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Despite their pursuit of perfection, they did work together well, but that was once they got past the bickering and jabs. He smiled to himself every time his dad released a one-liner in his direction before throwing up his hands. Whatever it took to put spring back in his old man’s step made him smile. It was lucky for him that they were building the house and memories at the same time. What was different this time compared to when they’d done projects together in the past was that his dad would have to go sit down out of breath after climbing the stairs to the house to check on the work.
His cellphone buzzed, flashing a familiar name from Kentucky. Troy answered with a smile.
“Hey Troy! How are ya?” Cervantez’s laughing voice came through loud and clear over the phone.
“Not too bad, man. How are you doing?”
“Ha! You wish you were better than me. I’m doing well. Can’t complain. Same old same old around here. How’s the ranch?”
Troy eyed around him. “Getting things back in order, but it’s going to be a while. Catch me up. What’s going on?”
“Well, I only call when I want something.”
“Figured as much.” Damn, it was good to hear from his friend, so whatever the favor was, Troy was more than happy to oblige. They had two deployments together and more trainings than either wanted to think about.
“I got a call from a buddy of mine in Arlington yesterday.”
“Oh shit.”
“Nah, it’s not that bad.”
“Okay. What’s up?”
“He’s in the Old Guard, and one of their horses named Braxton is a real piece of work. Kicked someone again and acted up during a funeral, so he’s being retired along with a few others.”
“Oh damn.”
“Yeah, he asked me if I knew anyone, but I just figured since they’re offloading about half a dozen right now, that I’d give you a call first and see if you have some space on that big fancy farm. Apparently, Braxton’s a dick, so they can’t just let anyone have him.”
The horses at Arlington National Cemetery were some of the most well-known and well trained. The Old Guard managed the stables, events, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Once upon a time, Troy had wanted that post, but it never had happened. Cervantez had been stationed at Fort Belvoir nearby and befriended a few. Like any animal after army service, when they aged out they were put up for adoption after a rigorous vetting process.
“You’d still need to fill out the forms and whatnot, but you know we’d all rather them go to one of our own.”
Troy had the space and the barn. Dad didn’t have any farmhands, but that could be fixed with an ad in the paper. “Consider it done.”
“Awesome. I’ll send over the required paperwork and everything. Who knows, maybe I can even swing a bit of a road trip and see this place you talk so much about.”
Troy’s smile widened even further. “That’d be great.”
“Perfect. Talk soon.”
Troy looked at the phone with a small smile. He skimmed the emails from Cervantez and made quick work of the forms before starting a list of things to consider for the horses’ care. Another hand and pair of eyes would come in handy for when he wasn’t around. With that thought in his mind, he drummed the pencil on the notepad until a pang from his stomach drew his thoughts away from feed and trough heaters.
Troy stood and put away his tools for the night before checking his phone again for a reply from Megan, frowning a little when there wasn’t any. He drove the short distance to the house, waved to his dad who was already in his chair, and pulled open the fridge to be blinded by the white light and vacant shelves.
“Alrighty, shopping it is.”
“Whaddya say?”
“I’m going to the store to get some food. Want anything?”
“Get whatever you want, except for oatmeal.”
“It’s good for your heart.”
“Fine, then get bacon too.”
Smiling to himself, Troy pulled on his jacket and grabbed his keys, locking the door and checking it twice.
