Free Your Heart's Desire by Melody Carlson Page B

chocolate are delivered and stored.” She pointed to containers, explaining their contents. From there, they went to the actual manufacturing area, where enormous machines were noisily operating. Miss Warner led Caroline to a cordoned-off area, where they could observe the machinery and people at work. “This viewing section is where we bring groups during our tours. Much safer than being down on the floor.”
    “Do you give many tours?” Caroline asked loudly to be heard.
    “Tours became so popular with the public that we scheduled them for Wednesday mornings. But if it’s a client, we give them a private tour at any time, complete with full sampling privileges.”
    “Sampling must help with sales.” Caroline was craving another chocolate.
    “Most definitely.” Miss Warner waved her hand to the large wide-open area that occupied the center of the building. “This is what we call Production and Packaging, and it’s the part of the business that your boss, Mr. Hancock, is in charge of. As you can see, this is where the chocolates are made and boxed.” She pointed out the various machines, explaining what they did, how much they produced, and so many details that Caroline felt slightly overwhelmed.
    “Everything looks very modern and efficient.” Caroline mentally compared it to the leather company, which besides being much older was much dirtier. “And everything looks so sanitary!” Even the assembly line workers appeared clean and tidy in their crisp white uniforms with red trim. And everyone had on neat white caps that completely covered their hair. Many of them wore white gloves as well.
    “We produce a very high-quality product,” Miss Warner said proudly.
    Caroline nodded. “Very impressive.”
    Next Miss Warner took her to Distribution and Delivery, explaining the various ways orders were packaged and shipped. “Most of our chocolates are just stock orders—for larger stores. But we also do special orders for smaller stores. And then we do individual orders, too. Those are shipped by mail anywhere in the U.S.” She pointed to a white and red delivery truck that was currently being loaded. “We run eight trucks now, but Mr. Gordon wants to work up to a dozen by the end of next year.” She glanced at her watch. “Which reminds me—this is New Year’s Eve and the factory will be closing early today, so I better keep us moving. I’ve still got a lot to do before three o’clock.”
    Miss Warner led her to an elevator in the front of the building. “I usually take the stairs,” she said as she pushed the button. “The elevators are for executive personnel. But when we give client tours, I’m allowed to take this elevator. And, since you work for an executive, you get to use it, too.”
    As the doors closed, Caroline observed that the elevator, like the foyer, had a marble floor and handsomely carved wooden walls. Impressive.
    “I think we’ll skip the second floor,” Miss Warner said as she pushed the button for the third floor. “Besides, you already saw some of it when you went to Mr. Stokes’s office. The rest is mostly storage and a few offices for bookkeeping and finances—middle-management stuff.”
    On the third floor, Miss Warner showed Caroline a large employee lunchroom, which overlooked Production and Packaging down below. The sounds and smells of the chocolate production wafted up. She pointed out where employee lockers, restrooms, and even shower rooms were located. Everything was clean and practical, plain and utilitarian.
    “Will I have a locker, too?” Caroline asked eagerly.
    “No, this area isn’t for you. I just wanted you to see it—to get the lay of the land.”
    “Oh…” Caroline wasn’t sure what that meant as she followed Miss Warner back to the elevator. Was it because she was considered a temporary employee until Miss Bentley returned?
    “Now we go up to the executive offices,” Miss Warner said as she pushed the button for the fourth floor in the