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His phone rang a few times before sending me to voicemail. “Hey, I’m not sure about moving Santa’s workshop. Do you care or have an opinion before I change the plans? Call me back.”
“Asher, I like the tree. It’s a nice touch.” Johnny walked up next to me. “You ready to go look at the solar panel area?”
We walked past the workshop. Paige looked our way and smiled, then looked away just as quickly. I must have been daydreaming about a certain cute elf because I walked right into the back of Johnny. I hadn’t seen that he’d stopped walking.
“Sorry, man, I was thinking about the workshop and maybe not moving it, but instead enhancing the area more.” I fumbled for an explanation. “That way the big tree stays the focal point.”
“That works for me. I wasn’t wanting to move all of the structures, plus the kiddie playground is going in at this area, so it would be better to be closer to the workshop.” Johnny and I looked around the area.
“I think we need to bring in a cookie or ice cream store right here. I see a few vacancies,” I said. “If we lower the rent for a short period as an incentive, we may get it in quicker.”
“I’ll take care of it. I know the Hawthornes have a bakery company they own in all their hotels. Why don’t we have one open in here until the mall gets going?” Johnny said. “If you like the idea, I’ll have my office contact them.”
“Yeah, do it. I need to pay more attention. I had no idea there was a bakery in the hotels.” I shook my head. “What else don’t I know?”
Chapter 9
Paige
Ialmost yelled No! when Asher said he was going to have the workshop moved, mostly because I knew they’d be moving it at night while the mall was closed, which would mean I’d have no place warm to sleep. All I could do was try to give him reasons to keep it where it was and share a few ideas I’d had.
I wish I could decorate a Christmas tree. I could so redecorate this whole mall, too.
I walked back to the workshop to find Sherry and Aaron in a deep conversation about video games. I couldn’t be a part of the discussion, nor did I want to. I sat on the stool behind the counter and pulled the cell phone out to see if anyone had called it.
“Paige, don’t forget to come by after closing,” Brad called out, walking behind me.
“Thanks, I’ll be there. Here, have a candy cane.” I tossed him one.
“New boyfriend, Paige?” Sherry chomped on a candy cane. “He’s a little young, don’t you think?”
“Um, yeah, he’s very young, and not a boyfriend.” I flipped through a book I’d left on the shelf behind the counter for when I got bored.
“Looks like they’re bringing out decorations for the big tree.” Sherry pointed to the carts going past us. “I wonder who’s gonna decorate it?”
“I don’t know, but I’d like to do it,” I pouted. “I haven’t decorated a Christmas tree in a long time.”
“What are they doing with those other trees?” Sherry leaned against the counter.
“Good question. Hopefully, bringing them over to us.” I walked around the counter to watch. “They’re coming our way.”
The same crew that knocked me over now stood in front of me, delivering not one but four Christmas trees. I went back behind the counter to be completely out of the way. I didn’t need to end up under a tree again.
Two o’clock came and Sherry already had her purse on her shoulder.
“See you tomorrow. Maybe, since it’s Friday, we’ll have more people this weekend,” Sherry called out, practically running away.
“Aaron, what time do you leave?” I asked. “I could use a bathroom break.”
“I leave at three, so go ahead. Then I need a break too,” Aaron said.
“You go first, I don’t have to go that much.” I gestured for him to go. “Stay away from the tree crew, though. They’ll knock you down.”
“I don’t know about that. Could it be that elves just like being in trees?” I heard a familiar voice and spun around to see Asher smiling. “What do you think of these trees?”
“I think they’re great. It makes it feel like a forest that people have to go through to find Santa in the north pole.” I shook my head at myself. “Sorry, I just love Christmas. Thanks for the trees.”
“You’re welcome. You had some really good ideas.” Asher put his hands in his pockets. “I gotta run, lots to do. Just thought I’d ask while I was walking by.”
