Page 14

Bryn

I’d stood outside a solid five minutes debating with myself before coming inside the hardware store. Nuts I didn’t want to be disappointed if he was simply inquiring for memory’s sake.

He pursed his lips, nodding.

“Well, I could definitely use one of those, but I’m afraid it’d only be part time, around twenty to twenty five hours a week.”

He shifted, as if he were uncomfortable.

“I’m not sure what you were earning over there, but I could only offer you about three or four dollars above minimum wage an hour with a limited coverage health plan. I’m flexible on the hours and wouldn’t mind you working from home sometimes, though. Hell, if you can use some of that fancy media stuff to increase business for the store, I’ll give you a cut of the profits. Junior’s been bustin’ me for years about going online but, well, let’s just say that’s not this old man’s forte.”

I did a quick calculation. Despite being a couple dollars more than my Mugs wage, I would still be short for what I needed every month. But, it was a solid job offer, and if I could talk Tiff into helping me build a website for online sales, create social media accounts for the store to network and attract other contractors, I could more than replace my previous income.

“One condition.”

I bit my inner lip, my nerves doubling.

He grunted.

“What’s that?”

“You give me the budget for a website and grant me full control of the e-business. I’d be willing to sign a contract agreeing not to tarnish or hinder your reputation.”

I held my breath. I’d just taken the biggest risk of my adult life. I didn’t know much about fixtures and hardware, but I was willing to learn.

Stroking the fur on his chin, he studied me.

“You think it’s worth it?”

“I can show you stats and articles proving an online presence increases your customer reach, and selling your products in store and online is almost guaranteed to double that, particularly if you plug into biggest e-tailors like Amazon and eBay. If we made a good deal with a shipping company, you could potentially go bigger and transition from a store to a nationwide third party supplier, but that would be down the road, of course.”

I was dressed to sit around in a restaurant, drinking, eating and moping, yet here I was discussing major business moves with a new employer. I hadn’t planned it this way, but I was a firm believer in ‘everything happens for a reason.’

Excitement bubble inside me at the prospect of it all. It would be challenging, more time consuming than the twenty-five hours a week he could pay me for. If I succeeded, though, this pay off would exceed any salary Stuart would have offered me, and potentially, more than any other corporation that hired me. This was like joining a start up company, complete with stock options.

His expression turned pensive as he mulled it over. My heart beat a little faster as each second ticked by. He was unreadable, indiscernible.

“How long would something like that take to get going?”

“I could set up all of the accounts online in a matter of days. It’d take me a couple weeks to photograph the inventory and a couple months for a site to be built with an interactive online store. To begin seeing a return, safely, I wouldn’t expect anything for about six to twelve months. Now that’s with online sales. You should see an increase in store traffic much sooner if we plan well. I would aim to do online ads targeting residents in the neighboring towns and as far as the city. I can create a basic website fairly quickly, which could link to the online store once it’s launched. Until then, I would put a note on the site I created alerting all customer traffic to the online store coming soon to hopefully build a bit of momentum ahead of time.”

A single brow rose.

“And you can do this and the books in twenty five hours a week?”

My excitement waned a bit as I shook my head negatively. I wasn’t about to lie to the man.

“No, sir. But I would be willing to forego the overtime wages in exchange for the profit sharing you mentioned earlier.”

Darn it. I should have kept my mouth shut. I should have accepted his bookkeeping offer and went on my way. Now I could be back at square one.

For five years I let Stuart miss opportunities. Mugs had a Facebook page, but nothing more, not even a website.

Harry wasn’t Stuart, though. I respected Mr. Adler. Nuts his brows furrowed. In two strides he was standing before me, searching my depths. He cupped my face in his palms.

“Is that what you think?”

Confusion had me hesitating.

“I…I mean…I know bigger women aren’t your thing, Bear, and you can’t change what you’re attracted to. I get that. I just wish your bear or Mother Nature or God or whoever understood that.”

I couldn’t imagine being pushed into forever commitment to someone I wasn’t attracted to.

“I don’t have a problem with who or what you are, only that you were paired with me against your will.”

His gaze intensified. A battle waged in his depths, as if he and his bear were dueling for supremacy.

“Harry, do me a favor and finish your conversation with Bryn fast.”

He loosened his grip on me.

“I’ll be right outside when you’re done.”

There was a rumble in his voice that vibrated through him.

I watched, dumbfounded and befuddled, as he left. Working my poor lip, I glimpsed at Harry.

The man beamed knowingly at me.

“You’re hired, little lady. Be here Monday morning at nine. We’ll discuss the details on that other stuff then.”

His attention traveled to the door, a small chuckle escaping him.

“Enjoy your weekend, hun.”

He stalked to the back of the store.

Catching myself, I issued a belated.

“Thank you.”

Focusing ahead, I sucked in a deep breath. One problem down and one bear to go.