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She shrugged. “I found myself doing a lot of rewiring to support the sculpting and welding, and it was cheaper to learn to do it myself and get licensed, than to keep paying an electrician to come out.”
“And I can take care of the stairs, plus block out enough of the walls and flooring to bring it up to code without damaging the original structure.” Adam had worked for a contractor a few years ago, when he wanted to build the houses he’d designed.
Their offers were fantastic, but I couldn’t take them up on it. I wouldn’t feel right, taking their time without paying them, and I couldn’t afford that right now. “I don’t know if this trend is going to last.” Then there was the cost of supplies. “For all I know, those people this morning were the only ones interested.”
As if the universe didn’t appreciate being challenged, the Addams Family theme filled the shop when someone walked in. “Hello?” they called out. “I’m here about the furniture that was on Adam’s Weird Menagerie?”
There wasn’t much breathing or thinking room, as people continued to trickle in over the next few hours. When Dylan got in, Adam and Brooke vanished downstairs together.
I wanted to follow, but I was negotiating with a woman about my age on the cost of an old trunk.
My being busy didn’t stop my mind from wandering over what kind of things could happen down there when two people were left unattended. The stab behind my ribs wasn’t thej-word. Nope.
I was just concerned about my friends.
NINE
ADAM
“I don’t knowthat you’d make a great Lara Croft.”
Brooke looked at me, brows raised. “Excuse me?” She didn’t sound upset. More confused.
I hadn’t spent a lot of time with her without Deacon being here, so I didn’t know her well. The thing I tried to hide from most people was that I was socially awkward. I never said the right thing at the right time. “Your polygon count is too high.”
Her laugh wasn’t one of thosehow stupid are youlaughs. It sparkled in her eyes and lit up her face. “And here I thought you were going to tell me I didn’t look enough like Angelina Jolie.”
“I mean, you don’t, but that’s not bad.” I should quit while I was ahead. I pointed to the wall that ran between Deacon and Aubrey’s shop. “Breaker box is straight up.”
“Should be easy enough to get to. How likely do you think it is that these walls are up to code, as is? Because I can’t bury electrical in this stone.”
“Do you have to bury it?”
NowBrooke looked puzzled. “I guarantee leaving wires exposed won’t pass inspection.”
“No, but what about hiding them under something like hollowed out trim?” I followed the wall to one corner, doing a moderate check of moisture and trying to gauge temperature. It wasn’t an exact science; I’d still need to do things properly. But this would give me an idea of what kind of work was needed down here, to make the place customer friendly. “I don’t think we have to put new walls over the existing stone.”
When Brooke didn’t answer, I turned back to see her face drawn in thought.
“That’s kind of brilliant, actually. Easy to get to. Easier to move once Deacon has more time to figure out what he wants as a finished product.” She grinned. “I like it.”
This would be easy. Depending on Brooke’s timeline, we could have Deacon sending customers down here within a week. “I need something to sketch this out on. Possible points to set up walls.”
Brooke rummaged in the oversized bag hanging from her shoulder and pulled out a notebook and pen.
“You have a Mary Poppins bag. Nice.” I took the offering and started counting off steps toward the middle of the room.
“It’s not quite as good as Mary Poppins’s bag, but I have a Mom-purse, so close enough.” She walked beside me. “Are you a Tomb Raider fan?”
“I’m a fan of anything even remotely archeological, especially when guns and ancient, vengeful spirits are involved. But my older brother…” The memories rushed back with unexpected potency. The downside to the therapy I’d started recently was that so much of the past floated near the surface, after I’d successfully ignored it for years. “Brandon loved the game. He taught me how to play.”
Seven-year-old me, sitting next to mygrown-upfifteen-year-old brother, who had the patience of a saint back then, just knew I was the coolest second grader ever, as he coaxed me through each level.
I dusted away the discordant blend of happiness and bitterness.
“You okay?” Brooke asked.
“I’m fine. Sometimes the past just catches up to me, you know?”
