Page 13 of Crazy in Love

He didn’t care but didn’t have the energy to protest either. She drove him home and helped him back into bed, where he stayed until the next day.

CHAPTER FIVE

Faith jiggled the mouse to wake up the computer and logged into the dating site to see if she’d had any bites. Her sisters could shame her all they wanted, but how else was she supposed to meet men? They didn’t exactly grow on trees around here.

Sure enough, a man from the next town over invited her to go for coffee. Not wanting to appear desperate, she ignored it. She’d let it sit until tomorrow and then set something up. For now, she had to focus on the staff meeting she’d called.

Four employees—two elderly women and two teenagers—filed into the small space. She dragged the cushioned office chair from behind the desk, offered it to Irene, and pointed Ruby to the soft, comfy sofa seat in the corner. She and the teens sat in three folding chairs she’d brought in for the occasion. It was Saturday, and the store had just closed.

“Hey, guys,” she greeted. “Thanks for staying late and coming in on your day off. I promise this won’t take long.”

“Is anyone getting fired?” Irene asked bluntly.

“No,” Faith said. “Why would you ask that?”

“We all know business hasn’t been the best,” Ruby said.

“Yes, well,” Faith said. “That’s one thing I want to talk to you about.”

The cat entered and jumped onto Faith’s lap. “First things first though. Whose cat is this? It’s really not appropriate to bring a pet to work.”

The four of them glanced back and forth at each other.

“Uh. We thought it was yours,” Brandon finally said. “It showed up when you did. We didn’t think it was all that appropriate either but weren’t going to say anything. It’s your bookstore after all.”

“What?” Faith looked at each of them. “This isn’t anyone’s cat? Seriously?”

They all shook their heads.

“Well, hell. Can y’all get the word out about it? Take a picture and put up signs at the Rise and Grind and Karla’s? Word will spread, and somebody’ll claim it. It’s too pretty to be a stray.”

“I’ll do it,” Morgan said. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“Not it,” everyone but Faith yelled in unison. She sighed, picked up the cat, and took a quick peek at its nether region.

“It’s a boy,” she said. “Has anyone been feeding him?” Four heads shook again.

“He comes and goes,” Ruby said. “He’ll run out when one customer enters and then dart back in when someone else is leaving. Perhaps he eats and does his business while he’s away.”

“We can only hope,” Faith said. “The last thing we need is to find cat poop hiding in places unknown. Okay. Next up. I’ve been going over the books, and y’all are right. Things are not great. I’m working on ideas to enhance revenue, but in the meantime, I’m gonna have to cut a few hours off each of your schedules. Hopefully, that doesn’t put anyone in a bind.”

“You know I only work to get a break from Frank,” Irene said, referring to her husband of fifty years. “And because your mom and I were such good friends. I’ll be fine.”

“Same,” Brandon said. “School starts in two weeks, so daytime stuff is out for me anyway.”

“Don’t worry about me, dear,” Ruby said. “I come in just to get out of the house every now and then.” Ruby was a widow andlived alone. She openly admitted that she used work as a chance to interact with people.

“It’s kind of a bummer for me, but I’ll make do,” Morgan said. “I have some ideas on how to attract more customers too.”

“That’s great,” Faith said. “I’m totally open to suggestions. That goes for all of you.”

They ran through her short agenda, worked out roughly what the new schedules would look like, and wrapped up after everyone had their say.

Alone again, Faith finished jotting down her notes from the meeting. The cat vaulted onto the desk. “And what am I going to do with you?” she asked.

Two green eyes stared into hers, and she could swear he wanted to say something. He leapt to the floor, went to a box in the corner, and scratched the side.

“Those are just books,” she said. “No treats in there.”

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