empty planting pallets sitting on top.
Erik glanced up. "With this." He reached to the back of one of the raised beds and grabbed a long stick to demonstrate how to open a venting panel.
Brody took the time to duck down and inspect the lower shelves. There was nothing he could see. "You said you had irrigation?"
"Yeah, over here." Erik showed him the small control panel and the hose system which worked through each of the beds.
"This is amazing." Brody stood with his arms crossed.
"And it isn't hard to do. You can get smaller ones, but you've met Clare. Only the best will do." Erik shrugged and glanced at the house.
"I'm that one in our relationship. Amber was content living in a tiny ranch-style house. The backyard was the biggest thing about the place where she used to live." He smiled at the memory of Gage catching the football. Damn, he really wanted to see his son again in person, not on FaceTime or a voice call with him on the phone, although he was seeing sides of Gage it probably would have taken a few months to discover. He was a good kid, watched out for his friends and had his priorities right. He loved to play, was a good student, and was good to his family. He knew this because his entire family had been texting him. And it chapped his ass. He wanted to be the one spending time with Gage, but work kept him away. Hell, he didn't know how Amber had done it for so many years. Her sister was a champ, but she was also happy to let others help out. Thankfully, his family, and even Sharon McBride, had taken turns picking Gage up from school and watched him on the weekends so Dawn could have some free time.
"I didn't mind where we were living before, but Clare hated it. When the opportunity for this promotion came up, and I was asked to submit for it, I didn't think I stood a chance to compete, let alone get the promotion. I think the fact I didn't mind flying as long as the company reimbursed me for my fuel was the thing which finally won the boss over. Having boots on the ground is important."
"It is. That's why I've got the Vision. Sometimes you need to see for yourself where people are landing."
Erik nodded toward the door. "I know exactly what you mean, although I have no idea why my boss pays me so much to do the same thing I used to do. He only needed to pay for my fuel and a per diem so I can keep Piper healthy."
"Good raise huh?"
"God, I'll say. We were neck deep in debt, you know? Like I said, Clare only wants the best. I mean take these trays of flowers. I have to make a special trip to pick them up and they bill her for them. I'm so damn glad I don't see the price. As long as we are in the black, I'm happy."
Erik picked up one of the trays and turned it over in his hand. "Crazy about these plants..." He spoke to himself as he held the tray.
"Hey, would you mind if I used one of those? Amber has some seeds. Maybe I can convince her to start simple and see if she has a green thumb. If she kills the plants, I'm off the hook as far as a greenhouse goes."
Erik glanced from the trays to him. "I don't see why not. Clare should have about fifty of these things somewhere. Probably in the garage. She says she'll repurpose them, but I never see her using them." He handed the tray to Brody.
Erik shut and locked the greenhouse door behind them.
"Hey, when are you taking the Vision up again? I'd love a chance to go up in her."
Hell, probably never. "Maybe next weekend. I was thinking of taking Amber to Miami. Maybe you and Clare would like to come along?"
"That would be awesome, but I thought Amber didn't like to fly."
"She doesn't, but her doctor prescribed a scopolamine transdermal patch. I was going to test it out." He was relieved to remember the medical term for the motion sickness patch. He'd seen a late-night documentary on a murder case where scopolamine had played a role and had been fascinated by the concept. That rabbit hole cost him an entire night's sleep, but it came in handy just now.
Erik chuckled. "Maybe we'll pass