Hiring a stranger through a service felt reckless. The thought of unknown hands fumbling with alarm codes or prowling through private rooms made his stomach tighten. If he had to trust anyone, perhaps reluctantly, it would be people who at least understood the house’s history.
That’s why his aunt and uncle came to mind instantly. They stayed nearby and were familiar with the home, if only from strained family gatherings in years past. For a reserved man like him, inviting them wasn’t his first choice, but it seemed easier than risking an outsider or disturbing neighbors with the responsibility.