Page 14 of When Love Takes Root

“You feel that?” she asked.

“I do.”

“And you’ve been back here flipping the breakers like you work for Self Ridge Power?” I opened my mouth. She lifted one finger. “Don’t answer that.”

I reset the breaker. A second later, the dryers hummed back to life.

“Come on, Lord,” I whispered. “Help me keep this place standing.”

Leilani didn’t smile.

“Celeste.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t get to ‘I know’ me with your sweet little voice.”

I looked at her.

She softened, but only a little.

“I know Big J used to handle this stuff. But breakers tripping, sparks flying, and that hot smell near the back wall?” She shook her head. “You need an electrician.”

My throat tightened.

Laughter drifted down the hallway from the salon while I stood there, carrying the weight of a business, my children, and a future I never expected to shoulder alone.

Leilani saw it on my face.

“Call somebody.”

“I will.”

“Now.”

“I said I will.”

“Celeste.”

The way she said my name carried years of friendship. She wasn’t trying to control me. She was trying to protect me.

I nodded.

When we stepped back into the salon, the lights were on, but nobody trusted them anymore.

Leilani reached into her purse and handed me a black-and-silver business card. “Here.”

J. Brooks Hardwire Electric & Co.

Josiah Brooks | Master Electrician

“Onyx had him do some work last month,” she said. “Professional. Clean work. Even Jaya noticed how neat everything was.”

Despite myself, I smiled.

Before I could say anything, the dryer on the back row died again with a dramatic wheeze.

The client beneath it threw both hands in the air.