Hometown Proposal by Merrillee Whren Page A

assembled.”
    â€œSo does that mean you’re going to help me?”
    Elise chuckled. “I believe you’re going to need my help.”
    â€œThat’s a relief.” At least it meant she’d be staying awhile.
    â€œWhat is it?” Standing on her tiptoes, Olivia tried to see into the trunk.
    â€œStep away, sweetheart, so we can get it out.” Seth waved her back.
    Elise eyed him. “Are you sure you should be helping with this? I got it in the trunk. I should be able to get it out.”
    â€œI’m fine.” He wanted to give her assistance. He didn’t want to feel completely helpless.
    Olivia did as he said, standing wide-eyed as he leaned against the car and helped Elise lift the box containing the play kitchen and deposit it on the driveway. Olivia ran and started inspecting the picture on the box. She looked up at Elise. “Mine?”
    â€œYes, it’s your kitchen, but your daddy and I have to put ittogether. Let me take this inside.” Elise reached into the trunk and held up a plastic shopping bag. “I’ve got pots and pans and little play food items in here, too.”
    â€œPlay now, please?”
    â€œYou can’t, honey, not until we take it inside and put it together.” Seth gave Elise a helpless look. “Can you manage this by yourself if I open the doors?”
    â€œI think so.” Elise handed the bag of food items to Olivia. “You can carry this and help your daddy open the doors for me.”
    â€œI help.” Olivia scampered ahead, swinging the bag as she went up the walk.
    Once inside, Elise set the box in the living room and looked up at Seth. “Is this okay, or do you want to put it together someplace else?”
    â€œHere is fine.” Using the box for support, Seth ripped it open and started taking out all of the parts.
    Olivia eagerly picked up a couple of the pieces that Seth had laid on the nearby coffee table. Stepping into help, Elise tried to guide Olivia so she wouldn’t make a mess. “Olivia, let’s put the pieces over here.”
    After Seth emptied the box, he looked up at Elise. “Do you have any idea where they put my tools when they un packed?”
    Elise shrugged. “Not really, but I’ll check in the garage.”
    Seth’s pulse quickened when Elise returned with a large red box containing his tools. He wished he could tell her how he felt, but he was afraid of scaring her away. The fact that Elise cared for his daughter was a good start. He should be satisfied with that for now.
    Elise set the tool kit on the floor. Looking at him, she reached for the instructions for assembling the toy kitchen. “I hope this isn’t too complicated. I’ve heard horror storiesabout putting stuff like this together from my cousins who have kids.”
    â€œMe, too, from my mom and dad.” Seth couldn’t suppress the feelings of hope surrounding his heart because Elise was here. He pointed to the instructions. “I remember them saying to check for all the parts first.”
    â€œGood idea.”
    Olivia stood with her hands on her hips and stared at the two adults. “Me help, too.”
    â€œOkay, you can help your daddy keep track of the parts.”
    Olivia clapped her little hands as she took a seat next to him on the couch. Somehow he’d managed to sit on the couch without falling over. Dealing with the crutches and the plastic cast still wasn’t easy. Even though he’d been unhappy in the beginning about going to the nursing home, he was thankful for the time he’d had with the physical therapists there. They’d had him doing gait training with his crutches over even and uneven surfaces and strength training. He still had a long recovery, but they’d given him exercises to help.
    For the next two and a half hours, Seth, Elise and even Olivia worked to put the little kitchen together. Still trying not to let his thoughts