The Echo Ridge Romance Collection

Chapter 9-1

Chapter 9

ON HER WAY OVER TO RING UP A CUSTOMER, Anika watched Carlos out of the corner of her eye. His biceps flexed every time he picked up another tool or piece of wood. She’d have to be blind not to notice the way his jeans fit just right, his physique accentuated by the heavy tool belt loaded up with probably ten different tools. She bit her lower lip. Carlos had seemed nervous about asking her to work with him, and she’d almost said no before she started tallying the extra dollars that would be added to her paycheck. It was a dangerous game she was playing. She was supposed to be staying away from the guy, not spending more time with him. So why did her stomach flip every time she thought about working with him?

Maybe it was because he was more than just a good-looking guy. Already, he’d treated her with more respect than Jimmy ever had. Her ex had been handsome, although in a different way. Jimmy never had a hair out of place and always looked carefully put together. That all changed when he started using the drugs he was dealing. Anika shook her head, pushing the memory back. She didn’t know if she dared to trust her judgement but her gut was telling her that Carlos was nothing like any of the guys she’d dated before or after Jimmy.

When Anika went to the break room at seven, she met Tayton Wells. Several of the other employees were there and he handed each of them a sheet of paper. “Keira and I have come up with an idea for the holiday selling season. Each week we’ll have a friendly competition between the departments in the store. Each department is a team and we expect you to all work together with your department managers to implement ideas that will increase sales over last year.” Tayton pointed to a copy of the paper he’d given them. “You can see on this graph that I’ve recorded the sales for each week from last year along with the target goal and bonus goal for sales this year.”

Tayton was well dressed and exuded the professional downtown New York City air, but when he smiled, his face appeared boyish and his eyes twinkled. His dark hair was trimmed above his collar, and the few times Anika had seen him, he’d been clean-shaven and walking at a brisk pace toward his next assignment. “The prize will be store credit of one-hundred and fifty dollars for the winning team,” he continued. “If we meet our goal, next week the prize money will go up with a combo of cash and store credit.”

Anika sucked in a breath, and straightened in her seat. Money like that would make a huge difference to her and Megan. She surveyed the competition. Jeff was there from housewares, and Tasha from the makeup section, and, she barely stopped from wrinkling her nose, Gentry. Dressed in charcoal suit pants, a button up lavender shirt with a pinstriped vest, Gentry was a perfect model for the men’s department but Anika thought he was too shiny. Shiny hair, shiny teeth, and a shiny forehead that she suspected he covered up with powder. He reminded her of how Jimmy was when they first met, preppy and put together. Gentry lounged on the sofa, but he caught her looking and winked at her. Anika turned away and swallowed the funny taste in her mouth.

She turned back to Tayton, paying attention to the last of his speech about holiday competitions. Anika didn’t have high hopes of winning, because she didn’t work that many hours, but when she considered Jessica’s enthusiasm over every detail in the women’s department, her lips twitched in a smile. Maybe they’d have a better chance than she originally thought. One hundred and fifty dollars per team at Kenworth’s prices, even with the employee discount could only buy a couple things, but they would be high quality and help to make Megan’s Christmas a bit brighter.

“Keira explained the contest to the day shift employees earlier. This is a trial run. We’ll see how it goes, so have fun with it and see what ideas you can come up with to make Kenworth’s the place to shop this holiday.” Tayton clapped his hands together. “May the best team win.”

When Tayton left, Gentry hopped up from the couch and headed toward Anika. She hurried to dial Lila’s number before he reached her side. Thankfully, Lila answered.

“Hey, Lila. How is Megan doing?” Anika asked brightly.

“She’s asleep now, but she sure was a sweetheart earlier.” Lila did a good job of hiding her confusion over Anika’s question.

Anika smiled at Gentry and walked away, still talking to Lila. “Hey, do you mind staying until a little after eleven? I have an opportunity to get some extra work on a big project here.”

“Sure, I’m working on my history report,” Lila’s voice was chipper.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it. The store is in a bind and they can use me every night this week so check with your parents and see if that’s okay.”

“Will do. See you later,” Lila said. She sounded excited and that was a relief to Anika. Even though she’d be paying extra babysitting money, the soda fountain renovation might be enough to buy Megan a dollhouse. The one on display at Kenworth’s had two stories with little pieces of furniture like a couch, table, and tiny dishes perfect for Barbies, and the few other dolls Megan owned.

Anika walked back out to the floor of the women’s section, her eyes immediately searching for and finding Carlos hard at work near the soda fountain. She took a breath and walked over to him. “So, it turns out my sitter can stay late tonight. My shift ends at nine and I can help you until eleven— that is, if you still need me tonight.”

Carlos’s eyes lit up. “That’d be great.”

“I— uh, don’t have clothes to change into though.” Anika motioned to her favorite red blouse with the silver buttons and her brown dress slacks.

“No problem. We’re mostly taking down this old signage, but if you could find an apron or something that might work.”

Anika looked over at The Candy Counter. “I bet Reese has an apron she’d let me use.”

Carlos nodded. “Good idea.”