Chapter 2
Scarlet considered a vacation so she could deal with the necessary business aspects of her aunt’s death. But a large part of her wanted to go back to that little coastal town because she missed the memories she’d made with her aunt. The more she thought about it, the more the idea shifted toward a decision.
“I know that face,” Thea quietly sang. “Yes, Ms. Wesley is busy and needs your help. But you have to take time for yourself now and then. So talk to HR. The boss can deal with it.”
Scarlet grinned. “Eager to kick me out so you can slide in and steal the glory of the final sale plus the bonus?”
“Stars, no.” Thea pointed at her. “Your job is beyond my capabilities. I’m happy filing orders and handling numbers. Please don’t make me create fabrics. I am not that type of person. But I can cover assistant’s tasks.”
Scarlet frowned. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You have some great craft project ideas with your kids. I think you’d do well.”
Thea leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I just don’t want to work that closely with Ms. Wesley. She’s scary.”
Scarlet chuckled. “You’ll do fine.”
Thea huffed and leaned back in her seat. “Go talk to HR while I figure out how to multi-task my job and yours.”
Scarlet thanked her and got up from her desk.
“Don’t mention it. Seriously.” Thea rubbed her eyes and then went back to typing. “I’m going to do my best, but that might not be much.”
Scarlet walked down the hallway toward HR’s office. A two-week vacation sounded wonderful, even if it involved an old bookshop on the dreary coast.
Maybe I could sell the place to someone who’d want it and use the money for something else.
It was a decent plan, but Scarlet wasn’t sure what else she’d do. She loved her job creating fabrics for the company—it was a dream come true. No one in their right mind walks away from what they’ve worked toward their whole life.
But there was one distinction between her mom and her older sister. Her mother believed that love could make anything worthwhile. It’s how she endured waitressing and working as a seamstress after Scarlet’s father died. Her mother did everything she could to make Scarlet happy. And she always said it was worth it for love.
As Scarlet walked into the Human Resources office, she thought of Benjamin Keele, the shipyard manager, who had married her mother seven years ago. They’d only had five together before the intersection crash in the city took her from them.
I should call him.
“Brevon!”
Scarlet cringed at the shout of her boss from down the hallway. But she painted a smile on her face and turned around. “Yes, ma’am?”
The woman’s black heels click-clacked as she stalked toward Scarlet. “Do you have a vacation planned that I didn’t know about?”
“Just happened, ma’am. My aunt passed, and I need to sell her bookstore back in Oregon.”
“She left you a bookstore?” Ms. Wesley’s expression softened, and she ran a hand over her mouth, looking thoughtful as she came to a stop before Scarlet.
“Ma’am?” Scarlet asked. She’d never seen the woman at a loss for words.
“Fine— That’s fine. Take all the time you need.” Ms. Wesley took a folder from Christie, who worked in the financial department. “Safe travels, and keep me posted on when you might be back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Scarlet watched her walk off, confused by her change in demeanor.
“Scarlet?” Todd called to her from HR’s desk. “Did you need something?”
She swiped a loose strand of hair behind her ear and walked into the office. “Uh, yes. I need to take some time off. I’d like to pair it with the upcoming weekend so it doesn’t cut into work too much.”
“Any fun plans?” he asked. “Mexico? Hawaii maybe? Or the Bahamas?”
She took the clipboard he handed her and the old-fashioned paper request forms. After their server system was damaged in the storm, everyone had returned to hard copy backups.
“Death in the family, in Oregon. I have to sell my aunt’s bookstore.”
“Oh, so you’ll need the full two weeks at least.” Todd nodded to himself. “Might want three or four. Can’t believe many people buy physical books anymore when they’re all digital now.”
“It will likely get turned into something else.” But as Scarlet handed the filled-out hard copy form back to Todd, she wondered about such physical media. How had her aunt managed to keep a bookstore alive in the modern era?
Scarlet waited as Todd reviewed the form.
“Tomorrow should work. I’ll get this processed right now.” Todd set her form beside his keyboard. “I am sorry for your loss, Scarlet. I wish you the best on your trip.”
“Thanks.” Scarlet left HR’s office and returned to her desk to finish one final swatch switch-out for Ms. Wesley before packing up. It was going to be a long journey from New York to Oregon, but Scarlet was set on selling the bookstore and moving on with her life.