The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles) by Alexandra James, Stardawn Cabot Read Free Book Online

that Christmas. You have any idea how busy it is at that time of year? That was the first time Sean left me totally in charge. Between the stress and the excitement, I thought my head was going to explode.”
    Dani chuckled. “Well, if I had known what he was hiding here, I would have spent my vacations very differently.” Dani suddenly blushed, realizing what she said.
    Emma merely smirked, giving Dani a nod as they both turned their attention back to lunch.
     
    * * *
     
    Dani groaned. Working the counter was the most mind-numbing job in the entire store. Over the past hour, she’d waited on a total of five customers, and she felt like she could climb the walls out of pure boredom. The worst of it though, was Anna, whom Dani had been resisting the urge to choke over her non-stop chatter.
    Picking up her can of diet soda, she frowned, realizing that it was empty. Scowling for a moment as she knew it was her last can, she suddenly got an idea. Smiling, she pressed the buzzer that would sound in the stockroom.
    Dani waited until Will made it up front before opening the cash register. Handing Will a couple of bills, she put on her most charming smile. “Will, do you mind running out for me and picking up a case of diet soda? I completely forgot that I’m out and stuck here for at least another hour.”
    Will smiled at her before wrinkling his brow. “Um, sure, but just this once. It’s not really part of my job description, you know.”
    “Oh, I understand that, but I’m also your boss, and I think we can make an exception.”
    Rubbing the back of his neck, he pocketed the money and grinned sheepishly. “Well, since you put it that way, sure, I’ll be happy to go get your soda for you.” Heading for the door, he turned around for a moment. “Might want to close the register, and don’t forget to replace what you gave me. We don’t want the drawer to come up short.”
    Dani agreed, trying not to respond too curtly, “Sure thing, thanks for the reminder.”
     
    * * *
     
    Dani was curled up on the overstuffed chair in her uncle’s apartment and deeply engrossed in a book when she heard a knock on her door. Checking the time, she realized that it was a bit past seven, and it was probably just Emma with dinner.
    With the exception of the little tiff over inventory night, Dani and Emma had managed to eat dinner together every night since. Dani had found herself looking forward to the ritual, and since tonight was Tuesday, it was Emma’s turn to pick up the takeout. Smiling, Dani rose to answer the door, hoping that Emma had opted for Chinese.
    “Danielle,” Emma’s voice caught her by surprise, “you and I need to talk.”
    Dani’s smile suddenly faded. “Sure, come in. What’s up?”
    Emma didn’t give Dani a chance to think as she suddenly rounded on her. “Did you take cash out of the drawer to send Will out on a personal errand this afternoon?”
    Dani took a step back, confused by Emma’s anger. “Well, yes. I gave him ten dollars, and I was going to put it back, but I forgot. Here, I’ll get it out of my purse.”
    Dani started past Emma, but the redhead grabbed her arm. “You don’t get it, do you?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Sit down,” Emma commanded.
    Dani frowned but did as she was told. “Don’t you think you are overreacting? It was just ten…”
    “The money is just part of it,” Emma cut her off. “Didn’t I tell you that if you needed cash, to get it out of petty cash? You never take anything out of the drawer.”
    “Well, yes, but you weren’t there. And it’s not like you’ve given me the key,” Dani argued. “Besides, I was going to put it back, not like I was stealing it.”
    Emma shook her head. “Maybe not, but it’s more than that. Will is paid by the hour. You sending him out on a personal errand is stealing. The store paid for the time he was gone, and his job wasn’t being done while he was gone.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t think of it that