“This is a good thing, Thad. Don’t be scared,” Von said.
Thad shrugged off the arm Von had draped over his shoulder. “Stop reading me like a damn book. That shit creeps me out.”
“Stop being so transparent then,” Von said. “I don’t want you getting any ideas, like heading back to Colorado.”
“I can’t. I’ve got a dog to look after, remember?”
“Yeah, that dog is another reason I can see you packing up and leaving.”
Von knocked on the wall that divided the living room and what the real estate agent had explained was a formal parlor. It would have to come down. They wanted to use this entire space for the sports bar. “Sounds hollow enough to me,” Von said.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a support wall. We’re going to have to hire Freddy to do a more thorough assessment and give us some direction,” he said.
“But we’re still doing the work ourselves,” Von said. “I promised the guys that we would have some construction work lined up for them.”
“I know,” Thad said. “I made promises too.”
He and Von had pledged to hire only military vets to work at The PX once it opened. But then they decided to bring in military—both vets and active duty—to work at every stage of the process, including any renovations that had to be done.Based on the state of this place, they would need all the help they could get.
Thad picked out the broom from the supplies they’d brought with them and began sweeping the hardwood floors. They were beautiful even with the layer of dust and grime covering them. He could only imagine how good they would look after being sanded and polished.
The sound of feet stomping up the front steps was quickly followed by a knock on the open door. A second later, Ashanti Wright stuck her head in and said, “Hello?”
A jolt of awareness flashed through him at the sight of her. It dimmed when she locked eyes with him and came charging into the front parlor.
“I knew it!” she said. “I knew it was you the moment I saw that truck.”
Puddin’ ran to her and started jumping around like fire ants were attacking his paws.
“I knew it was you the moment I saw you too,” Von said as he dusted his hands on the front of his T-shirt. He held one out to her. “Von Montgomery. And you are?”
“She’s the dog sitter,” Thad answered for her. He fought the instinct to push Von out of the room.
“Ah! Puddin’s favorite person,” Von said. “That would explain his excitement.”
Ashanti dropped down to one knee and rubbed the poodle behind the ears while nuzzling his nose.
It would be stupid and immature to admit he was jealous of a dog, and yet…
“Tell me you’re a contractor,” Ashanti said, still fussing over Puddin’. She looked up at him and that headiness he’d felt as he stood next to her on Saturday returned. He tried to ignore it.
“Are you?” she asked. “A contractor?”
It took him a moment to find his voice. “I’m not, but if that’s what you want me to tell you, then sure, I’m a contractor.”
She closed her eyes and muttered what sounded like the Serenity Prayer under her breath. “Just… please, tell me that you did not buy this house.”
“Again, if that’s what you want me to tell you—”
“Did you buy this house!” she snapped. Her freckles had turned from light brown to a deep red.
“We did,” Von said, gesturing between the two of them. “We’re business partners. And friends. And fellow vets,” he finished. “And your name is?”
“Ashanti Wright,” she answered. “And I’m not a dog sitter, I own a dog daycare and boarding facility.”
“That she named Barkingham Palace,” Thad said.
“Aw, that’s cute,” Von said. “Do you speak in a British accent while at work?”
