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“Hailey knows someone who for what?” Hailey appeared at their table with her endless coffee pot.
“To work part-time at Tides.”
Hailey pressed her lips together. “You know I really don’t know anyone looking for that kind of work. Most of my friends have full-time jobs.”
“You’re looking to hire someone for a part-time job?” Sally Littlefield, the town handywoman, who had been fixing one of the large planters that separated the outdoor café area from the sidewalk, peeked at them over the purple petunias that spilled out of the planter. Her bright blue eyes assessed Jane from underneath silver bangs, and Jane nodded.
Of course, Jane should’ve realized that if anyone knew someone in town who was looking for this kind of work, it would be Sally. She’d lived in town for most of her seventy-odd years and knew everyone. “Just to fill in part-time. I still want to work there, but Mike wants me to spend less time at work, and Andie has her antique business.”
Sally screwed up her tanned, weathered face. She pushed the long silver braid back over her shoulder. “You know I can’t think of anyone offhand, but I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks.” Jane settled back in her seat. “I guess I can check the task of looking for an employee off my list now.”
Everyone laughed.
“So, what’s going on with you, Andie?” Claire asked.
“Nothing much. And I don’t mind helping out at Tides, Jane. I could do more hours.”
Jane stole a piece of corn muffin from Andie’s plate. “I know. But you have your business to run. We can afford to hire someone part-time, and we should.”
“That would give me more time to process estates like the one that just came in. Do you guys know a family by the last name of Koslachowski?”
Everyone looked around and shook their heads.
“No. I think I’d remember that name,” Claire said.
“Someone came in and sold me several dusty old boxes from their attic. I found some Civil War discharge papers and part of a uniform in one of the boxes. I figured the family would want the papers and uniform back, but I’ve never heard of them. Must be some long-forgotten relative of the woman who sold me the box.”
That seemed like an easy problem to solve, Maxi thought as she sat back and nibbled on her muffin. If only all problems were as easy. Her thoughts drifted to the painting. How could she figure out how to give the painting that real feeling of warmth and love one experienced when they looked into the eyes of their pet?
