Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

She looks at him for direction, and it’s clear she thinks he is the boss in this scenario. I cut my eyes to him and indicate for him to take the lead. His lips twitch with amusement before he turns to face the house.

“I will check out the upstairs. Miller, you take the main floor.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s do this.” He makes a sweeping motion with his arm, and Ashlyn leads us inside.

The instant we hit the entryway, the smell of musk and rot hit me. Pierce picks up on it, and we both move to open windows immediately.

“Is it safe for Darby to be in here?” Evin props open the front door.

“No,” Pierce growls, unhappy with her breathing the polluted air.

She narrows her eyes at him, opening her mouth to argue, but Ashlyn breaks in. “Believe it or not, my back porch is nice. We can wait out there,” she offers.

“That’s a better idea,” Stephanie agrees. “Grab your folders and show us what you’ve put together.”

“You men take your time. We’ll be out there.” Ashlyn grabs a stack of folders, evading my eyes, and goes through the open space with the women behind her. I catch the glare Darby shoots Pierce’s way before she’s out of sight. He’s unaffected, his attention on the walls and ceiling leading up the staircase. Evin goes with him as I walk the main floor, forcing myself to focus.

The spacious rooms surprise me. I was expecting a choppier layout. Without seeing the architectural drawings, I make assumptions on the rooms, which are all empty. Then I round the corner to find a set of French doors open to a large room I believe would be the original parlor. Ashlyn has set herself up in this room. A bed is situated against the wall, a small television on a side table, the built-in seat at the bay window strewn with papers, folders, a laptop, and several sketches. Another item that catches my eye is a cooler in the corner. When I open it, I chuckle at the three bottles of wine and waters on ice. The woman has her priorities.

“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.”