Chapter 8
“Okay. It says we just have to screw the legs on, and then we’ll be good to go.” Stacey knelt on the floor of The Biscuit Box, squinting at the directions next to her.
“Well, look at you. You went from a high-powered executive to casually screwing in a bakery in the middle of the day,” Carol cracked as she cut open the next box.
The sun shone in through the windows, and Barney snoozed in a rectangle of it on the floor.
The sound of Lorelei and her guitar could be heard just outside under the awning.
Stacey rolled her eyes. “You’re just adorable, Mom. An endearing grandmother.”
“Hey, I can’t be too bad if you’re here helping me out.
And honestly, I really am glad to see you sprawled on the floor with a screw gun in your hand.
You’ve changed a lot since we came out here to Truro, and I think only for the better.
” Stacey had always been keeping up her corporate appearance when she was still a part of the working world, but now she was letting her real self shine through.
Her professional highlights had been exchanged for some natural silvery strands.
She’d ditched the expensive manicures for short and practical nails.
This was her real daughter, and it felt good to see her coming into her own.
“I’d say you have, too, but I don’t think anything could change you.” Stacey carefully braced the leg against the bottom of the bench and screwed it in. “Granted, I never imagined you running a place like this, but it suits you. Every time I come by, you’ve made some new improvement.”
“I take it you approve of all of this, then.” Carol swept her hand to encompass the front corner of the shop that they were working on.
Though the baked goods were obviously the focus of the business, the place had looked so bare.
It was time to do something about it, and she was doing well enough with sales that she could invest her profits into this project.
“Absolutely.” Stacey dropped the next screw, picked it back up, and zipped it into place.
“I think an area for people to sit down with their pets while they enjoy their treats is a great idea. So is the bowl of fresh water. You’ll probably get a lot of customers who appreciate that.
Do you mind if I give you a suggestion?”
“As long as you don’t require me to take it.” Carol unpacked a dog bed and fluffed it up.
“You’ve got just enough space right over here for a nice little display where you could sell other accessories.
” Stacey gestured with her screw gun to a small space of wall in between the seating area and the door.
“You know, collars or dog clothes or whatever. It might give people even more reason to come in, or at least a chance to spend more money while they’re here. ”
“Hm.” Carol took a moment to envision the idea and then nodded. “You just might be right.”
“It happens occasionally.” With the last leg attached, Stacey flipped the bench upright and scooted it in place against the wall.
The door opened, admitting a man in his early thirties wearing the blue uniform shirt of the local gas station. He paused as he turned to say something else to Lorelei before he came all the way inside.
“Hello!” Carol chirped. She moved around behind the counter, Barney obediently at her heels. “What can I help you with today?”
“Um, gosh. I’m not quite sure.” He slowly stepped up to the counter, looking at all the treats uncertainly.
“I’m sure we can figure it out. What kind of dog do you have, Nick?”
His head shot up, his eyes wide. “How did you know my name?”
She pointed at his shirt. “Your name badge. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. What flavors does your dog like?”
“I don’t have a dog.” He scratched his chest. “Uh, my neighbor does, though.”
“I see.” Her clients typically had their own pups, but who was she to question how the guy spent his money? “Do you know anything about the dog’s preferences? Favorite flavors or types of treats?”
One half of his mouth curved up in a bit of a laugh. “Do dogs have preferences?”
“I can assure you they do. Barney could probably rank every treat by taste and texture if he could speak English.” An idea sparked in her mind to figure out which one actually was his favorite and label it as such.
Other stores had staff picks, so why not?
“Can you tell me what kind of dog your neighbor has?”
“A little one. Little yappy thing.” He turned around to look at Lorelei again, though her back was to him as she played for any shoppers who happened to be coming through the plaza.
“Okay, then we need to stick with smaller treats for a smaller mouth. I can put together a sampler bag for you.” She gave him the price and mentally thanked Ringo. Carol might not have thought of the idea as quickly if it hadn’t been for him.
“Sure. That’s fine. Thanks.” A few minutes later, he left with a small bag of treats in his hand.
Stacey was now on her feet as she continued to work on the arrangement in the corner, but she straightened from her work once they were alone again. “Is it just me, or does that guy look like he doesn’t have a clue what he’s going to do with those biscuits?”
Carol shrugged. “It’s not my problem as long as he paid for them.”
“It’s just odd, that’s all.” Stacey moved a table into place. “Do you think maybe he only came in here because of Lorelei?”
“Possibly,” Carol agreed. “The last I checked, though, I was under no moral obligation to make sure every customer spends ten dollars on dog treats for the right reasons.”
“I know. I just think it’s odd.” Stacey unpacked the next bench and laid out all the parts. She was quiet as she got back down on the floor with the screw gun, her mouth a hard line.
“What is it?” Carol put the last of the dog beds in place.
“What’s what?”
“What’s your problem?” Carol pushed a dog bed aside, planning to leave room for a box of toys that her patrons could play with while they waited for their owners to conclude their business. “You always get that look on your face when something’s bothering you.”
Stacey sighed and put down the screw gun. “I’m worried that Lorelei is taking advantage of you.”
“Of me?” Carol laughed at the idea. “Darling, I’m three times her age. I’ve been around the block, but age doesn’t make me a fool. I think I’d know if anyone was taking advantage of me.”
“But she’s staying up there for free,” Stacey pointed out.
“It’s not as though I had planned to sublet it out to someone and make fast cash off the rent,” Carol replied. “I don’t have any interest in being a landlord, especially for a small place like that. Besides, she’s an artist. She doesn’t make much money.”
“Paying rent would give her a motive,” Stacey countered. “I’m not saying you’d even have to charge her the going rate. But I do think it’s only fair if she compensates you, at least in some fashion.”
Carol gestured toward the front of the building, where a few people had stopped to listen to Lorelei sing.
“What do you call that? She’s keeping what little cash she makes, but she’s also bringing a lot of attention to The Biscuit Box.
I think we’ve had quite a few customers who’ve come in here because of her.
They might not’ve noticed the place otherwise. Just like that Nick fellow.”
Stacey looked dubious. “That’s your main marketing strategy?”
“I know just enough about marketing to understand trends change all the time, and it’s more than I care to keep up with.
Making regular posts on social media is one thing, but there’s only so much one person can do.
” Carol had spent a good chunk of time researching digital marketing, studying everything from trendjacking to live streaming to interactive content.
She’d come away realizing that it simply wasn’t for her.
Gone were the days of placing an ad in the newspaper or on the radio.
Carol would have to hire someone specifically to keep track of all these things for her. Maybe someday.
“I know a thing or two.” Stacey resumed assembling the next bench. “I’d be happy to help.”
“I’d be happy to let you. I just don’t want you getting jealous of what Lorelei’s musical talent is doing for the place.”
Stacey let out a small laugh. “Mom, I’m pretty sure it’s not her musical talent that’s making them line up.”
“Jealous of her natural attractiveness, then? Why should you be, considering the handsome hunk you roped in? Dylan wouldn’t look twice at Lorelei.
” Carol hadn’t known Stacey’s mate very long, but she definitely knew he was a good man.
As the Alpha of the Brigham clan, he was dedicated to protecting her and her children.
They lived a happy life next door, and Carol was truly happy for them.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Stacey agreed, “but it’s not about Dylan. It’s just the general idea.”
“Sex sells. I recall a certain perfume ad campaign you worked on when you were still with Martin Marketing. That model showed a lot more skin than clothing. Now granted, I…” She trailed off, closing her mouth and blowing air out into her cheeks as she realized what she was about to say.
Sliding the second bench into place, Stacey looked up. “What?”
“Well…” Carol wasn’t one to let things bother her.
Everyone could do as they pleased as long as they weren’t hurting anyone else.
Of course, this seemed to be in a gray area.
“I was just going to say that an ad in a magazine or on TV is a bit different than what’s happening in person.
You see, Rick stopped in yesterday when Lorelei was here.
He’d already met her before because he was there when everything had happened that night of the fire. ”
“Right.” Stacey had already been informed of all of this. With several clan members involved, it’d been quite the subject for a bit.
“The two of them were chatting,” Carol went on. She rearranged the dog beds she’d just put down and then changed them around again, unable to find an array that pleased her. “It was just small talk, idle stuff, but it really bothered me.”
Stacey had been looking at her with interest, and now she grinned. “You’re jealous! That means you really do like him! Yes! I knew I was onto something when I introduced the two of you.”
“You’ve been waiting to do that ever since the bonfire, haven’t you?
” Carol rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’m serious about this, Stacey.
It was very strange. Rick came into the shop and seemed so excited to see me, but as soon as Lorelei started talking to him, I might as well not have been there at all.
So yes, I really do like him, but I’ve had to question that a little after what happened yesterday. ”
“Huh.” Stacey sat down on the newly constructed bench and tipped her head to the side.
“I’ve known Rick a bit longer than you have, and I’m really surprised.
I’ve never seen him so much as turn his head for a woman.
He’s only ever been interested in his family, his work, and maybe getting in some exercise. He’s not some creepy old man.”
“I know, or at least I believe I know that.” Carol sat on the other bench, noticing that they had really created a cozy little corner here.
“Actually, no. I do know that about him. I may not have spent much time with him, but some things about people are just obvious. People like that usually don’t hide it, and they don’t even try.
Rick’s not the kind of guy who’s trying to relive his younger days with a girl a fraction of his age.
Still, I know something was going on there. ”
“Maybe he was just being polite,” Stacey suggested. “He’s a nice guy, sometimes to a fault. Lorelei is new in town as well as a victim of a recent and very traumatic incident. He probably felt sorry for her and wanted to make sure she felt welcome.”
“Unlike you?” Carol asked with a smile.
“Hey, now. I’m just looking out for my mom. That’s my job, and you have to let me do it.”
Now Carol let out a full laugh. “Oh, you’ve got me with that one!
I sure remember telling you that sometimes.
It wasn’t very often that you crossed the boundaries that I thought were okay for a child your age, and no matter how much I tried to explain why things should be as they are, you were too stubborn to listen.
I couldn’t bring myself to say, ‘Because I said so.’ No.
I’m a mom, and you have to let me be the mom sometimes. ”
“I’ve used it on my own kids, too. I think it actually works pretty well,” Stacey admitted.
She reached over and took Carol’s hand. “Right now, though, I’m going to be the grown daughter.
No, I don’t want Lorelei to take advantage of you, but I think you’re a good person for wanting to help her out.
As for Rick, maybe you should just ask him. ”
“Do you think you’d actually sit a man down and ask him straight out if he was attracted to a much younger woman?” Carol challenged. While she herself might do just that, she knew she was far bolder than many.
“I like to think I would, at least. What is there to lose?”
Carol shook her head, but then she stopped. “I was going to say nothing. You know me. I usually say what’s on my mind, but this is a different situation. If Rick was actually just being nice to Lorelei, I’m going to look like a real ass. I’ll be the sour old woman, and that’s not who I am.”
“It’s not,” Stacey agreed. “Of course, this is your man. You have a right to be a little bit jealous.”
“He’s not my man. Or at least not yet.” Carol winked as she stood up. “Let’s get all this cardboard out to the recycling bin, and then maybe you can help me with some real marketing.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They went back to work, and Carol noticed that some of the tension in her shoulders had relaxed.
It never should’ve been there, anyway. She liked Rick, and he liked her.
She’d been thinking about all of it far too much.
Things would happen the way they were supposed to, and she was happy to accept that outcome. Everything was going to be just fine.