She pressed her hand to her heart. “Oh my goodness, you scared me! What are you doing back here?”
“I came in a while ago, but you were stocking your soaps and didn’t see me.”
She flushed a bit. Rick had dropped her off shortly after six and had come in with her, indulging in some very long and distracting kisses before announcing he had some errands to run. She’d tried to hide her disappointment … it had been amazing, waking up with him next to her. Seeing his lashes on his cheeks as he slept, feeling his body curl around hers in the moments before he woke … that was special.
The truth was, she suspected she was falling in love with Rick. Not that she was in any particular hurry to say anything about it. It was so new, far too early to start dissecting feelings when their relationship still felt tenuous.
Still, looking up at him as he stood in her workroom, she felt a familiar glow that seemed to happen whenever he was around.
“It’s crazy in here today. I’m going to have to see if Tessa can work an extra few days just so I can replenish some of my stock. And here I thought I was finished sewing those blasted tartan stockings.” She grinned.
“I thought you could use some help today, but if I’m in the way just let me know. I can take a hint.”
She shook her head. “Not in the way at all. I can use the help. Just let me check on an item here and I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed a half-dozen candles to restock the shelf, pleased at both the offer and his presence. Within moments she’d sold two peppermint candles to Georgia and was back in the storeroom again.
“Let me give you the nickel tour,” she suggested, meeting his gaze. She couldn’t get distracted; there was too much to do. Maybe she’d cook for him later to show her appreciation …
Jess opened the door to the stock cupboard. “In here you’ll find tissue for wrapping delicate items and shopping bags, which we keep under the counter at the front. This,” she pointed to a small cardboard box, “is cash register tape in case it runs out. If you can check to make sure we have lots of everything under the counter, that’d be great.”
“Yes, boss,” he intoned seriously, a little smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
She smiled back and led him to a storage room where she kept her stock. She flipped on a light and led him into the narrow space between several rows of shelving.
“This is my stock. Everything is tagged, so it just needs to go on the shelf. This section is jewelry, and it’s organized very specifically so that nothing gets mixed up or knotted.” She gestured further. “Along here are my soaps, each container marked with the scent, and the same with the candles. Scent, then size. Yarn is here, and this whole shelf is quilting fabric. Along here we have sewing and knitting supplies. Then the consignment items…” She hesitated, looking over her shoulder at him to make sure he was still following along. “Each one is marked by name, not item. And finally, we have the fun section. Kids’ stuff for the kid corner. Puzzles, toys, that sort of thing. I’ve got a sale on puppets and brain twisters today, so those might disappear faster than usual.”
“How on earth do you keep track of all of this?”
Jess laughed. “My favorite thing. Paperwork. Add in accounting and staying in the good graces of the IRS, and there’s more of it than I’d like.”
“Have you thought about hiring an accountant?”
“Maybe, when the shop is doing a little bit better. I try to do as much as I can on my own to reduce my overhead.”
“Like living here?”
“Beats having rent on two places.”
“Right.”
They backed out of the closet. Jess was a little disappointed he hadn’t tried to sneak another kiss along the way, but on the other hand she really should get back to the front of the store.
“So, are you up to it?”
“I think I can handle it. I’ll check the bags and tissue first, how about that?”
On impulse, Jess went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “That sounds great. Don’t forget to pimp your ornaments either, Rick. They’re almost gone and I want a new supply for the Evergreen
Festival.”
With a wink she disappeared back into the store.
The business was brisk but Jess was always aware of Rick nearby, talking to the customers, straightening shelves, opening the door for them, or helping Meggie—who was significantly shorter than Jess or Rick—reach items on some of the upper shelves. Once, when Jess was at the cash register ringing in a particularly large order, Rick stepped up and wrapped each fragile item in tissue and bagged it. She could smell his body wash or whatever he was wearing, the scent becoming familiar now the more time they spent together. During a lull, he grabbed a broom and swept the floor, and at one o’clock they realized no one had had lunch and he zipped off to the café to pick up sandwiches and coffee for everyone. When he got back, Jess let Meggie and Tessa eat first, and when they were done she and Rick went to the back room to eat together.
“Is it always this crazy?” he asked, opening his carton and picking up half of his turkey salad sandwich.
“Not at all. Well, sometimes in the summer it gets crazy, when the tourists are here and the weather’s good. It’s been particularly busy today, which is very good for my bottom line.”