"Yes. Very much so. You're the last one I had to talk to. And if you know where to call to get towels cheap, and also a washer and dryer, I'd appreciate your help on that as well." Grady read over the rest of the notes as Jorden continued. "I was going to ask you yesterday, but I got sidetracked. Again."
He liked what was written. The people would pay for their items by helping out around the building. Sweeping up. Taking out the trash. There was going to be a place for them to take a shower, and Kenton had volunteered his time in a makeshift clinic as well. Gavin had written that computers could be added at some point to help with skill sets. There was even an addition that his mom had written in for crafts, something that they could do to sell in one of the local shops when they were opened.
"I'm in." Jorden grinned at him. "I haven't any idea what I can do to help out, but you can count on me for more than just the towels and a washer and dryer. Maybe I can fix up some old computers for them, like Gavin suggested, and bring them in. Or, I don't know, teach some of them how to use the ones you might already have."
"We don't have any, and I was hoping that we could count on you for that part. This is great. I think this money will go a long way in not just getting this set up, but to keep it going for a while as well." He stood up, then stopped as he made his way to the door. "By the way, I've heard through the grapevine that Doug Norton and Norton Computers is going under. And I think it was because they lost the contract with the university. I guess that was a big money maker for him."
"Yes, it was. I got a call from the university this morning when I got home. Apparently, they figured out that I wasn't working for Norton any longer and cut ties with him. Mr. Shipley, the guy that runs the department, said that Doug was telling him that I was on vacation, and that as soon as I returned he'd send me right over." There was more to the conversation than that, but Grady didn't tell Jorden. But he'd bet anything his brother knew. "I'm going to help them out. I don't know if I want to sign a contract yet, but they've asked me to come in and fix a few things for them. Also, just between us, they've asked me to teach a few classes as well. Some adult learning things. I haven't said yes yet, but I'm thinking about it. It would only be a couple of nights a week, and I'd get benefits. I could take some classes there as well, I was told."
"You should do it, Grady. You're very good at computers. Not to mention, you can really make a difference in someone's life if they learn to use a computer when they've never done it before. One more thing. You should know that Harper's sister knows she's here. Not with you, but in the area. Apparently there was a thing in the paper about the break-in at the hotel and that she was in town. Harper was mentioned as someone that had been hurt. I'd keep her close if I were you." Grady said that was the plan he had as well. "Douglas said that you've got him looking into things for her about the pregnancy, as well as how it had happened."
"Yes. He's already found two of the people that worked at this clinic where she was taken. They treated her well for the most part, but it was still against her will. I guess he's trying to get the video of her stay there as well, in the event that this goes to court." Jorden nodded. "I have a favor to ask you, too. I don't have any idea of what sort of things Harper needs to work in what she does, but do you still have that wheel around? I'd like to buy it from you if you want to get rid of it."
"I have it set up in my studio, as a matter of fact. Why don't you bring her by after her appointment with Kenton, and we can see what else she needs? Whatever it is, I'm sure that I can find it for her. There is even a kiln there should she want to use it until we can get her something bigger and better. Christ, Grady, do you have any idea how famous your mate is?" He said that he'd not had the chance to look yet. "Trust me when I tell you, her name brings people from all over to buy her pieces. I was actually thinking of asking her to share my studio with me. And a gallery if I open one."
"I think that she was going to ask you the same thing, if she could work there with you. I don't know about the gallery part; you'll have to work that out with her, but she's excited to be working with the famous Jorden McCade." Grady laughed when his brother's face turned a nice shade of pink. "I tell you, watching the two of you fall all over each other is hilarious."