* * *
This night had been…everything.
Daisy’s feet were tucked up into a cozy blanket as she curled up on the couch in the sunroom. A fire crackled in the new mantel. Her mother, sitting at the other end, brushed her fingers over Daisy’s hand, examining the ring in the soft lamplight. The house had finally quieted, the last of the guests trickling out into the winter night.
“It really is beautiful, sweetie.” Her mother smiled, letting the ring catch the light.
“It was Hunter’s grandmother’s.” Daisy touched the delicate setting. “Can you believe it?”
“I can, actually.” Her mother squeezed her hand.
Daisy beamed again. Her cheeks were going to be sore tomorrow from all this smiling.
Her mother’s gaze trailed through the house with a familiar look, as though she’d been here before. “You’ve done such a wonderful job with this house, Daisy. You really do have such a gift.”
Daisy glanced over her shoulder to where Hunter was dutifully cleaning in the parlor. “I didn’t do it alone.”
They fell quiet for a moment, the Christmas lights twinkling across the windows.
“When do you find out about that renovation contest?” her mom asked.
“Couple of weeks.” Daisy’s heart fluttered at the thought. “The prize money would help a lot with finishing the renovations. Or…” She bit her lip, letting the idea she’d been tinkering with slip out. “Maybe even starting a design business. Hunter and I have been talking about it. We could put a couple of desks in the parlor, some comfortable chairs for meeting with clients…”
Her mother’s eyes lit up. “I can see it.” She glanced around the sunroom, taking in the carefully restored details. “I think God’s going to have a lot of fun watching you and Hunter turn houses into homes.”
Daisy leaned back. “I think maybe you’re right.”
Her mother’s gaze flickered toward the door, a smile tugging at her lips. Hunter leaned against the door, hands in his pockets. “I’ll give you two a moment.”
She exited, giving Hunter’s shoulder a soft pat on her way out.
The room fell into a warm quiet, the Christmas tree lights and the crackle of the fire enveloping them as Hunter sank on the floor next to her, laying his head in Daisy’s lap. She brushed the hair away from his forehead, placing a soft kiss above his brow. Hunter’s eyes drifted shut, a smile sliding across his lips.
She leaned back again, stroking her fingers through his hair. Her gaze wandered again, over the room where it all began. “You know, I knew this house was special the moment I saw it. But…I had no idea just how special it would be. This house…it’s like family to me.”
Hunter glanced up at her with those dark eyes.
She brushed her fingers over his brows and cheekbones, tracing the glow of the fire against his skin. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How God knows what we need, even when we don’t?”
“It’s a little exciting,” Hunter said, turning to look at her fully now. “To know we can trust God with the planning from now on. And to know He’ll be present in the good times and the bad.”
She grinned. “Exactly.”
Daisy Decker said goodbye to the girl with a plan.
* * *
