Page 68 of Lakehouse Promises

“Positive. I’ll help you load up.” Bernice had taken the order ticket and was heading over to the pumpkins.

Chapter 43

Carolina knocked on the front door of the Clemson’s two-story house. It was tucked away on a quiet street in the middle of town. It was an older house and the perfect starter home for the new couple.

Tony answered the door on the first knock. He brightened when he saw her.

“Carolina, right?”

“Right. I got off early so I thought I would go ahead and get started.”

“Thanks so much. And thanks for not ringing the doorbell. The baby is sleeping and so is my wife.”

“Of course.” She turned to head back to her jeep and then stopped. “You know, you should put a sign up on your door about not ringing the doorbell. And only knocking once.”

“I hadn’t even thought about that. But it’s a good idea. Thanks.”

She headed back to her jeep and opened the back.

“Wow. That’s a lot of mums.”

“Trust me, your wife will love it once she sees the finished product.” They worked quickly to unload the jeep.

“Do you need me to do anything else?”

“No. I’ll knock when I’m done so you can see it.”

“Thank you.” He went back inside and closed the door behind him.

She pulled up the picture of her inspiration she’d found on the internet and set it on the step. She began arranging the mums and pumpkins on either side of the steps. She’d also brought some burlap ribbon that they’d had lying in a corner of the nursery. She intertwined it between the mums and pumpkins and fluffed it where it needed it.

When she was finished she stepped back and admired her work.

Satisfied she knocked on the door.

Tony appeared with his wife holding their baby. “Carolina this is Katie. And baby Michael.”

“Nice to meet you both.” She smiled. “How sweet. He’s beautiful.” She said to Katie.

“Thank you.” Katie gave her a tired smile. “Tony said you were going to make our house look more festive. I wish I had time to do it but there are only so many hours in the day.”

“That’s what I’m here for. I hope you like it.” She stepped back and let the couple see her work.

Kate’s smile dropped and she gasped. Tony was looking at Katie. It occurred to Carolina that it didn’t matter what it looked like to Tony, as long as his wife was happy, then he was happy.

“It’s beautiful.” Katie walked down the steps looking from side to side. “I thought you were going to put something up on the door and maybe a pumpkin and a mum, but this…” She blinked back tears. “This is amazing.”

“I’m so glad you like it.” Carolina smiled, feeling happy for the first time that day.

“I mean it. It’s picture perfect.” Katie shook her head in disbelief.

“So it is. Why don’t I take some pictures of you? A family picture.”

“But I don’t have any makeup on.” Katie touched her face.

“You look beautiful.” Tony gazed at his wife.

“Run inside and get ready. I’ll wait.” Carolina nodded.

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