Hometown Proposal by Merrillee Whren Page B

dwell on his hopes for a new beginning with Elise, Seth took in the camaraderie between Elise and his daughter. He’d been worried that Olivia would always remind Elise of his relationship with Sophie. Seeing Elise and Olivia interact put some of his fear to rest, but he wouldn’t know for certain unless he asked Elise directly. Of course, he wasn’t going to do that anytime soon. She seemed comfortable and happy in his home for now. He didn’t want to bring up an uncomfortable subject and drive her away.
    After Seth drilled in the last screw, he set his electric screwdriver aside and looked at Olivia. “It’s ready. Do you want to try it out?”
    Her curls dancing, Olivia jumped up and down and clappedher hands. She bounded toward the kitchen and began opening doors and turning knobs again. Then she looked up at Seth. “Cook Daddy food.”
    Grinning, Seth nodded. Her excitement was contagious. “What are you going to cook for me?”
    With her dark eyes wide, Olivia stared at him. For once she didn’t have anything to say.
    â€œDo you need pots, pans and food?” Stepping forward, Elise picked up the plastic bag that Olivia had earlier dropped on the floor and forgotten. “Let’s look in here. I’ve got some stuff for your kitchen.”
    Olivia took the bag from Elise and dumped its contents. Little pots, pans and plastic miniature replicas of meat, fruits and vegetables littered the light brown area rug. The little girl began rummaging through the items as if she’d found great treasures. She held up an apple. “Apple.”
    â€œVery good, Olivia. Yes, that’s an apple.” Elise patted the little girl on the head.
    Seemingly pleased with herself for identifying the fruit, she began to name the other pieces of fruit one by one.
    Seth hunkered down and picked up some of the toy food and put it on the counter of the little kitchen. “Now you can put everything away, then you can cook something for me.”
    â€œâ€™Kay.” Olivia started gathering the pretend food and putting it away.
    Elise turned to him. “Do you want to keep this here?”
    â€œIt’s okay here for the time being. I’ll eventually figure out a permanent place for it.”
    Elise sat next to him on the couch. “She is so good.”
    â€œMost of the time.” Giving her a wry smile, he leaned closer and hoped she wouldn’t move away. Thankful that she’d stayed put, he spoke barely above a whisper. “I guess she hasn’t erupted into one of her tantrums around you.”
    Wide-eyed, Elise stared at him. “No. I don’t believe it.”
    â€œBelieve it. That’s why they call it the ‘terrible twos.’”
    â€œOh, yeah, my cousin Val has mentioned that.”
    â€œThen you know she’s not good all the time.”
    Standing, Elise turned toward the kitchen. “While Olivia is cooking some plastic food for you, I’ll make some real food.”
    Seth reached out and caught hold of Elise’s arm. He thought maybe he was dreaming or hadn’t heard her correctly. “You’re staying longer? You’re cooking for me?”
    Turning back to look at him, she nodded. “How do you and Olivia expect to eat if I don’t fix you something? Besides, I’ve been doing this every night for Olivia while you’ve been in the nursing home. I’m used to it.”
    â€œI could order a pizza.”
    â€œOh, okay, if that’s what you want to do.” Elise looked at Olivia, then back at him. “Guess I’ll be going then. I just wanted to drop the kitchen off for Olivia.”
    Seth wanted to kick himself. Elise had brought Olivia a gift, and he hadn’t even thanked her. Now she thought he expected her to leave. He didn’t mean for her to go. If only he’d thought twice before opening his mouth. He’d wanted to let her know she shouldn’t have to fix