Page 10 of Unveiled

The doorbell jingled a happy little tune as it closed behind her, and Adalyn shot a glance at Amy, who flashed both middle fingers at the woman’s retreating form.

“Good riddance.”

Adalyn laughed. “She’s a handful, that’s for sure. Can you imagine what the poor groom must feel?”

Amy shuddered. “She either has him completely whipped or he’s just as much a jerk as she is.”

Adalyn made a small sound of commiseration. “Maybe he’ll come to his senses.”

“Then what?” Amy turned to Adalyn. “Can you imagine having to deal with that woman a second time around?”

Now it was Adalyn’s turn to shudder. “God, no. I’d talk to the groom myself, convince him to keep her.”

Amy laughed. The sound was drowned out by the jingling of the bell over the front door. A familiar young woman walked into the salon, and Adalyn’s stomach dipped. She’d forgotten that Megan was coming to pick up her final paycheck today.

Megan had been Adalyn’s employee since the salon opened almost three years ago. She’d been reliable—up until about a week ago. Megan was getting married this summer, and Adalyn had gotten complaints recently that, when working with bridal parties, she talked more about her own wedding than the customer’s. Not to mention the money.

Megan was Adalyn’s third key—the backup to Amy and Adalyn. They rotated opening and closing the store each day. Unfortunately, the last several times Megan had closed by herself, Adalyn had found money missing from the drawer the following morning.

It was never anything major—five dollars here, ten there—but it was the principle of the thing. Megan still denied any involvement, but Adalyn had had to cut her. If nothing else, Adalyn had to make an example of her so her other girls would know they couldn’t get away with it.

Adalyn rounded the desk and greeted Megan with a polite smile. “Hello, Megan. Let’s head back to my office.”

Adalyn shot Amy a quick look. “Call if you need me.”

Megan sullenly followed Adalyn to the back of the salon and preceded her into Adalyn’s small office. Adalyn took a seat and gestured for Megan to do the same. Her paycheck was locked in the top drawer, and Adalyn retrieved it, handing it to her. Megan snatched it from Adalyn’s hands, a nasty sneer on her face.

“I still think this is crap.” She stuffed the envelope in her purse and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m sorry,” Adalyn said softly. And she meant it. Megan had really been a great addition to their team, and Adalyn would miss having her.

“I didn’t take your money,” Megan said adamantly.

Adalyn took a deep breath. “Unfortunately, that’s not what the computer log says,” she stated. “I looked back through the transactions and found that your code was entered to unlock the register each time.”

Megan’s shoulders dropped. “That’s not possible. I swear I didn’t do it!”

Adalyn resisted the urge to rub her temples. Megan had been singing the same song for a week now, and if Adalyn didn’t know better, she’d swear Megan was telling the truth. But numbers didn’t lie. Right before Megan left each night, she’d entered her six-digit code to open the register and count the money—and skim a small portion off the top.

Adalyn sighed. “I’m sorry, Megan. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“Well, you’re blaming me for someone else’s mistake.” Megan shoved her chair back and stood. “Whatever. I don’t need this job anyway.”

Adalyn pressed her lips together and held back an eye roll as Megan stormed from her office. There was a niggling doubt in Adalyn’s stomach that said Megan was telling the truth, but Adalyn just couldn’t prove it. Either way, Megan had to go. Adalyn didn’t like to fire people—in fact, she’d never had to do it before now. But she was sure it wouldn’t be the last time. Steeling her shoulders, Adalyn grabbed her purse, then locked up her office and headed back to the front of the salon.

Amy slid a wry look Adalyn’s way. “Sounds like that went well.”

Adalyn lifted one hand. “You know how it goes.”

“I do,” Amy said. “I’m sorry.”

“It is what it is.” Adalyn drummed her nails on the counter for a moment. After that little episode, she needed a pick-me-up. “Well, since we don’t have any more appointments for the afternoon, I’m going to go see my favorite person. Jenn and I will put in some extra hours later.”

“What do you want me to do with the witch’s dress?” Amy called.

Adalyn turned around, walking backward toward the front door. “Leave it there for all I care. She wasn’t too worried about it!”

Pushing her concerns away, Adalyn climbed into her car and headed home. Her heart lightened considerably as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Soft music drifted from the living room at the back of the house, and her feet carried her in that direction.