They stood side-by-side while Derrick accessed the lockbox on the front door, then used the key within to open the door. He stepped back, allowing Elouan to enter.
The inside appeared reasonably well-maintained despite the neglected exterior, and without the expected layer of dust. Someone must make regular cleaning visits. A chilly interior didn’t bode well for the insulation. The living room was small, but still larger than the one in Curtis’s apartment. A fireplace occupied space on an exterior wall.
Elouan eyed the thermostat in the hallway, which, thankfully, appeared less than ten years old. He adjusted the heat to knock the chill off the room and to ensure the heating worked.
“There are two fireplaces,” Derrick said, “both in working order. A local family built the house in the 1930s, but newowners remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms in the ‘90s. They also updated the wiring at that time.”
“What about the roof?”
“Replaced ten years ago.”
The owners might’ve had reasons to replace the roof. A good look in the attic for potential damage would be in order.
An exposed lightbulb hung from a wire in the center of the ceiling. Elouan turned on the light switch. The bulb illuminated. He’d check and probably have the house rewired again.
“The floors are the original hardwood,” Derrick continued.
Elouan saw the floors not as they were, but how they would look refinished. He’d definitely upgrade to energy-efficient windows. What would Jules think of the house?
The realtor led Elouan from the living room into a sunlit kitchen, keeping up a steady dialog about features, school districts, taxes, and other things clearly stated in the online listing. What hadn’t been mentioned was that no one had updated the appliances since the remodel, but Elouan had dealt with a wholesaler on past jobs who might give him a package deal at a bargain. And, as he’d thought, the kitchen offered ample room for two to cook comfortably, with an alcove for a small breakfast table.
The next room off the kitchen confused him, with an open doorway from the kitchen and another open doorway into a hallway. Curtain rods clung to the plaster above each.
“This was originally a dining room,” Derrick explained, “but the last owner hung curtains to use it as a fourth bedroom.”
Elouan nodded, then strode across the hall to what must be the main bedroom. The attached bathroom appeared to be an afterthought, as carving out the space left the bedroom with an uncentered window. The room still offered more space than Elouan’s current room. He stepped into the bathroom, where an old claw-foot tub sat against the exterior wall.Remodeledthe kitchen and bathrooms in the ‘90swas an overstatement. Nothing here Elouan couldn’t make better, not simply with his own skills, but with help from his boss and coworkers.
He’d borrowed a ladder from work that he used to check out the attic. No water leakage. No signs of pests. Crawling under the house left him in more need of a shower than ever. Not a single rotten board. Nice.
Elouan dusted himself off after sliding out of the crawlspace to find the realtor waiting.
“As I’m acting as your agent,” Derrick said, offering Elouan a hand up, then shaking cobwebs off his hand, “I’m going to warn you that this house has been on the market for well over a year and is being sold as-is. Financing might be an issue.”
Elouan watched for Derrick’s reaction when he replied, “Financing won’t be an issue.” He didn’t even try to brush the cobwebs off. He’d do so once Derrick left.
“Oh?” Derrick perked up. “A cash sale will expedite matters.” He eyed Elouan up and down, likely not missing the worn work boots—or the layer of dirt. Nor could he miss the tools in the back of the truck, and likely thought Elouan wanted to flip the house. It would be an excellent investment if Elouan didn’t want a place of his own. “It’ll still take about seven to ten days for closing after you make an offer. You can offer less than the selling price given the condition and time on the market.”
“I’ve studied the specs. The house is worth the asking price.” Plus, he wanted the house yesterday. “Since I’ll waive the inspection, I’m guessing closer to seven days.”
Derrick bit his lower lip. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“All you gotta do is look in the bed of my truck and the toolbox to know I mean business. What I can’t do myself, I’ve got a guy for.” A lot of guys for. Which wouldn’t cost much. Severalcoworkers owed him favors. Others would help him out if he threw a barbecue with lots of beer.
“You could come to the office tomorrow, unless you’d like to follow me now.” Derrick eyed Elouan up and down.
“I’ll be there after I shower and change. How’s that?” Elouan would bring a list of questions with him, but right now it looked like he’d found himself a house.
Derrick grinned. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”
Chapter Twelve
Elouan sat at a table by the window of the Italian restaurant he’d recommended as a meeting place. Nothing too fancy, but a place Leon suggested for a date night. Elouan still needed to tell the man about Curtis’s resentment, but hadn’t found the right time, especially with Leon taking a week off from work.
Although a few pumpkins flanked the hostess station, the restaurant appeared relatively Halloween-free.
Elouan had exchanged his normal T-shirt, faded jeans, and work boots for a tight-fitting button-down, nicer jeans, and a pair of western boots he’d bought on a whim and hadn’t worn yet. He’d even dabbed on a little cologne. Dragons preferred natural scents. One could gather so much information from a scent. However, Curtis had long ago convinced him to invest in an upscale cologne for dates.
Elouan would have to fight the urge to blurt out the news about the house. A flash of color caught his eye. He turned toward the window, where Jules’s infectious grinand enthusiastic waving made him forget everything else. He couldn’t help smiling.
