Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I always keep two registers open when I have a cashier here so I can jump in as well. That takes me off the floor, but the lines get through faster,” she explained. “You’ll meet Samuel later this afternoon. He’s in high school and works after practice and on the weekends when there’s no football.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Could I ask how you handle stocking?”
“Before the day begins and during shifts,” she explained. “The cashiers maintain the area around their cash register and the ends of the aisles that allow them to monitor guests waiting to check out. We take advantage of all lulls so that everything is in place when we get slammed.”
A steady stream of customers continued into the store all evening, keeping all three employees busy. Samuel had arrived to replace Amy. By the time they were calling all the shoppers to the cash registers at the end of the night, Nora had run through all the most important details with Craig. She was exhausted but very hopeful.
As they got ready to leave, Nora showed Craig how to turn the security system on and off and to lock the door. “I’ll let you set up a code for yourself tomorrow.”
“Do you change codes frequently?” he asked.
“I have mine written down in my office so I don’t forget. I don’t plan on ever changing it unless I have to,” Nora confessed.
“Got it. I’ll make sure to choose something I won’t forget,” Craig said with a laugh.
“Oh, I meant to ask Amy and Samuel about some money that was found in the back. Help me remember to put a note up by the time clock tomorrow.”
“Will do, boss. Thanks for a great first day. I’m looking forward to being here,” Craig assured her.
“I’ll see you tomorrow after your classes.”
At a slight noise behind her, Nora turned to see Mateo walking down the walkway toward them. He had a La Havana bag in his hand.
“I thought you might like some dinner, Craig. Have some fideo when you get home. The noodles will inspire you.”
“Thank you, sir. If the dish tastes as good as it smells, I’m in for a treat.”
Nora and Mateo watched him walk away. “That was nice of you.”
“I have ours in my car. Ready to go home?” Mateo asked.
“I can’t wait to get there.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Wow,” Nora said with wide eyes as she entered Craftastic the next Monday. She’d had an amazing weekend with her Daddy. It was so nice to have Craig around, someone she could trust to keep the shop running smoothly so she didn’t have to be there from open to close.
“Hey, Nora.” Craig gave her a wave.
She stared at the new craft area they’d been planning. It was all set up and ready to go just inside the front window. “How did you do all this since last night? When I left, the work table had just arrived, but it was still in the box, unassembled.”
Craig frowned at her. “I didn’t do it. I assumed you came back in last night or something.”
She shook her head as she wandered around the perfectly situated space. “Craig, this makes no sense. The mysteries keep piling up. Every day I find something changed in the store, and no one claims to have made the alterations. I’ve spoken with Samuel and Amy. They both deny coming in early or staying late. And why would they? They’re paid by the hour. They do great work. They don’t need to secretly impress the boss after hours.” She scratched her head.
Craig rubbed his jaw as he wandered the space with her. He pointed at the endcap that extended from the aisle closest to the new work table. “Did you at least arrange that so art supplies would be readily available for whoever sits here?”
“No.” This just did not add up. In a way, it made Nora nervous. On the other hand, every mystery always led to an improvement in the shop. She’d been paying close attention to the registers. Both of them balanced every night, and no money was ever missing.
“It has to be Samuel or Amy,” Craig muttered.
“It certainly can’t be you. It started happening before you joined us. Plus, no one ever claimed the money I found in the door of the electrical panel.” She put her hands on her hips. “There’s no denying that someone is coming into the shop after hours and making changes.”
“Could it be your boyfriend?” Craig asked. “Would he be sending someone in to make your life easier?”
Nora thought about that for a moment and shook her head. “He knows I’m nervous about this. I don’t think Mateo would keep something like this from me for weeks. It’s not like him.”
“Good point.” Craig sighed. “Whoever it is, they have the codes to unlock the door and to turn off the alarm.”