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decorating.”
    “Well, that’s no surprise, honey. People always have their own ideas about things like that.”
    “True. In the ten years I lived with the Tabors as their adopted daughter, I learned a lot about decorating from Mama. I’ve pretty much developed the same tastes as hers.”
    Dane transferred the reins to his other hand and took her hand in his. “Sweetheart, you can decorate the house inside and out any way you want to.”
    She smiled at him. “I’ll try not to be extravagant.”
    Dane chuckled. “I’m not worried about that.”
    When they pulled up in front of the house, Tharyn ran her gaze over the porch and the part of the yard that surrounded it. “Oh, I’m so excited! Let me tell you what I have in mind for outside the house before we go in.”
    Dane stepped down from the buggy, helped her out, then held her hand. “Okay, I’m all ears!”
    Hand in hand they walked up close to the front porch.
    Gesturing with her free hand, Tharyn said, “Right here on each side of the porch steps, I want to plant lots of bright, colorful flowers. They will say welcome to anyone who approaches our door.”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    She pointed up to the framework just above the railing that ran across the front of the porch. “I’d like to have some hanging baskets of geraniums up there, and if we could get a swing and maybe four comfortable chairs so we can relax with company when they come. How does that sound?”
    “Sounds good to me, sweetheart. We’ll do it. Do you want help planting all of the flowers?”
    “Oh no. I’ll enjoy getting my hands in the warm earth. It’ll be fun for me.”
    “Well, okay, if you’re sure.”
    “I’m quite sure, sweetheart. Now let’s go to the backyard.”
    They walked around to the rear of the house where a green carpet of grass gleamed in the sunshine.
    Tharyn bent down and put her hand in the grass. “It will be wonderful to walk barefoot in this on hot summer days.”
    A white picket fence surrounded the ample backyard. She had noticed the small barn behind the fence where Dane kept his horse and buggy, but this time, she spotted a plot of ground next to it.
    Letting go of his hand, she hurried to the fence and said excitedly, “Oh, Dane! What a perfect spot for a garden! We can grow our own vegetables. That’ll be all right, won’t it?”
    Dane drew up behind her. “Sure it’s all right—but with our busy schedules, do you really think we’ll have the time?”
    “Sure we will. We won’t make it too big. It’ll be a great way to unwind at the end of a busy day.”
    “Okay, my love. It’s worth a try. But I’ll do the spading and raking of the ground.”
    “Fine. And I’ll do the planting and watering.” She turned and ran her gaze over the entire backyard. “The trees and plants out here are great. Maybe we can put a bench under that big cottonwood tree over there, so we can enjoy the backyard as well. And I’ll put a few flower pots on the back porch. Okay?”
    “Whatever you say, honey. Sounds good to me.”
    “Well, let’s go inside. When we were here a little while ago for me to freshen up, all I saw was the kitchen. I love how wonderful the table and chairs we bought for the kitchen look in there. I’m eager to see the furniture in the rest of the house, as well as the curtains and drapes that are still packed.”
    They moved onto the back porch and entered the kitchen. As they walked from room to room, she explained in detail how she wanted to decorate each one and arrange its furniture. “The lady who lived here before us must have really loved this house. She took special care of it, and I want to do the same thing.”
    When they were in the last room—which was the master bedroom on the second floor—Tharyn finished describing how she wanted it, then said, “Now, honey, I realize we may not have the money to get the additional things I’ve mentioned all at once. Even if it takes a couple of years, that’s all