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 and lived 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.”
He continued to paw at the cardboard. “Please don’t tell me you smell a rat.” Just in case, Faith walked over and cautiously peeked inside. Right on top was one titled Business for Dum-Dums .
“Huh.” She picked up the book and flipped through the pages. The cat stopped scratching and sat patiently, staring at Faith. The information looked like it could be very helpful in this new venture. “Did you know this was in there?”
In response, the cat hopped onto her mother’s chair, circled twice, and promptly fell asleep. Faith’s eyes filled with memories. How many times had she come here to find her mom curled up, reading and drinking her favorite tea?
All of a sudden, a warm feeling rushed over her. Holy crap! Was this orange and white furball her mother reincarnated? And was she trying to help her with the store? That would be crazy. Wouldn’t it be crazy? Of course it would be. Still, Faith would have to run this by Amara.
Intrigued by the book, she returned to the desk and began to read. Finding it very informative, Faith got a highlighter and started making notes on a legal pad. Idea after idea popped into her head. Ways she could possibly make the store profitable. Time flew, and she didn’t realize it was after seven o’clock until her phone vibrated.
“Faith,” her dad said. “Are you making dinner tonight?”
He was hungry. That was a good sign. “Yeah, Dad. Sorry, I lost track of time. I’ll stop by the grocery store and be home soon. Is Hope there?”
“Haven’t heard from her today.”
That was troubling. “Okay. I’ll see if I can’t find her.”
She hung up and texted Hope, asking where she was and if she’d be home for dinner. At sixteen, Hope didn’t require constant monitoring, but that didn’t stop Faith from worrying. She was tough on the outside, but Faith got the impression there were emotions she wasn’t dealing with. She wondered if a grief counselor might help but would give Hope a little more time before broaching that subject.
“Do you want to come to my dad’s with me?” Faith asked the cat, who barely looked up. “Also, where are you pooping?”
“Meow.”
“Not helpful,” Faith said. “If we don’t find your parents by tomorrow night, we’ll have to discuss your living arrangements.”
Faith swung by the Kitchen Kart for supplies and hustled home to make dinner.
“Chicken breast and broccoli again?” her dad complained.
“It’s good for you,” Faith countered.
“Not what your mom would cook,” he mumbled, pushing the broccoli to and fro on the plate.
“It doesn’t matter how much you move it around, Dad. It’s not going to magically turn into french fries.”
“Harrumph.”
“I know you’re not a fan. But it’s heart healthy. And until you’re ready to cook for yourself, you get what you get.”
Maybe this would light a fire under his feet to gain some independence. He was grieving, but that didn’t mean he could let all his responsibilities fall by the wayside.
Midway through dinner, Hope barged in.
“Hey,” Faith said. “Where were you? Why didn’t you answer my text?”
“None of your business,” Hope snipped.
Faith’s mouth fell open in shock. Hope was always brash and outspoken, but not generally rude.
“Well, it’s Dad’s business. Did you let him know?”
“He doesn’t give a damn what I do.”
Faith turned to her father, hoping he’d speak up, but his eyes were glued to the chicken. She inhaled deeply, searching for patience. “I made dinner. Are you hungry?”
“I already ate,” Hope said before storming out.
“You gonna let her get away with that?” Faith asked.
He shrugged.
“She needs you, Dad,” Faith said. “You’re grieving. I get it. We all are. But you can’t allow her to derail completely. It might start with sassing and swearing, but those things left unchecked will lead to more serious behavior. She needs rules and boundaries. And she needs you to set them for her.”
“She’s just processing in her own way. She’ll be fine.” He got up and put his plate in the sink.
Faith stood. “I’m leaving to run some errands. Please ask Hope to do the dishes.”
Under no illusion that he would ask, or that Hope would do them even if he did, she left. Maybe he’d surprise her.
She barely made it in and out of the Cuddle Hut before they closed. Worried her four-legged squatter hadn’t eaten in days, she picked up some cat food and returned to the bookstore. She let herself in and dragged the bags of feline paraphernalia to her office.
It was possible she’d gotten carried away, purchasing so much stuff. But her gut told her no one would be claiming her new friend. Whether he was her mother or not, he’d come to her, and she would take care of him.
She set up a litter box in the employee bathroom, washed the bowls, and opened a can of food. The cat came screeching in, sliding on all fours to scarf down the meal.
“You’re starving,” Faith said. “I knew it. You poor thing.”
He gobbled up the Fancy Feast and then surprised Faith by going straight to the litter box.
“If you know how to use that, you must have a family somewhere.” Sudden sadness hit. A few hours ago, the cat meant nothing to her. Now she didn’t want him to leave. “Sure you don’t want me to take you home?”
He sauntered out without a backward glance.
“You’re welcome,” Faith called after him, rolling her eyes. “Must be a teenager.”
Looking at all the stuff she’d purchased reminded her of Tess’s comment about her impulsivity. She supposed buying a bed, blanket, toys, and a collar for a cat that would probably be gone tomorrow proved her point. Faith would keep that in mind before implementing any changes she planned for the store.
Thoughts of Tess led to thoughts of Nick. Woo boy, he’d only gotten more handsome in the last ten years. She’d had a tiny crush on him when they were teens. A three-year age gap was huge when she was sixteen, but now it was nothing. Not that she’d ever go for Nick Walker. He’d turned into an uptight stick in the mud. Not her type at all.
She drove home, did the dishes no one had touched, and went to bed.