Chapter 5 #2
It was never anything major—five dollars here, ten there—but it was the principle of the thing. Megan still denied any involvement, but Adalyn had had to cut her. If nothing else, Adalyn had to make an example of her so her other girls would know they couldn’t get away with it.
Adalyn rounded the desk and greeted Megan with a polite smile. “Hello, Megan. Let’s head back to my office.”
Adalyn shot Amy a quick look. “Call if you need me.”
Megan sullenly followed Adalyn to the back of the salon and preceded her into Adalyn’s small office.
Adalyn took a seat and gestured for Megan to do the same.
Her paycheck was locked in the top drawer, and Adalyn retrieved it, handing it to her.
Megan snatched it from Adalyn’s hands, a nasty sneer on her face.
“I still think this is crap.” She stuffed the envelope in her purse and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m sorry,” Adalyn said softly. And she meant it. Megan had really been a great addition to their team, and Adalyn would miss having her.
“I didn’t take your money,” Megan said adamantly.
Adalyn took a deep breath. “Unfortunately, that’s not what the computer log says,” she stated. “I looked back through the transactions and found that your code was entered to unlock the register each time.”
Megan’s shoulders dropped. “That’s not possible. I swear I didn’t do it!”
Adalyn resisted the urge to rub her temples.
Megan had been singing the same song for a week now, and if Adalyn didn’t know better, she’d swear Megan was telling the truth.
But numbers didn’t lie. Right before Megan left each night, she’d entered her six-digit code to open the register and count the money—and skim a small portion off the top.
Adalyn sighed. “I’m sorry, Megan. I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“Well, you’re blaming me for someone else’s mistake.” Megan shoved her chair back and stood. “Whatever. I don’t need this job anyway.”
Adalyn pressed her lips together and held back an eye roll as Megan stormed from her office.
There was a niggling doubt in Adalyn’s stomach that said Megan was telling the truth, but Adalyn just couldn’t prove it.
Either way, Megan had to go. Adalyn didn’t like to fire people—in fact, she’d never had to do it before now.
But she was sure it wouldn’t be the last time.
Steeling her shoulders, Adalyn grabbed her purse, then locked up her office and headed back to the front of the salon.
Amy slid a wry look Adalyn’s way. “Sounds like that went well.”
Adalyn lifted one hand. “You know how it goes.”
“I do,” Amy said. “I’m sorry.”
“It is what it is.” Adalyn drummed her nails on the counter for a moment. After that little episode, she needed a pick-me-up. “Well, since we don’t have any more appointments for the afternoon, I’m going to go see my favorite person. Jenn and I will put in some extra hours later.”
“What do you want me to do with the witch’s dress?” Amy called.
Adalyn turned around, walking backward toward the front door. “Leave it there for all I care. She wasn’t too worried about it!”
Pushing her concerns away, Adalyn climbed into her car and headed home. Her heart lightened considerably as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Soft music drifted from the living room at the back of the house, and her feet carried her in that direction.
Her eyes landed on the towheaded baby girl seated on the floor, clapping her hands in time to the lullaby playing on the TV. At the sight of Adalyn, Jaclyn clambered awkwardly to her feet.
“Ma-ma-ma!”
A grin split Adalyn’s face. How had she made something so perfect?
Adalyn dropped to her knees and scooped her baby girl into her arms. “Hey, baby. Mama missed you.”
Jaclyn gave Adalyn a wet, smacking kiss on the lips before planting her chubby hands on Adalyn’s chest and shoving herself away, eager to get down and play some more.
It simultaneously made Adalyn proud, yet sad.
It almost made her heart hurt to see her daughter’s fierce independence.
It was something she’d so obviously gotten from her father.
Adalyn turned her attention to the older woman on the couch. “How was she today, Wendy?”
“An angel, as always.”
Adalyn chuckled. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”
At only eleven months, Jaclyn was stubborn and determined. She’d begun eating solid foods at three months and taken her first steps only days after she’d turned nine months old.
Wendy just winked at Adalyn. “Doesn’t matter. She could be an absolute terror and I’d still love her like my own.”
Adalyn smiled at the older woman. Wendy and her husband had come into Adalyn’s life just when she’d needed them most. They lived right next door, occupying the other unit of the duplex Adalyn currently rented. Within only a couple of months, George and Wendy had become the family Adalyn craved.
Over the past year and a half, Wendy and Adalyn had become extremely close, though Adalyn had never disclosed the full truth about her relationship with Jaxon.
The older woman knew that Jaclyn’s father was in the military and spent much of his time overseas.
Adalyn had never once mentioned that they’d divorced after their very regrettable Vegas wedding and that he knew nothing of his daughter.
Warmth spread around Adalyn’s heart as she watched Wendy pull Jaclyn close and press a kiss to one chubby cheek.
Jaclyn jerked away as if offended to have had her personal space invaded.
She framed Wendy’s face in her little hands, then returned the favor with a sloppy, wet kiss of her own.
The interaction brought a smile to Adalyn’s face.
They weren’t perfect, but they had everything they needed.
Adalyn’s daughter filled so much of her heart, but there was a tiny little corner that remained empty—and Adalyn feared it would feel that way forever.