Read Pages of the Past (Bellingwood Book 9) for Free Online Page B

say no to her and Polly was hoping that she never presented him with an idea that he thought would fail.
    "You know that if you and Sylvie decide this is what you want to do, I'll be behind you all the way."
    "Good. I'll let you know."
    "What were the rest of the lots of things?"
    She was confused for a moment and then said, "Oh! Those. It's mostly about hiring more people. I can't handle all of the bookkeeping that is going on with Sycamore Inn and catering and if the bakery gets busy, it's going to just get worse. And … I think we need a full-time receptionist."
    Jeff shut his eyes and shook his head back and forth. "I kept hoping that Sarah would be able to do more, but that poor woman seems to be hanging on by a thread. She comes into the office every once in a while, but after an hour, she's exhausted."
    "I know." This was a hard conversation to have. Polly kept having it in her head, but she didn't want to deal with the reality.
    "I don't want to have to tell her that we're replacing her."
    "I'll talk to her. There will always be something for her to do if she has the energy, right?"
    "Of course," Jeff said.
    "That's all she needs to know. But I think we need someone else here in the office. And you have got to hire someone at Sycamore Inn. Rachel can't keep going out there to clean rooms. Especially if Sylvie gets busy with another kitchen."
    "Are you yelling at me?" he asked.
    "No. I'm just telling you that I think it's time we finally admit we are no longer a four person operation. We need more help."
    "Maybe you just need to rescue a few more people."
    She laughed. "You're a brat."
    "That's where your best employees come from. Am I right?"
    He was right. Sort of. And that made Polly a little crazy. If Henry wasn't giving her trouble about rescuing the whole world, Jeff was."
    "It's time to look," she said. "Would you put together some job postings?"
    "I hate interviewing."
    "So do I. Do you remember your interview? I stunk at it and you hired yourself."
    He grinned. "I learned that closing line from a friend of mine and to be honest, I couldn't believe it worked. But I also knew that I wanted this job. As much as I might want to tell you that we're getting too many businesses..."
    "It's only three and maybe four," she interrupted.
    "Anyway, it's the best fun I'm ever going to have in my life, so you do what 'cha gotta do and I'll find people to support you."
    "You really will?"
    "I'll get on it right away. But don't forget you have to talk to Sarah."
    "It might take a day or two, but I'll make sure she's comfortable with whatever happens."
     
    ~~~
     
    Polly pulled in beside Henry's truck and jumped out. He was standing with Sal and Sylvie just inside the glass front door. Sylvie pushed it open when Polly approached.
    "So what do you all think?" she asked as she walked in. Then she stopped talking and looked. The place was a complete mess. Dressmaker's dummies were scattered around, some on their sides, others still standing erect. It looked creepy. Boxes and bins littered the floor. A pile of filthy old furniture was shoved up against the interior wall and counters and cabinets were piled against a back wall.
    "Wow. Did you know about this mess?" she asked Sal.
    "Of course. I've been in here a few times. We just need to bring in a dumpster and empty the place."
    "We? That includes you?" Polly asked. "Wouldn't that mar your latest manicure?"
    "Don't be smart," Sal scolded. "Of course not me. But your husband says it's no big deal."
    "Now Polly. You need to look beyond the mess and see the entire space. Just like you did when you began creating Beryl's art studio or the apartment at Sycamore House." Henry took her arm. "Look at the windows and the walls."
    "Is that the wall that separates this from the back room?" she asked. "Is that where the bakery could go?"
    "It's not a load bearing wall, so it can be moved anywhere. We just need to leave these beams in place." Henry knocked on a steel beam that went from floor