Read Online The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Melody Carlson
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related to Matilda Honeycutt, Susanna had discovered the nature of the business Matilda planned to open. In spite of the predictions of the local gossips, it was not going to be (1) a tattoo parlor, (2) one of those import stores that reeks of incense and diesel, (3) a New Age shop selling drug-related paraphernalia, or (4) a disrespectable massage parlor.
Although Susanna was partly relieved the gossipers were wrong on the worst suspicions, she still felt worried. Partly for Matilda, because she actually liked the woman, but even more so for the town, because she knew that none of the merchants on Main Street would be particularly happy to see a secondhand shop. It was bad enough that thrift stores weren’t zoned for this neighborhood, but with the Christmas shopping season upon them and everyone’s hopes elevated in the expectation of some bright, shiny, consumer-friendly store, a secondhand shop was more than just a minor letdown. Furthermore, Susanna knew that the powers that be, including Councilman Snider, would now have the opportunity to make Matilda miserable.
“Why don’t they just let her be?” Rose had said that morning after Megan left for school. “Who cares if she runs a thrift shop or not? This is a free country, no?”
“It’s a free country, Rose, but you know there are ordinances. Businesses must apply for licenses, and a secondhand shop requires a special permit. According to my assistant, Matilda hasn’t applied for one yet.”
“Matilda knows what she’s doing,” Rose said.
“I hope so.”
Rose gave a sly grin. “Besides, you can help her.”
“I can?” Susanna filled her commuter coffee cup.
“Sure you can.” Rose nodded. “You run the city, don’t you?”
Susanna laughed. “More like the city runs me.”
“Well, Matilda is a good person. I know you’ll take good care of her.”
“I’ll do my best.”
For that reason, Susanna had spent an hour trying to soften up Hal in the permit department, explaining that Matilda had been distracted getting her shop in order and overlooked applying for the permit.
“Well, she better get to it,” he warned her. “We usually require two weeks to process a permit.”
She smiled at him. “I know that and you know that, but I also know you can put a rush on it if needed.”
“I can’t make promises, Ms. Elton.”
“Please, call me Susanna. Everyone else does.”
He smiled. “Okay, Susanna. I still can’t make promises, and I sure can’t do anything if she doesn’t come in here and apply.”
“I’ll do everything I can to get her in here today,” Susanna assured him. “I really do appreciate your help with this, Hal. My hope is that Parrish Springs will become known as a can-do city and will attract some new business and commerce our way.”
He nodded. “I hope so. I still feel bad for the layoffs a couple years back. I’d like to see some of those people come back.”
“So would I.” She thanked him again, then headed back to her office. Hopefully Hal meant what he said, but for all she knew he could just be another member of Councilman Snider’s Good Ol’ Boys Club. She couldn’t believe how many people the old councilman carried around in his back pocket. It must be crowded in there!
On her way to her office, she stopped by the restroom and ran a brush through her hair and even put on some fresh lip color. She didn’t know if Tommy was bringing a photographer with him or not, but she’d worn her favorite red suit just in case.
She knew it was possible that she was primping for another reason. For the past week, she had thought about Tommy quite a bit, more than she cared to admit. She even managed to discreetly discover that he was in fact single. Never married at all, her elderly neighbor had told her. Naturally, that surprised Susanna. She’d learned that if a man had never married by this stage of the game, there was usually a reason. But from what she could learn without looking overly
Although Susanna was partly relieved the gossipers were wrong on the worst suspicions, she still felt worried. Partly for Matilda, because she actually liked the woman, but even more so for the town, because she knew that none of the merchants on Main Street would be particularly happy to see a secondhand shop. It was bad enough that thrift stores weren’t zoned for this neighborhood, but with the Christmas shopping season upon them and everyone’s hopes elevated in the expectation of some bright, shiny, consumer-friendly store, a secondhand shop was more than just a minor letdown. Furthermore, Susanna knew that the powers that be, including Councilman Snider, would now have the opportunity to make Matilda miserable.
“Why don’t they just let her be?” Rose had said that morning after Megan left for school. “Who cares if she runs a thrift shop or not? This is a free country, no?”
“It’s a free country, Rose, but you know there are ordinances. Businesses must apply for licenses, and a secondhand shop requires a special permit. According to my assistant, Matilda hasn’t applied for one yet.”
“Matilda knows what she’s doing,” Rose said.
“I hope so.”
Rose gave a sly grin. “Besides, you can help her.”
“I can?” Susanna filled her commuter coffee cup.
“Sure you can.” Rose nodded. “You run the city, don’t you?”
Susanna laughed. “More like the city runs me.”
“Well, Matilda is a good person. I know you’ll take good care of her.”
“I’ll do my best.”
For that reason, Susanna had spent an hour trying to soften up Hal in the permit department, explaining that Matilda had been distracted getting her shop in order and overlooked applying for the permit.
“Well, she better get to it,” he warned her. “We usually require two weeks to process a permit.”
She smiled at him. “I know that and you know that, but I also know you can put a rush on it if needed.”
“I can’t make promises, Ms. Elton.”
“Please, call me Susanna. Everyone else does.”
He smiled. “Okay, Susanna. I still can’t make promises, and I sure can’t do anything if she doesn’t come in here and apply.”
“I’ll do everything I can to get her in here today,” Susanna assured him. “I really do appreciate your help with this, Hal. My hope is that Parrish Springs will become known as a can-do city and will attract some new business and commerce our way.”
He nodded. “I hope so. I still feel bad for the layoffs a couple years back. I’d like to see some of those people come back.”
“So would I.” She thanked him again, then headed back to her office. Hopefully Hal meant what he said, but for all she knew he could just be another member of Councilman Snider’s Good Ol’ Boys Club. She couldn’t believe how many people the old councilman carried around in his back pocket. It must be crowded in there!
On her way to her office, she stopped by the restroom and ran a brush through her hair and even put on some fresh lip color. She didn’t know if Tommy was bringing a photographer with him or not, but she’d worn her favorite red suit just in case.
She knew it was possible that she was primping for another reason. For the past week, she had thought about Tommy quite a bit, more than she cared to admit. She even managed to discreetly discover that he was in fact single. Never married at all, her elderly neighbor had told her. Naturally, that surprised Susanna. She’d learned that if a man had never married by this stage of the game, there was usually a reason. But from what she could learn without looking overly
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