Page 40 of When Love Takes Root

“Leilani told her to. I told her too. Whether she listened is between her and God.”

Juice muttered, “God probably tired.” I looked at him. He lifted both hands. “Business owners be hardheaded. I know two personally.”

Onyx’s concern stayed in his shoulders. “She’s trying to keep things moving. Kids. Business. Clients depending on her. Grief don’t stop bills from having due dates.”

I reached for my keys.

Juice looked at me. “Right now?”

“Right now,” I said.

Onyx exhaled like he’d been holding that breath since he parked. “I told Leilani you would.”

“You tell Celeste I’m coming?” I asked.

“Yep.”

Juice stared at him. “With a sparking outlet?”

Onyx replied, “That’s what I said.”

“That’s not a bother,” I said, standing. “That’s a warning.”

I crossed to the side cabinet and grabbed my tester, thermal camera, spare connectors, wire nuts, tape, panel labels, and extra breakers. Juice pushed up from the chair and went toward the bay without being asked.

Juice called out, “Darnell, load the thermal camera and the tall ladder. Marcus, reschedule Finch for after lunch, and tell Mrs. Finch we got a safety call. Don’t say emergency unless you want her praying in tongues over the phone.”

Marcus nodded and reached for the office phone. “Got it.”

Onyx said, “That’s why I didn’t want just anybody.”

I zipped the tool bag and slung it over my shoulder. “You did right.”

He nodded once.

Onyx’s phone buzzed again.

He looked down, and whatever humor remained moved off his face.

Onyx said, “Leilani just texted the lights flickered again.”

I was already walking.

Juice grabbed his keys from the workbench.

Outside, heat rose from the concrete in visible waves, and Onyx’s bike gleamed under the sun beside my truck. I opened the driver’s door and tossed my tool bag into the back seat. Juice came around the passenger side, still trying to wipe a gravy spot off his shirt with a shop towel, somehow making the situation worse.

“You riding behind us?” I asked Onyx.

“I’ll meet y’all there. Leilani told Celeste I was coming too.”

Juice paused with one hand on my truck door. “So we pulling up with an electrician and former boxer, and a police officer?”

Onyx looked at him. “And whatever you are.”

Juice said, “Comic relief with credentials.”

“Get in the truck,” I said.