“Hi, Daddy!” Five-year-old Jana ran to her father and he scooped her up in a hug.
“Hi, Sweetheart. Did you have a good time at Grandpa and Grandma’s all week?”
“Yeah! We had lots of fun.”
“Good. I’ve been very busy while you’ve been gone. Want to see what I’ve been making?”
“Okay.”
Curtis returned Jana to the floor and led her into the back yard. She saw it instantly.
“A tree house!” She ran over to the tree and clambered up the ladder.
“Tree ‘house’ is right,” Helen said quietly, joining her husband. The new structure faced the family’s home. Part of it was built into the tree, but two sturdy poles provided much of the support.
“There has to be enough room if she ever invites me to a tea party up there,” he explained.
“Oh. Well, that makes perfect sense.” She shook her head and smiled at him. “But given your influence on her, I doubt there will be many tea parties.”
* * *