Wyatt's Ready-Made Family. Patricia Thayer

for nearly eight years, but we’ve moved a lot…” Her gaze moved around the room, anywhere but at him. “I should get to work.” She pulled her car keys out of her purse and headed for the door. “Speaking of our agreement, just let me know when you want to discuss any ideas or color scheme. I could help you with the painting inside.”

      “I still have so much to do outside,” he said. “I need to get the place repaired and painted before winter gets here. But I would like to hear some of your suggestions for the inside of the house.”

      She nodded. “I’ll be home around five-thirty. Any suggestions on supper?”

      He smiled. “Surprise me.”

      For the first time she returned his smile. “Oh, it will definitely be that. See you tonight.” She turned and walked out.

      Wyatt realized that he was looking forward to when she came home, to seeing her again.

      That was not good.

      Just as Maura had said, she and the kids arrived home about five-thirty as he worked tightening the hinges on the screen door.

      Jeff was the first out of the car. He ran up to the porch without even a word of greeting.

      Not Kelly. She jumped out of the car, smiling. “Hi, Wyatt.” She took off her backpack and pulled out a piece of paper, the corners a little bent. “See what I made today? A picture. That’s you.” She pointed to the colorful rough stick figure on the page.

      “Really? You made a picture of me?”

      She nodded proudly.

      “No one has ever drawn me a picture. Thank you.”

      She twisted her fingers together. “You’re welcome.”

      “Where should we put this? How about on the refrigerator? That way I can see it every day when I eat.”

      “Okay, I can hang it up for you.”

      With a grocery bag in her hands, Maura climbed out of the car. Wyatt knew she was shopping for extras with him there. She made her way up the steps and looked around at the progress he’d made. He’d replaced nearly a third of the porch in front of the door. He was now working on the broken railing.

      “You’ve gotten a lot done,” she said. “It’s going to look nice.”

      Wyatt felt his body warm with her words, realizing he’d wanted her approval. “Thanks. It was a lot of work, but this old house is worth it.”

      “It is a wonderful house, just neglected. Except for the roof, it’s new,” she said. “Cade said that was the one thing I didn’t have to worry about when it rained. The house had been built by his grandfather.”