except Beth, and as perfect as she would be as an employee, giving her a job here would just make Jim hate me even more. Besides, she had that university gig starting in January.
“Sounds like you’re going to have to go out of your comfort zone. You depend too much on Deek. He’s going to be busy once his book releases in May.”Amy smiled at Carrie as she came over with two iced teas. “I think Jill needs something stronger today. Do you know anyone who needs apart-time job?”
Carrie’s eyes brightened. “You’re hiring?”
“Yeah, and probably soon.” I took a long sip of tea. It didn’t make me feel better. “Bring me the usual with a vanilla milkshake.”
“Okay, what about you?” Carrieturned to Amy.
“Grilled chicken salad, vinaigrette on the side. And a slice of toasted wheat bread, please,” Amy ordered, then focused on Carrie. “Are you looking for another job?”
