"Miller?" Pierce calls out.
"In the front room."
He and Evin find me, and Pierce is holding his work phone, snapping pictures. "Three bedrooms upstairs, one sizable suite. Two baths, hall closet, basic stuff. Wood rot in the trim, but no mold that I can spot. The other stuff seems cosmetic. Know more when we get a plumber and electrician out here."
"Same. Basics down here. Kitchen, dining, living rooms, this parlor or den, another sizable bedroom with ensuite, and a half bath. Need to check the basement."
"I will remind you, from the conversation I had with her, she's wanting top to bottom on this place. It will not be easy," Evin advises again. He's been in contact with her regarding financing.
"You don't have to tell me. I lived this shit." Pierce refers to his wide-scale renovations.
"Lucky for you, this is on me." Yeah, this is completely on me.
He stares at me a beat then shakes his head, grinning. "Let's go talk to her and see what exactly we're getting ourselves into."
We walk through the downstairs again, them seeing the layout, and find the women crowded around a table on a patio. The screened-in room has a set of doors that leads to a deck and significant back yard. Unfortunately, the backyard is as overgrown as the front.
Darby is the only one who glances up, her face beaming with excitement. I step behind Ashlyn and peer over her shoulder to see drawings similar to the ones in her room. The familiar scent of her perfume hits me, sending another round of memories popping into my head. As if she feels my presence, her back straightens and her shoulders square.
"Those are good. Are they professional?" I point to her kitchen sketch.
"No, it's all me. I tried to replicate what I've picked up in my research."
I almost forgot Evin's previous warning that she’s an HGTV junkie. "Well, it's an excellent start. Once we get an assessment from our plumbing and electric crew, I'll need a copy of these to create a scale drawing. It may help if you do a quick walkthrough and point out any major changes you want to make in the structure."
"Changes?"
"Knocking down walls, adding doors, tearing out vanities… those things."
Her eyes squint, and she angles her head, looking at me with confusion. "Is this part of the referral process? Shouldn't that be done with the contractor I choose after interviewing?"
Darby squeaks, ducking her chin to her chest, her shoulders shaking. Stephanie widens her smile.
"You want to interview contractors?"
"I thought that's how this works."
"You could do that, I suppose." I rock back on my feet, crossing my arms. "Seems like a waste of time, though, considering I'm already here."
Her eyes dart between Pierce and me. "Darby said Pierce was too busy."
"He is, but I've decided to take on the project."
"And he approved?"
This time Darby can't hold in her laugh, and she reaches out to pinch me on the arm. "Quit messing with her. Ashlyn, Miller is Pierce's brother and part owner of Kendrick Construction. He doesn't ask Pierce for permission for much."
Her creamy skin turns a deep shade of pink and her eyes fill with panic. I hold back my amusement when the realization dawns on her. The man she met was traveling and worked in construction. I left out the fact I partially owned the company. She blows out a breath, trying to remain unshaken, but the splotches continue up her neck. "I'm such an idiot. I didn't get your last name earlier, Miller." Her cheeks now flame.
As much as I like the color heating her skin, I don't want this to get awkward for her. "It's not a problem. You still think you want to interview contractors?"
"Ummm, no. I think we're good here."
"Then how about doing a walkthrough with me?"
She pastes on the smile from earlier and my chest tightens. Her shields are locking into place. "Sure, maybe Pierce should join us so there's no confusion."
This time I don't hold back my amusement at her tactic to avoid being alone with me. "Sure, whatever you want, Ashlyn." Her name rolls off my tongue in a way that tells her I'm onto her.
She jumps out of her chair and brushes past me, her face impassive as she explains her ideas. I pick up on the major points but can't ignore the voice in my head.
Oh yeah, this is going to be fun.
•—•—•—•—•
"Having problems?" I lean against the wall, enjoying the show.
Her head whips around, her expression red-hot with frustration. "Lefty-Loosey my ass. This bolt won't budge!" Ashlyn stabs at the bolt with her screwdriver.
"That's why I told you I'd be back to help."
"I wanted to try. It's driving me crazy sitting around doing nothing."
"Do you know how to change out locks?"
She blows out a breath, rising from her crouched position. "I watched a video."
"They make it look easy." I refrain from rolling my eyes. "Most likely, the video you watched isn't geared toward a lock that's been in place for decades. A power tool will get the job done much faster."
She lets out a little laugh, the frustration draining. "Men and their power tools."
"Don't knock it, darlin'." I use the pet name I used many times during our days together.
She jerks, recognition flaring, then shakes her head, dropping the screwdriver on the countertop in defeat. "Fine, tell me you have something with you."
"Drill’s in my truck. Also, I brought you something."
"What could you possibly bring me?"
"You'll see."
She follows me outside and makes a brief sound when she sees the mini-fridge in the bed of my truck.
