by Olivia Swift
“I’ll put you in charge of looking after the quilt area,” Kim told her, and the woman’s face lit up with pleasure. Then she went back to make coffee and telephone Clay Craven and Mario Cleves. She sat back and closed her eyes for a few blissful moments then she heard Rob talking to someone and saw Jules come into the house.
“Help yourself to coffee,” she invited. “It is too much for me to get up again.”
“I’ve cleared up the debris. It’s ready for the next group of workers,” Rob said and got the coffee. “Jules has been doing research on the quilt.” Jules pulled out a notebook and told them what he had found.
“Kate and Robbie MacManus settled in Ohio and opened a little shop. It did well and their children expanded it. Here’s a photo from the thirties.” He passed his tablet across. The picture showed a family, wearing their Sunday-best clothes, standing in front of a double-fronted shop. There were two adults and a little girl. Across the shop front, it read MacManus Supplies.
“Oh, they were doing really well,” Kim said.
“I don’t think it lasted,” Jules said. The next generation, the little girl sold and moved away. I picked her up again nearer to where we are now, which is probably how the quilt came to this area. I think the daughter of the woman who moved here is still in our area because marriage certificates gave us a Mrs. M. Carter.”
“You’ve done a fantastic job, Jules. Thank you so much.” She looked at Rob. “Did you tell him about the quilt?” He shook his head and Kim decided to tell him about the ripped pieces.
“Do you think someone came into the house and damaged it?” Jules queried.
“We just don’t know, but we are taking a few precautions just in case. The quilt is almost restored and is now locked in the spare room.” Kim ran to bring it down and spread it on the table.
“There was no music when it was ripped but a brief snippet when it was repaired.”
“It looks wonderful,” Jules told them. “If you need anyone to help keep an eye out, Miller and I can always fit it in. I’ll leave you these notes, and you can decide what to do next.” He handed them over and sent the photo to Kim’s phone.
“It would be lovely to go and see if we can find this Mrs. Carter, but this place is going crazy. It will have to wait a few days,” Kim told him. They walked with Jules to his car and watched him drive away.
“We will have to find time to go and see this woman. She might be able to fill in the blanks,” Rob said. “Once things are in place, we can grab half a day and track her down.”
“For the moment, back to the grindstone.” She laughed. The grindstone it was, for several days, but the result was wonderful. Kim stood at the entrance to the main shopping area and sighed. It was better than she had ever hoped. The sections were in place, and most of the merchandise were on the shelves and in display units. Christmas was taking shape before her eyes, and as she watched, the lights all came on in a million different shades. She went over to see it more closely. Màiri was standing back to get the effect, and the two of them walked through the darkened area that had turned into a fairyland.
“I love it,” Kim breathed. “This pink tree is just stunning with the purple and silver and lights to match.” She turned to the new worker. “You are a genius. Thanks.” Corby was fussing over the quilt and craft areas like a mother hen, and Cherie was supervising the checkouts where two new girls were learning how to operate the card machines. They had both worked in retail before and seemed to know the ropes. Cherie gave her the thumbs-up sign but stayed at the checkouts. She found Rob talking to Jamie in the outside plant area. Mack was trundling houseplants into the indoor space and it was looking stunning. She had given Jamie free rein to bring in what he thought, and there were some unusual specimens that would grab attention. In fact, the customers were already taking them as Mack made the display. The place was still a hive of activity, but the end result was in view, and Kim breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’ve made a space for the real Christmas trees to be stacked and some of them displayed. We have the netting machine from last year, and Mack wants to go up to full-time until Christmas to look after them, if you like.” Jamie pointed out the spaces. She nodded and said she would see Mack about hours.
“Thanks for all the work,” she said to Jamie. “It is coming into place now.”
“Mario is doing a great job in the coffee shop,” Rob said as they walked back together. “It is just the right amount of modern and garden.” They watched the men busily fitting things together that looked very complicated but seemed to fit like magic.
“When it is finished—but before the Christmas madness starts—I think we should have a get-together for friends, workers, and family,” Kim suggested.
“That is a good idea,” Rob answered. “If everything is running smoothly, we could take half a day to find Mrs. Carter.”
“Agreed,” she said and offered him a high-five. They laughed and went back to the work. Rob said that he would have to go and sort out his own business for the rest of the day but would see her later. She watched him walk away and speak to people as he went. She fought back an urge to run after him and throw her arms around him. As if he felt the thought, he turned and blew her a kiss before going out into the parking lot. Her heart did a funny little somersault inside her ribcage, and it had nothing to do with him being her best friend. Kim still pushed it to one side but smiled as she went back to sorting out where things were to go.
The coffee shop was almost done, and you could see how it would operate. Kim called Evan and asked if they would like to come and see the progress. Evan could see if there was anything needed that he hadn’t already thought about. Jazz jumped at the chance to come and see her sister, and before long the two of them arrived with young Molly Kim wrapped in a warm, furry fleece. The weather was definitely feeling more like Christmas. The heating in the shop seemed to work well and inside it was comfortable. Jazz was excited for the full tour, and Kim showed her everything that had been done while Evan talked to the shop fitters about how the equipment would work. Molly Kim was beaming as the Christmas lights flickered off and on. Jazz wanted to see the outdoor areas as well because that worked in with her own garden restoration work, and she often found ideas just from seeing the plants. She loved the new and exotic stock that Jamie had incorporated.
“It is fantastic, Kim,” she said and gave her sister a one-armed hug because of the baby in the sling.
“Let’s go inside and have coffee,” Kim said, and the two sisters went inside their family home. The baby was given a play mat specially kept for her and the two girls settled for a chat. Jazz could not resist asking how Rob was managing on the sofa. She said it with a look in her eye that said maybe he was not always on the sofa.
“Give it up, Jazz,” Kim told her sister. They both looked as Rob returned, deep in conversation with Evan.
“After another week, we should be ready,” Kim said. “We thought we would have a get-together party for friends, staff, and family.”
“Sounds good to me,” Evan answered. “The coffee shop will be wonderful, and I have sourced some locally made cakes and cookies. You won’t have time to make everything yourself.”
“I need staff,” Kim told him, and he grinned.
“I can interview for you and supervise the start of things,” Evan answered. She went and gave him a hug.
Rob told them that after that, he and Kim would grab half a day to try and find this Mrs. Carter and see if she knew the story of the quilt.
“It will do you both good to have time away from here. It has been pretty intense,” Evan said.
Hard work but worth every minute,” Rob told them. Jazz could not resist and said they were starting to look like a couple nowadays. Rob smiled. He had been hearing jokes about his feelings for Kim since he was ten.
“Remember that plastic ring you gave her when you were twelve?” she joked. Kim held up a finger and told her sister to leave him alone.
“Any
way,” she declared and opened a small box on the shelf, “I still have it. It took all of his pocket money at the time. Seems a shame to throw it away.” Rob came over and picked her up to swing her around. Even Molly Kim seemed to join in the laughter, and they started discussing the party that was to be planned.
12
The place was in full swing. The coffee shop had been completed, and Mario Cleves was demonstrating all of the gadgets built into the work area. Evan and Kim were there to listen, as well.
“It looks wonderful,” she told the shop fitter. “I think I can work everything if I have to stand in and serve the customers.” He told her that he hoped it all went well and to call if there was a problem, then he left them to explore the new setup. He stopped to speak to Corby on the way and said something funny, because Corby laughed and waved a hand as he went through the new glass doorways that glided apart as he approached.
“Oh, it is just so exciting,” Kim said and looked around the whole place. “It is a proper big garden center. I just need lots of customers to pay the bills.”
“They will come,” Evan answered. “Already there are more people in here than ever before.” She nodded and looked at the boxes stacked and ready to be added to the preparation area. “How do I make coffee in this amazing gadget?” Evan went behind the counter and pulled on a white apron.
“Watch and learn, your ladyship,” he said and spotted Rob approaching as well. “Two lattes on the way,” he laughed, and with a flourish, added a decoration to the top. Kim and Rob perched on bar stools and watched as he displayed some fresh cream cakes, as well as candy bars and other items that would not have to be sold the same day. Kim saw that some customers were looking with undisguised curiosity and told them that the place was open if they would like to try it out.
“First ten will be free drinks,” she told them. “We are still learning here.” She went behind the counter to try her hand at serving. Rob moved out of the way to make room and went to talk to Cherie. Kim had no need to worry about anything other than how many customers she could serve, but as she saw him laughing with her store manager, she felt a real stab of jealousy. It was not something that had ever happened before. She had a quick thought of Rob with someone else, and a wave of horror swept through her whole being.
“Pull yourself together, Summers,” she told herself sternly and smiled at the man paying for two cappuccinos. When the first rush died down, Evan reminded her that the two assistants were due in shortly.
“Thank goodness,” she replied. “I couldn’t keep this up for very long.” She saw Rob bringing a young man and a young woman over toward them, and handed them over to Evan after introductions were made.
“Phew,” she took hold of Rob’s arm in a way that she had never done before and pulled him toward her. “Let’s have five minutes of peace.” As they left the building and crossed the yard to the house, he took her hand.
Rob said, “I will miss being around here when you are sure everything is up and running.” She stopped inside the house, and the look on her face stopped him in his tracks. He wrapped his arms around her. “What’s wrong? Has somebody upset you?” She realized that a tear was running down her cheek but shook her head. “No. Everything is wonderful,” she answered.
He tilted up her face. “What is it then? You are crying.” He steered her into the living room and found a tissue. “It has been quite a strain on you these last few weeks.”
“I’m just being silly,” she told him, but she buried her head in his chest just the same. Rob was at a loss. He held onto her and waited. If someone had upset this woman, he would deal with it. She looked up at him.
“I must look a real mess now.” She tried a smile. “It was just—” she hesitated.
“This is not like you. Tell me,” he prompted, and she took a breath.
“This relationship thing,” she said, and his heart sank to his boots.
“This relationship thing,” she started again, and he waited for the news that it was not working and was over. His spell of happiness was just about to be demolished. “When you were talking to Cherie, I felt so jealous—and, and when you said you would miss it, I suddenly knew I couldn’t stand that either.” It was out. She had said it. Even to herself, Kim had never acknowledged these feelings. Rob stood stock-still for several seconds, and Kim pushed away and took a great gulp from a glass of water.
“I’ve spoiled it now, haven’t I?” she said. “I knew it wouldn’t work.” Rob took the water from her hand and put it down. He took her hands and looked at her stricken face.
“The only thing that could spoil it would be if you sent me away. I haven’t waited since I was ten for you to say you would miss me, to throw it away now.” He gently took her face and kissed away the tears and then took her lips with such a sweetness that she felt herself melt into a pool in his arms. He took her to the sofa and sat down. She sat on his knee as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I thought you were going to say, ‘Thanks for the work but I’m okay now,’” he confessed. “It would have been me doing the crying.” She nestled against his chest and put her arms around his neck.
“I was frightened to admit that the relationship was changing things,” she whispered.
“For the better,” he answered. “Take a breath and five minutes and then we can decide what to do next.” Kim closed her eyes and knew that she wanted him to stay. The message still tapping in her brain was adding the word "forever." She was not sure that she could admit that even now.
“I had better get some work done,” she said and went to splash cold water on her face and add a little makeup. Rob took a great breath of relief, and when she came back, asked if she wanted to organize the get-together for friends and family or arrange the trip to find Mrs. Carter.
“Let’s have the get-together, and make sure we can be away for a trip out,” she answered. “Let’s see what Evan and the others think.” He held her face to make sure she was feeling okay and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Don’t give me any more shocks like that one,” he smiled, and they went back to work. Evan had the two new workers in full swing. She checked with the people, having to ask for their opinions and noted down one or two things that they would like. Evan told the assistants that he was going to check some things and left them to it but didn’t go far enough away to not be able to watch. He met up with Kim, and she asked when he thought the get-together would work.
“It will have to be after we close, and we need food and drinks,” Evan replied.
“And music,” Rob added as he joined them. “Christmas music.” Evan called Jazz and told her to ask Dex and Carly, and after about half an hour, they decided the following Monday evening would be best.
“Monday is the slowest day,” Kim observed, and they all grinned and started making lists. “I think we need a caterer,” Kim said, “or you will run yourself into the ground,” she told Evan and called the caterer to see if they could do it on short notice. Rob went to all of the staff and told them about it. He said they could bring a friend or partner and it was for staff, friends and family. Then he rang his mom and told her about it as well. She was starting work in the Christmas area that week anyway.
“Can you call Clay Craven and Mario and tell them they are invited as well?” Kim asked Rob, and in less than two hours the whole thing was planned. “Oh, I am looking forward to this,” she finished. “The work is done; Christmas is almost here; and we can enjoy the get-together.” There was a feeling around the nursery that everything was working out well. They had the party as a sort of celebration for a job well done. The new staff was infected with the cheer of the existing workers; the atmosphere was happy, and the Christmas music had everyone humming along. The Christmas merchandise was going so fast already that Màiri was starting to check how much was stored to replenish the shelves. Kim decided to go and check her computer records and have five minutes of quiet. She went to the house and fired up her laptop.
“I will have to have a better computer system to deal with the extra stock and staff,” she said to herself and was deep into the expenses part of the new system when she heard a faint noise in the far part of the house.
“Rob are you in here?” she called up the stairs, but there was no answer. She called his cell and told him that she could hear noises in the house. It was about ten seconds later when he burst through the door at a flying pace. She stopped him.
“Get a breath and listen.” He waited until his breathing was back to normal, then they stood at the foot of the stairs. It was quiet, and they were going to dismiss it as wind in the trees outside when it came again. The sound was not loud and not solid, but it was there. Rob picked up a stool from the kitchen and wielded it in front of him. Kim followed behind and they reached the spare room. It was still locked, but the noise was inside that area. They looked at each other, and Kim nodded to him to unlock the door. He turned the key and burst inside, only to stop and have her hit his back. There was no one in the room, but the folded quilt was thrown against the wall. Nothing else was moved or broken. Kim ran over and picked it up. She laid it on the bed. The middle was torn to shreds, yet all of the rest of the repair work was untouched. She sat on the bed, and Rob checked the rest of the upstairs rooms.
“Nobody here,” he reported and sat beside her.
“There must be an explanation,” she pondered. “We repair it and show it to someone like Jazz and then something happens to it.” He laid his hand on the material as it lay across her knee and they both heard a distant snippet of bagpipes in the air.
“Something or somebody doesn’t like it when you do a repair, and we both hear the music,” he said. “I am not usually a believer in spirits and stuff,” he hesitated, “but this is what it looks like.”
“I have to say I agree with you,” she answered. “Nobody has been in the house, and the door was still locked even though we heard the movement.” She shivered and folded up the quilt. “Until we find Mrs. Carter, it is going to be locked away from everybody. If we find what pattern was on the missing piece and repair it properly, it can be sold.” She took the quilt downstairs and found a suitcase, then it was folded inside, put the suitcase in the garage, and locked the door.
