Happy Reading Everyone!

Can't believe we are getting that much closer to Christmas!

Chapter 8

Ideas are brewing.

Tris' POV

I watch as Four leaves me alone in the store. I glance around amazed at the condition the store is in. Four didn't mention anything about business being too bad. But I can't imagine anyone spending real money here. I walk around the store, making mental notations of what really needs to be done. I have no idea when Four plans to reopen the doors, but I would imagine as soon as possible.

-Windows

-Floors

-Dust the merchandise

-Move priority products up front

-Decorate the store for Christmas

I walk into the back doors of the store looking for cleaning supplies when I'm surprised to actually find a never used kitchen. It's stocked with baking sheets, a kitchenaid mixer, utensils and two ovens. Off to the side is a large restaurant size fridge and freezer and a sink and plenty of counter space.

I'm blown away, lost for a few minutes in the stainless steel, sparkling kitchen. Growing up I could only dream of working in a kitchen like this. It was another reason why I had to leave home, I had so many dreams and a hard time figuring things out for myself and not what others wanted of me. I felt suffocated and needed to get out.

I shake the insane fantasies out of my head and walk forward towards another closet across the room. I slowly open the door, relieved to find an actual cleaning closet. I quickly find a bucket, filling it with bottles of chemicals that I find, I continue to fill my hands with a broom, dustpan, mop and a few rags. I sigh, as I actually begin to maneuver through the kitchen and back out to the store with my arms and hands completely filled. I lay the broom and mop against the wall as I psyched myself up for what is in front of me.

I figure top to bottom is the best way to start as I take the broom and knock down any cobwebs I see. I move on to the windows, once again I'm surprised at the amount of layers of dust on them. I spend the rest of the day lost in dust and dirt. I clean the walls, shelves, the inventory and then lastly the floors.

I decided to take a break, heading back to the house for some lunch. Four must have read my mind since he is finishing up on a few sandwiches when I walk in.

"Hey, there you are." Four says, I catch a smirk on his lips just as he glances up at me. It sends shivers down my spine. I shake it off, I can't think like that. "I was just making us some lunch." He says.

"Thanks, I'm starving," I say, leaning over the counter. My back instantly feels the relief in this position as do my feet. I take the plate from Four's hand when he hands it to me. I take a seat at what has become my chair at the table. I gulp down a large glass of water that he previously already placed out. It's when it's empty that I actually get a good look at lunch. It's anything but basic. It's french bread with ham, cheese and all the fixings along with a large pickle and macaroni salad.

"This…. This looks incredible," I stutter, just as I notice Four is pouring me another glass of ice cold water from a pitcher.

"Thanks. I had a lot of different jobs back in my day…." He explains.

"You must have." I take my first bite, nearly moaning as my mouth is filled with so many different flavors. "This is delicious," I say, taking another bite.

"Thanks." He says, chuckling. "How's the store? Is it really bad?" He asks, taking a bite out of his own sandwich.

"It's coming along. Just cleaning it up and organizing it." I tell him. He nods, not needing anymore information, we fall into a comfortable silence as we both shove our faces with food.

I returned to the store as soon as lunch was over. Four signaling that he will be out in the field if I need anything and that business will be reopening tomorrow.

I get busy with the reorganization. I decided to get all the Christmas merchandise in the back left wall of the store. I try to remember all the rules of thumb about placing inventory out on the floor. I remember the colorful, more playful items mid way. While the more breakable things should be a little more at an adult height. I have all the seasonal merchandise set up in no time. Moving all the home goods and possible gift ideas more up front in the store. I decide that anything that pertains to Christmas trees that customers might think of at the last minute will be closer to the register like the tree stands, last minute lights and tinsel. I decided lastly to put a few Christmas Poinsettia in red on top of a few tables in the far back of the store, with of course a mat underneath the plants so it doesn't ruin the wood floor.

I decide to hang a few Christmas window lights around the store, I make a mental note to ask Four for a small Christmas tree to spruce up the place. I sigh, walking all the cleaning stuff back to the cleaning closet. I close the door when I turn around towards the kitchen. It really is a shame that a gorgeous kitchen like this isn't being put to good use.

I'm just about pulling out the sheets of cookies from the oven when I hear the door chimes open. The smell of fresh cookies fills the air.

"Tris?" I hear Four calling for me.

"I'm in here," I called back. I'm just starting to transfer the cookies to a cooling rack when Four comes in the double doors.

"Hey, You're baking?" He points out, questioning me.

"I hope you don't mind. I saw this kitchen… And just got inspired." I explained.

"No. Ummm, I'm glad to see it going to good use." He says, taking a step closer. "Are those chocolate chip cookies?" He asks, eyeing the cookies. I laugh, carefully handing him a warm cookie. "Thanks," he says, taking a careful bite. He moans the minute the chocolate touches his tongue. I swear it calls for an instant problem in my pants. I clear my throat, as I turn towards the counter and try to get my head out of the gutter. "These are really delicious."

"Thanks. It's my mom's recipe," I say, gloating.

"Well it's official .. You now have a new duty to your list of jobs…." He says, taking another bite of his cookie. "Baker." I smile under his compliment. "Where did you get the stuff to bake?" He asks.

"I kind of took it from your house," I admit, biting my lower lip.

"I'm okay with that… If you continue making these." He says, shoving the rest of the cookie into his mouth. "How about I take you to the store before we open…. That way you can get anything else that you might need?" He asks, almost more like a command.

"Seriously?" I ask, laughing.

"Yes, the smell and the options of different baked goods….Will draw the customers in just for them." He compliments.

"Well… I have a few other ideas that might help draw the customers in." I begin, I have a ton of ideas that will help.

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Revised by FDFobsessed