“Wow. Chloe is going to go bonkers.” Allie moved forward, kneeling to see it from Chloe’s worldview. “The little bunny in the flower bed, ladybugs, and butterflies. It all seems so real.”
“It looks like we could walk right into that picture and climb into the tree fort, doesn’t it?” said Whitney.
Matthew stood and took a critical look. “That was the plan.”
Whitney pointed out the measuring stick tied in with the ladder up the tree. “Look, Allie. They can mark Chloe’s growth on that with a Sharpie. Isn’t that a clever idea?”
“Yes,” Allie agreed. “She’s already growing so fast.”
“Thanks for sticking around to help. When are you coming to the lake?”
“Not until tomorrow. I have plans with some friends who are visiting from out-of-town tonight.”
“That’ll be fun.”
“I think we’re done here.” Matthew moved away from the wall.
“It completely changes this room.” Whitney scooted the rocking chair back into place.
“Don’t worry about that stuff,” Allie said. “I’ll arrange everything back to how we had it. It’s mostly toys, anyway.”
Whitney couldn’t believe how perfect it was. “There are so many details. I’m still seeing things I hadn’t noticed. I love the little bluebird in the tree. I love…” She spun away, pressing her lips together, her eyes glossy. “I love it all.”
The look in her eyes whispered to his in a silent language that required no words, and his heart could easily translate.
“Do you see anything else about the tree that you like?” he asked.
“Did you hide something?” She tiptoed, trying to look from every angle.
“You know me. I like to tuck things into my work that are special.”
“Is your dad in here somewhere?”
“No, but if I’d thought it wouldn’t have scared little Chloe, he would’ve been. It’s something else.”
She walked closer, then stepped over to the side.
“Need a clue?”
“I think so.”
He pointed to a fancy birdhouse.
Whitney recognized the outline immediately, “It’s shaped like the Maymont mansion. I love it.”
“There’s more,” he said. “See the shingles?”
“Are those our initials inside a heart?”
“Yes, so you’ll always know that I love you, and you feel like home to me.”
She clasped her hands in front of her face, her eyes tearing. She kissed him on the lips. “Home, sweet home.”
“Don’t cry. It was supposed to make you happy.”
She pointed to the tear on her cheek. “This is happy.”
He pulled her into his arms. “And it keeps getting better.”
