Chapter 18

 

Macy stepped into the back door of the store. It was nine o’clock Saturday morning.

“Well, you look like the cat that caught the mouse,” Janet said, busy re-folding quilts displayed on a table. “I take it you had a good time last night?”

“The best,” Macy answered, embarrassed to realize her cheeks were beginning to heat up. “Sammie is so cute,” she added.

Janet shook her head and reached for a Flying Geese patterned quilt. “I don’t think it’s Sammie’s cuteness that’s giving you that look,” she teased.

Macy refused to acknowledge the statement and made her way back to her office. Shrugging off her blue, lightweight jacket, she hung it on a hook. She was just settled at her desk when Janet appeared at the door.

“There’s something we need to discuss,” she said, a serious expression on her face.

Macy felt her heart sink. Was Janet going to quit? Maybe working for Aunt Alta had spoiled her. After all, the woman was practically a fixture in the shop. Every local customer that walked in the door called her by name. How would she ever get along without her?

“Come in,” Macy said, making sure to keep her voice steady.

Janet entered and took a seat in the small wing chair next to the desk. It was then that Macy noticed the small stack of money in her hand.
Janet cleared her throat and smoothed her long, dark calico skirt. “For a week, or so, the money has been coming up a little short in the cash register. I just thought that I’d made a mistake when I counted it out the evening before, or something, and I covered it.”

Macy shook her head. “That’s not likely, Janet. You should have just told me. And I’ll pay you back,” she added. “How much short are we talking about?”

“I’d say five to seven dollars a day. Sometimes it skips a day, but usually that amount. Most of the time we are already short in the morning, when I count before we start. Sort of like it disappeared overnight, which I know is not possible. This evening, I want you to count with me.”

Macy nodded and chewed her lip. “I don’t know how it could happen. There’s only the two of us, and I know it’s not you or me,” she emphasized. “Is there any way a customer can open the cash register?”

Janet shrugged. “How could they? One of us is always close.”

Macy leaned back in her office chair. “Well, at that amount, it’s not much to worry about, just yet. Maybe there is an explanation for it. And don’t you cover it anymore,” she ordered. “I’ll make it up to you on your paycheck,” she said, as Janet headed back to the desk.

The phone rang and she heard Janet answer out at the desk. “It’s for you,” she called.

Macy picked up the phone and glanced at the clock. They would be opening in another fifteen minutes. “Hello?”

“Hello, Macy,” Scott’s voice came through the receiver.

“Good morning,” she said, feeling self-conscious, even over the phone line. It had been a long time since a man kissed her goodnight.

“I’ve got a lot to do today, meetings on the phone, some other work around here, but I was thinking maybe we could have dinner on Monday night. If you’re free?”

She took a deep breath and ignored her galloping heart. “Yes. I’d like that, Scott.”

“Good. I’ll try to call you before then. Bye Macy.”

“Bye.” She hung up the receiver and sighed. There was no denying that she was starting to feel something for him. She smiled. It was a good thing Aunt Alta was safe on her honeymoon, or she’d be planning a wedding for the two of them.

She pulled her cell phone from her purse and hit #1. It was time she checked up on the honeymooners.

 

 

***

 

 

“I don’t believe it!” Janet declared, her voice echoing through the store.

“What?” Macy stuck her head out of the office door. Hopefully, it wasn’t more trouble. The disappearing money didn’t amount to much, but it was puzzling, and she would like to get that problem solved before another cropped up.

“The clock,” Janet said, standing in front of the large, ornate cherry grandfather clock that dominated the front corner of the store. “The time is right, and I believe it is about to strike ten. It struck earlier, but I didn’t pay much attention.”

As if on cue, the clock began its melodic announcement of the hour. It struck exactly ten times.

Macy came from the office and stood in front of the magnificent piece of art. Aunt Alta had purchased it years ago, when Macy was a teenager, with the knowledge that it no longer kept time or chimed the right hour. She had wanted it solely as an ornament for the store. The timepiece was kept wound and set to the right time each day, but it slowed almost immediately, and it did not seem to affect the way it kept the time, even if reset several times a day. But now. . .had it fixed itself?

“How is that possible?” Macy whispered.

Janet shook her head, her brown eyes wide with surprise. “I’ve never heard of anything like it.”

Back in the office, her eyes on the accounts, Macy could not stop thinking about the clock. She would have to be sure and tell Scott about it when she saw him at dinner on Monday night. No doubt, he would find it interesting. Her fingers touched her lips and she smiled. His kiss had been nice. Had it been only a good-bye kind of kiss? Or had he really wanted to be close to her?

After a quick lunch, customers had slowed their coming into the shop, so she headed upstairs to straighten the shelves. That was when she noticed the quilting frame. Forgetting about the shelves, she headed over to the frame and knelt in front of the structure. The right front leg of the frame had been taped with duct tape for over five years. Today, the tape was gone and the leg smoothly glued and repaired.

She took a deep breath. Janet had to see this.

The afternoon sped by. Even though she had dreaded the influx of strangers in town, it had been a very pleasant afternoon. Annie Oakley Days seemed to be popular with folks from all around. Now, she’d have to badger some of the local ladies to get busy with more quilts. Her stock was beginning to dwindle.

At last, she was finished with the evening paper work. She shut the lid of the laptop and reached for the chain switch on the cowboy boot lamp. Her hand stopped, just as she began to pull it down. A sound. Was it in the shop? Or something outside? A ripple of fear raced down her spine.

Get a hold of yourself, Macy. It’s probably just a mouse. Or the wind. Or. . .something like that.

She took a deep breath and stood. Janet had only been gone about half an hour. She peeked out of the office door to a quiet, well-lit, store. She was being silly. It was time to get home and enjoy her two days off. Annie Oakley days had been successful enough for the shop that she would have to come in and do some ordering on Monday morning. Not exactly leisure time, but it made her happy that it had to be done.