Hopefully, the repair holds.
I make my way back to Mike’s Plumbing Shop on the other side of town. He let me borrow the tools in exchange for my passport and twenty bucks. Honestly, I thought it was a solid deal.
When I arrive, I hold up the bag. “Thanks again. I think it’s fixed.”
“Youthink?” Mike asks with a grin.
“I didn’t have you there to double check.”
He laughs. “Sometimes you just do your best and hope you don’t get a second call too close to the last one.”
“Appreciate it,” I say.
He hands my passport back, then grabs a few parts before heading toward his truck.
“Busy season?” I ask.
“Always, especially this time of year.”
I hesitate, then say, “Can I ask you something? Why doesn’t anyone go to the coffee shop?”
“What coffee shop?”
I blink. “The one down past the marina.”
“I didn’t know there was one there. Is it new?”
I laugh. “Yeah, it’s been open for like a week or something. Maybe two? I’ve only been here a few days.”
“I might not be the best one to comment on it, but it might need a bit more marketing, or a bigger sign,” he says. “People are loyal. It might take a little time to get them to see there are options in this town. Get Gina on board, and sales will go through the roof.”
I can see that.
“Hey,” Mike says as I turn to leave. “I had a job get delayed. If you still need plumbing work on that building, I could come by tomorrow afternoon.”
“That would be great. Talia’s been trying to line someone up.”
There’s a flicker of hesitation in his expression. “You’re working with Talia?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure about her?”
My stomach tightens. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“She doesn’t have a ton of experience,” he says carefully. “And her family’s reputation hasn’t been great lately.”
“That was her dad,” I say. “She deserves a shot.”
Mike studies me for a moment. “Fair enough.”
“If it goes badly,” I add, “we’ll fix it. Do it right.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Your company would redo everything?”
“If needed.”
No one here needs to know I own the building. Things get complicated fast when people know too much. I like people talking to Max Luca. It’s a refreshing change from the gold diggers talking to Max Bauer.
