“If we go back, both of you can come,” Darren said.
“Promise?”They asked in unison.
“Yes.”
They headed to a local restaurant to meet Roger, who said it was fine for them to leave their SUV there.After getting in with Roger, he took off heading towards the lake.The drive was scenic, and there were places along the highway where the lake could be seen.It was clear they were getting close, and he suddenly turned on a paved road.Many of the other roads along the way had been dirt.They passed a couple of medium-sized houses, but then they went a couple of miles without passing any more houses until they got to the end of the road, where the lake was laid out in front of them.
“This is the King's River arm of Table Rock Lake.There's a beautiful view from the house’s porch.You can walk down to the lake, and there is a boat dock on the property.This is a perfect lake home if you can afford it.”
“What is the price?”Darren asked.
Roger whispered the price, and Lottie gasped.
“I can afford it.Let's take a look.”
The real estate man led them up the porch and to the door, which he opened and waved them inside.The place was gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the wall facing the lake.This house even had a new smell from the recent construction.When they got to the kitchen, it was obvious what work had not yet been completed.Only a little was needed, and it appeared that all the supplies except the appliances were sitting around.
“Any suggestion on what to offer?”Darren asked.
“It's a beautiful house, and it's early in the process, so if you really want it, I would offer 20,000 less than asking,” Rogers suggested.
“Do it.”
“We will need to sign some papers, and I'll need earnest money put in my account.”
“Sounds good.”
After that, they headed back.Lottie had never bought real estate before or been involved in it in any way.This would be a learning experience.They headed to Roger's office this time, and once they entered, after he offered them a drink and suggested they sit, he began typing up papers.He was very quick, and they both signed the papers.When she looked at the amount they would be paying, it made her think of the saying 'signing your life away'.She just hoped Darren knew what he was doing.
Darren got on his phone and immediately started moving money.Once it was done, Roger checked and nodded when he saw it going to his account.They had taken a huge first step, and she couldn't deny she was excited, hoping they would get the house because she loved it.Roger dropped them off with their car, and they headed back to Flo's house.Roger thought that they would close the deal quickly if they were happy with the price.They had a lot of money invested in the house, and they wanted that money back to invest in something that would make them money.That made sense to her and, apparently, to Darren, too.
“I see things went well,” Flo observed.
“I think so.We've made an offer and are now waiting to see if they accept it.The house is amazing, and you can see the lake on the porch.”Darren explained.
“I have a feeling Ariel will be happy if you get it.”
“Why would she care?”
“Apparently, you've forgotten about the family gatherings where every relative takes in guests.”Flo chuckled.
Lottie looked at him, and it was obvious from the look on his face that he had forgotten.She understood that you had responsibilities toward your family.Darren had been away from his family for so long that it seemed he had forgotten or maybe had never realized it to begin with.She was looking forward to going to one of the white wolf gatherings because she'd heard a lot about them.It was probably a lot like an extended pack getting together for a celebration.
The look on Darren’s face was funny, but she knew he would do as required whenever he was asked.There was a guest house behind the main house that could always be used for that.She’d noticed the attic was set up like an apartment, and if they added an outside door and a stairway, so it had its own entrance, that would work as a housekeeper/cook.A garage had been started on but left half-built.That was another project to see to.They would be busy working in their home.
Lottie couldn't wait to start, and she knew that the girls desperately wanted to see their new home.They had done what they planned for today, and anything else would come later.Until they knew if the home was theirs, everything else would have to wait.
It was two days later when Roger called.The deal was done, and the house was theirs as soon as the money was transferred; they could take immediate possession.The bank was glad to let the house go and wanted nothing to do with it afterward.
“We'll have to talk about furniture and finishing construction,” Darren suggested.
“Do you have any furniture?”Lottie asked.
“Sold it or gave it away before I came here.It wasn't worth moving because I didn't have any attachment to it.The girl said they were excited about getting new furniture when we got a new house.Do you have anything?”Darren asked.
“I have a few pieces.It would all fit on a small moving van.I also have a few things that my mother has, but I think it's best to keep that room furnished for when we visit.”
“All right.That means we'll do some furniture shopping as soon as we get the house livable.”
