Page 41 of Courageous Yearnings

“Oh, did you get a…” Blythe stared at the welcome mat in silent horror before a nervous laugh escaped her. She looked at Lance and saw his frown finally begin to crack as a small corner of his lip turned upward. The welcome mat at the front door said, ‘I can see your undies’ in bold, elegant cursive scrollwork that was hard to read until you were right in front of it.

“You didn’t…”

“I kinda had to…”

“Lance…”

“What?” he chuckled, and just seeing his smile made her relax. “It’s true, you know. If you were wearing a skirt, the welcome mat could see your underwear.”

“It’s inappropriate.”

“It’s distinctly ‘me’.”

The two stood there looking at each other – and it was almost like he was asking her to approve of him putting a little mark on her place. If she was considering asking him to move in, then it was because he’d already left a mark on her heart. What would it matter if he put his own flair on a home they shared?

“I like the welcome mat. It’s inviting,” she acknowledged, smiling up at him as he opened the door… and she gasped.

There, inside her once empty home, were a couch and a recliner. Both were covered in a floral pattern with throw pillows that matched, a few small lamps that cast a warm glow on the living room. She turned to see that there was a small dining table nearby.

“You’ve been busy…” she whispered, stunned and touched, as she laid a hand over her heart to slow down the erratic beating within. The table was set with the new dishes they’d picked out, and a small taper was waiting to be lit. She could smell something fragrant coming from the kitchen, realizing that he’d cooked dinner for them.

“Oh Lance…”

“Do you like it?” he asked softly, shutting the front door. “I went with feminine touches, hoping it would be something you liked.”

“I love it,” she breathed, turning to him. “This is incredible.”

“It’s not everything,” he replied, and there was a mischievous look in his eyes that caught her attention immediately. “Take a look around.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

Blythe immediately walked into the kitchen and saw nothing out of place. The countertops were still pretty bare except for the spice rack he’d picked out the other day. Looking around the living room, she heard his voice.

“You are getting colder…”

“Is this a scavenger hunt?” she asked, turning to him in sheer delight at the thought that he might have put more into this than she ever imagined… and heard his soft chuckle. He was standing there, his arms crossed over his chest, watching her, but that smile was everything.

“Sure.”

Peering in the restroom, she saw the buttery colored shower curtain – and her mouse items she’d bought for his place!

“Oh! You brought the mice,” she exclaimed, laughing happily, and saw that the toothbrush holder was there – with two toothbrushes. A part of her almost commented on it, but maybe he was thinking along the same lines as her.

“Yup.”

His voice was in the hallway, and she immediately peered into the cabinet, seeing the gray towels and several yellow ones. He’d matched the little cheese blocks and touches of gray probably better than she could have done because décor wasn’t exactly her forte, and she hadn’t thought it was his either, to be honest. Walking back into the living room, she looked around the room again and saw Lance’s eyebrow lift almost in a dare.

“There’s more?”

“You never know…” Lance began evasively and unfolded his arms, looking a little nervous. That surprised her. He was always confident about things, almost decisive, yet he looked unsure at that moment. Why?

Turning, Blythe hesitated and looked over her shoulder at him.

“You didn’t…” she breathed, stunned – and nearly charged toward the master bedroom of the house, opening the door swiftly… and staggering. She clung to the doorknob with one hand and the frame with the other as her eyes took in everything.

There, in the master bedroom, was the most glorious bedroom set she had ever laid eyes upon. The headboard, dresser, mirror, and nightstands looked like it was covered in silverleaf and practically glowed. The bedspread was a pale blue satin and there had to be at least five or seven pillows tossed haphazardly in a mountain against the headboard.

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