She threw herself into his arms for a hug. “This is the most perfect door I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
His chest vibrated with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her. “Well, there’s much more to see. Let’s go inside.”
He turned the brass handle, the door swinging wide. Casimir ran a hand through his hair, almost nervously. As if he was worried she wouldn’t like it.
They stood in a charming entryway. A wooden chandelier carved with animals hung above them, glowing with warm light. Ava recognized his handiwork in that too.
“Wait…did you build this entire house?”
He shook his head. “No. But there are things in here I did carve. To make it ours.”
“When did you have time for all of this? I thought you'd been in all those meetings.”
He smiled sheepishly.
“You weren’t in meetings as much as you said you were, huh?”
“No.”
“Sneaky brute,” she said. He squeezed her hip.
Ava began to explore, heart racing with excitement and swelling larger with every passing second. Wooden walls brought warmth to the space. Tall glass windows were cracked open to allow in a breeze. Plants and vines hung along the ceiling.
The living room was decorated with a blue and green rug, subtle floral patterns throughout the woven fabric. Couches and chairs in velvet browns and greens framed a roaring cobblestone fireplace, the wooden mantle carved with vines and flowers.
There were hints of Casimir’s handiwork everywhere. The mantel. Little designs in the door frames. Animals carved into the handles of the kitchen cabinets. Each light fixture. Wooden bowls on the countertop. The legs of the dining table and chairs.
“This kitchen is perfect,” she whispered, staring at the large oven and stove.
It had ample counter space, an island in the center, and plenty of storage. Windows overlooked the back yard, but the cream-colored curtains were currently drawn so she couldn’t see outside.
“Since you love to cook, you need something with plenty of space. And remember, I said I would do the dishes.”
“And rub my feet after,” Ava teased.
“Every night if you wish.” Casimir grabbed her hand again and led her back toward the entryway. “Come see upstairs.”
Ava swallowed the lump in her throat, completely overwhelmed. They reached the landing and Casimir led her into the first room.
“A library?” she gasped.
“I know it’s small. But since we both love to read so much, I thought it might be nice.”
“It’s perfect,” she breathed. “Everything about this house is perfect.”
The room was dark, wall-to-wall bookshelves filled with tomes. Two large cozy chairs sat near another fireplace, throw blankets arranged carefully on their cushions. A rusty colored rug finished the space.
Casimir tugged her to the next room. A small bedroom. For guests, he explained. Just in case.
Lastly, he opened a set of double doors to the room at the end of the hallway. Their bedroom. A four poster bed took up the far wall, swathed in cream and sage green fabrics. The blankets and sheets looked so soft, so comfortable, Ava wanted to dive in immediately.
Vines grew above the canopy, with sheer curtains pulled together at each corner. A large window overlooked the yard and Ava strode across the plush rug to take in the view.
She let out a sob. Warm hands wrapped around her waist from behind, Casimir resting his chin on the top of her head.
“Is that…like a mini flower farm?” Ava asked.
“Mmm hmm. I wanted to make sure you had a place to grow your flowers.”
