At Wick's End (Book 1 in the Candlemaking Mysteries) by Tim Myers Page B

said,
“So I thought I’d get some work done.”
    Eve looked worriedly around. “I hope you
haven’t switched anything around. Belle and I worked out the
perfect system for our inventory, and I’d hate to see
it...modified.”
    I shook my head. “I didn’t change a thing.
Actually, I’ve been studying.” I gestured to the eclectic
collection of candlemaking books lying open in front of me.
    She caught me yawning and said, “Harrison,
your work here is important, but you certainly didn’t need to lose
any sleep over it.”
    I considered telling her about my late-night
caller and my inability to get back to sleep, but decided to let
her think I’d been up cramming for my new career. I gestured to one
of the open books in front of me. “It’s all quite fascinating,
isn’t it?”
    “ It certainly can be,” Eve
said. “So, should we get started on that pouring lesson before the
brunt of our Saturday crafters come in?”
    “ Is Saturday a big day for
the store?” I asked.
    “ Normally it’s our
biggest,” she admitted. “Shall we stick to our system yesterday?
You did quite well on the register.”
    “ I should be fine as long
as the prices are marked.”
    “ They should be, but don’t
hesitate to ask. Now let’s go get some supplies so we can get a
quick lesson in before the rush begins.”
     
    Unfortunately, that lesson was going to have
to wait. Before we could even collect our supplies, customers
started flowing in at an amazing rate.
    There was barely time to eat our lunches in
hurried ten-minute shifts, and by the time we were five minutes
from locking the door that evening, I was exhausted.
    “ Why don’t we go ahead and
lock up early?” I suggested.
    Eve said, “Harrison, it’s your store to do
with as you wish, but Belle always believed that if the hours were
posted, they should be honored.”
    “ Okay, I understand that.”
I started straightening up the sales counter and added, “Thanks,
Eve.”
    “ Selling candles is what I
do, Harrison.”
    I said, “No, I didn’t mean that. Well, I do,
but what I’m really thanking you for is staying on and helping me
run this place.”
    “ I didn’t have much choice,
Belle would haunt me for the rest of my life if I deserted you in
your time of need.” She patted my hand gently. “I believe we’ll
make a candle-maker out of you yet.” She checked her watch and
said, “Two minutes till closing. It’s been a good day.”
    The warmth of her words didn’t last nearly
long enough when I heard a familiar voice coming from the
front.
    “ Is anybody
here?”
    It looked like Becka was following through
with her threat to visit me at Wick’s End. I’d forgotten all about
her promised visit, but apparently she’d meant it when she’d
threatened to drop by.
     
     

Chapter 7

    “ I’ll take care of her,”
Eve said as I finished neatening the display of tea lights on the
counter.
    “ I wish you could,” I
said.
    “ Pardon me?”
    “ It’s an old acquaintance
of mine,” I admitted. “And she’s not here to shop for
candles.”
    “ I understand,” Eve said,
though clearly she didn’t. Heck, I didn’t get it myself. Why was
Becka suddenly trying to get back into my life? The breakup had
been final, at least from her end of things. I’d managed to get
over her without too much of a problem, though I’d only dated a few
times since we’d split. One thing was certain—I knew better than
anyone else that it was time to move forward and not back. The last
thing I needed in my life at that moment was a walk down that
particular memory lane.
    Becka rushed to embrace me when I walked
toward her, but she must have gotten the hint when I didn’t return
her enthusiasm.
    “ Going somewhere special
this evening,” I asked as I took in her carefully coiffed blond
hair, her stylish outfit with a short skirt sure to raise more than
a few eyebrows of our conservative clientele, and enough Obsession
to drown out the strongest scented candle