Healing Inc. by Deneice Tarbox Read Free Book Online

up his phone to alert his driver that they needed to move, and move now.
     
    ***
     
    Thirty minutes later, Tyler’s driver pulled into the parking lot of the brick building housing Chanelle’s night club and consignment shop.  Both lots belonging to the building, front and back, were full to the hilt.  Cars were still trying to get in, with some waiting for parking spots vacated by those who had just completed their shopping.
     
    He ordered the driver to let him out where he was, assuming it would be quicker to walk around the building to the shop.  As he made his way toward the building, he noticed that those who had completed their shopping were indeed walking back to their cars with flowers in hand.  Rounding the corner, the reason for his urgent detour there was confirmed.  There in the window, as big as day was a sign that read:
     
    Free Flowers
     
    With Every Purchase
     
    Details Inside
     
    He was stunned.  The sound of the little bell over the door as more customers came out of the shop snapped him out of his dumbfounded paralysis.  He grabbed the door, briefly stepping back and holding it for more patrons to exit, then went inside.  The place was packed.  The murmuring of the predominately female crowd gave heed that no matter what the rationalization for this was, he needed to keep his temper in check.  Recognizing one of the employees by the smock that she wore, he carefully made his way over to her.
     
    “Hi, uh...could I speak to the manager please?” he asked stepping up to the young blond girl with braces.
     
    “Most certainly,” she replied, a telling smile lighting up her face.  
     
    Tyler watched as the young girl disappeared through the back door that connected the two businesses on a mission to find her boss. She had been instructed to do so if an expensively dressed man should happen to show up at the shop.  Within a few minutes he spotted her returning with an older, round Native American woman in tow.  The older woman said something to the girl, who then nodded and walked off in another direction while the older woman continued to walk toward him.  As she drew nearer, he noticed that she appeared to be a little nervous.
     
    “Hi, I’m Shelly, the manager of Chanelle’s,” she introduced, offering her hand.  “You must be Mr. Moriatti.”  He was now positive that she had been expecting him.  After giving the room a once over, she continued speaking.  “Let’s head over to my office.”
     
    Once again, Tyler found himself seated in the office that Nita had taken him to several months earlier.  “Pardon me for stating the obvious but my visit doesn’t seem unexpected,” he challenged with a lifted eyebrow.  “What rights have you to offer anything that I purchased to promote your sales?” he asked getting straight to the point, knowing he had an edge over this timid woman.
     
    Shelly licked her lips as she looked down at her lap, then up again before answering him.  “Evy gave them to me… I gave them to the customers.  I..I don’t really see the problem,” she stuttered.  The man oozed power and his good looks didn’t help her maintain her cool around him.
     
    “The problem, Shelly,” he said, emphasizing her name, “is that those flowers were a gift, intended for Ms. Evy, and Ms. Evy only.” 
     
    Tyler noticed that the woman was becoming less comfortable by the minute.  It was only a matter of time before she shut down on him or began to cry.  It occurred to him that he shouldn’t be taking this out on her; the poor woman was just doing her job. 
     
    “Shelly,” he began again in a much more gentle tone, “please understand that I’m not angry with you for your part in this.  I’m just a little frustrated with Evy right now.”  It was time to turn on the charm.  “I really like her but she won’t give an honest fella like me a chance to get to know her better.  My only crime here is in wanting to take a beautiful woman out