Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,56
vehicle out front of each place too. Maybe a couple of people can carpool. We have some who live close by.”
“That’s good.”
Business was slowing down, the last customer leaving the shop, while others were outside getting last-minute pictures with the reindeer calves.
Josh said, “I was thinking we could put some more merchandise out, and then after the shop closes, we can start going through some boxes of merchandise from estate sales.”
“Sure.” She was amused at how much Josh was taking over the restocking of her shelves. He had a good head for merchandising, and he seemed to enjoy it. “We could carry some boxes from the shop to the house tonight and start going through them. I wanted to start checking the prices on the items we found in the attic, too, so I can get some of this stuff out to sell.”
“We can do that. Don’t you need some extra help? You have to work in the shop all day and then have to do all this other work afterward,” Josh said.
“I’ve thought of it, and I’d love to hire one of our kind to work here. It would be fun to have another woman working with me.” Sure, having the extra muscle of a male wolf would be welcome, and if she had trouble with theft, a male might be more of a deterrent, but she’d rather work with a woman to avoid the hassle of a bachelor male wanting to work for her just with the intention of dating her.
“You can mention it to Leidolf or Cassie, and they’ll spread the word. Just be sure to tell them you’re interested in a female employee, or you’ll have a ton of bachelor males signing up to do the job.”
She laughed. “Are there that many bachelor males with the pack?” Since she only knew of Josh, his brother, and Adam—oh, and the DEA special agent, Ethan—and no other wolves had shown up to check her out, she thought Josh might be pulling her leg.
“Oh yeah. Guaranteed.”
“You know, I’d hire you in a heartbeat since you’ve done a great job as my assistant all day. The problem is you already have a job.”
He sighed. “I do.”
“Too bad. You’d be a shoo-in. I’m going to tag some more merchandise.” She glanced at the box that had the Christmas ornaments in it. “They’re all gone. Did you price them and hang the rest on the tree?”
“No. I kept telling everyone they were on sale, to add them to Christmas stockings, brand-new merchandise showed up too late, and they all sold.”
“See? You’d be perfect for the job. Having the reindeer here, sales pitches at the counter, helping me with the merchandise, and serving as store security? Perfect.”
He smiled at her. “Do you have anything else you want me to sell while I’m waiting on last-minute customers?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right back.” She rushed to get another box for him. Free labor was much appreciated. She figured she’d fix him a steak for dinner for all the help he’d been. She returned with a box filled with more decorations. “Sell them for the same price. I’d like to get rid of them all so I can buy new Christmas decorations next year.”
“Speaking of Christmas, what are you doing for it this year?”
“Um, cleaning out the shop, getting ready for the new year, crying while I watch It’s a Wonderful Life, eating a turkey. I get one of those small-breasted turkeys so it doesn’t take me long to finish up.”
“Why don’t you come and have Christmas lunch with Maverick and me? We can play games, watch your movie, and cry with you—”
She laughed.
“Just have some fun.”
“I’d love that.” Though she figured she’d feel guilty about all the work she had to do if she goofed off all day at their ranch.
“I thought you might like to come out and see all the reindeer at the ranch on your day off.”
“I’d love to, but I don’t want to be gone too often until I know what’s going on with these guys who tried to steal from me.”
“We certainly could wait until then. We could have Christmas at your place.”
“That would work if we still don’t know what’s going on.”
Another couple of customers came in, and they had to see the reindeer, but after that, it got quiet at the shop. Maverick came in and said, “Hey, the last two ladies just left. I’m going to take Jingles and Cinnamon home now, if that’s all right with you.”