Page 11 of Guarding Bristol

Chapter Five

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Bristol parked acrossthe street from the house she’d found using her GPS, an adorable late-period Victorian, by the looks of it.The basic bones of the place were good, but judging from the sagging roof and the sad state of the wooden shakes and columns on the exterior, it was in serious need of love and attention.

It was Saturday, but the place was a hive of activity.Two full-size pickups marked with the construction company logo were parked out front.A huge Dumpster sat in the driveway, already half full of debris from the demo they were doing.

The whine of a saw and loud bangs from inside greeted her as she went around into the backyard.Beckett Hollister stood in the center of the large lawn with his phone to his ear.He raised his chin at her when he saw her and kept talking.

She didn’t know him personally.By all accounts he was a bit gruff, but she didn’t mind that.He’d been born and raised here in Crimson Point and gave back to the community with every project his company took on, saving heritage homes that would otherwise be lost to a bulldozer.He also gave military veterans steady work with good pay and benefits.That told her everything she needed to know about his character.

“Hi,” he said once he’d finished his call, walking over to offer his hand.“Thanks for coming by.”

She shook with him.“Thanks for meeting with me.”

“No problem.Watch your step.”He took her hand in his larger one, helped her step over a pile of debris until she was safely on the grass on the other side.

“Thanks.”She glanced around the space, took in the various piles of lumber and other materials stacked neatly along the fence line, awaiting completion of the demo phase.“How long until you can start building?”

“Another few days.Hoped we might be able to work with most of what was inside, but it turned out to be a complete gut job.The wiring was a ticking time bomb.Honestly, can’t believe this place didn’t go up in flames years ago.”

She winced in sympathy.“I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation.”They did impeccable work.

Glancing left, she noticed an elderly dog sprawled out on a comfy-looking oval doggy bed in a patch of shade made by a pile of bricks.“Oh my gosh, is this the famous Walter I’ve heard so much about?”

A slight smile softened Beckett’s hard features and warmed his eyes.Aww.

Everyone knew the story of how he had adopted the senior pup from a local shelter after someone had left him at the dump.And his wife was the town vet.No wonder she’d fallen for him.“The one and only.You can go pet him.He’s an old guy, so you’ll have to go to him.Not much pep in his step these days, unless he’s in the truck or a dune buggy.”

“Dune buggy?That I’d like to see.”Bristol grinned and went over to crouch next to the dog, some kind of spaniel-basset mix if she had to guess.Walter thumped his tail softly but didn’t move, gazing up at her with droopy brown eyes.“Well, aren’t you a gorgeous, distinguished gentleman, huh, Walter?Yes.”She stroked a hand over his silky head and down his back, earning another tail thump.“You look pretty comfy, my friend.”

“Sierra’s got him all dosed up on arthritis meds and doggy weed.He’s not in any pain.”

Doggy weed.Ha.“That’s good.Oh, you are a sweet little guy.”Bristol rose and faced Beckett again.“Well, I don’t want to take up too much of your time.I just wanted to come by and tell you that I managed to find Tomás.”

His dark eyebrows rose, a scar running through the middle of the left one.“Did you?”

“Yes.He goes by TJ now though.I told him about your company and that you offered to meet with him.I’m not sure if he’ll contact you, but I wanted to let you know just in case he does.I hope he will.”

It was all she’d thought about since meeting him yesterday.Well, not all.He’d certainly made an impression.Physically, he’d fit right in with the rest of the men around here.

“You said he served with your brother?”

“Yes, Rangers.They were deployed together a couple times.Eric always spoke highly of him.And for what it’s worth, the foreman Cassie and Gavin talked to in May said he was a good worker.No problems with him.”She felt the need to add that, because too many people saw homeless people as useless and disposable.

“Good to know.”

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