“I’d love that.”Melody scribbled her phone number on a piece of paper and set it on the counter when she picked up the bag with her order.
“I’ll call you soon.”Donna smiled at the woman, hoping they could make this work out for her. She hated to think that Melody was getting in over her head in debt. Besides, she was a charming woman and would be a good asset for Parker’s.
“Thank you so much. This would just be…perfect.”
Melody left the store, and Donna looked at the slip of paper in her hand. Theycoulduse more help. She just hoped that Olivia wouldn’t mind that she offered up waitressing. She was well aware that Olivia wanted the cafe to be all hers. Donna left Lydia in charge of the checkout and went to find her daughter.
Olivia was arranging the tables and chairs around in the cafe.“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi. Listen…I might have overstepped, but it just kind of happened.”
Olivia paused and looked at her.“What happened?”
“So, Melody Tanner was just in.”
“Did she ask for more credit?”
“She did…and I suggested we could use her help here at Parker’s.”
“I didn’t know you wanted to hire someone else.”
“I thought with the cafe opening that we could use someone to help wait tables or help out in the kitchen? I know the cafe is your thing…but I think she needs the job. Ever since her husband died she’s been asking for credit and she just looks so lost.”
Olivia sank into one of the chairs.“I hadn’t budgeted for another employee so soon.I was going to personally wait the tables and help Evelyn in the kitchen.”
“And run the malt counter?”
“Yes?”She smiled sheepishly.“But realistically, we can’t run it all the time with just the two of us. So, I think we do need someone else. And I’ve always liked Melody.”
“And she has waitressing experience.”
“That sounds promising.”
“Why don’t you call her and discuss the job and see what you think we could pay her and how many hours. We could also train her on working at the general store. Never hurts to have more backup.”
“I think this is a great idea. I will call her.”
“So, you aren’t angry that I stepped in?”
Olivia grinned.“Mom, Parker’s is your store, and the cafe is part of it. I’m grateful you let me try expanding it and opening the cafe. You believed in my dream. I won’t let you down. And I think Melody Tanner will be a great worker.”
Relief washed through her. At least she hadn’t offended Olivia with her suggestion on who to hire. She was trying her best not to interfere in the whole cafe thing, even though she worried about it constantly. Would it be profitable? Or would Olivia’s dream get crushed? But Olivia didn’t need to know that.
She handed Melody’s phone number to Olivia.“I better get back to work. Let me know what happens with Melody.”
She hoped it worked out for all of them.
Her mother walked away,and Olivia sat at the table considering her options. She really had planned on being all things at the cafe to keep costs down. But realistically, she and Evelyn would need help. They’d already decided the cafe would be closed on Sundays, but that meant that both she and Evelyn would be working six days a week from early morning until after dinnertime. Evelyn said she was fine with the hours while they got up and running, but that was still a lot to ask.
Melody Tanner had always been friendly and would know most of the townsfolk who came in by name. That would be nice. She looked at the piece of paper with Melody’s number and took out her cell phone. Might as well talk to her.
Melody answered on the second ring.“Hello?”
“Melody, this is Olivia from Parker’s.”
“Hi.”
“So, I hear you might be interested in a job at the cafe.”
