It was indeed everything Kelly and Trish had ever dreamed of. The house near the foot of the mountain was on roughly fifty acres of land. The house itself was a log cabin style build, perfectly fitting in with it’s out of the way surroundings. The log cabin, if that is what you could call the two story three thousand square foot house, sat at the south end of its property, right dead center of the southern property line. The grounds around the house were encased by a ten-foot tall seven-foot-wide stone monstrosity of a wall. The only access up to the house from the hard packed dirt road was through a massive iron gate that when both doors were shut formed a seamless dragon relief that looked way too real.

Once inside the gate the girls had been floored by the massive landscaping job that had been created. The whole compound was easily the equivalent of a city block long and two deep. Behind the house the landscaping continued into one massive, beautiful garden with walkways and sculped trees. Flowers they had never seen before grew bright and cheery next to those they had seen before. Everywhere all manner of flying creatures flitted around. Brightly colored butterflies and birds, rather large dragon flies hunted for their daily meals. Even a hummingbird or two could be see supping beside bees.

They were show stairs that led to the top of the wall from one of several locations spread evenly around. The reason why the wall was seven feet wide was so a person could come up here and stroll atop the wall to drink in the view of the lands beyond. Part of the ten-foot wall extended above the walkway at a safe height to keep a person from falling off either side. Only a few inches thick, yet the safety barrier was solid stone and extremely strong to Kelly’s testing.

Once back down into the enclosure, Trish and Kelly were sown into the house itself. It smelled like fresh pine and cedar throughout. Each room was supersized from what they were used to. The living room was three times the size of Trish’s parents’ house. The master bedroom was the size of her parents living room back home. There was room for the four-poster plus king size bed, two large wardrobes, two plush couches a sitting chair and desk with almost enough room to do a waltz around the interior of the furnishings. The on-suite bathroom had a large tub big enough for both girls to soak in together, the rest of the room was fitted out with the more mundane features. In a short hall between the bathroom and bedroom there were two old-fashioned dressing tables complete with large mirrors, with their own full-sized mirror beside.

The kitchen was the only real oddity. The dishwasher looked like a regular cabinet, but Mel assured them once the dishes were placed inside and the button pressed, a mere minute later the dishes would be cleaned fresh as brand new. He simply said it used steam technology, as if it had been around forever. The oven was polished stone. There were top burners, where small flames came up out of small holes drilled into the stone in two, one outer larger and one smaller inner circular patterns. Pots or pans were suspended by the usual metal platforms they were used to seeing, however. The oven portion had no heater coil, instead Mel informed them it used heat induction by heating the inner walls of the oven to create a perfect and even heating environment. “No hot spots guaranteed for life.” Otherwise, the rest of the room was large counters and several pantries. The fridge and freezer were separate and built into the wall. Nothing weird there. Except the walls being once again stone. “Better to keep in the cold.” Mel assured. Kind of made sense.

Once the tour was over, Kelly and Trish were speechless. There was no way they could ever afford such a place, they were sure. Mel softly whistled as the two went about looking at this and that. Trish, at one point grabbed Kelly’s shoulder tightly and bounced in place. “There’s a ball room!”

Once the three were back outside, they sat in the garden. Mel had set up lemonade in an iced glass jug at some point.

“So? What do you two ladies think?” Mel shot them his best smile, white teeth gleaming through.

“The first thing that comes to mind. What prince died for this place to be available to us peons?” Kelly almost grumped. The house was obviously out of their price range and Mr. Rockcutter was surely rubbing their noses in it.

Trish smacked Kelly’s shoulder. “Now Kelly, no need to be bitey.” Trish scolded her long-time friend.

“No, no. It’s alright my dear Trish. Kelly has concerns about price, I am sure. I completely understand where she is coming from. After all I have just shown you what amounts to a palace back where you’re from. However, I assure you two lovely lasses I couldn’t be more up and up about this. This small parcel of land in this particular location is within your means.” Then he eyed Kelly straight on. “I did say you would fall in love with the place at first sight.”

Kelly softened a bit, even letting a tiny smile come forth.

“That’s the spirit Kel!” Trish beamed at her friend. “Now then Mr. Rockcutter,” Trish suddenly leveled him with a very all business look in her eyes. “I have yet to see any paperwork about house cost, bank fee’s, your fee, or even so much as an interest rate.”

Mel shuddered slightly under Trish’s gaze and sudden shift. “Now lass.” Mel tutted with his hands. “No need to get all medieval here. I give you my word all the paperwork is finalized on our end. All I need from the two of you is a yes or no whether you wish to be the new owners of this lovely abode or if you wish to peruse something else.”

Trish looked to Kelly, who also showed surprise at her friend’s sudden shift. Then she looked back to Mel.

“Mr. Rockcutter, I think I can speak for the both of us that we would dearly love to live in this gorgeous cabin, that is surrounded by such elegant nature all brought into one place. This is still an odd way of doing business, and I would be a bad friend if I did not side with Kelly on this issue.”

“It is a bit odd I admit. However, these were the circumstances set by the man who owns all the lands here and for tens of thousands of acres. Including this current slice of heaven. He, Mr. Kails is looking for just the right person or couple to take purchase of the land and see to it’s continued upkeep. So you might say he is the financier of this little sale, and you would be making payments directly to his holdings. He is after all the bank.”

It struck both women at the same time. They shared a knowing look. There had always been rumors of certain people of wealth that ran things in the world. And it seemed that these two had just stumbled into the shadow of one of them.

“While it does seem odd. I think as long as all the paperwork is in order, and Trish gives her approval. I agree with her about loving to take possession of this house and lands.” Kelly said in a very un-Kelly like daze. It was all becoming a bit much.

Trish placed her hand on Kelly’s shoulder to support her friend. “Very well Mr. Rockcutter. I believe you have yourself a tentative deal.”

“Wonderful!” Mel barked. “Truly wonderful! I am so happy for the two of you! I wish you the best of luck in all your future adventures!” Mel was almost bouncing with energy. “Ahem.” He calmed himself seeing both women a bit on edge at his outburst. “As you saw, the house is fully furnished. Here is the key.” He laid a largish bronze key on the table before the two ladies. “I am authorized to hand over care and control if I deem the buyer’s worthy. You two are welcome to stay. The paperwork will be delivered by one of Mr. Kails people, who will go over all the terms with you and finalize the deal.”

Kelly and Trish both looked at the key. “Just odd.” they both whispered at the same time. Then looked to one another with large grins. Both looked back to Mel who wore a sincere warm smile.

Kelly took up the key and took Trish’s hand. “Shall we?”

Trish smiled and then extended her hand to Mel. They shook hands, smiles all around. At that Mel got up and excused himself from their new back yard and saw himself out. Kelly and Trish stayed sitting instead of getting up after Mel left.

“Even if things fall through, it will be a nice vacation.” Kelly finally relented.

“Hell’s yes it will be!” Trish agreed.