Page 42 of That Time in Venice
Chapter15
“Just a few moresteps.”
With one hand over Brielle’s eyes, Reed steered his daughter into the bedroom where Anika had put the finishing touches only minutes before. She stood aside as they entered, scanning the room one more time to make sure she hadn’t missedanything.
The room had come together nicely. A collage of colorful 3D butterflies were attached to the wall behind Brielle’s bed, and Anika had suspended another ten out of reach from the ceiling, but directly over the pillow so they were the first thing Brielle saw when she woke up in the morning. The outlet covers had been replaced with butterfly switch plates, and the bed was made with pillows and linens in pastel colors that matched the new curtains. A comfy armchair gave Reed a place to sit on the nights he checked in on Brielle, and she’d gotten rid of Brielle’s old toy box after Ryan installed the window seat, arranging the stuffed animals so they could lounge on topofit.
Reed removed his hand. “Openyoureyes.”
Brielle’s mouth fell open, and she jumped up and down. “Is this for me?” She looked back at her father, eyes wide as if she couldn’tbelieveit.
“All foryou,baby.”
“I love it!” Two seconds later, Brielle burst into tears and pressed her tiny fists tohereyes.
Reed dropped to his knees and pulled her into a hug. “Ah, baby, why are youcrying?”
“Everything is so pretty.” Brielle sniffled. “I love itsomuch.”
Watching Brielle cry happy tears against her father’s chest, Anika had to blink back her own tears. She’d expected joy but hadn’t foreseen this overflow of emotion from thelittlegirl.
Reed rubbed his daughter’s back, cradling her close until her sobbingquieted.
“Thank you,Daddy.”
He pushed his daughter’s hair out of her face. “You don’t have to thank me, baby. I’d do anything for you.” He kissed Brielle’s eyelids and swiped away the remnants of her tears with his thumbs. Lifting her into his arms, he said, “Miss Anika did all the work. What doyousay?”
“Thank you, MissAnika.”
“You’re welcome,sweetie.”
Reed and Anika simply gazed at each other for a moment. He couldn’t hide the utter appreciation in his eyes, which made her feel particularly sentimental that she’d been a part of making them both so happy. Hands down, the best part of her job was the awe and joy on her clients’ faces after a transformation of their livingspace.
“I guess now we can finish dinner,”Reedsaid.
“I’ll meet you downstairs. I’m going to check the otherrooms.”
The house was finally complete. Anika walked through each room, taking in all the changes. For the most part, the project had moved along smoothly, with only a few hiccups. It helped that Reed was soaccommodating.
The neutral paint added warmth and needed color to the walls. The furnishings beautified the home with carefully curated pieces that added comfort and style, while allowing for the relaxed environment Reed preferred. And now Brielle’s room had satisfied not only Reed, but his little girl,aswell.
The only outstanding item needed was a piece for the empty wall in the living room. Reed had rejected her suggestions thus far, but Anika hadn’t given up on her quest to find the perfect wall hanging that would tie in the blue and earth tones in the colorscheme.
“What’s for dinner?” she asked, walking into the kitchen. Reed stood at the stove, stirring a pot with a wooden spoon. The food smelleddivine.
Brielle sat on her haunches on a stool at the island, her elbows resting on the cool granite top. Adorable with her long curly hair pouring down her back in loose curls, she wore a black T-shirt that saidPlaydate Materialin silver script. In the past few weeks since she’d been spending more time with them, she’d learned from Reed that Brielle fell for shirts with writing on them, even though she couldn’treadyet.
“Pasghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite,”shesaid.
“Smells delicious,”Anikasaid.
Brielle nodded vigorously. “Daddy makes goodpasghetti.”
“Need any help?” Anikaasked.
“I’m almost done. I’m taking care of my ladiestonight.”
The inside of her chest warmed at the words, and when Reed looked over his shoulder and winked at her, Anika blushed. With tax season over, they were able to spend more time together, but he still had to juggle caring for his daughter. Along with Mrs. Miller and a babysitter in the neighborhood, his cousins proved to be convenient alternatives in apinch.
