Janelle heard the front door opening before she heard the bell over the door ringing. “Welcome to—” She stopped her standard greeting when she saw her other employee, Thelma, approaching her.
“Thelma, what are you doing here today? You know it’s your day off.” Janelle moved closer to the older woman.
When she caught Thelma’s standoffish vibe from her sour expression and the way she kept her arms crossed over her chest, Janelle stopped.“What’s wrong? Your team didn’t win last night or something?” She laughed.
When Thelma kept her stoic expression, Janelle stopped laughing.
“Can we talk?” Thelma glanced over at Penny. “In private.”
“Uh, yeah. Of course.” Janelle led her to her office.
With the two of them inside and the door closed, the space seemed so cramped. Janelle didn’t keep a lot of items in her office, just a desk, her rolling swivel chair, a chair across from her, and a plant in the corner. Without a window, the office felt more like a closet sometimes.
“What did you want to tal—”
“I’m quitting, effective immediately.” Thelma leaned back in her chair as though waiting for a fight.
Janelle felt her bottom jaw unhinge and nothing coming from her mouth. After Penny, Janelle had hired Thelma based on her years of experience working at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. She had a love of horticulture like Janelle did. Besides that, the older African-American woman reminded her of what a real mother should act like.
The nurturing woman would dispense good advice to her and treat her like a daughter. On occasion, Thelma would bring in plates of freshly baked cookies.
After collecting her thoughts, Janelle managed to muster enough strength to say one word. “Why?”
Thelma took in a deep breath through her wide nostrils and on the exhale said, “You’re in trouble, baby. I’m going to go before I see this place get shut down.”
Janelle shook her head. “What are you talking about? You’re always paid and on time. I’ve never said—”
Thelma cut her off. “You’re a great boss. One of the best I’ve ever worked for. When I retired and decided to do some fun part-time work, I knew I would love working here, and I have. You make it a joy to come here.”
Janelle’s throat started to tighten and her eyes stung from the impending tears. She never wanted to show weakness in front of anyone, let alone her employees. They looked to her to be a strong leader. How could she portray that if she cried at the drop of a hat?
Janelle clasped her hands together and sat them on her desk to give off the air of authority. “So again, why?”
She lowered her tone to almost a whisper despite the door being closed. “I saw the disconnection notice for the light bill, and I paid it.”
Damn it. She wouldn’t crack. She wouldn’t break. Janelle ground her teeth together to harness her feelings. Bosses didn’t weep in front of their employees.
She covered her eyes and lowered her head. Damn if she didn’t feel defeated.
She didn’t expect to feel an arm wrapped around her shoulders. She turned her face away from Thelma before she pushed her chair back to create a wedge between the two of them.
Janelle cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry you felt obligated to do that. I never wanted—”
“You don’t owe me any excuses.” Thelma’s confused expression showed her bewilderment at Janelle’s distant demeanor. “You’ve created a fine business.” She retreated back to her chair. “When you get yourself turned around, and I know you will, call me if you’re in need of more help.”
Janelle nodded. “I’ll take that into consideration.” Talking like a boss would remind her of her position. She owned a business. She had employees, well, an employee under her. Without any money, she would lose it all.
“Thank you.” Thelma smiled. “You run a beautiful flower shop.”
Janelle tried smiling to show some level of control. “I wish you wouldn’t go.”
Thelma moved closer to the door. “I’ll say good-bye to Penny.” She shook her head. “She’s good people but horny as a devil.”
That assessment made Janelle laugh. “You are right about that. She’s been that way for as long as I’ve known her.” She straightened herself up and brought the serious countenance back to her face. “You leaving might make her worry. I don’t want her fearing she may lose her job.” Janelle put her fists to her hips.
“I’ll tell her that I’ve decided to retire for real this time. If she doesn’t know about the problems, she doesn’t have to know.” Thelma opened the door. “Thanks for hiring this old lady.”
“Thanks for working for me. You made this a better place.” Janelle took a couple of deep breaths.
“No.” Thelma pointed to Janelle. “You make this place. It has Janelle Gold all over it. Now go make your mark. I’ll be rooting for you.”
Janelle fought the urge to put her arm around the shorter woman and, instead, patted her shoulder and walked her out to the main store.
“Penny, you be good to Janelle.” Thelma walked toward Penny with her arms outstretched. “I’ve decided to retire for good this time.”
“What? You’re leaving?” Penny hugged Thelma. “Who’s going to bring in hot cookies?”
“Maybe you can learn to bake.” Janelle tried hiding the frustration in her voice, but she knew it crept out anyway.
Penny shivered as though Janelle had suggested she bake with severed kitten heads.
“Don’t be a stranger.” Janelle waved to Thelma as she walked out of the store.
She wanted to break down and cry, but business owners didn’t do that.
Janelle turned her back on the front door and faced Penny. “It’s a big loss for the store, but we’ll manage.”
Penny nodded. “Yeah. I’ll miss her though.”
Janelle would also. Not only would she miss the woman, with her leaving it became clear she had a failing business. She couldn’t take another loss.
“Oh, wow.” Penny’s eyes became wide as she stared at Janelle, or rather something behind her.
“What?”
The door opened again before Janelle heard the bell over it ringing.
“Welcome to—” She stopped her introduction again as soon as she came face to chest to a wall of a man.
Janelle had to take a step back to see his face. When she did, she wanted to take another big step back away from him.
Gideon Wells. As she lived and breathed. She’d imagined him showing up to her store one day to whisk her off her feet, tell her that he had been the one to kiss her that night at the dance so many years ago, and that he’d thought about her every day. She had to get her head out of the clouds.
The tall man had a hard expression on his face until he stared at Janelle. Then it softened. His blue eyes drew her in like the stare that had mystified her so many years ago when she’d dared to look her mystery kisser directly in his eyes before she’d run home. Pretty soon, he started to smile a bit. What power this man had. As soon as she caught his pleasant look, Janelle’s heart stuttered.
Maybe he had remembered her. Then reality hit her. What the hell had happened to her no-man rule? How had seeing this god caused her to imagine romantic possibilities? She needed to ground herself, root herself in reality.
Janelle tugged