Page 162 of Daddy By Design

“No promises, Mrs. Devereaux.” The knot loosened and the blindfold fell away.

He’d put me in the middle of the room, directly in front of a massive stained glass circular window that echoed Harriette’s library. This one held the bassinet with the little heart, as well as trailing vines.

The design was a little different from Harriette’s with swirls of green and purple that echoed our wedding rings. I found myself walking right to it, trailing my fingers around the copper joins for the glass.

A metal tree took up the entire wall with swirling branches that created the foundation for circular bookcases full of children’s books. They reminded me of Hobbit houses with the smooth wood.

“Did you do all this?”

“With the help of Charlie. But I did this window—mistakes and all.” He came up behind me and touched the join that was imperfectly perfect around the cradle. “I’m getting better at the beadwork, but I’m still struggling with cusps.”

“Whatever it is, you are mistaken, sir. This is pure craftsmanship.” I turned in his arms. “For our baby.”

“Yeah?” He grinned. “I wanted it perfect for you.”

“And the tree?” Well, that did it. I dabbed at my eyes, but the stupid things wouldn’t stop leaking.

He colored. “All me.”

“Even the woodwork?”

“Yeah.” He gripped the back of his neck. “Sanding is a bitch.”

I went onto my toes, cupped his face, and kissed him.

He dropped his arm and curled me in tight against him. “You like it?”

“Like doesn’t cover it. Everything is so special.” I slipped away from him to trail my fingers over the bassinet that matched the stained glass.

“That can come in our bedroom for the beginning. You know, when you want the baby close to us.”

I sniffled. “It’s perfect.” Then I noticed the rocking chair in front of the window. “You did this too?”

“No. I am not that good with wood.”

I’d bet he could if he really wanted to. He was magic with his hands, as I could attest.

I sat down and rested my forearms on the wide arm rests.

“I did a little research, trying to find some of the old furniture from this house. Most of it had been sold off at auction, but the Barrows family was good at keeping track of certain things. That’s Harriette’s rocking chair.”

“No.” My eyes filled again. “Her chair?”

“Yeah, her husband kept it for a long time. Even after he remarried, he kept it. I contacted his great-grandson and he agreed it should go back to the house.”

I launched myself out of the chair and rushed over to him. “You wonderful man.”

He laughed as he caught me and twirled me around a little. “You weren’t calling me a wonderful man yesterday.”

I laughed. “It’s a daily change of mood, and you better get used to it.”

It was so very perfect for our baby’s room, and for this house.

For the beginning of our family.

“I love every piece of this room.”

“I figured we could talk to August over at Ladybug Treasures about the rest of the furniture, but this is a good start.”

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