Page 43 of Fragile Sanctuary

“You’ll get him fixed up,” Felix assured me.

I tugged the piece of paper out of a file folder. “I hope so. That’ll be six hundred thirty-six dollars and thirteen cents.”

“Jesus,” he muttered. “She really went to town.”

I bit back my laugh. “I hope you brought your truck.”

Felix handed me his credit card. “I have a feeling that’s why she asked me to run thislittle errandfor her.”

“She always was a smart woman.”

I could feel Felix’s eyes on me as I punched in the amount on the credit card machine without looking up.

He shuffled his feet, his boots scraping against the cement floor. “Heard you’re back at your parents’ place.”

“Small towns,” I muttered. “Nothing’s secret.”

Felix chuckled, the sound warm and easy. “I’m glad for you. I know it has to be a mixed bag, but I think it’s good you can finally go home again.”

I lifted my gaze to his. “Thank you.” I was pretty sure he was the first person to tell me he was happy for me. And, God, I’d needed that more than I realized.

Felix took his credit card back from me. “If you need an extra set of hands for anything, just let me know.”

“Will do.”

I watched as he headed out of the greenhouse, his words swirling in my head.It’s good you can finally go home again.

Itwasgood. I just had to make it through the hard to get to that good. Panic attacks and all.

13

ANSON

“You sure thisdrywall has to come out?” Owen asked, his voice raised to carry through his mask.

I jerked my head in a nod. “It’s all gotta go.”

“Fuck, man,” he whined. “It’s gonna take us all day tomorrow. There’s not even fire damage.”

Annoyance ate at me. It was always the same with Owen. He wanted to cut corners or thought he knew more than everyone else. I sure as hell wouldn’t want him working on my house without supervision.

I picked up my crowbar and placed it between the seams of drywall. I freed the panel with two hard cranks and tossed it to the side, revealing the framing. It was covered with soot and who knew what other things from the fire. Leaving this sort of thing behind could mean serious health risks to the residents of the home. Not to mention the fact that we needed to make sure there hadn’t been actual damage to the frame.

Silas let out a low whistle as he crouched low to examine theframing. “I can’t believe the smoke made it all the way to the other side of the house.”

“It’s just smoke,” Owen grumbled.

“Smoke that can mean serious health implications if it’s not cleaned properly,” I snapped.

“Whatever. It’s five. I’m calling it.” He headed for a side door without asking if it was okay.

That was part of the problem with Shep’s company getting so busy. He wasn’t always around, and Owen didn’t follow the rules unless Shep forced him to.

Silas pushed to his feet. “Don’t worry about him. He has a hangover from hell today, that’s all.”

I didn’t care what the reason was. I cared whether Owen did his job. “I want you on treatment tomorrow. Owen can pull drywall.”

Silas’s brows lifted. “He’s gonna be pissed.”

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