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"Yeah. It's a project. I thought it would help me with..." He motioned to his body. "This."
She couldn't help but smile at him. "It's not you. I completely understand PTSD. So does this girl here." She added petting Chiefy. "You've likely been through something very traumatic and it's understandable it can affect you this way. I don't judge you for it. I admire you looking for something to help yourself. A project like this is perfect. Though, it sure looks like a big project."
Sid chuckled and for the first time, she noticed him as a man. He was handsome. Truly handsome. His deep dark brown eyes held all the emotions of his past, but his smile, was pure sexiness. His shoulders were broad, and his belly a bit soft, but he was still fit. Hell, who was she to judge, she had a soft belly and her butt had filled in more than her jeans cared. But at fifty years old, she was still in pretty decent shape. In her opinion at least.
"It'll be worth it if I can get her to work."
Grace smiled at him and nodded. "That it will."
She stood. "Well, Sid Hoffman, Chiefy and I will leave you to your project if you're alright."
"Thank you. I'm fine. I'm sorry to have interrupted your walk."
Grace chuckled. "Always happy to help a fellow veteran."
His eyes rounded. "You're a veteran?"
"Yes, sir. Army."
"Me too."
"We have that in common too, then."
His smile was yummy. "That we do. I hope to see you around. Do you live here?"
She took a deep breath. "I just bought two little bungalows across from the beach. They both need a lot of work, but they'll come along. My plan is to be in the short-term rental business if I can get the first one finished."
"That's a great location for short-term rentals. Right now, I'm living in one of Sarge's beach bungalows."
"Is that Sarge from Sarge's Sandbar?"
"One and the same. He's a friend from the service."
Grace smiled. "Then I'll make sure to frequent his establishment. I like to help out fellow veterans."
3
Sid watched Grace and Chiefy saunter down the sidewalk together. Chiefy's tail wagged and she glanced up at Grace often. They had a bond for sure.
Grace was a pretty woman. A few soft lines around her gorgeous blue eyes were sexy. Her long dark hair framed her face nicely.
He shook his head and took a deep breath. He'd promised himself after his divorce, that he wouldn't bring another person into his sphere who had to deal with this bullshit PTSD that seemed to creep up on him without notice. He was lucky, he'd never been violent during an attack, but hearing the horror stories of those who had, kept him clear of entanglements.
"You okay, son?" Cooper's gravelly voice sounded from a few steps away.
Sid turned to look at the old man, whose deep worry lines seemed more prevalent now. "Yeah. I'm fine. Thank you."
Cooper nodded but stared for a few moments longer and Sid's stomach twisted. "I'm not violent. My body just shakes, and I seem to freeze up."
Cooper shook his head. "I'm not worried you're violent. I'm worried you aren't taking care of yourself. You need to pack a lunch to come here and work, and you'll need to bring several bottles of water to stay hydrated. Especially working out here in the sun."
"Yes, sir. I'll do that."
"I believe I told you, Coop or Cooper. You don't need to call me sir."
"Yes, sir...Okay, Coop."
"That's more like it."
