Page 51 of Stronger Than Blood

Chapter forty-seven

Rory

The weeks sped by as I helped Christian, our contractor, do the reno on the building. When he’d finished the apartment, which, incidentally, Kalinda had yet to stay in, he told us his next contract had fallen through when the couple who’d hired him split up.

There were a ton of odds and ends that needed to be done before we could open, so we’d hired him to get it done.

Of course, we already knew where we wanted to put the equipment, and after having an inspector come out, recommended by Mr. Roark, we were aware of what had to be done before we could have the common area set up.

We’d also decided to turn the basement into a party space, and luckily, there was enough clearance that we could add a driveway and parking down there, then open it up to the outside.

Unfortunately, though it had high ceilings, the basement was a total mess, so that’s where Christian spent most of his time.

With Mick’s help, we were able to do all the painting on the main level, and with the wall from the front removed and new glass in place to display our distillery equipment, we were almost ready to go.

I loved working with Mick. The more time we spent together, the more my heart seemed to become entangled with his.

Kalinda and I were spending our contribution on the renovation, while Ida and Mick’s investment would buy the equipment. They had needed to sell Eddie’s stash to do that.

When Jonah called, telling Mick the legal stuff was handled, I was so excited I was ready to burst. “This… well, it’s a dream come true,” I said as Mick snuggled in.

My God, I loved when he did that. I felt whole when he was cuddled up against me, and having learned our venture was a full go made it even better.

We’d saved a little of Eddie’s homebrew and had waited until the sale went through and Jonah had assured Mick the funds had been deposited before we had our party.

Mrs. Ida was improving by the day. Of course, though still not physically at her top form, she ran her house now like I’m sure she always had… with an iron fist. Kalinda was always close at hand, but the two were almost independent of each other these days.

So, although Mrs. Ida said she had no interest in drinking anything besides a little sweet wine, she joined us at her brother's newly converted building. She gasped when she walked in, and for the first time since I’d met her, she wiped an eye as a tear spilled over.

“Oh, Eddie would’ve been so proud,” she said, and I glanced over at Kalinda, who was looking at the corner of the building, smiling. I’m sure she was seeing him, and if her smile was any indication, he was, in fact, happy with how things had turned out.

“Come back here,” Mick said, pushing Mrs. Ida’s wheelchair toward the safe. “We’re gonna call this the tasting room, and if you’re a special guest, you’ll be allowed to come in and taste the fruits of our labors.”

Mrs. Ida stood up, with help from Mick, and walked into the small but quaint space we’d created in the former safe. “This is where Uncle Eddie would’ve likely conducted his business,” Mick said. “It seemed appropriate that we do so as well.”

“He’d like that. I have no doubt he’d have loved all this.”

We drove Mrs. Ida around the back and showed her the new entrance into this part of the building and how we’d converted the basement into a party space, which she oohed and aahed over appropriately.

Then Mick drove her back while the rest of us climbed back upstairs just as Essie and Bev came in to join us.

Once we were all settled in the safe, we pushed Mrs. Ida up to one of the tables, and Kalinda poured her a little soda from the fridge.

The idea was that the cold sodas could be used for mixed drinks when our high rollers came in for tastings.

I gave Mick the jar of Eddie’s good stuff, and he poured everyone a shot glass of the last of Eddie’s stash.

“Here’s to all the adventures this room has seen, to Uncle Eddie, who made all this possible, and to Granny Ida, who let us do all this, even if she does think drinking spirits is devilish.”

Mrs. Ida gave her great-grandson a look but then smiled. “Here, here!” she said and downed her soda while we all tossed back the aged and very strong shine, causing us all to gasp and have to wipe tears from the strength of the alcohol.

That night, people came by to visit. Brenda and Essie brought food from the restaurant, which we put out on a white folding table we’d yet to return to the church, and everyone ate, talked, and toured the building.

I could tell Mrs. Ida was getting tired, and I was about to suggest we take her home when Bev asked to speak with us.

I groaned, afraid she was going to say she wasn’t going to work with us after all, but instead, she and Essie stood side by side, looked at Kalinda, and sighed.

“We… well, I’m going to be spending a lot of hours here, and Essie is working over at the restaurant with Brenda, and we could use a space that’s close to town. ”

Kalinda finished speaking for her. “You’d like to rent my apartment?” she asked.

I glanced at Ida and Mick to see what they thought of the ‘my’ part of that statement, but neither seemed to have noticed.

“We… well, since you aren’t living there, I thought—”

“Yes, you are welcome to, but eventually, I may have to join you in this building. However, I’ve already talked to Christian, and he said he can create another apartment upstairs, since we aren’t using the space for anything business-related.”

Essie and Bev hugged and squealed, which was weird coming from Essie, who was the type of person who looked like a squeal had never come out of her mouth before.

“So, can we move in now?” Bev asked.

“You can move in whenever, since I’ve yet to officially use it,” Kalinda said, pulling a key off her chain and handing it to the women.

I wondered if it made Kalinda sad, but as usual, she didn’t seem to be that surprised about their question. She’d even talked to Christian about adding the extra apartment up there. Which, to be honest, was an excellent idea.

That night, as I cuddled Mick, he told me he’d let his landlord know he was moving out of his apartment as well. Since the night we burned the mojo bag, the entity hadn’t made an appearance, and Mick and I usually spent the night in his room at Mrs. Ida’s house.

“It just doesn’t make sense to keep that apartment when I have this and prefer to spend my time here with you.”

“I agree. I’m glad you feel comfortable.”

“Know what would make me more comfortable?” he asked.

I smiled. “Oh, yeah, and if we’re quiet—”

He shook his head but laughed. “No, that too, but why don’t you move out of the hotel and stay here with me and the rest of us? If you want, we can make the back room yours.”

“No, I’m good with wherever you are, and yes, I’d love to, but should we ask your granny first?”

He chuckled. “No, Rory, it was her idea.”