The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 14 - A Place to Celebrate

Greg drove on their way back to the farmhouse.

"Susan, I hope you won't mind if I hurry out again after we arrive home. I must have a word with our contractors if we are going forward with our plan to use the completed building to entertain in two weeks time. I want to ensure from their perspective that there isn't something we've overlooked," Greg told her.

"I expected you needed to do that," Susan told him. "I think I would have suggested it if you hadn't said something. Are you taking the boys with you today?"

"I plan to, provided they are ready to go. We'll pick up lunch on the way and plan to be out most of the afternoon," Greg said.

c

Matt and Zackary were both waiting when Greg and Susan returned home.

"Are we still going?" Matthew asked.

"Yes, immediately," Greg told him. "Please get in, I'll explain on the way. We're going through the drive-through to pick up lunch on the way. What would you like?"

Their choices were quickly decided, lunch was bought and they were shortly on their way up into the hills.

"So what's going on Greg?" Matthew asked as they drove.

"Do you remember we had the inspection last week which determined that the cottage is finished?" Greg checked.

"Yes," Matthew said.

"They've also turned it over to us and we've decided to make use of it to host a party two weeks from Saturday," Greg told him. "I visited there with Richard this morning, and it looks ready, however I need to check in with both Mr. Van Kirk and Mr. Thompson to ensure the areas we will be using will be free of construction materials. Also we'll need the areas where they are still working blocked off in some way to prevent guests from wandering into it."

"We're having a party? Here?" Zackary said in surprise.

"Yes. I will be visiting the furniture rental store tomorrow to arrange for temporary furnishings for the event," Greg said.

"But isn't Mom going to need to know about this to have a party here?" Zackary asked in concern.

"I plan to bring her to see the cottage early in the week, week after next. The door to the stairwell inside will be locked and will remain so for the time being, so aside from the driveway and the landscaping and what can been seen from up on top of the hill, that is all she will see," Greg explained.

"And Mom's okay with that?" Matthew checked.

"Yes. We discussed it this morning," Greg said.

"Then we really do need to make sure this top part is ready," Matt realized.

"Yes, that is our task for today, along with our usual inspections," Greg said.

"That's going to take a while," Matt predicted.

"The very reason I warned your mother we might be late ... do you have commitments this evening?"

"I'm supposed to meet my girlfriend at seven. She has to be at her parents for dinner tonight, but we're going to a movie afterwards," Matt said.

"We should be finished well before then," Greg assured him as they pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the curb, the same way he had that morning. "This is where I plan to bring your mother," he explained as they all got out.

"There's no sign of the cave from here," Matthew said.

"Exactly. That part should remain a surprise," Greg said.