Chapter 25
E LLIE
I was supposed to be at work this morning, but Mamm needed me at home to help with the kinner . I really wanted to work for Missy so I could earn more money for the family, but I don’t know how it’s going to work out with my employment at Trinkets and Treasures.
I hate that I haven’t proven to be a reliable employee, but I’m glad that Missy is understanding. I could never see a place like the RV factory where Elijah and Dat work being so accommodating. Working for Missy is a blessing, for sure and certain.
“Really, it’s not a problem,” Missy says as I walk through the door, apologizing once again. “I understand that your life is complicated right now. Just know that I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
“Thank you.” I take off my traveling bonnet and head toward the employees’ back room, to deposit my personal belongings.
When I return to the main store area, Missy says, “I do appreciate you giving me a call to let me know when you won’t be able to make it.”
“ Ach , that’s the least I can do. I don’t know how I can contribute much to our family if I can’t work.” The thought is a little depressing.
“Well, I think your luck is changing.” Missy’s grin tells me she knows something I don’t.
“What do you mean?” I begin looking around the store. “Wait. Did you move things around? I don’t see the aprons I brought in. Or…what happened to the display of potholders?”
When I turn I see Missy’s smile grow even wider. “They sold.”
I look where the displays used to be. “All of them?”
She shakes her head vigorously. “Look around. That’s not all.”
I slowly walk around the shop, doing my best to recall the places we had my items on display. There are still a few but… ach , this was crazy! “Did…it looks like almost everything is gone.”
Missy walks up to me and hands me what looks like a slip of paper. But when I look down, I realize it’s a check.
“Two thousand thirty-five dollars?” Tears immediately pool in my eyes. Mamm and Dat will be so happy. “Missy, who bought this much stuff?”
“A customer.” She shrugs.
“ Ach , it must’ve been an angel!”
“You never know.” Missy smiles. “But it looks like you might have quite a bit of work to do to restock our inventory.”
I’m so excited, I clap my hands. “Do I ever! I’ve never sold this much. This is…it’s crazy. Thank you so much!”
“No need to thank me.”
“ Jah , I couldn’t have sold this much if you didn’t let me keep my things here on display.” Missy really is a Godsend.
“Your crafts draw people into the store, so it’s a mutually beneficial setup. I’m glad to be able to sell them. People want to purchase authentic handmade Amish goods. And I think we sell your items at a reasonable enough price that folks who own bigger shops in tourist places can buy and resell them.”
I’d never considered that. “Do you think that’s what’s happening?”
“You never know.” Missy hands me a pen and notebook, then points to the empty display. “You’ll need to jot down what you’ve sold so you can bring in new inventory.”
“It’s going to take a while for me to restock all that’s sold.” I still can’t believe it.
“Well, maybe you can get that boyfriend of yours to help you again. Did you say his name was Henry?”
My heart warms at the mention of Henry’s name. “ Ach , jah . I can’t wait to tell Henry that we sold his potholders. And everything else. He’s going to be so excited!”
“It looks like you two might be spending a lot of time together. A man like that is rare, indeed. You might want to hold onto him.” The twinkle in Missy’s eye doesn’t escape my notice.
Jah . I definitely want to hold onto Henry. In more ways than one.