Page 26 of Stronger Than Blood
“Oh,” I said, then sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I guess that means I’ll be coming in early. Is the only way in through the front door? I’d like to get set up before folks come in. This looks like a tornado hit it.”
Mrs. Danforth chuckled. “I’m afraid so unless you want to come through the back door, but you’ll have to walk all the way through the hotel. This is much better.”
“Okay, well, I’m going to talk to Brenda and see what she thinks. Maybe we should double up for tomorrow. She wanted me to make some cakes too. Do you think they’ll sell?”
“Oh, I think whatever you make will sell. I’ve not had anything you’ve cooked yet, but I’ve been hearing how excited they all are about Mrs. Kennedy hiring you. I guess you’ve got quite a following from your time at the grocery store.”
“I guess I do. Well, okay, I’ll help you get cleaned up.”
She chuckled. “No need. All I have to do is toss these used pie plates and wipe things down. Now, if we’d have gotten anything into the display cases, then I’d have asked for help.”
I nodded. “Um, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I told Brenda what had happened, and she looked surprised, then smiled. “Okay, well, you said you can work faster now you’ve had time to find stuff.”
“Or I can come in earlier. In fact, I prefer to work alone, and if I’m not dancing around your other workers, I can get a lot more done in a shorter time. I can also get all the food moved over and the displays filled before people bombard the store. Do you mind if I come in around one or two in the morning?”
She opened and shut her mouth a couple of times before she shrugged. “I don’t mind at all, and you seem to know what you’re doing. But I can’t come in that early. Elias is wanting me to come in fewer hours, not more.”
I laughed. “I won’t need you, trust me. I worked the night shift at the grocery store and got used to being there alone. I prefer it, like I said.”
“Okay, well,” she said and worked a key off her chain, “you come on in when you want and just clock in. Mrs. Danforth has Beth Langly manning the desks at night, but I’ll speak to her so she knows to let you in when you’re ready to move stuff over.”
“Thanks, Brenda. I promise we’ll work through all the rough spots. But if today’s traffic is any indication, you’ve got yourself a nice little side hustle over there.”
She nodded and smiled, although it was weak at best. I think maybe I’d caused my poor cousin more of a headache than she’d anticipated. Not that I wasn’t just as surprised as she was.
Chapter seventeen
Rory
Igave Madam Bellamy the hotel's address and had already booked and paid for her room before she arrived. If she was willing to come all the way here for me, I would sure as hell cover her hotel bill. I’d been cleaning the store while Mick worked over at the café.
He’d come in on Friday overwhelmed but happy. Supposedly, they sold out of food before he could even get it out on display. I’d need to taste some of the desserts if they’re that good, I thought.
I found myself enjoying Mick’s company more and more. No, he wasn’t my usual type. I tended to go for men bigger and bulkier than me, but I’d also never met someone who made all my electrons sizzle like Mick seemed to.
I didn’t mind helping even when he wasn’t around. Yes, I was working for free, and no, it didn’t really make sense why I was willing to, but it did feel right and like something I was supposed to be doing. A year working with Madam had certainly taught me the importance of following my heart.
I got back to the hotel and knew instantly that Madam was already there. I rushed up to my room and showered, determined to take her to see the sights of the town. I came out of my room and almost ran headlong into her.
“Madam, you’re here!” I exclaimed and hugged her before I could think better of it. Luckily, she just laughed.
“I see you’ve missed me.”
I nodded and pouted like a kid. “I did miss you. Are you hungry?” I asked.
“Oh, I smelled something amazing when I came in, but unfortunately, it looks like it sold out before I got here.”
“That’d be the baked goods from the man that brings you here,” I admitted. “He sold out yesterday too, so I’m not surprised he did again today, but there’s a restaurant where one of my family members works, if you can believe it, and the food is delicious.”
I realized I was rambling, but Madam didn’t seem to care. She slipped her arm into mine in a carefree way she’d never done before and let me escort her out of the hotel and down the street toward the restaurant. I realized I probably should’ve offered to drive, but she didn’t seem upset. In fact, she seemed happier than I’d ever seen her.
The moment we were in the café, I introduced her to Mrs. Kennedy. Madam took her hand and smiled. “You’ve got a good life, and I see you’re about to…” She stopped short and looked around. “I’m sorry, I-I don’t get outside my shop too often. I forget the general public isn’t always looking for a reading.”
Mrs. Kennedy looked at me and back at Madam, and I quickly introduced her. “This is Madam Bellamy. She’s my boss and mentor. She’s visiting me.”
Mrs. Kennedy smiled guardedly. “Seat yourself. What would you like to drink?” she asked.
