Page 125 of Last Chance
He returned to Janie and Jesse. “We’re clear. I’ll grab my Go bag and join you in a minute.”
Sawyer grabbed his gear and headed inside the shop. Once he closed the door behind him, he locked it, set his bag out of the way beside Jesse’s, and joined Jesse and Janie at the long table. “What are we creating today?”
“More oatmeal and honey bath salts, bath bombs, soap, and body cream. We also need to create products with a tropical breeze scent.”
He froze. “Tropical breeze?”
Janie smiled. “Someone said men wouldn’t like girly smelling bath products. We’re trying your idea today.”
Sawyer grinned. “Nice.”
“Hope you still think so when you’re elbow deep in the ingredients. If you don’t like it, we’ll find out fast.”
They worked fast as a team and ended up refilling stock in five different scents, plus the new one Janie created for Sawyer. When they finished, the sun was lightening the sky to a steel gray.
“I’ll check the perimeter of the shop while you help Janie add stock to the shop and the stockroom,” Jesse said.
After he left, Janie looked at Sawyer. “Are you sure I can’t persuade you and Jesse to join my team of employees? You are fantastic assistants.” She nudged him gently with her elbow. “No question that my sales and profits would go up. Can’t lose with two assistants who look as handsome as the two of you.”
He gave her a mock scowl. “Hey, you’re not supposed to notice that other men are attractive.”
Her eyebrows soared. “That restriction wasn’t in the engagement contract.”
Amusement had his lips curving. “I’m amending the contract. No noticing other men.”
Janie laughed. “Deal. Besides, I only need you to send my profits through the roof. The women won’t be able to resist buying stock you recommend.”
Jesse returned. “All clear. What’s next?”
“I’d like to wait for my employees to arrive unless you think it’s too dangerous for them and for us,” Janie said.
Sawyer didn’t blame her for wanting to check in with her employees. They’d been carrying the shop load by themselves for several days. He didn’t like the idea of Janie being in the shop. Something was coming, and soon. He didn’t want Janie in the danger's path. “How soon will they arrive?”
“Another hour. We arrived very early today.”
“To change your schedule,” Jesse said. “Routine is good, unless you have someone tracking your movements. Let’s not make it easy for them to find you, sugar.”
She sighed. “All right. I can call my employees later to see how things are going.”
A knock sounded on the back door.
Sawyer glanced at Jesse, who murmured something to Janie and urged her toward the stockroom. She hurried out of sight and closed the door.
With Janie safe for the moment, Sawyer checked the security feed in her office as the knock sounded again. His eyes narrowed. Why were Maria Moran and her bodyguards here at this hour of the morning?
He returned to Jesse. “Maria and her entourage,” he murmured to Jesse and unlocked the door. “Mrs. Moran, what are you doing here?”
“We’re on the way to the hospital to see my husband as soon as we’re allowed. Since we were this close, I wanted to stop for a tour of Janie’s shop and give her an update on David. May we come inside? We won’t take much time.” Maria offered a slight smile.
Although he stepped back to allow the three Chileans inside the shop, he was uneasy. He felt to his bones that something was off. Was it just his suspicions because of Maria’s infidelity with Hernandez or something else?
“Maria, what’s wrong? Is David all right?” Janie hurried from the stockroom.
“There you are. Everything is fine, Janie. I’m sorry to disturb. I remembered you telling me you came to the shop early every morning. I convinced my cousin to stop on the way to the hospital so I could see Natural Bliss. Do you have a few minutes to give me a tour?”
“Of course. This room is the prep room where we create salts, soaps, and lotions for the shop.”
Maria wandered to the table on which sat several large bowls and plastic containers of supplies. “So this is where the magic happens.”