Chapter 9
Lucy was elbow deep in a batch of dough when her sisters joined her. They’d been spending a lot of time at their new grandparents’ house, and she was sure they were having more fun than they’d been having here with her. Jilly had gotten her driver’s license a couple of days ago and had been driving everywhere they had to go. She’d been really good about taking her sister with her too. The two of them seemed to be closer than ever.
“When are you going to open?” Lucy told Cybill they were going to have a soft opening tomorrow. That was what she was doing here tonight. “I don’t know what that means. But whatever it does, can I come in and help out?”
“For a soft opening, it means we’re going to just open up and not advertise that we are. Hopefully, we’ll learn a few things, so when we have a grand opening, advertised this time, we’ll have all the bugs worked out.” Lucy wiped her hands off after cleaning the dough off them. “Yes, you can help tomorrow. I’m hoping to have a few trays of sliced bread around, as well as some of the cookies we’ll be selling once we’re open. I’m just playing it by ear for now. However, if you would like to help with the upkeep on them, I’d appreciate it. And if you want to get some work time in tonight, you can help with the decoration of the cookies I’ve baked.”
Jilly was moving around the place like she was casing the joint, as Ian would say. When Lucy asked Cybill what was going on, she just shrugged. She and her baby sister talked about the trays she was putting together, as well as the little pots of butter and jelly to put on them.
“Can I have a full-time job? Not here, but one I can work at every day?” Lucy asked Jilly about school. “I’ve not told you yet, but I got my test results back. I’ve tested out of the rest of my high school grades and can skip a few college classes. I want to work before I go to college full time.”
“That’s wonderful, Jilly! Why didn’t you tell us?” She shrugged and said it wasn’t that big of a deal. “Of course, it is. It would have been to Ian as well. We should celebrate.”
“No. Please don’t. I don’t want people to think I’m a nerd. I like studying. And because you helped me while we were homeless, I did a lot better than I might have done if you hadn’t. No, I don’t want to celebrate right now. When I graduate from college, that’ll be good.” Lucy was disappointed, but only told Jilly she understood. “I have some things I’d like to talk to you and Ian about too. It’s about me working. I’ve been helping out Melody on a couple of things she’s doing now, and I’d like to work with her. She said I had to ask you and Ian. Did you know she’s going to be building doors and other safety projects for schools all over the world?”
“I did, as a matter of fact. Her brother, he’s working with her too.” Jilly said she’d been learning how to use a couple of tools that Melody had. “I don’t have to tell you to be careful, do I? I’m sure Melody knows you’re just learning.”
“She does. I have to wear all the safety gear she wears when she works. When you think you can’t be hurt by what you’re using, then you’re going to kill yourself, Melody told me. I believe her. Getting cocky about them will also get you killed.” Lucy wanted to ask what had happened to have that comment come up, but she knew she’d have to trust Jilly’s judgment on this. She was almost an adult now. “I’ve been really careful. Then today, she paid me. My first paycheck and it was for over five hundred dollars. I was shocked about it. But Melody told me I was saving her a lot of time and energy by being careful and doing the little jobs she hates. Can I work for her?”
“I’d say you already are, Jilly.” Her cheeks turned bright pink. “I don’t have a problem with you working for her so long as you do a few things for me. It’s not much, I promise you, but would you take a college class, just one each quarter, to keep your head in the game? It doesn’t have to be anything that will take you away from working, but something that will keep your mind stimulated. Also, I’d like for you to save at least half your paycheck. The rest you can blow if you want, but you should put some of it away for later. You might want to buy a house or a new car.”
“All right. That’s what Melody told me too. You two must have great minds and all. But she told me that saving money is what makes people money. Also, she said I should have Demi invest it for me.” That was much too easy, but Lucy didn’t comment. “Ian said I’d have to talk to you about this. He came into the place where we were working and asked me what the hell I thought I was doing. He wasn’t mad or anything. Just shocked, I think. After I told him what was going on, he told me he was disappointed in me for not telling at least you about my grades. To be honest with you, Lucy, it never occurred to me. You’ve been so busy here, and I’ve been trying so hard to fit in that I just wanted to move on to the next phase. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I’m glad you told me. And I’m not hurt.” She realized she really wasn’t. Just shocked, Lucy supposed. “Have you looked into what it would take for you to not have to go to school? I mean, you’re not eighteen yet, so there might be rules.”
“I didn’t look into that. No. Honestly, I never thought about that part. But I will. I’d like for this to work.” Lucy told her she would as well if that was what she wanted. “I really do. This is just something I thought of. How do I open myself an account at the bank? I mean, I’d like to not have money on me all the time. I might be too tempted to spend it.”
Cybill spoke up then. “That would be me. Can I have an account too? I mean, you’re going to pay me for working, right?”
It was almost too much for Lucy to think about. Mostly it was the fact that her sisters weren’t children anymore. And that they were old enough to have jobs and money to spend. She told her, of course, she’d pay her.
“Good. I have to go to school, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little job, right, Lucy?”
“Yes, I don’t see any reason for you not to have a job. So long as your grades are kept up, and you’re not working when you should be studying.” Cybill said she’d not do that. She liked being smart way more than Jilly did. “You’re both very smart. Tomorrow I’ll have Ian go with you to the bank. I have to be here.”
“No. Not tomorrow. We want to be here for your very first day.” She couldn’t have been more proud of them than she was at that moment. Jilly asked what she could do tonight. “So you won’t have to stay so late and can take us to dinner. By the way, Ian said to tell you he’s been notified about the paperwork. That he’ll talk to you when you’re finished here.”
So they’d gotten around to contacting them. Good. The sooner they got this over with, the better she’d feel. Lucy knew Ian felt the same way. It really only had been the one whole day, but waiting for something to happen wasn’t something she was all that good at. Confronting someone had never sounded better to her, either. Then she was going to deal with her uncle. He was next on her list of shitheads.
After telling them what else she needed to have done, both of them began working for her. Jilly was enjoying slicing the bread she’d already gotten done, and Cybill was putting the cookies she’d baked two days ago on trays to put on the counter to be iced. Cindy was coming over later to figure out what sort of things she’d need for sandwiches, and that would make the first day as ready as they could be. Jilly even recommended she set up the coffee machine to start brewing when they were about to open.
“We need a sort of tip jar for the two of you.” Jilly asked her what she meant. “There will be no charge for what people are snacking on or eating tomorrow. They can tip you for helping with their food and such, but there won’t be a bill for the snack food. Loaves of bread, yes. Even more than a dozen cookies. But not for the things that are going to be given to them to try. It’s going to be a free day to see what sells and what doesn’t. I hope at least half of what I’ve been making is gotten rid of. I don’t want to have tons of bread, cookies, and muffins getting stale.”
The tables and c
hairs had been set up just this morning. There was also a patio next door that people could use. Pretty umbrellas were on each of the tables, as well as some lovely floral decorations in the walk in to decorate the tables in the morning. Those had been donated, along with the huge gift basket that was going to be given away tomorrow night. Lucy told the girls about how it had come about.
“I was putting the curtains on the windows to the back when a nice lady from the jelly shop came by to ask if she could donate a few jars of her merchandise to be used on the bread. I was thrilled, and then about ten more people came over the rest of the day with little bits of things to have here. It was Demi that decided we needed a basket to give away. Then everyone started bringing stuff to put in it. I think it might have about five hundred bucks worth of things in it. Plus, a gift certificate from here for a hundred dollars’ worth of bread and other things we’ll have.” Jilly was looking it over when Ian joined them. “I was just telling them about working tomorrow.”
“Great. I’m so glad things are working out here. It’ll be a smash hit, I know it.” He asked if Jilly had spoken to her about college. When she told him she had, he was all smiles. “I wanted to grab her up and hug her to pieces, but she didn’t want that. What kid doesn’t want to celebrate an accomplishment like that?”
“My sisters. They’re very low key about things.” They both laughed when Jilly and Cybill started yelling at each other about something in the back room. “What brings you here? I’m going to meet you later for the confrontation, right?”
“It’s sooner than I thought. The man is on his way to our house. He didn’t call or anything, but I could feel it like you’d entered the room. I was wondering if you could come back with me now.” She said she could, but would have to return. “I’ll even help you when we come back. I just want this finished.”
“I do too. Yes, we can go. What about the girls? Should they be around?”
He asked them if they wanted to go home. He told them they’d be back for dinner. They both decided to hang out here and finish off the cookies that still needed to be decorated. Mostly it was just putting icing on them and a few sprinkles, and Lucy was sure they could handle that. After they told them where they were going, the two of them sat at the big table and started working. Ian made sure they were locked in, and that one member of his family was close enough if they were needed. She wouldn’t have thought of calling a family member to come by. Lucy thanked her lucky heart every time he protected the three of them.
The house was lit up when they got there. It was funny. Now that she was here, she could feel him coming too. He was about a half-mile away. When Hinkley asked if there would be tea or scones needed, Lucy started to tell him, no, but Ian said they would make him as welcome as they would anyone.
“That way, he won’t know what hit him when we tell him to hit the road.” The doorbell rang as they were both laughing. Hinkley told them to have a seat in the living room, and he’d bring the man to them. “Right. We want to make sure he’s as comfortable as we can make him.”
They’d spoken to the family about what was going on. No one was more disappointed about what had been done to them than his parents. The grandchild hadn’t been real, and Lucy thought that hurt them the most. Ian promised his parents he’d work on it for them. They had been too. It was a lot of fun making a baby.
“Sir, my lady. A Mr. Potter is here to see you. Shall I bring in refreshments?” Lucy told Hinkley, yes, and Mr. Potter sat in the chair across from them. “I have things set up for you in the dining room. There will be more room in there for your work, I believe.”
Thanking Hinkley, the three of them made their way to the dining room. Mr. Shoe was there, as well as Ian’s parents. Surprised but hiding it well, the three of them sat down with them as they enjoyed scones and tea. Mr. Shoe said he was just a friend of the family, and loved having a little pick me up of the delicious scones Lucy had baked just that morning.
“Did you hear they’re opening a bakery? My goodness, I’ll have to take up walking more if I have to eat there more than once a day.”
Lucy was sort of confused about that since she knew Mr. Shoe was a vampire of some considerable age. However, when he winked at her, she smiled back. Things were moving right along when Mr. Potter pulled out the paperwork he’d brought for his client, the bear.
~*~
Ian listened to Mr. Potter tell them what was on each page of the contract. Ian would lay it aside when he was handed it as if he were satisfied with what he’d been told. There were more sheets to the contract than he’d thought there would be, but it mattered little to him. Ian and Lucy both were going to read each and every word of the paperwork when this was finished.
“Now. Do you understand what it is I’ve told you?” They both nodded, sure they understood what he said. But that wasn’t going to be the end of it. “Good. Good. All you need to do is sign right here on the pages where they’re marked for me, and I’ll be on my way.”
“There wasn’t any mention of the pay we’re to get.” Mr. Potter looked confused for a moment and acted as if he, too, was surprised to learn that. “Also, it says we’re to receive magic. What sort of magic is that? I mean, will it be useful in the job Ian’s late uncle wants us to do?”
“Yes. Oh yes. It will be useful in the job he’s asked you to do for him.” There was something there. A tone or wording that Ian had to think about for a second: once he had it, he asked the man. “What do you mean, what’s the difference between what he’s asked you to do and what the magic will be used for? I do believe they’re one and the same.”
“You believe that? Or do you know that?” The man was getting frustrated with him. Ian didn’t care. However, it looked as if Mr. Shoe was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “I want things clear before we sign this. In fact, now that you’ve gone over each of the pages, I’m going to read them over. I don’t want anything to come up as a surprise when this is finished.”
“Read them? My goodness, Mr. McCray. That will take most of the day to do. I don’t have time for that.” Ian stacked the paperwork up and handed it out to Mr. Potter. “You had an agreement with Mr. McCray. You’re going to upset him if you don’t believe in him. My goodness. I have gone over each page with you. That should be more than enough, I’d think.”
“Perhaps it might be for some people, but not for us.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “How about you leave the paperwork here and Lucy, and I will go over it today and tomorrow? Then we’ll have our attorney go over it—you know, just to make sure we’re all on the same page with the way things are going. Then you can pick them up in a couple of days.”
“I will not.” Ian just stared at him as the man worked to get his temper under control. “Mr. McCray, I’m sure you can imagine how much my client wants to get on with his life. You delaying things is—”
“His life? But it was my understanding that he was dead and going to the other side. With his family. Isn’t that correct?” Mr. Potter was backtracking when he stood up. “Look. I’m not sure what is going on here, but so far I’m not impressed with what is happening. If he is going on with his life, as you called it, then why are we agreeing to anything? No. I think you’d better just leave things here and let my attorney go over them.”
“No.” His voice was loud. Mr. Potter was no longer trying to control his mouth or his temper. “Now, you see here. I’ve gone over things for you, and you’re to sign off on them or else I’ll have to contact Mr. McCray and tell him you’ve changed your mind.”
“I have.” Mr. Potter sat down, then stood up again. He was putting his things into his briefcase as he mumbled about stupid people. “You’re leaving?”
“I am. And don’t you dare be surprised when Mr. McCray shows up here demanding to know why you’ve wasted my time today.” Ian didn’t say anything. “I’m leaving. You will have to deal with him when he arrives. And he wi
ll. You can bet on that.”
Before Mr. Potter could gather up the contract Lucy was keeping from him, the front door slammed against the wall, not only smashing the wall behind it but also knocking several pictures to the floor. When Hollie walked into the room as his bear, Ian stood up and shifted. Lucy was going to deal with him just the way they’d planned it.
“So you’ve returned, have you? Shift. Now.” Hollie turned to his male self and tried in vain to cover himself up. Lucy tossed a small napkin at him, and he was able to hide his cock from her. “You’re nothing but a lying piece of shit, and I’m here to make sure you get your comeuppance.”
“I’ve only come here to see if I could answer any questions for you. It seems as if you’ve changed your mind. No trouble. I’ll just have to find some other maiden and mate to do this job for all the others in the—” Lucy told him to shut his mouth. “This is no way to talk to your elders, young lady. You’ll sit yourself down and be quiet while I speak to your mate.”
“I said to shut that flapping trap of yours before I remove it from your face. I’m going to do the talking right now, and you’re going to pay attention. You hurt me. For no other reason than you thought you could lie your way out of prison and have someone else take over your sentence. Why you thought you could dupe the two of us is beyond me. You’ve met your match in me, you overgrown horse’s ass.” Ian laughed a little, and Lucy put her hand on his head. He also noticed his parents were still eating their scones, and Mr. Shoe was watching the event unfold. “I said to sit your ass down.”
He did so then. Hollie looked as confused by that as Mr. Potter did. Lucy asked his dad to keep an eye on Mr. Potter as he tried to shimmy his way to the door without anyone noticing. As soon as he was brought into the room, Dad put him in the chair next to his and put a hand on his shoulder. When he shifted it to his large claw, Mr. Potter not only bled a little but whimpered as well.
Ian: McCray Bruin Bear Shifter Romance Page 12
