Back in the front of the house, he opened the front door and stepped inside. Plywood sheets lay where a floor should go. No drywall hung from the bare studs. He didn’t see bare walls, though. In his mind’s eye, he saw an entryway that led to a formal living room with a fireplace that dominated the exterior wall. Through another set of wall studs, he envisioned a large formal dining room with plenty of room for built-in cabinetry. In the area where plumbing pipes came up for kitchen appliances, he saw a room for the table over by that big picture window and the island that would divide the breakfast nook from the kitchen. He’d move this stud frame and that and create a kitchen large enough to handle a table filled with children. Around another corner, he stepped down into a den that led to that future back deck.
Imagining mahogany railing, he carefully walked up the frame of stairs to the second floor, watching where he placed his feet. He found the master suite that took up almost half the layout of the house. Down a hall, he found two bedrooms that shared a large bathroom and one more bedroom with an in-suite bath. Cautiously maneuvering back down the stairs, he looked up and saw the opening for a balcony railing.
Standing in the middle of the front room, he relaxed his mind and saw the studs, empty walls, exposed wiring, pipes, and open floor.
He went outside and stared at the detached garage, making plans for a workshop addition and an apartment over the garage. He would have to get an electrician back out here right away to run at least forty amps into that building. Yes, this would do nicely.
In his truck, he pulled out a brand-new leather-bound notebook and opened it up to the first page. Taking the pencil out of its holder, he started scribbling notes. Two hours later, he had filled the notebook with sketches and plans, reminders, and ideas. He would open bids for subcontractors tomorrow.
He mentally pictured the work he needed to do and where he needed to start so he wouldn’t box himself in. It was a big house, but not a giant house. He looked over his notes and sketches one last time. As he surveyed the details, Ken felt a sudden surge of joy.
This was not just a house. He had finally found ahome. He had found a home where he could bring Daisy—and raise a family.
As he unlocked the trailer door, he heard the crunching of gravel beneath tires and turned his head to see Brad pull into the yard. He swung the trailer door open, and Brad said, “This was a find! Well done.”
Ken nodded. “I wasn’t sure what I’d find. It has good bones.”
Brad walked up to the trailer and asked, “What goes first?”
Ken gestured at the fiberglass stall. “Need to install a shower and one of the bathroom sinks. Can you help me unload, then run to the store and get me a toilet while I’m installing?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They started unloading the trailer and carrying Ken’s supplies inside his future home.
Ireneshifted the large basket of baseball paraphernalia over and stepped back, examining the table filled with items for the silent auction. Tonight, she wore a maroon dress that flared at the knee and sparkly black earrings that dangled from her ears. Her outfit perfectly accented her wavy strawberry blonde hair and pale skin. She moved in her three-inch heels like she didn’t even have them on her feet.
Irene had served as the fundraising coordinator for Gálatas Seis since Daisy’s grandfather had gotten to the point of needing one. Daisy inherited her when she started running the charity.
Daisy knew invitations had gone out to hundreds of potential donors in the community to come and participate in the dinner and silent auction. Irene examined the table, tilting her head to the left and right, then said, “I think we’re ready.”
The restaurant owner, Calla Jones, had personally created a menu especially for the party. Calla had grown in popularity as one of Atlanta’s most sought after chefs in the last few years, and her contribution to the fundraiser helped attract a lot of the ticket holders. Calla had donated the time of the kitchen staff and wait staff. She billed Gálatas Seis for direct cost reimbursement of the food, and nothing else. Knowing how much money Calla could have charged them to put on an event of this caliber humbled Daisy. She and Calla had talked a little bit one day last week about missions and priorities, and relationships with Christ. She knew in her heart that she had discovered a sister.
Finding out that Ken knew her brought another level of serendipity to her relationship with him. Apparently, Calla’s husband worked for Ken, and she had once worked for Dixon Contracting as well.
To set up tonight, Calla had asked Valerie Dixon to come help. Daisy hadn’t had a chance to see her since the Fourth of July party. She had spent the afternoon helping arrange tables and decorations.
“She’s an interior decorator,” Calla said as Valerie stood on a step ladder and tacked a nail into the wall to hold a string of lights. “I’ve never had a knack for visual things. I always have to rely on my friends. Valerie and my friend Sami helped design the interior of this restaurant for me.”
“Sami?” Daisy asked. “I think I met her at the Fourth of July party.”
Calla grinned and pushed her glasses up on her face. “If you’re remembering red, white, and blue hair, then, yes, you did.”
Valerie finished with the lights and climbed down the ladder. She brushed her hands on her yellow yoga pants then walked down the silent auction table. “What an incredible amount of donated items for your auction. I can’t get over some of the things people are giving away.”
“Irene does good work with the community. She always comes up with the best stuff.” Daisy walked from basket to basket. She had signed baseballs with VIP tickets and weekend getaways. One painting company had donated an exterior house painting. “This woman can convince anyone to donate something. I always get nervous asking, but she just doesn’t. Obviously, she’s doing what God designed her to do.”
Valerie crossed her arms over her chest and looked around. “I agree. I’ve been to a lot of fundraisers, and this is beautiful.”
Irene shrugged. “I truly enjoy it. It gives me great energy.”
Daisy stood in the middle of the nearly empty restaurant and looked around, appreciating the lighting and the ambiance that set the backdrop for all the auction items. She had really enjoyed working with Valerie and Calla today. Obviously close friends, they worked really well together. It made all the setup and moving things around inside the restaurant go smoothly. She looked over at her. “Thank you for your help.”
“It was my pleasure.” Then Valerie chuckled. “Plus, my husband and his brothers are busy painting my house for me. So, I have taken the easy route to do this today.”
Daisy grinned. “Oh, yes. I heard about that.”
Valerie slipped her arm into Daisy’s and said, “It’s so good to see Ken so happy.”
