Lana always carried a pouch of gems, but she didn’t usually wear jewelry hiking. For some reason she felt like wearing malachite today, so she pawed through two jewelry boxes, pulled out a malachite ring and pendant, and a cuff bracelet with a massive oval malachite that spanned the width of her wrist. No outfit was complete without jewelry, she told herself with a grin as she threaded the pendant onto a sterling chain. (Beyond the Forest, Chapter 2)
She slid the gem tray into the showcase, yanked the glass door shut, and glanced over her shoulder at the closed office door. Arlene Dietz had come in, finally, at four o’clock, and had seen the customers waiting, but had gone straight to her office—and stayed there. Lana shook her head. What kind of manager acted that way?
Lana sprayed glass cleaner on the jewelry counter and rubbed savagely. The damp paper towel’s shrill squeak, squeak, squeak matched her mood. In a few months, when she was manager, she wouldn’t hide in the office and let the staff do all the work. Taking over the store at twenty-two, fresh out of gemology school, would be a big responsibility, but if she didn’t assume ownership, Dad would sell the store, ending five generations of Grayson ownership. She couldn’t let that happen. (Beyond the Forest, Chapter 1)
She slid the gem tray into the showcase, yanked the glass door shut, and glanced over her shoulder at the closed office door. Arlene Dietz had come in, finally, at four o’clock, and had seen the customers waiting, but had gone straight to her office—and stayed there. Lana shook her head. What kind of manager acted that way?
Lana sprayed glass cleaner on the jewelry counter and rubbed savagely. The damp paper towel’s shrill squeak, squeak, squeak matched her mood. In a few months, when she was manager, she wouldn’t hide in the office and let the staff do all the work. Taking over the store at twenty-two, fresh out of gemology school, would be a big responsibility, but if she didn’t assume ownership, Dad would sell the store, ending five generations of Grayson ownership. She couldn’t let that happen. (Beyond the Forest, Chapter 1)