The Naughty List (25 page)

“Make them. Be creative. You can do it. I know you can.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the confidence.”

“No problem. I’m a one-woman pep squad only for David the E.L.F.” She flinched at a puff of air.

“Ahem.” Natalie Jankowski tapped her watch face.

Rosalie gritted her teeth. “I gotta go.”

“She’s there, isn’t she?” Rosalie pictured him turning purple again. Not his best color.

“Of course, she is,” Rosalie warbled with false cheerfulness into the phone. “She’s always there and I do so love having her around. But not,” she dropped her voice, “as much as I love you, David. I do, you know?”

“You must,” he sighed. “To put up with all this crap. I love you, too. Try not to kill her because I really, really want to.” He hung up.

“I know you don’t mean it.” Ms. Jankowski’s gaze dropped. Her fingers clenched the edges of the tablet.

Rosalie tucked the cell back in her pocket. “Mean what?”

“You love having me around. Cupids understand love, you know. You can’t lie to us about that.” She drew herself up. Her voice trembled. “Very few people fully appreciate what we do. Love brings out the best in both human and Integral. That’s why we take the emotion so seriously.”

Rosalie started. Did she hurt the cupid’s feelings? Bad move. If the cupid wasn’t happy, she might pop in more often. Rosalie certainly didn’t want to encourage any more toilet visits.

“I’m very sorry,” she apologized sincerely. “I didn’t mean to bark at you. This is a very stressful time for all of us.” She offered a sympathetic smile. “I understand totally where you’re coming from. I take my job seriously, too.”

Ms. Jankowski relaxed. “I know. I watched you. This is a very nice store, so much beautiful merchandise.” She flushed. “Not that I have time to look around.”

The thought suddenly occurred to Rosalie that she’d gone about this cupid thing the wrong way. Maybe David wasn’t the only one who needed to be creative. She beamed friendliness at Ms. Jankowski. “Thank you. I always felt Penrose’s was a very special place. You know,” she said. “You don’t have to keep popping in and out.”
And scaring the bejesus out of me.
“You could stick arcougn="juound. Walk through the store.”

Temptation shaded the cupid’s face. “I-I couldn’t possibly. I’m on duty.”

“Nonsense. Your duty is to keep an eye on me and I’m right here. Get familiar with my surroundings. You already know my apartment.”
And my toilet.
“Meet the employees. I already told them you’re a temporary consultant.”

“Well…” Ms. Jankowski weakened.

“The coffee shop,” Rosalie wheedled, “serves amazing pie.”

“Perhaps, for a little bit.”

“Excellent,” she said, trying to keep from sounding too excited. Before Ms. Jankowski protested, Rosalie grabbed her tablet. “Take your time. You know where I’ll be.”

The cupid left her alone for sixty blessed minutes. She showed up again with a distinctly relaxed amble through the office door and not in a puff of pink smoke.

“I’m sorry I took so long.”

Rosalie maintained a straight face and assured her she hadn’t noticed. Ms. Jankowski carried a small bag from Christmas Land. Rosalie insisted on seeing her purchase. With a blush the cupid pulled out a delicate glass unicorn ornament with a holly wreath encircling the head. “Isn’t it sweet? I collect unicorns, you know.”

Of course, you do.
“No, I didn’t know. The figurine is one of our local artisan pieces. Penrose’s is known for carrying one-of-a-kind items, especially around the holidays.”

Ms. Jankowski held up the unicorn. “Look how the light makes it sparkle,” she remarked happily. “I would have returned sooner, but I had to wait in quite a line at the cash register. Although, the poor gentleman who served me was very nice. Not frazzled at all. The whole experience was very pleasant.”

“That was Ross, our Santa,” said Rosalie. “He pulls double-duty at the register when not on the throne, because we’re so short-handed.”

“Yes, I noticed the futon. Much better for the lower back.” Her lips parted in a broad smile. “Your Santa Ross was so helpful. Once he discovered I was a collector, he offered to call the artist who made the unicorn on his next break to see if he had any others.”

“That’s Penrose’s way. The staff goes above and beyond to make people happy.”

Ms. Jankowski beamed with approval. “Cupid’s have the same work ethic.”

“Yes,” Rosalie agreed without a trace of sarcasm. “David and I both noted your enthusiasm.”

“How kind of you to say,” she gushed. “May I ask, why don’t you hire more people? While your Santa approaches his job with no complaint, even as a casual shopper I see Christmas Land needs additional help.”

“I wish,” Rosalie grumbled. “The old management wouldn’t increase our budget for additional employees. They never understood the best corporate decisions come from those doing the actual work. All they cared about was the bottom line.”

“Isn’t that always the case?” the cupid said. “I have the same problem.”

Rosalie visibly startled. “You do?”

She nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. Cupids are supposed to help people find love.” She eyed her tablet ruefully. “In the old days, the system wasn’t so…so…”

“Regulated?”

“Exactly. Cupids had more control and not so many reports to file.”

“Why not change the system?”

“Change?” Ms. Jankowski sputtered in shock. “Our methods have been officially sanctioned for over six hundred years.”

“Just because they’re official doesn’t mean they work the best. Change can be very good.”
And may work to David and my advantage.

Ms. Jankowski clutched her tablet. “I believe we should now begin our study of Integral history and cultural awareness. I’ll prepare several readings from popular narratives, highlight the fine points, and develop a series of discussion topics.”

Taken aback by the cupid’s new agenda, Rosalie feared she had offended her again. She was about to apologize when Ms. Jankowski’s stance suddenly softened. “Monitors are not allowed to take sides. A neutral stance must be maintained so the Integral-human relationship isn’t impeded by any bias. However, I don’t think it is contrary to the intent of the Lover’s Edict to state I am-on a purely intellectual level-rooting for you and E.L.F. Kloss.”

Poof.

Rosalie wafted her hand through the air to clear away the pink smoke. “Well, I’ll be damned,” she murmured.

As two o’clock neared, Rosalie found Marissa anxiously pacing in her office. “Stop. You’re making me nervous.”

“You should be. I still can’t get any details about the new owners.”

Rosalie shrugged. “What will be, will be.”

Marissa eyed her suspiciously. “You seem mighty perky. What did you do? Stuff the cupid in a storage locker?”

“Actually, I don’t mind her so much anymore.” She told Marissa about her little talk with Ms. Jankowski.

Marissa chuckled. “Darn, no more toilet visits?”

“I hope not. Ms. Jankowski popped in two more times already today, but that’s down from eight yesterday so we’ve made progress. I talked her into a hair appointment tomorrow at the salon which should keep most of my afternoon free—”

Conversation halted at a sharp rap on the door. “They’re here,” whispered Marissa. She nervously smoothed her skirt and then whipped open the door. “Miss Delia, welcome.”

Mittens swept inside. For once she had neither the gardening gloves nor her oversize bag. “Thank you, my dear.” She motioned to several people out in the hall. “Allow me to introduce the new owners of Penrose’s…Brian and Grace Kloss and their son, David.”

“Huh?” Rosalie squeaked.

The three Kloss’s entered, each face painted with an innocent expression. They shook Marissa’s hand warmly. The store manager gaped open-mouthed. “Is he…are they…?” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

“Uh-huh,” Rosalie squeaked again.

Grace invited Mittens to come along with them on the tour.

The elderly woman shook her head. “Thank you, my dear, but no. I already said my goodbye to Penrose’s and I have a few things to finish up at home.”

“We’ll see you later on, then,” Brian added cheerfully as he showed her out.

Mittens paused on the threshold. “Something tells me Penrose’s will never be the same. I think change is a very good thing.”

As soon as the door shut behind her David rushed over and kissed Rosalie. “Say something.”

“Huh?” she squeaked again.

Marissa cleared her throat. “Did Santa and the missus just buy Penrose’s?”

">Mittens 9" align="justify">“Actually,” Rosalie finally found her voice. “It’s
the
Santa and the missus.”

“We prefer Brian and Grace,” he said with a twinkle. “Why don’t we all sit down?”

“I think I better.” Rosalie said as she sank in a chair.

“Grace and I did a lot of talking since we met Rosalie and learned about Penrose’s,” Brian explained once everyone settled in. “The past few weeks we used our business contracts to delve into the store’s financial situation.”

“I’m afraid,” Grace chimed in, “the situation is as bleak as you heard. Right now the land Penrose’s sits on is worth more than the store.”

Marissa swallowed. “Will you close it?”

The three Kloss’s exchanged looks. “Actually, Marissa, the decision depends on you and Rosalie.”

Both women gaped at her. “Us?” Rosalie gulped. “What do we have to do with anything?”

“We have a scheme to turn Penrose’s around,” Brian explained, “but the plan requires your cooperation.”

“Anything you want,” Rosalie offered.

Grace held up her hand. “Hear us out first. The idea is somewhat out there.”

Brian leaned forward. “Rosalie knows Grace and I have been concerned for a while about finding safe methods to assimilate Integrals into human society. We believe Penrose’s is a perfect opportunity. Even if we hire back all the employees the previous manager let go, the store is still understaffed. We could bring in Integrals to fill the positions. They would work side-by-side with humans, interact with different people on a daily basis, and learn business skills transferable to other employment opportunities in the human world.”

Rosalie eyed him skeptically. “How will you keep them all secret?”

“Integrating safely will be part of the training,” Grace assured her. “Plus, Integrals are cautious by nature.” She reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t worry. Odins won’t run around and shoot lightning bolts at everyone.”

“Odins?” whispered Marissa out of the corner of her mouth.

“I’ll explain later,” Rosalie whispered back.

“I was very impressed,” Brian said to Marissa, “with the report to the board you sent once you became store manager.”

She blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think anyone read it.”

“We did. It was very well thought out. Grace and I found your suggestions intriguing, particularly the bistro and artisans gallery. I know the previous administration wasn’t receptive to change, but we are.”

“Bistro? Artisans gallery?” Rosalie muttered.

Marissa whispered back, “I’ll explain later.”

“Of course,” Grace continued, “everything depends on your cooperation. You don’t know much about us Marissa, or we you, but we want to keep you on as general manager of the store. You did good things with what little the board gave you. More importantly to us, Rosalie respects and trusts you. We think we can, too. That is, of course, if you’re comfortable with the idea of working with Integrals.”

Brian leaned forward. “I assure you we’re not all like Anthony Pearce. Most want to be left alone to find a career and raise a family.”

“Penrose’s gave me a chance when I was at the end of my rope,” Marissa answered softly. “The store gave chances to many other people here, tpeo9" aloo. I don’t see why Integrals should be excluded.” She shifted nervously in her seat. “I’ll be honest; I haven’t a clue what your people need.”

Grace cheerfully waved her off. “Oh, don’t worry. Their needs won’t be your problem. They will be Rosalie’s.”

“Mine?” Rosalie squeaked.

David smirked and grabbed her hand. “You didn’t think I came along for the ride, did you? I’m also here to keep you from bolting out the door.”

Brian regarded her kindly. “You haven’t been involved with Integrals for long, but you’ve already garnered respect. You stood up to Pearce and the Baal, saved The Book, and respected our traditions, no matter how silly they seem. Your actions mean a lot. Before we made the commitment to purchase Penrose’s we tested the waters. Quite a few Integrals expressed interest once we mentioned you would be their human contact. The decision became easy. While Grace and I lay all the groundwork we propose you become the Integral liaison here at the store. You’d give retail training and help them acclimate to a human environment all at the same time.”

“We’ll beef up your assistant manager position, of course,” Grace assured her, “and then give you the additional title of something like…”

Marissa chimed in. “Training and Special Projects Coordinator.”

“Excellent,” Grace beamed at her. “Marissa, we’re going to get along really well.”

“We haven’t heard from you,” David teased Rosalie. “How about it?”

Rosalie faltered. “I-I’m not exactly sure what you expect me to do.”

Brian’s eyes twinkled. “Oh the usual, keep the medusas from turning people into stone and the poseidons from clogging the drains.”

Grace reached over and patted her shoulder. “We’ll work together and won’t leave you hanging. I don’t expect any Integrals to join us until after New Years, so we have plenty of time to create a full training regimen.”

Rosalie waited for Rational Brain to chime in with all sorts of holes in the plan, but, apparently, Rational Brain never returned from lunch. “Sure,” she agreed weakly. “Why not? I’m in.”

“Wonderful!” Grace rose from her seat. “How about a tour of the store? Brian and I dashed-away in at night several times, but we really want to see the employees in action.”

“Dashed-away?” Marissa whispered.

“I’ll explain later,” Rosalie assured her. She turned to David. “Are you staying, too?” she asked hopefully.