Page 14 of Foxer Upper (Harmony Glen #8)
GABE
“I have a great idea!” Maggie comes bouncing into the store, a bundle of sunshine and energy.
My day is immediately better.
“Hey, vixen, what’s up?” I saunter over and plant a casual kiss on her, making her giggle.
“Well, you know how I adapted my reno plans to accommodate monsters? That is” — she turns pink — “to accommodate you, specifically?”
“Of course.”
“Well, what if you and I hosted a workshop here explaining how to do that? Basically, the tools and renovations required to adapt a home for a mixed monster-human household. I think the population of Harmony Glen would be really interested in that kind of information.
“And the ones who aren’t especially handy could hire you—or us!—to do the work, if you’re interested. Assuming it’s successful, we could post something similar on my channels. Teach people across the country—across the world—how to do this stuff.”
“You really think people would attend that?” I ask.
She looks surprised. “Of course! Look around—the store is always pretty busy. People enjoy shopping here. If we post some flyers around town and recruit friends to spread the message, I think it’ll be pretty easy to attract a crowd.
“And if by some chance people don’t show, then at least we’ll know there isn’t much interest. But after your success at the Harvest Festival, I’d guess there are plenty of people who are interested in inclusivity in design.”
I consider it. It’s an interesting idea, and could do a lot for my business. For the most part, I don’t do a ton of handyman stuff these days—just the occasional job—and sometimes I miss it. This could give me the opportunity to get back into it.
As long as I don’t have to organize it. Event planning is not my forte.
“Okay, vixen, I trust you. If you’re game to plan it and tell me what you need from me, I’m willing to try. Who knows, it could be fun.”
Her smile turns up to a thousand watts. “Perfect. This is gonna be great, you’ll see.”
MAGGIE
It takes me more than a month, in between my house renovation projects, to organize the workshop, which I set for the first week in February. As planned, I manage to hang fliers around town, advertising the event.
Gillian and Vienne each let me put one in their respective establishments, and of course Laney is cool with me hanging one at Harmony Tea and Treats.
Dr. Khoran allows me to place a flyer at the vet clinic, and Seb has no problem putting one on the community notice board at the library.
I even persuade Mack to let me hang one in his front window.
I’ve organized the event into two parts: First will be a general discussion about specialized tools and renovation suggestions for modifying the home.
We’ll cover everything from specialized oven and fridge doors (good for claws); to magnetic door closures (essential for tails); to multi-height sinks and light switches (imperative for the extra short or tall); to specialty flooring that works for paws, claws, and feet.
We’ll talk about aesthetics too, so that attendees can get ideas on how to make these changes in ways that blend and enhance the home, rather than looking like clumsy add-ons.
I even have suggestions for floor pillows and low furniture for nagas and other snake creatures.
I’ve really done my best to make it as inclusive as I can.
Part two will feature interactive stations.
Attendees can—among other things—practice widening a sample door; create and execute a fire escape plan that works for all members of the home, human and monster; and learn how to install different types of fencing, depending on homeowner and property needs.
We’ll show them how specialty tools work and even do some demonstrations.
And that’s not all! As extra incentives, we’ll offer goody bags to everyone who comes, which will include custom measurement guides, a resource list of local craftspeople, and coupons to Harmony Hardware.
I’ll also throw in a discount code to anyone who wants to subscribe to exclusive content about this stuff on my sites.
Even though Gabe already rents out power tools, he agrees to experiment with a lending library for smaller specialty tools, and we decide to offer occasional consultation hours at Harmony Hardware for those looking to improve their skills.
Further, we’ll be available for in-home assessments to any residents of Harmony Glen who want customized advice about how to adapt their home to make it more inclusive. If everything goes well, I’ll even make an online community forum and plan future workshops.
And I’m certain it will go well. Gabe and I are a powerhouse team, and the number of mixed households in town is on the rise. Together, there’s no way we can fail.
MAGGIE
Gabe and I are sitting on my couch for movie night, sipping hot chocolate, petting Jasper, and occasionally making out, when we’re interrupted by my phone. My text alert dings, and when I check, I see the message is from Juliet, my favorite cousin.
Long story, but lost my job and house. Staying with mom, but she’s driving me nuts. Can I crash with you for a bit before we stab each other?
That seems vaguely worrying, but I trust Juliet. She has the looks of a supermodel and the brain of a Jeopardy! champion. She would never drop in like this unless she absolutely had to. I text her back.
Of course. Send me your ETA when you have it.
Without thinking, I get up and examine the bonus room, wondering where I can move all the stuff to make room for her. After a moment, I feel Gabe come up behind me, pressed against my back.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“That was my cousin, Juliet. She needs a place to stay for a little while. I’m trying to figure out where to put all this stuff so she doesn’t have to sleep on the couch.”
He’s silent for a moment, thinking, and then speaks. “The apartment over the hardware store is empty. The furnishings are pretty minimal, but there’s a bed, and everything is safe and clean. If she doesn’t mind the downstairs noise, she’s welcome to stay there for a while.”
“That’s perfect!” I whirl around and jump into his arms, sending him staggering back a few steps before he finds his balance. Grabbing his face, I plant a smacking kiss on his lips.
“That’s one of the things that made me fall in love with you, you know,” I say. “Your generosity.”
His eyes twinkle and his brows shoot up. “You’re in love with me?”
“Of course I am, dum dum. How could I not be?”
He squeezes me tighter. “That’s perfect, because I’m in love with you.”
I grin at him. “Well, duh. Again, how could you not be? We’re perfect together.” After a moment I step out of his embrace and turn back to my storage room.
“Hey, you know what’s in here? Among other things?”
“What’s that?”
“My Christmas decorations! Any interest in helping me put up the tree? Now that the interior of the house is mostly done, I feel good about decorating for the holidays. I mean, sure, I still need to do some painting and tiling, but I won’t be tearing down any more walls or sanding any more floors. I think it’s time to get festive!”
“As if I could resist your enthusiasm,” he says. “Point the way to the decorations.”