Shadow mate shadow wolve.., p.10
Juggling Concerns (Karma Bakery Book 5), page 10
“How many did they order?” I asked Libby.
“Five thousand, and they promised to even film an unboxing video so we could see the condition, use it for social media if it goes well.”
“Good, take some pictures of how we’re doing this and in the box and send them in an email that they’re shipping out today.” I frowned when she nodded. “We’re going to have to plan another way in summer. A flash freeze won’t be enough in summer to ship fondant.”
“And we don’t want to use those foam coolers since there’s no way to recycle foam,” she muttered. “I’ll look into it and have options well before then. Maybe bigger boxes with some dry ice packets would be enough. It’s two-day shipping, so even if they defrost, it won’t be like they harden.”
Not with the way we had it wrapped.
But there was also the option of me blessing the boxes. That might be a good idea anyways. The karma would work either way for who ate it, but it would give us a bit of help when we were doing so much.
And selling it for cheaper than others.
We did the rest of the test orders, and Libby promised she would follow up with me and talk with Renee once we knew the results. Perfect.
It was time for them to sleep, and I used my power to clean the factory in areas I hadn’t yesterday. The day shifts were waking, and breakfast was ready for the ovens, so it was really the only time I had to get it all without notice.
I told the vamps I was fine and loaded a rack of meat buns in the oven while I waited. It meant I had time to review orders and numbers of what we were doing which I rarely got to do. It was honestly astounding the numbers we were handling without more people.
Of everyone homeless we brought in, we only had a hundred and sixty-five full-time employees. We had eighty that were part-time and a lot of kids. We had over a dozen vamps working and others doing security. We had the female wolves, but the factory was massive. We weren’t using nearly enough of everything we could.
And Costco wanted more of all of it.
We were selling out on the food trucks within an hour of wherever they set up.
We needed more people and organization.
I brought the breakfast meat buns to the cafeteria and was glad when people were coming to meet me like they were ready to handle it. I was thrilled when I got to see how Matteo was doing. He was the little boy who had been hit by a car the day we started bringing people in. He was still wearing a brace but otherwise, he was fully healed and liking his new home from what he excitedly told me.
I knew Justine was working on a fraud case for his mother and their family, but I didn’t know the specifics. Nor should I. I was their employer, but even if I was helping them with the legal side, I shouldn’t get all involved in their business as long as they followed my rules and worked.
And they did.
His grandfather, Kevin, was the one who handled the incoming groups. He’d set something up with Kary’s help, and we had a bus arriving from that Pittsburg shelter the Costco executive had told us about. People were excited and ready to help others.
Maybe even glad for more help at the factory.
It was over a ten-hour drive for the bus, and it was smart for them to have arranged for it to arrive during breakfast. That meant food ready for them, and they could take the day to get settled. People didn’t have to miss shifts at the factory or let production slow down. Also, the high school kids were on break.
Well, sort of. They were working to catch up with what they’d missed and not have to spend the full years like others in their grade. It was smart, and I knew a lot of work had gone into helping them as well. I honestly had no idea who was handling it all or juggling that nightmare, but I knew it wasn’t Kevin alone.
The bus arrived, and the fear coming off the people was unreal. I didn’t blame them. They’d traveled across a few states for the chance of something better and that might work out for them. It was honestly impressive. The others seemed to feel the same as they were gentle handling people.
Kevin handled the worker from the shelter that had come with. I was glad that I didn’t have to then. Plus, I wanted to check the people coming in. Nothing much, just look them over since I had the extra senses and intuition as a goddess.
A second bus pulled up twenty minutes after the first, and I was about to ask Kevin what happened when I saw the shock all over his face.
Oh boy.
“Hey, where do I drop off the people you wanted?” an obnoxious man said as he entered the building, not even bothering to look around or take in the scene.
“Well, since we didn’t order people, you’ll have to be a bit more specific and explain yourself,” I said loudly. “We had an arrangement with this shelter—”
“Lady, you wanted homeless to fill beds, and I brought some,” he said. “Do I check them in with you or—”
“We didn’t ask for homeless to fill beds,” I snapped. “We’re offering jobs and housing to employees who don’t have any. We’re not a homeless shelter.”
“Wait, we have to work?” one woman demanded who sounded about as drunk as I’d been last night. “You didn’t tell us that.”
Lovely.
“And we’re not just accepting anyone people deliver,” I added, gesturing to the person from Pittsburg. “They coordinated with us and worked out who would be a good fit.”
The guy actually rolled his eyes at me. “You wanted bodies. They can bake muffins and cookies just fine.”
“You didn’t tell us we had to work, just there were rooms and beds here plus food,” another woman bitched.
“I don’t give free rides,” I said firmly. “If you’re here for one, go back on that bus.”
“Hey, we used funds to rent that and bring people here,” the guy yelled when about ten people turned right around. “Don’t be prissy and act like—”
“Like this is a private business?” I seethed as I moved closer. “This isn’t a homeless shelter. It’s a business. I have every right to reject who I want. How dare you just show up here and—”
“I get on the news and tell people you’re cherry-picking and sending people away, it’s going to make you all look bad,” he threatened. “The owner will be super pissed and probably fire you.”
“I am the owner.” I nodded when he frowned. “Yeah, I’m the owner, and I make the calls. Please, go on the news and tell everyone that we’re not just accepting buses of people who show up uninvited.” I gestured to the ones who left. “They don’t even want to work. Why would you bring them here?”
“The shelter is stuffed too full,” one of the men in their group muttered. “I’ll work. I’d love a job.”
I studied him closely. “We have rules. You follow them or you’re out. I don’t care that you came from…” I glanced at the guy. “Where are you even from?”
“Albany,” he bit out, looking like he wanted to slap me for embarrassing him or not… I wasn’t really sure. Jumping into his arms with joy that he saved me?
Asshole.
“Listen up,” I said loudly to the group. “We aren’t a public- or state-funded shelter. I own a business and there are strict rules here. It is a chance at starting over and getting on your feet. I’m sorry if you were jerked around, but that’s not our fault, and we’re not accepting people who don’t understand how things work.” I gave them a moment to let that sink in. “First, no drugs.
“Absolutely no drugs are allowed here even if weed is legal in the state. We don’t allow it here with children and heavy machinery. No alcohol. You want to drink once you can afford an apartment or a residence of your own? Fine by me and enjoy. None is allowed in this facility.” I bit back a sigh when three people turned around and left. “No weapons. None. Those are the basics and not up for debate.”
About half seemed more than fine with that, but several gave me looks like “sure, sure, lady” and that pissed me off.
“We will search your belongings. We have keys to your rooms and will search them at will.”
“You can’t do that,” a man growled. “This isn’t jail.”
“No, it’s not, but I absolutely can and will. Again, this is a private facility, and I can do that.”
“And we do it all the time,” the coordinator from Pittsburg added, giving the man from Albany a disgusted look. “What kind of shelter are you running there that they’re shocked by this?”
“We don’t have much funding,” he drawled.
“What funding do you need to check people in right?” the guy threw right back.
I ignored both of them and talked to the group again. “And we weren’t planning to reach out to Albany. We’re focused on the major cities to help the homeless populations. We’re under no obligation to help you, so understand that you have to want this chance and are willing to work for it.”
“Whatever, I brought them,” the guy sighed like I was the bane of his existence. “Here’s the list of the names they gave us.” He tried to get me to take what looked like a sign-in sheet.
I simply blinked at him when he tapped me with it. “You’re not leaving until we handle what we need to including checking IDs and verifying people. Or take them all with you, and I get on the news and tell the world how horribly you’ve acted and handled this situation.” I pointed at the security cameras. “Especially since we record everything. Do you think you’ll be out of a job before you get home or after?”
That helped but not much. I noted two more people hurried back towards the bus when I said anything about IDs.
So they were idiots or just desperate where they didn’t think we would check. Either way, I wanted to place an anonymous call to the police because that was super suspicious.
I almost blew my lid when we went to check the belongings of the first guy and he refused. He had to have something seriously bad on him because he blew and actually took a swing at Renee.
She easily caught his punch and bared her teeth at him. “Get the fuck out of here before I call the police and they arrest you for assault and whatever else you have in that bag you won’t show us.”
He did, cursing us in some creative way as he did.
The look she shot me made it clear she’d smelled drugs on him.
Wonderful.
Another woman was willing to turn over her drugs but asked about the program to get her clean.
Which we didn’t have.
“I’m going to have some serious words for the director of your place,” I warned the guy as he stood off the side and watched everything with amusement.
He actually looked me up and down and snorted. “I’m sure he’ll be busy. Maybe if you visit in person.”
I wanted to throw him out, but he’d leave, and then we’d be stuck with the people who were apparently… Yeah, it was bad.
Which was why I called Mary and asked her to figure out some sort of press release or statement to help with this. She was furious and promised to not only get something out to the press, but post all over social media. The guy didn’t want to give me the name of the shelter when I asked but instead of fighting with him, I saw someone we were accepting writing it down for Renee.
That was more than enough.
But all of this crazy once again ruined the good feelings of trying to help. I was getting tired of that.
I was tired of a lot.
10
Friday was the first class Robyn was teaching. Odd to start on a Friday, but we needed to get going and like last month so everyone understood.
Plus, there was a triple wedding Sunday that Cora was making the cakes for, and we needed more decorations… Like immediately. I would do whatever was left with my power and jump in to be visible, but yeah, we needed the hands.
She went over the basics of piping, loading the bags, and putting the tips on. She admitted we were going to work on what we needed but would go back and give demos on which tips worked how and whatnot. I actually thought it was better to do it this way because it was a lot of hand-holding.
Hell, when I had started and was taught, the tips confused me for a while. Sometimes it was better to focus on a few things and really get a feel for it before jumping into more.
She started with a basic five-petal flower that would be mostly little accents on the cakes, like baby’s breath in bouquets. Her technique was flawless. I expected nothing less of someone who taught at such a prestigious school, but what shocked me was how easy she made it seem and was relatable. Most of the places I’d learned at were much haughtier and like you should bow before them.
Then again, this was far from that setting.
Then again, I couldn’t see Robyn ever taking that attitude with people.
It was a productive class, and people seemed really happy with what they learned. It might have only been four flower types, but after a few hours of doing them, they felt confident they could handle it. And that was the main point of training, especially in the early stage.
I smiled when a few of them asked if we had extra supplies so they could practice over the weekend for their next class. We didn’t, but I made it so we had more, saying that we did need more of the flowers for cakes. I gave them only white frosting though since laying out colors in the piping bags wasn’t easy or for first-timers. I could change the color or use them later.
Actually, they would be perfect for them to learn later how to airbrush decorations and Robyn agreed.
Perfect.
We sent them on their way in the bakery van they had driven over in, and each let out a sigh in relief. Robyn and I shared a chuckle at that, and she asked to approve the outline she had for the next several weeks. I agreed, glad she was prepared like that but wanting something to eat as we did. She went out front, and I grabbed us some food and drinks.
Right as I reached the door, I heard her talking to someone in an upset and agitated voice. I rushed to her, setting the tray down when I saw two angry men talking to her, one holding her upper arm way too tightly.
“I said—” she argued, trying to pull away.
“I don’t care what you said or think you should have,” the man holding her snapped. “You will—”
“Remove your hand from her this instant, or I will have you arrested,” I seethed as I joined them. “Gladly arrested.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” he snapped, not even sparing me a look.
Wrong move.
I grabbed his wrist and squeezed until I heard something snap, and he let her go. “You’re in my bakery, breaking my rules by being in here, and assaulting one of my employees. How could it not concern me?”
He grabbed his wrist with a hiss. “I’ll have you arrested for assault.”
I smirked at him. “Please do because I would love to show the security footage of you hurting Robyn.”
“Robyn, outside,” the man ordered like she was a dog. “We’re leaving.”
“Not in this lifetime or the next,” I chuckled darkly. “Who are you to order her around?”
“I’m her father,” he sneered.
“And?” I asked, having figured they were related in some way given all three of them had the same eyes. I snorted when he shot me a look like I was dense. “She’s your daughter, not your slave. I’m sorry no one taught you the basics of how life works, but I don’t own my children and neither do you.”
He ignored me. “Outside, Robyn. Don’t make this worse for yourself.”
I felt her fear and moved her behind me. “How? Are you going to beat her like that monster you sold her to?” He opened his mouth, but I kept going. “And you are breaking the rules of this establishment. I’m not sure how I was unclear on that, but you are, so leave before I call the police.”
“Well, we have good timing,” someone said from behind them.
I chuckled when I saw it was several of the police from the station near us. “You normally do. I was just telling this—”
Robyn’s father ignored me and them, focused on her. “I spoke to your husband. He’s willing to ignore all of this and forgive you if you return home immediately and bring back his son. I’ll even overlook your insanity and hysterics if he will. You’ve made a huge mess for him and the cost—I can’t even imagine, but you will make damn sure it doesn’t land on him, but your emotional breakdown instead.”
“My emotional breakdown?” she whispered, blinking at him.
Then she shocked all of us by moving around me and slapping him across the face.
Hard.
Wow.
“Fuck you, Father,” she sneered. “I know you think I’m nothing because I was born female, but your damn genes determined that. I don’t give a shit you wanted a son or think children are pawns. Mine is not. He beat us and left us unconscious. It’s a miracle I escaped with help, and we were taken in time to the hospital before either of us had damage beyond repair. So no, I’m not going back to that monster.
“You are a monster for even suggesting it for your family. Ignore your feelings about me, he is your grandson. And you are fine with that? I’m having a mental breakdown? Are you fucking insane? You go back to the abusive asshole and be his bitch. I never signed up for that, and I damn well am not being beaten anymore for a family who doesn’t care how I was treated.”
“You call this not being hysterical?” he snapped. “You dared to hit me and blow up in such an embarrassing manner and say you’re not having a breakdown?”
“You’ve hit me enough over the years where you’ve long since had that coming,” she bit out. “You’re the one who came storming in here making all sorts of illegal demands so you can get paid and that monster cover for you. You’re so pathetic that you had to sell your daughter so your business didn’t completely fail and needed me to sell myself back to not go bankrupt. Fucking go bankrupt! You deserve it!”
He raised his hand but then lowered it when several of the officers moved closer.
“Think this is enough for a restraining order?” I purred, smirking at the man.
“You will regret this and brainwashing my daughter from her duty,” he seethed, my death in his eyes. “I always pay people back.”
