Second Chances

By Carole McKee

Business is starting to pick up. Since Melanie began Do-A-Tee, the employees have thrived and now the business is starting to do the same. Her employees are grateful and dedicated to her, but someone else wants her property for his own purpose. Things start happening after he approaches her with an offer to buy her building--an offer she immediately refuses. When inspectors start showing up, Melanie believes it's a ploy to force her to sell and she silently laughs about it. But then the building burns, and she knows exactly who to accuse. It hurts because she was falling in love with him. But sometimes thing aren't as they seem. Maybe everyone needs a second chance now and then.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carole McKee
• Release date: May 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476157023

Carole McKee

I am originally from Pittsburgh, but I now reside in Florida, with my two cats. My first attempt at writing was when I wrote a tribute to my Black Lab after he passed away. That short story appeared in a veterinarian's magazine and now appears in a paperback collection of short stories, "Forever Families" edited by Shelagh Watkins. After earning a couple of college degrees, I started writing for fun, and as a hobby. I completed my first novel "Perfect" in 2007. I entered the book in a contest and it received an honorable mention. In addition to that, I received a lot of great feedback on that first attempt, so I decided to try another. That led to my second book "Choices" and then came "The Bushes are Red" and "The Full Nelson"--a trilogy that is turning into a series, because readers didn't want me to stop there. Another book, in that series ("Consequences") was released in April, 2013. In December, 2011, "Kisses from the Heart" was published--all new characters. "Maddie's Garden" (2011) is another new story with all fresh new characters. "Second Chances" came out in 2012, and "Going Home" came out later that same year. There are many more to come. I love writing and will continue to write every day. Please email me! I answer all emails as soon as I can. [e-mail].

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Second Chances

By

Carole McKee

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Carole McKee on Smashwords

Second Chances

Copyright © 2012 by Carole McKee

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced with this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

1

Melanie set her pen down on top of the job applications in front of her as she stopped to answer the buzz of the inter-office call.

Yes, Judy?

The quarterly reports are here for you to see….and you have a visitor.

Who?

His name is Tim Carothers.

Oh…send him in….no, wait…tell him two minutes…and can you come in for a sec?

At a rate of the speed of light, Judy was standing in front of Melanie’s desk, holding the quarterly reports in her arms before she placed them in the ‘in’ basket.

Judy, I want you to hold on to this application. If this man calls, see if he can come in at 3:00 today for an interview. Judy took the application and frowned.

It’s rather incomplete…wouldn’t you say?

Yes, but the man has guts. If you’ll read it, you’ll see he is homeless but wants a job. That’s why he says he’ll call here to see if he can interview. He has no home and no phone.

Judy nodded as she read over the sparse information on the application.

Okay…now do you want me to let Mr. Carothers in? Judy lowered her voice about three decibels and whispered, He’s a hunk!

Melanie smiled and said, Send him in.

Melanie had become very fond of Judy in the past six months. She had come begging for a job, pleading that she was a quick learner and was willing to do anything. She was a single mom of two and was attempting to support them on her own. Her husband left when the youngest was still a newborn, and that child was almost a year old now. Judy had told Melanie that her husband said he couldn’t handle the family life so he split, leaving her to fend for herself with a toddler and an infant. When she came to apply for a job the poor girl looked exhausted and frantic, but not beaten. Melanie hired her on the spot even though she had no real office skills. Melanie reasoned that someone who was that determined to work would not be a disappointment and she had been correct. Judy learned fast and worked hard, working her way from the order department to secretary, often being Melanie’s right arm. Her kids were flourishing in daycare and Judy was blooming into a lovely young professional woman.

Melanie smiled to herself as she reviewed another application, almost forgetting about the visitor. She felt his presence before she looked up and saw him. Judy had been right—he was a hunk. He was six feet, three if he was an inch, and muscular. Melanie could see the muscles rippling under his expensive looking button-down shirt—no tie or jacket included—as he leaned up against her door frame waiting for her to acknowledge him. The shirt with the sleeves rolled up, was unbuttoned down to his chest, and tucked into a pair of tight fitting jeans that just hugged his hips perfectly. The buff colored work boots on his feet seemed out of place with the rest of the package. The man had unruly raven black wavy hair and Melanie watched as he impatiently pushed a stray lock off of his forehead. His eyes were the kicker. Melanie wondered if anyone could actually see out of eyes that flashed like silver. So intrigued with the image in front of her she almost forgot to speak. Feeling a little embarrassed, she swallowed and nodded at him.

Please come in…..Mr.…

Carothers. Tim Carothers….please call me Tim.

Okay…Tim…please…sit down. Would you like some coffee?

That would hit the spot about now, he grinned, showing straight white teeth.

Judy appeared like magic with two cups of coffee along with cream and sugar. She quietly set the tray down and left without a word, but Melanie caught the sideways glance at the spectacular figure seated in front of Melanie’s desk. Who could blame her, thought Melanie. He is certainly a real piece of eye candy.

Melanie waited while he poured and stirred the cream and sugar into his cup before she spoke.

I’m Melanie Thomas, she began. How may I help you today? Obviously you’re not here for a job.

No….why? Are you hiring?

Yes. I’m hiring a few people to work in production…but you don’t strike me as one who would be looking for that kind of work.

No, you’re right, he grinned, and then added, But at one time I might have.

So what is it I can do for you today? She smiled, as she worked at keeping her composure. He certainly could become a distraction.

What is it you do here? What type of company is this?

Tee-shirts. We emboss Tee-shirts. Emboss—not screen print. We have the standard bulk embossments and we also do custom work. Are you interested in purchasing tee-shirts?

For a moment, Carothers looked slightly uncomfortable before he spoke.

No…I’m interested in purchasing this property. Are you the owner of the building?

Yes…and it’s not for sale.

I’d offer you a fair price….

It’s not for sale.

Will you think about it?

I don’t have to. It’s not for sale. You see…there is more than just me to think about. I have employees who depend on this business for their livelihood. Many of them have families, obligations, and debts. Besides, I’m happy with this little operation.

I could throw in a severance package for them…

No, Mr. Carothers….the property and the business are not for sale….and I stand firm on that. So unless there is some other business you came here to discuss, I believe we are done here. Melanie managed a cold stare as she waited for him to stand up and leave. He took the hint, but smiled at her.

Just think about it, he said as he moved toward the door. On his way out he shut the door behind him.

Of all the nerve… Melanie mumbled as she picked up the next application.

Just as she figured, Judy came tripping through the now reopened door, just dripping with curiosity. Was he here for a job?

No…he wasn’t. Melanie shook her head and softly chuckled. She didn’t elaborate, just knowing it was driving Judy crazy.

Oh….well, did he ask you out?

No. She planned on sharing the conversation with Judy, but she enjoyed teasing her a little bit first. She knew Judy would never come right out and ask what he wanted.

Well, did he want to make a purchase?

No.

Was he selling something?

No, Melanie laughed. Okay. I’ll tell you. He wants to buy the place….the entire building.

Why?

I don’t know. I turned him down flat.

Oh….that’s good. Did he say what he wanted the place for?

I didn’t give him a chance. I just said the place wasn’t for sale.

Whew! If you did sell it, all of us might be out of a job. I’m glad you said no.

Yeah, Judy…me, too. Besides me there are now seventeen employees who depend on this place, and I’m going to hire a few more. I may even put on a second shift if business keeps improving like it has been over the past two months. How is your workload? You’ll let me know if you start to become overwhelmed, won’t you? I can hire someone part-time to help you or even bring someone up from the order department.

The order department consisted of three people. They took orders over the phone and taking turns, one pulled orders from the website each day and another sorted through the salesman’s orders. Melanie had hired a retired salesman to canvas the local businesses in the Bay Area and there were plenty of orders from the businesses who catered to the tourist trade. In fact, back in March, one of the local hotels had placed a large order of tee-shirts to sell to the spring break trade. The tees were simple; only having a palm tree as the graphic, and simply said ‘Spring Break, 2011,’ and the name of the hotel on Clearwater Beach. That order alone made up half the payroll for the week.

Melanie watched a relieved Judy walk back out to her desk as she reached for the quarterly report.

2

Melanie went over the quarterly reports to determine the amount of the profit sharing checks that would be issued to the employees. Since that first quarter almost two years ago, the size of the checks had certainly grown. She remembered those first checks she issued to the employees. To her they were pitiful but to the nine employees working there at the time, they represented progress, hope, and a second chance to succeed. The checks for this quarter would be the highest ever. She quickly placed a phone call to the payroll company and told her contact representative to make out the profit sharing checks for each employee. Myra, who had been her contact since she started the business, commented on how much the checks had grown.

Yes…I’m really proud of how this business is starting to thrive, Melanie told her. I’m going to be hiring a few more people this week.

She and Myra chatted for a few minutes before disconnecting. Melanie knew the checks would be ready tomorrow and as always she had lunch brought into the lunchroom on the day the checks arrived. On her way out to lunch, she stopped at Judy’s desk and told her to let the employees know that lunch would be served tomorrow. They would all know that the checks would be distributed, and they fondly referred to it as PS day—PS for profit sharing.

Judy nodded and then said, Oh….that Robert Shipley called. He said he can make it here at three today.

Good. See you after lunch, Melanie responded.

When Melanie returned, Judy went to lunch, leaving the front office to Melanie for an hour. Melanie knew Judy always went to the daycare to check on her little ones and then grabbed something quick on the way back, eating it in the car while she drove back to the job. The one o’clock whistle sounded, signaling that lunch was over for the workers in the shop. Smiling, she watched her employees hustle back to their positions and begin to work immediately. They were a good group, she thought to herself. Eager to work, and always giving one hundred and ten percent, every one of them did their job with pride. Melanie certainly did not regret hiring any of them.

When Judy returned from lunch, Melanie returned to her desk and continued to sort through the applications. At three o’clock Judy buzzed her to let her know that the applicant had arrived. Not knowing what to expect, she set down the pen, leaned back and crossed her legs under her desk. According to the