California.”
Every single one of them had gotten out. Mallory maintained her smile despite her twinge of envy. “She always said she was heading to L.A. right after graduation.”
“Yep. She’s had a few smaller parts in a couple movies, and one on a television series last year, but it didn’t get picked up for additional episodes.”
“Which one was that?”
“The Senator’s Mistress.
“I liked that series,” Janelle protested. “They don’t give shows enough of a chance these days.”
“I know,” Shea agreed.
“Well, hopefully she gets her big break soon.” Mallory saw a couple guests headed into the shop and gestured toward one of the small coffee tables off to the side. “If you want to have a seat, I’ll be right with you.”
“Go ahead,” Janelle said as the customers paused to look at the holiday displays. “I got ’em.”
“Great. What about something to drink before we start?” she asked Shea.
The girl politely declined, but as they sat down at one of the small coffee tables off to the side, Janelle brought them each a glass of water before moving back to the counter to take care of the guests.
It didn’t take long for Mallory to agree with her boss. Not only did Shea have previous experience from working as a barista while attending college in Steven’s Point, her enthusiasm quickly eclipsed her initial shyness that Mallory now suspected had been embarrassment over her casual attire.
“Have you graduated already?”
“Not yet.” Shea’s gaze shifted and she shrugged. “I took this semester off to re-evaluate my major and figure out if I need to switch direction. I hope to go back either in the spring or summer, so if that makes a difference in your decision to hire me, I understand.”
“I appreciate you being upfront about it.”
After a few more obligatory questions, she decided even if the girl headed back to college with the spring semester, she’d take whatever time she could get now and through the upcoming holiday season. She’d viewed the occupancy reports; the lodge was booked pretty solid.
She set her pen down on the legal pad where she’d made a few notes and sat back with a smile. “When can you start?”
A grin curved Shea’s lips. “Whenever you’d like.”
“Tomorrow too soon?”
She shook her head. “Tomorrow’s fine.”
Mallory set her up with training in the mornings for the next week to get the full run-down of the place. The added bonus was Shea could now pick up the bakery order and save her the early morning run for a while.
When Janelle took her back to the lodge office to get the new-hire paperwork filled out, Mallory was surprised to see it was almost two o’clock. She completed her check-list in time to close the doors at two, then gathered her tote bag full of festival file folders, tucked her laptop under her arm, and moved to the empty conference room to fine tune the promotional brochure she’d designed the night before.
She knocked on Janelle’s open office door a half-hour later and entered to extend the pumpkin-orange, tri-fold test brochure across the desk. “What do you think?”
A little flutter of nervousness increased her heart rate as her boss’s gaze scanned the paper. They were so close to the same age, and yet she felt she had to prove something to the other woman.
“Wow, this is great. I love how you highlighted our sponsors while still maintaining focus on the fundraising for our veterans, and the rescue animals.”
Mallory released the breath she’d been holding. “Good. Are you okay if I print up a bunch and head into Pulaski and Green Bay to pass them out? I have a whole list of coffee shops, libraries, community centers, and restaurants.”
“I’m definitely okay with that. Can you print some to put at the front desk?”
“I will tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Oh, and I just thought of something to add—veterans and their families get free admission to the festival. We’ll put a donation box