Page 99 of Medium
Luckily for me, Rory was flanked by Manny and Pia, so I didn’t have to sit next to him and risk getting any physical payback. Carlyle had vanished, and Ms. Jackson had gone to the backyard and was climbing into the hammock. Ellis aimed for the chair next to Manny, so I sat between him and Arch.
Manny pointed at the casserole dish in the middle of the table. “Help yourself.”
It smelled incredible. “Thanks, Manny. I appreciate you taking care of us.”
He lifted one shoulder. “I like to keep busy.”
Arch pushed back from the table. “Thanks for the food. I need to go meet my team. They’ll be infiltrating the area over the course of the afternoon.” He hesitated. “I’ll let you know what Dominic says about the ghosts helping tomorrow.”
“They helped Rory rescue me, Uncle Arch. I couldn’t see them, but they killed the cameras and made sure we didn’t run into any security guards.”
Arch raised his eyebrows at Pia. “Really? They can take out cameras?”
Rory rolled his eyes, much like his grandfather had done earlier. “Yes. I would’ve told you if you’d asked how they could help. They can destroy any electronics. That’s how we stopped the vampires’ van to get Ellis back. The ghosts fried the electrical system.”
I leaned into Ellis in case the reminder was unpleasant for him, but he just kept eating. I wasn’t sure what all Manny had put into the casserole, but I was feeling more awake and energized by the minute.
“Huh.” Arch picked up his plate and took it to the sink. “That’ll help convince Dominic.”
Nobody walked him to the front door.
We ate in silence for a few minutes, then, just as I felt him brace himself through the bond, Ellis said, “We should probably talk about a plan for our meeting with Mr. Yamamoto.”
I waited for the panic to come, but it didn’t. I took one more bite of the casserole—I really hoped Manny made it again one day—then swallowed and said, “I’m going to treat it like all the other site visits I’ve done in the past. Walk the area, take measurements, get a soil sample, and talk to the client about what he wants. Then we’ll come home, research plants anddelivery costs, and put a quote together.” Now that I wasn’t freaking out, I was surprised at how easy it’d be to do on my own. I’d have to hire laborers for the actual planting, but if Ellis and Rory would help with the office work, we should be able to make a profit.
Ellis pulled out his phone and started making notes. “Do you know the suppliers in the area?”
“Of course. I have good relationships with several.”
We discussed the logistics for a few more minutes. Pia, obviously bored by our conversation, excused herself to go play video games.
Oh, shit. “Pia, will you be okay for a couple of hours if we leave you here with Ms. Jackson?” I glanced out the window to make sure there was still a tiger in my hammock. “Manny has to go to work, and we have a meeting.”
“Duh.” Her back was to us, so we didn’t have to see the eye roll. She might as well be related to Rory and his grandfather.
The Akagi Inc. office complex sprawled over several acres. The owners, I knew from previous visits, preferred a park-like atmosphere between the buildings to give their employees a mental break from the stresses of their jobs.
As we drove in, I automatically checked on the landscaping Fredericks & Son had put in near the entrance and around the other buildings. The area Mr. Yamamoto had called about was toward the side of the property that faced the main road leading to the entrance. Right now the area was completely grass, but we had the opportunity to put in something eye-catching for the people in their cars to look at.
I’d made us stop at a Build Barn on the way to pick up some supplies, like a measuring wheel and a few soil test kits. Over my objections, Rory paid for everything, and Ellis tucked away the receipt.
Mr. Yamamoto was waiting for us in the parking lot next to the grassy area. He seemed delighted to meet Rory and Ellis, and he shook my hand with both of his. “I could not be more pleased to be working with you directly, particularly now I know the designs we already have are yours.” He gestured at the rest of the complex.”
“Oh, uh, thank you. We’re excited about the opportunity to bid on this project. Um, what did you have in mind?”
Mr. Yamamoto had been thinking along the same lines I was. “Something that stands out. Native plants, if possible, like the rest of the grounds, but I’d like a lot of color so people will remember where we are when they drive by.”
I walked over to the grass and knelt to see what the soil looked like underneath. “I’ll have to research the plants, but I had an idea the other day.... What would you think about two species that appear similar during the summer, but one is evergreen and the other will flower but also have leaves that change color and die back in the winter. Then, the evergreen plants are in the shape of your logo, and the surrounding plants will change over time to set it off differently each season.” Fortunately their logo was a circle with a few lines through it. Nothing difficult to create with plants.
Mr. Yamamoto smiled. “I love that idea.”
“Great. I’ll see what plants we’d need and make it one of the options we submit.”
Rory helped me measure the area and take soil samples, and Ellis made notes. Then he took over ending the meeting,telling Mr. Yamamoto we’d get him the quotes next week along with a proposed schedule.
I was on cloud nine on the way back home. I could do this. I could make this happen.
Ellis was smiling as well. “I’ve run the numbers, and, depending on how many projects you think we can handle in a year, I think we have the makings of a viable business.”
