Book Two

Chapter One

By this time, George, May, and Niomi arrived in the dining room. They grabbed a table, and when Danny came in, he went straight to her and kissed her forehead. “Morning, love.” She said. “Hey, I need to talk to you about a couple of things.”

“Ok. Is everything all right?”

“Oh, yes. It’s just that I’m starting a business. I was wondering if you’d be my partner. Manage the business side while I do the creative carving side. I know how good you are with numbers.”

“Babe, that sounds like an impressive idea. I finished school this last spring, so I’ll investigate colleges that offer MBA’s and get started on that right away.”

Niomi got a huge grin. May interjected, “So what do you think you guys want to name your business.

They looked at each other. Ni said, “Well, our last name will be Blackmore…and it will be your business too.”

Danny smiled. “But Ni, you are the focus, so the name should reflect that. I think it should be Niomi’s Healing Carvings.”

“But babe,” Ni started. “If you want to show that I’m a part of it, but my last name in and make it Niomi Blackmore’s Healing Carvings. So, I’m there but behind the scenes, which I am.”

“Ok. I love you. I also have another suggestion…perfect, Goldie just walked in.” Ni yelled out and waved her over. “Hey, do you happen to have any drawing things with you, specifically paper and pencil?”

Goldie looked at her like she had just grown a second head. “Of course. Why?”

“Sit and eat with us. I’ll explain, and then we need you to draw. Except it won’t be a piece of clothing…yet she winked. I want to add on to the house. A living space for Danny and me. I’m going to be moving there soon and can use the rooms. But I want to draw out a plan, and you are the one with mad drawing skills.”

“Ok. She grabbed a piece of paper. So, we know downstairs that you walk into the kitchen, which has an island with stools. Then there’s space for a dining table. A living room off that with a sliding door here. Where is the bathroom in relation to the stairs?”

Danny replied. It’s off the other side of the living room, he said as he pointed to the spot on the bottom floor, and the stairs are here. There’s a closet here.”

Goldie drew all that in. She had taken drawing classes, so she knew how to do this kind too. “Is there anything you want to change on this floor?”

“Maybe, but let’s draw the rest of the house and see what we get,” Ni replied.

“OK, so the upstairs does it match it size for size?” Danny nodded. Goldie continued to draw. She drew the large shape on the other side and wrote on the top, Upstairs. So, we know there’s a large office here. Is that staying in an office?”

Ni answered. “Yes, it’s going to be Danny’s. He will be managing the business side of things while I do the carving and healing side. So technically we’ll be partners, but as he said, I’m the focus. We even decided on a name. Niomi Blackmore’s Healing Carvings, and that was Danny’s idea.” She said, blushing a little.

“Well, he’s right. I can draw up a sign too. Danny, if you want to come to the shop later, we can draw something up. So, to finish with this house. The largest room is next to the office with a bathroom off it. Has the purpose of that room changed?”

Ni nodded, “It’s my workspace. I have several tables set up. I’m not sure about the bathroom. I only use it to use the toilet and get water. But I use purified water.”

“How do you purify the water?” Goldie asked.

“Usually, I get distilled water, but I get the impurities all taken out.”

Goldie looked at Danny and asked, “Is there a way to do that?”

“We could put a filter under the sink, so that when you turn it on, it comes out that way. No boiling needed.”

“What kind of filter?” Niomi asked.

This is where George spoke. “It’s called a reverse osmosis filter. I installed one under the sink in the garage. You can just have that one. In fact, I’ll install it today.”

“Perfect, thanks, daddy. That will cut a lot of time and money. I’ve been buying distilled water since I started working over there. Big jugs of course, but buying nonetheless.”

“Not a problem.”

“So, this room is your workroom. Do you want any seating in case you need to sit? Cause we can draw that in too.”

“There is room. Maybe?”

Danny suggested, “Babe, you don’t want to sleep where you work. So, how about you put a couple of chairs by the fireplace with a table so you can take a break to eat, and I can eat with you. We can move the tables back into this space, he pointed out, and put the chairs and table here. Comfortable ones.” He said as he laid out a suggestion for the room.

“I like that. But after I’m finished with the current project, then we can move the tables.”

“That’s fine, love.”

Goldie smiled. They were perfect together. “Ok, how many rooms are on this side?”

Again, Danny answered. “Three. The middle one is a traditional bathroom. The other two used to be an office and a bedroom.

“Wow, Danny, you know this house pretty well.”

“Don’t forget I was there that day, and I’ve been doing some work here and there.”

“Oh, right. So, the middle was a bathroom. Bedroom here?” she pointed at the end of the hall. Danny nodded. “I think that would be a good room for shelves and Rock storage. We can add extra ceiling lights for extra light. And turn the closet into a shelving unit and take the door completely off. The position of the shelves in that room can be decided when they are obtained and installed. Ok, the first room, what’s that room going to be?”

“I wanted a meditation space,” Ni said hopefully.

“Make it a meditation space,” Danny said decisively.

“Where will you two live?” Goldie asked, looking at all the spaces.

Ni said, “Go back to the main floor and change the sliding doors to solid doors. Draw a large room like my workroom with a bathroom and a living room. I want a spiral staircase to an upper living space with a bathroom and room or two for kids.”

Goldie smiled, and so did her parents. But Goldie suggested something else. Instead of the living room being downstairs. Why don’t we do this? We put all the bedrooms and the extra bathroom on the same floor. Use the spiral staircase to go upstairs to the living room. That way, when you do have kids, you don’t have to run upstairs and possibly hurt yourself. You can also put a sign on this door saying private.”

Danny and Ni looked at each other. “I like that idea. What do you think, honey? This will be our home, and it will also save us some money as we’ll have to have it built. Maybe the pack can help, as they usually assign the housing. We can take it to Alpha.”

“I do too. I still have school, though.” Ni said sadly.

“Then let me do it. I don’t have school.” Danny said.

Ni smiled and gratefully said, “Ok, thanks.”

“I’ll have an answer by lunchtime,” Danny said.

Goldie drew it all out, the main floor and top. With an extra door to go out the back for wolves to run. She put it just before the rooms. But outside of Dan and Ni’s room. Once she was done. She handed it over to Danny. Ok, now I’m going to go eat with my fiancé. See you later, probably closer to my wedding or in between mine and Felicia’s? I can’t believe it’s on Sunday!! I hear they are going to start decorating on Saturday. We have the rehearsal on Saturday after dinner. Danny, can you confirm that for us?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks, see you all later,” Goldie said as she disappeared.

“Well, it’s time for me to go to school. I’ll see you later, love,” kissing his cheek on her way out the door. “By mom and dad.”

Danny was about to get up when she said, “Hold on, we want to talk to you.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“We are getting Ni a new truck, nothing flashy, as that’s not what she wants. But we are getting her signs for her truck. Promoting her business. Well, your guys’ business. What do you have, and do you plan on getting signs for it? We are also planning on moving Ni in on Saturday. So, there might be a bed or something for her to sleep on in either the living room or your office.”

“The office would be better. Because if they start right away, and she decides to sleep, it might disrupt her. As for my truck, it’s midsize with a cab. I am pretty sure you can get one like yours with a cabin to ask. Because we’ll need seats to put kids in.” Danny said thoughtfully.

George smiled and said, “Son, you keep that up, and I think you will, you are going to be a good mate and husband to our daughter. I am glad to leave her in your hands. Now go talk to Alpha Ben.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Call me George or dad.” Instructed George.

“Ok, George,” Danny said before he left.

George and May had finished long ago and had watched the kids grow up. So they got up and headed to the nearby dealership. They specialized in cars and trucks that the pack so often bought. Unless there was a special order. Which they also did. When they got there, they found a salesman. “Good morning, folks. My name is Jim; how can I help you today?”

“We are looking for a truck for our daughter. Silver if you have one smaller than midsize with a cab, as she’s going to be putting rocks in the back of bed and future kids in the cab.”

“Planning, that’s smart thinking.”

“It was her and her mate’s idea. We also want to get some signs made for their doors, but aren’t sure where to go to do that.”

“I’ll give you the card of the place here in the pack. He does a great job. As for the truck, I think I understand what you want. Let me show you a few of the silver ones. We are looking for New or used?”

“Prefer new. You never know what a used one has been through, no matter how well it’s fixed.”

“I totally understand, got a pup myself,” Jim said, not insulted in the slightest. The first one he showed them was a beautiful one. But George asked him questions about the engine, safety, and wanted to see the cab and engine. Secretly, George liked this one, but he wanted to see what Jim would show them next.

The next one he showed him was a little bigger than his own because it had a cab. But it was a full-size cab. With a good-sized bed in the back. It was simple but still had all the bells and whistles it should. After looking at all the things he had looked at on the earlier truck. He said, “We’ll get this one. We’re buying it for her, but want it in her name. Is there a way to do that?”

“Yes, sir. We usually clean it and get it ready to pick up, and at that time, sign the title. She can sign it then.”

“Ok. Let’s go take care of the money part of it.”

On their way to the office, May linked George, “George, do we really have the money to just buy it?”

“I’ve been saving a while for this. So yes, we have more than enough. Plus, there will be extra. Enough to get them the signs and pay for the first year’s insurance on it.” May just smiled big. You are so smart for thinking ahead.”

By the time they had their conversation, they had arrived at the office. As they started the paperwork. May knew most of the information, so she answered. While she did that, George transferred the money over to his main account and closed Niomi’s car account all at the same time. By the time they got to the how are you going to pay for this question. George said. “Debit. I’ve been saving for a while. I just transferred the money while you and May did the rest of the paperwork. Here’s the card.” Jim’s face widened, and he had a look of shock, and decided he’d do the same for his kid.

“George, when did you start saving? That’s a great idea, and I want to do it for my kid.”

“I started when she was about nine or ten. How old is yours?”

“Seven.”

“It’s never too early, Jim,” George said with a smile.

Jim decided he’d use part, if not all, of this commission to start that account. Because if the customer paid it off at the time of the sale, he got a bonus. He took the paperwork and the card to the car, which was paid for. If they financed he could do that at his desk. But not full payment. His coworker looked at him in surprise and said, “Really, Jim? They did?”

“Yup, I was surprised too. Said he’d been saving for this since his kid was about nine or ten years old. Going to do the same thing for my kid. Even though he’s only 7. It’s never too early. So I’m going to use a good part of the money from this sale to start it.”

“That is a great idea. I’m doing that too after I talk to my mate about it.” She laughed. “Here, you go. Tell them the pick-up usually takes two to three days. Oh, wait, there’s that wedding on Sunday. I’ll see how early they can get it done and call your desk.”

“Ok, thanks. I’m stopping by the manager’s office on the way to let him know.” Jim said as he walked away. Luckily, the manager’s office was indeed on the way. “Sir?” he questioned as he knocked on the door frame.

“Hey Jim, what’s up?”

“I just sold a silver pickup with a full-size cab, brand new, to a couple.”

“Ok, how is that special?

“They had been saving for this and bought it outright in full.”

“What? wow. Congratulations on your bonus. So, if everything is paid for, what’s going on?”

“That wedding is on Sunday, everyone shuts down, and we are all invited. Plus, I think the young lady who is going to be the title holder is in the wedding.”

“Brand new. What does it need?”

“Probably gas…I don’t really know.” Answered Jim

“I’ll make a call.” Thanks, sir, with that Jim continued to his office. Where he found George softly snoring and his wife in an obvious mind link.

In the mind link, May was talking to Luna about the decision they had made last night. And everything that went down while they were talking.

“Wow, that is a lot. You did the right thing. I am also proud of you, May. Yes, Danny is with Alpha now. Do you want me to link him?”

“No, I think these two have it under control. Though Niomi wants to take the GED test and does not want to finish. Her arguments were logical. I just don’t want to lose my little girl yet. Luna, I don’t know what to do. Should I just let her, instead of waiting almost 2 weeks? Danny’s done, so he’s going to start earning his MBA as he’s going to manage the paperwork part. And she’s doing the healing, creative part. They are going to be partners. They will be a great team as mates, husband and wife, and business partners. They plan on building their house at the back of the workspace. That is why they are going to Alpha as he assigns housing. They're hoping that Alpha will help build it instead of assigning a house.”

“It’s a smart plan. I will go in and weigh in my opinion. Thank you, May.”

When May came out, George was still sleeping, and Jim was doing paperwork quietly. “Jim, did they say anything yet?”

“My manager told me he’d make a call. It could be as early as today and as late as tomorrow. Do you want to call the sign guy from here while you wait?”

“Yes, I do.” May looked in her purse pockets. Damn, she forgot it at home. Her husband was sleeping. Oh well. She bumped him.

“Huh, mmm?” he said, half asleep.

“Give me your phone. I left mine at home.” May said. He reached into his pocket and gave it to her, and promptly went back to sleep.”

As she was getting ready to dial, Jim said, “Here’s your card back. My manager was also surprised that you guys paid in full. He said not many can do that. Asked me how, and when I told him, he said huh. My other coworker asked the same question. I know she’s got a kid too. She said she’s going to do the same. You two may have started a smart trend.”

“Thank you, and I’ll need that. There’s enough to do a year’s worth of insurance and the signs. Do you have the information to get the insurance?”

“Yes, ma’am. The door sizes are this…” Jim said, " Write a number down.

“Would you know the doors of a mid-size pickup truck with a cab?”

“They should be the same. Do you know who bought it?”

“The young man who owns it is Danny Blackmore. I don’t know if his parents bought it or what.”

“I’ll look and have the door size by the time you have told them the design, and her truck doors I’ll have his.”

“Thank you, Jim. You have been very helpful. Ma’am, not only have you taught me a valuable thing, but you got me a bonus too. Your tool is going to spread like wildfire through this dealership.”

May just smiled. As she dialed the place Jim had given her the card to. Once they answered, May said, “Hello, I have two pickups I would like to order signs for. They are business signs.”

“What are you thinking, ma’am?”

“Please call me May. The name of the business is Niomi Blackmore’s Healing Carvings.”