Page 54 of Love's Harvest
“Absolutely,” said her mother.
“That’s why I’d like to bring in Dani Collister as a part owner.She can handle the hardware section of the store while I continue to do the house and garden and gift sections and oversee all the stock.We’ll keep our staff.We can hire a bookkeeper, and you and Dad can review the monthly statements with me.Does that sound reasonable?”
“Yes, it does.Dad is anxious to get back into the store, but I’ve told him he can’t work until after our stay in Florida.He’d already promised me that.”
“I hope that being able to play golf and do some of the other things he enjoys will help him make the change more tolerable,” Sarah offered.“I don’t want him to think I’m chasing him out.I’m just trying to be reasonable about the reality of my running the store.”
“You’re absolutely right.It is important, however, that he can always feel he’s still part of the business, even if it’s only looking over daily or monthly reports.We can’t ask him simply to walk away,” said her mother.
“What about you, Mom?”Sarah asked.“Is it going to be hard to make this change?”
“Not really.I’m going to have more time with the girls, get back into quilting, and, believe it or not, I’ve promised your father I’ll learn to play golf.”
“Okay, you and Dad talk about this and come back to me with any thoughts you have, and we’ll approach Dani, who’s already said she’s interested.Even though I have children and she and Brad are trying for some, we both are dedicated businesswomen who can help one another out and do an outstanding job for all of us.”
Her mother sighed and turned to Sarah.“It’s another life change, but it’s a good one.And during the summer and fall, when we’re staying here, we’ll still be able to step in occasionally and help with the girls and the store.”She rose and gave Sarah a hug.“We’re so lucky to have you for a daughter.”
“Thanks,” said Sarah.“I feel lucky too.”
Later, at the close of day, Sarah locked the front door and walked through the empty store making sure all was in order before slipping out of the back and getting into her car to go home.
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Sarah used the week’s Christmas Faire to display and sell gifts she’d selected months earlier.It was gratifying to see that she’d chosen well.Holiday sales were an important component of annual income.New shipments were coming in daily, and Sarah was glad to see how well April was doing entering items into the computer program.Wyatt kept up with the task of stocking items upstairs or restocking things throughout the store.He already was reporting to her the things he’d noticed she might want to reorder.
In addition, they had six full-time sales employees who were excellent at not just ringing up orders, but selling to their customers, many of whom they’d known for years.
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On the fourth day of Ye Old Christmas Faire, Sarah’s local social group planned to gather at Jake’s.Every store and restaurant had been kept busy, and it was a chance to relax temporarily because the next day they’d be busy all over again.
After making sure Mia and Emily were happily settled with her mother, Sarah left for the restaurant.She and Aaron had talked on the phone, and she was looking forward to seeing him.When she walked into Jake’s, the place was crowded with Faire visitors filling the bar area and the cocktail tables.Sarah wended her way through them and was delighted to see many of her crowd sitting at the two tables reserved for the locals.
She was especially glad to see Dani and Brad there.Dani was excited to become part of the store business, but Sarah hadn’t had a chance to speak to Brad.She slid into a chair beside him and spoke quietly, “I’m thrilled to have Dani on the team.I hope you are too.”
“Yes,” Brad replied.“It puts Dani’s knowledge of architecture and construction to use and will give her the flexibility she wants.I’m sure she’ll have some ideas to add to what you already do.”
Sarah chuckled.“I’m sure.”Though the store had been in business for years, it was time to grow and change it a bit.
When she saw Aaron walk over to them, Sarah lifted her purse from the chair next to her and waved him over.
He slid into the seat, wrapped his arm around her, and hugged her.“How’s the tree holding up?”
Sarah laughed.“It won’t have one needle left by the time Christmas is over.”She’d told him earlier how the girls liked to change the ornaments around, almost like a game.Their constant fussing was taking a toll on the tree, but Sarah saw how much creative fun they were having and let them continue.
The group was a congenial one, and they laughed over things that had happened with various visitors.
Dani told the story about a well-dressed woman who came into the store looking for a toilet plunger.She was a guest at the Lilac Lake Inn and didn’t want anyone to know it was needed.“I had to wrap it up like a gift so she could take it back to the Inn,” said Dani, chuckling.
Poppy spoke up.“I had a customer who insisted she could wear a dress that was too tight on her.In the end, I convinced her it must have been mislabeled and she needed the next size up, which was also mislabeled.”
“Did she buy the bigger one?”Dani asked.
“Yes,” said Poppy.“But I had to remove the size tag inside.”
Laughing with the others, Sarah realized she hadn’t been this happy in a long time.
Aaron turned to her.“You and the girls are coming to the Collister’s Christmas Party with me, aren’t you?”
