Page 18 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)
“Hmm… it doesn’t leave any time for fooling around, but I’ll do it if you promise orgasms tomorrow night. Deal?”
Gruff began huffing in distress, popping an inappropriate boner right before going back inside.
“No fair… you’re going to pay for that.”
Dustin kissed him before opening the door.
“Good. I’m counting on it.”
############
Friday, mid-afternoon
By three fifteen, everyone had arrived, milling around the common area between the gift shop and the customer service counter.
They were evenly divided between high school upperclassmen and retirees, enabling morning and afternoon coverage and shorter shifts.
With Gruff, Jillian, and Asha by his side, Dustin got the event started.
“Welcome everyone, and thank you for being on time. First, I’ll make the introductions and then we’ll get down to business.
This handsome gentleman is Gruff Cunningham, the owner of Shady Lane Orchard.
Don’t be surprised if you see him with a tuxedo cat on his shoulder named Baxter.
He’s not allowed inside the Red Barn, so if he happens to get in, please carry him out immediately or let me know! ”
Though everyone laughed, Dustin was serious. The little imp kept trying to sneak in and check out the new digs. The health department would not be amused.
“On my right over here is Asha Day, our assistant baker. She works upstairs in the kitchen, so you may not see her very often. She’s left some wonderful treats in the display case for you to taste later on.
On my left is Jillian Harding, our front-end supervisor.
She’ll be here most days from mid-morning to mid-afternoon and will handle things in my absence.
If you have any questions, problems, or concerns, come to either me or Jillian and we’ll take care of it. ”
Both Gruff and Asha made an unobtrusive exit at this point, leaving Jillian to lead a quick informational tour of the building—restrooms, kids’ corner, gift shop, and the apple weigh station. She also mentioned areas that were off-limits to the public.
“Only those who have been trained and are appropriately attired may work in the cider room. The door will remain locked and is clearly marked as Employees Only . Customers are not allowed in the storage room, behind the counter, upstairs, or down the hall—which is where you’ll find the break room.
It’s not quite finished, but you’ll be able to use it starting Monday.
If guests come in looking for the party room, it’s on the second floor and has a separate entrance on the west side of the building. ”
Jillian and Dustin then answered questions before leading the group to the apple weigh station. Dustin explained how it worked.
“U-PICK customers will be offered bags before being taken to a designated section of the orchard on one of the hay wagons. When they’re finished picking, they’ll be brought here to weigh their apples, and may bring them inside or use the sliding window around the corner of the building.
They can pay there or visit the shop and pay for everything all at once.
Some folks may need help carrying apples to their car, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked.
Those assigned to work at the weigh station, behind the counter, or the cider room will be given specific training. ”
More questions and answers followed before Dustin got to the fun part.
“In order to familiarize you with the gift shop, we’re going to have a scavenger hunt.
Jillian is handing out lists of products that you need to find and then report back here when you’ve located everything.
There are no winners or losers, so feel free to ask someone if you get stuck. Is everyone ready? GO!”
The shop buzzed with excitement, laughter, and shouts of victory as people found some of the more difficult items to locate.
By making it fun, Dustin hoped they’d remember later when a customer asked for help.
The next game involved half the group being designated as customers and the other half as employees.
The customers were given a list with three items which the employee was to help them find.
Every list was different, and they had to keep going until all three were found.
A few pairs asked Dustin or Jillian for clues, while others kept hunting until they tracked down the merchandise.
By the time they’d all finished, the group had a general idea of where things were and what the gift shop offered.
Next, the new employees were given a chance to taste the food and drinks offered at the Red Barn.
Jillian handled the drinks while Dustin manned the baked goods.
The samples were small, allowing people to try as many as they wanted, and the group enjoyed mingling and comparing notes.
Gruff knew what they were up to and came in for his own snack.
Dustin cut big slices of three of his favorites and loaded them onto a paper plate.
Gruff insisted on a kiss, widening eyes all around.
Neither of them cared, as their relationship was not a secret—though a few of the retirement-age folks were momentarily scandalized.
Dustin wouldn’t take offense unless they were hostile, but Bear Creek as a whole was an open and accepting community, and he didn’t expect any trouble.
The orientation session ended with instructions regarding what to wear, where to record their time, and how to call in if they couldn’t make their shift. Following a general Q&A session, Dustin gave them a reminder about tomorrow’s trial run.
“We expect to be very busy tomorrow, and we’ll need everyone here at their assigned time.
This is our chance to work out the bugs before we open to the general public on Monday, and it also enables each of you to experience real conditions with actual customers.
Those of you who are scheduled from eight forty-five to one p.m. will have lunch provided.
Those scheduled for the second half of the day should be here at twelve forty-five.
Don’t forget the dress code of black pants, white shirt, and clean comfortable shoes.
Aprons and name tags will be provided. Any questions? ”
There were, and Dustin did his best to explain things. Once the orientation ended, the group filed out the door, leaving Dustin and Jillian to clean up. Normally, she wouldn’t be working this late on a weekday, but she’d arranged for her kids to meet up with friends after school.
They swept through the gift shop first, making sure the shelves were neat and everything was in its proper place. Cleanup behind the counter came next, and Dustin offered to mop the floor so Jillian could head home. She had one last question before leaving.
“How confident are you about the number of visitors we’ll have tomorrow?”
This was an unusual situation, and Dustin was glad she’d asked.
“Let’s just say that Mayor Tillman knows everybody in Bear Creek, and when I suggested a trial run, she offered to round up customers for us.
We’ll be seeing a mix of community members, business owners, and those who’ve known either Gruff or the mayor for many years.
In addition, the Pocono Ridge Resort will be offering shuttle runs for their guests straight to our doors.
It not only gives us needed practice, it’s a great opportunity for people to spread the word that we have something special here. ”
Jillian’s excitement was plain to see.
“Well, my family will be here, a bunch of neighbors, my reading club group, and the PTA moms. Most of them have never been to an orchard before, and they’re all curious about the gift shop. I better go home and rest up. Tomorrow sounds exhausting.”
Dustin agreed with her, and he’d be starting even earlier to give Asha a leg up on the baking.
She’d be working both Saturday and Sunday to make sure there was enough product on hand for the grand opening on Monday.
Once they had an idea of sales trends, he could create a better forecast and even out the schedule.
Dustin expected to be baking most every evening for a while, leaving him very little free time.
Unfortunately, it meant less time with Gruff, and neither of them was happy about it.
Not tonight though. He had a deal with Gruff for orgasms, and nothing would get in their way.
The thought alone gave him goosebumps, and he shivered in anticipation.
Dustin wanted more from the sexy shifter, and if his plan worked, they could have their cake and eat it, too.