Chapter Two #2
As I stepped out of the Jeep, I pulled my knit cap over my ears and tightened the belt on my peacoat to keep it snug.
Then, I quickly crossed the parking lot to escape the cold winter breeze.
I opened the door and stepped inside to the familiar chime of the overhead bell, which my dad still had all these years later.
The swoosh of the door shutting out the cool air pushed me farther into the store as I shook off the chill.
After taking a few steps, I noticed there was no one at the counter.
My brows furrowed because my dad always greeted customers who entered the store.
Clearly, whoever was there was not on duty.
Someone could walk in, steal items, and be on their merry way without anyone noticing since the worker had ignored the bell and the fact that I’d been in the building nearly an entire minute.
Irritation settled over me, and I walked farther inside, peeling off my leather gloves and slipping them into my coat pocket.
By the time I reached aisle three, my soul was nearly vexed when I finally saw the side profile of a man wearing an apron, holding a box, and hanging up products on the metal hooks. He spoke before I could utter a word.
“Welcome to Luke’s.”
“Is this how you treat all the customers?” I shot off, completely ignoring his half-hearted greeting.
“I could’ve stolen half the store before you even acknowledged my presence, and you haven’t even properly done that.
When a paying customer enters the establishment, you should stop what you’re doing to give them a greeting that makes them feel appreciated and not like a nuisance. ”
The man spun to face me faster than sound could travel, his face marred with the same level of irritation as the venom I’d spewed at him.
“Well, as you can see, I’m the only person working here—”
When our eyes met, time didn’t stop; it slammed to a halt. My breath caught, and for a split second, the years between us vanished. A flood of emotions instantly overwhelmed both of us.
“Amariah?”
“Jacob?”
Each other’s names parted between us at the same time. Although we each had only spoken one word, it carried so many emotions—surprise, confusion, wonder, and…
“What are you doing here?” we asked simultaneously.
And anger.
That was the emotion our mimicked question landed on.
Folding my arms, I affirmed my position with firm confidence. “This is my father’s store. I have every right to be here.”
He tsked, shook his head, and then went back to what he was doing after greeting me without any explanation.
“Excuse you. You didn’t answer my question.”
He closed his eyes and took deep breaths.
“And I don’t have to.” He placed the box on the floor and turned to me.
“I work for your father. Not you.” He pointed to the front of his apron, which read, Luke’s Hardware Manager, with his name tag, Jacob, pinned to it.
“And as you can see, he’s more than aware that I work here.
Now, you’re excused so I can get back to doing just that… working.”
With that, he turned back around, picked up the box, and headed toward the back of the store.
Without giving it a second thought, I followed him, matching his speed and quick steps.
Of all the people in Skye Ridge, I couldn’t fathom that I would see Jacob, especially not working at my father’s store.
Why was he here? How did he get here? And why hadn’t my mother told me he was here when we talked about it this morning?
Hell, why hadn’t she mentioned Jacob working here in any of our phone calls?
I had a million questions and was determined to get them all answered.
“Stop following me. This area is for employees only,” Jacob snapped, quickening his pace.
I scoffed. “This is my father’s store.”
He stopped dead in his tracks and deadpanned, “Correct. Your father’s.
An established fact. Not yours. And like I said, employees only.
So, not only are you not your father, you’re not employed here either.
Grab whatever you need and leave. I’m sure your father wouldn’t charge you for it, so you don’t need my cashier services. ”
Any other time, my tongue would be even more blunt than his, but honestly, his dismissal hurt. It had been years, and though we weren’t on the best of terms, he was still Jacob. Apparently, I wasn’t still Amariah to him, though.
“Jacob—” My voice trembled as I said his name, my eyes and posture softening.
“Don’t.” He raised his hand to stop me. “I have work.”
We stood frozen. His demeanor was icy, colder than the dropping temperatures outside.
His jaw clenched with tension, and he looked at me as if I were public enemy number one, two, and three.
Had it really come to this? I hadn’t lived thirty-six years without making someone angry, but his expression showed nothing but pure contempt for me.
It was clear there would be no friendly reunion today, so I switched into business mode and womaned up.
“Well then, we’re here for the same reasons.
I’m taking over my father’s operations while he recovers, and since you’re the manager, it looks like you and I will be working closely together for the foreseeable future.
” I walked past him, heading toward the back office.
“As an official employee, I’ll be in the office.
Be sure to man the front so my father’s store isn’t robbed blind. ”
I left him standing there on mute as I entered the office and closed the door behind me.
Leaning my back against it, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.
Tears clouded my eyes as I shut them tightly to force the droplets not to fall.
Not only did I have to figure out how to save my father’s failing business, but I had to work with the one man I never thought I’d deal with again—Jacob Gold. How in the hell was I going to do that?