Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

AXEL

“ I know a little about overprotective brothers. I have six.”

I let out a low whistle before I said, “You'd get along with my youngest sister. She has five.”

Luna glanced over at me. “You have six siblings?”

“At last count.”

Luna tipped her head back and let out a laugh, one that carried through the woods.

My chest tightened as I watched her laugh. When had I ever been so carefree?

When she finally sobered, she said, “You can be funny.”

“I didn't mean to be.” I wasn't comfortable in social situations. If I wasn't shooting the shit with the guys or the few women in the service, I hadn't spoken to a woman like this in years.

Luna reached over and touched my arm briefly. “My rental manager told me that no one was renting your cabin.”

I wondered if she was a touchy-feely person. Normally that would bother me, but I liked her contact. “I'm not renting.”

Her brow raised. “You're the owner then?”

“For now.” I didn't see the need to share too much information. I didn't know anything about her, other than she was attractive, and I was intrigued by her. “You're renting.” I felt the need to clarify.

Luna nodded. “I'm scheduled to be here for a few weeks. After that, I don't know what I want to do.”

“Where are you from in Florida?” I asked, wondering how much I could probe without her shutting me out.

“Sanibel Island. I was here to visit a friend, but as soon as I got here, it was clear she was in a different place than me.”

Her skin was tan, and her cheeks were covered in freckles as if she was used to being in the sun. “How so?”

“I'm coming off a breakup, and she'd just gotten engaged.”

Exactly what I'd suspected. She was here to grieve and move on. When she was gone, I'd still be here, trying to figure out my life. “Sounds like all my siblings. They're pairing off one by one.”

“Why are you living here? I thought most of the cabins in this area were rentals.”

My jaw tightened as I thought about whether I wanted to tell her the truth. There was something about this woman. I wanted to be honest. “I just resigned from the military, and I wanted to slowly acclimate to civilian life.”

An amused expression took over her face. “It's hard to acclimate in society when you're out here.” She waved a hand at the wilderness. “Away from everyone and everything.”

I let out a breath. “I thought it would be a slow process.”

“You're giving yourself time. That's not a bad thing.”

I nodded. “I'm not in a rush. I have money and time. No one is expecting me. Not yet anyway.”

“That must be nice to be able to disappear for a while.”

“You're doing the same thing.”

She huffed out a laugh. “I suppose you're right. No one knows I'm here.”

I frowned. “Where do they think you are?”

“They think I'm visiting my friend. When she got engaged, I rented the cabin, thinking some time alone would be good.”

I had to know more about why she was here. I couldn't stop myself from asking, “What was the deal with your ex?”

Luna shook her head and was quiet for so long, I wasn't sure she was going to answer me. “I came home early from work one day and found him sleeping with someone else.”

“That sucks.” I'd never been with anyone long enough for that to happen, but I could imagine her trust was blown. She was hurt, and she was here to lick her wounds.

Luna nodded. “He had things to say, none of them nice. But we live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone's business. I couldn't face everyone, and their pitying looks.”

“He cheated on you though. Isn't he the one who should be worried about public opinion?”

“I'm the youngest Kingston, the only girl. No one will date me because they're afraid of my big brothers.”

I nodded, understanding her brothers' desire to keep her shielded from the bad guys who wouldn't treat her right.

“But that means that no respectable guys will date me,” Luna said bitterly. “They couldn't understand why I was dating Rex.”

“You liked him?” I asked, trying to understand her. Right now, she wasn't making any sense to me. I saw things in black-and-white. If this guy wasn't good enough for her, why was she with him?

“Maybe I thought I could change him or something. My friends say I have a fixer-upper complex when it comes to guys. I guess it matches my upbringing.”

I frowned. “How does that match your upbringing?”

Luna let out a long sigh. “I forget; you don't know me. I'm so used to everyone knowing exactly who my family is.”

“And who is that?”

“My family owns the only contracting business in town. They kind of run everything. If they decide not to take on your project, you're dead in the water. Not that my brothers would screw anyone over, but there's always that fear. So everyone is always kissing up to them.”

“There's really only one?”

She hesitated, and I wondered what she was hiding. “It's difficult for others to get into the community. We have a monopoly, I guess you could say.”

“Where do you fit in?”

“I handle the calls, emails, the scheduling, and estimates. The office work. My mom does some of it, but I pick up everything else.”

“Do you like what you do?” I asked, a little surprised that she was happy with that kind of job. She seemed larger-than-life to me; her job should be the same.

“I'd love to be more involved with the hands-on work, but they've always discouraged me. There was always a sense that I don't know what I'm doing. But I grew up in construction.”

I frowned. “They don't think you're capable?”

“They've always seen me as the little sister that needs to be shielded and protected. But I want to learn.”

“That must be frustrating.”

I felt invisible in my family, but that was partly my fault. I'd disappeared for years at a time. I removed myself from the equation until I wasn't even a factor anymore.

“I've been around construction my entire life. I absorbed a ton, and I'd like to learn more.”

“What do you want to do?” I asked her.

Luna sighed, and then said, “I've thought about flipping a house on my own. But it's scary. I haven't been trained, and I'm worried I'll screw something up and fail.”

“You think your family wouldn't support you?” I couldn't imagine not helping my siblings if they asked for it. Not that they did anymore.

“They'd tell me it was a reckless decision. That I shouldn't have taken on such a big project without a plan.”

“Thinking you can rely on your construction family to help with procuring materials and advice is too much?”

“They're busy with real jobs. They'd see my house flipping as a small project.”

“Ah. I see.” I hoped they didn't talk to her that way. Maybe she was exaggerating. But the pain on her face wasn't fake.

“You're stuck where you are. You have the reputation and reach of your family. You can't break free.”

“That's right.”

“So you escaped to Maryland, and you're renting a cabin in the woods.”

Her nose scrunched. “I don't have the skills to flip something. It was just a dream.”

I had a feeling dating that guy had taken some of her confidence. She didn't think she could do it, which was the only factor that mattered in something like this. “If you want to do it, you will.”

Luna laughed. “Yeah, it doesn't work like that. I'd have to have the money to buy the place and to fund the renovation.”

“You could get a partner, or talk to someone who's done it before and can tell you what to expect. My point is you'll find a way if you want to do it.”

Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “Maybe.”

We fell silent for a while. There was nothing but the sound of our feet hitting the ground and the occasional rustle of an animal in a nearby bush.

When the cabins came into view, Luna started toward her place. I snagged her hand. “I want to take a look at that knee.” When she didn't answer right away, I said, “I won't hurt you.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I led her up the porch, pausing to help her to go up the steps, then pushed open the door. I hadn't bothered to lock it for my run, thinking no one was here.

Inside, I directed her to the couch I was embarrassed of. Then I grabbed my first aid kit, ice, and a hand towel. “Put your leg up.” I squatted down and didn't wait for her to comply. I lifted her leg until her foot was propped on the coffee table. I set the ice aside while I manipulated her leg this way and that. “It's probably bruised.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “That's what I said.”

I raised a brow. “Do you have any medical training?”

Luna sighed, her eyes soft on mine. “No.”

“Then you could listen to my opinion.”

Her lips pursed. “Maybe.”

She was a tough one. She made me work for every inch she gave me, and I had a feeling I'd enjoy the process of getting all the way in. The question was— Did I want to? I set the ice on her knee. “You want eggs?”

Luna's contemplative gaze rested on me. “I could eat.”

I stood. “I'll cook us up some eggs.”

She licked her lips. “You don't have to do that for me.”

“It's the least I can do after walking in on you last night and then bumping into you today.”

Her lips twitched. “You do keep barreling into my life.”

“I promise this will be the last time.” I felt badly that I was making her time here less than ideal.

Something about the quirk of her lips told me she was enjoying our interactions. But I was so out of practice I wasn't positive about that. She could be just nice. “If you say so.” She pulled out her phone, and I took that as my cue to cook.

I was pleased I tore down the wall between the two rooms last night. I could keep an eye on her while I whisked the eggs and added milk.

Luna lowered her phone and looked at the hole in the wall between the rooms. “Is that what the junk is outside?”

“I tore down the wall last night.”

Her eyes widened. “You planning on renovating the cabin?”

“I didn't like how the wall blocked the view.” There were a lot of windows in the front and back of the house. Now I could see both in the kitchen.

“So you just tore down the wall?” Luna asked, admiration evident in her tone.

“I tested it first to make sure it wasn't load bearing.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “I would hope so.”

“I know things about construction.”

“You need any help?” Her voice was so hopeful I couldn't say no to her.

“You think you can with that knee?” I pointed the spatula at her leg.

“Give me a day or two. What are your plans for the place?”

I didn't have any until last night. But if it meant I could spend more time with my new neighbor, I'd make some. “I tore down the wall on a whim. But I guess I could use new furniture, appliances, and counters.”

“A complete overhaul?” Luna asked, excitement filling her voice.

“Whether I rent it out or sell, it would only increase the value, and I have nothing to do right now.”

“A project. I love it.”

I was worried a plan would create too much pressure, but the thought of fixing up this place was nice. “I suppose I could do it.”

“You're not sure?” Luna asked, shifting the ice on her knee.

“I wanted to ease back into things.”

“Just do one thing at a time. Like that wall.” She waved a hand at the empty space.

Since I tore down the wall, I'd felt freer. It was like I could breathe a little easier, which was ridiculous. It was just a wall.

I turned on the burner and poured the egg mixture into the pan.

“But I can understand if you just came here to lay low for a while.”

Because she was here for the same reason.

“But it could be fun.” Her voice moved closer to me.

I spun, only to find her leaning against the countertop. “You shouldn't be walking around.”

“My knee's fine.”

I just gave her a look.

She huffed out a breath. “Fine. I'll sit in the kitchen. I couldn't see your face when I was sitting in the other room.”

She wanted to see my face? Without a word, I helped her over to a chair, waiting for her to elevate her leg on the only other available chair, then put the ice on it.

I moved over to the stove to check the omelet.

“What are you hiding out from?” Luna asked, her voice softer.

“My family,” I said without any forethought.

Luna frowned. “Why?”

“They're a lot of them. They're pairing off and getting married, having babies, and expanding.” I moved to the fridge, holding an orange juice container up. When Luna nodded her approval, I grabbed a glass and poured her a generous amount. I was glad I'd recently gone food shopping.

Luna accepted the glass. “What's wrong with that? You feel left out?”

“Not exactly. I'm just not sure I fit in anymore.” I poured a second glass and drank most of it before checking the omelet again. It was almost cooked. Time for cheese.

“I'm sure they'd welcome you back. Be happy to have you.”

“You know how it is. Family's complicated.” It might have been all in my head, but I didn't think so. There was a wall between me and my family. One I'd placed there out of necessity when I enlisted. I didn't want them to worry about me, and I couldn't be distracted by them. I'd let myself go numb, and it was hard to see any other way to be.

I sprinkled cheese on the omelet, then waited a few more seconds for it to melt. I folded the omelet. “Yours is ready.”

I was back now; there were no more threats on my life. I wasn't worried about being deployed or moving away. Yet I couldn't bring myself to tell them I was home.

I plated the omelet, then placed it on the small round table in front of her.

“This looks great. Thanks.”

“It's not much. Just some eggs and cheese.”

“You didn't have to cook me breakfast.”

I looked at her over my shoulder. “You're forgetting the part when I bowled into you, pushing you down a ravine.”

Luna smiled wide. “It wasn't as bad as you're making it sound.”

I just lifted a brow before cracking more eggs for my omelet.

Luna cut her omelet into small pieces, then ate one. “This is good.”

I could cook some basic things. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it felt good to know I could make something for her. Her knee was hurt because of my inattention. “What are your plans while you're here?”

She finished chewing, then swallowed some orange juice. “I'm still working. I can do it remotely.”

“You planning on going into town?” It was best I didn't tell her my last name because everyone knew my family. I'd driven farther away to get my groceries, where no one would recognize me.

“I don't know.”

“It's a good tourist spot. You have Annapolis, then D.C., and Baltimore.”

“I've seen it all before when I visited my friend. She's been living here about two years now.”

I nodded like I understood. I didn't have friends outside of my unit, and I was doing a shit job of keeping up with any of them now. I got the occasional concerned text, and I always said I was fine. They weren't really worried about me. It was something they felt like they had to do. Axel's good. Check. Then they could put it behind them and forget about me.

And I didn't want to know who her friend was. I shouldn't want to get to know this woman. She was nothing more than a stranger who was staying next door for a month. Afterward, we wouldn't keep in touch. We had no reason to.

She was a brief distraction from my pitiful existence of running, eating, and trying to sleep. I wanted to keep busy to avoid ruminating about my past and my future. Renovating the cabin would be a perfect way to stay busy.

“You want me to write up a list of what needs to be done? Then we can prioritize it.”

“You do this kind of thing a lot?”

“I create the estimates after the boys meet with the customer. Then I handle all the back-and-forth questions, invoices, ordering, and scheduling.”

I had someone who was more than capable of assisting me. She was sitting right in front of me, and it meant I wouldn't be wallowing in loneliness for a few weeks. “Okay.”

She lifted her head to look at me as if she was surprised by my acquiescence. “Yeah?”

I shrugged. “Why not?”

She practically bounced in her chair. “It'll be fun. I don't usually get to be on location like this.”

“We'll need supplies.”

“I can help you with that. I don't have any contacts here for them. But it's just one house. We won't need large quantities of anything. A local home improvement store would be fine.”

For the first time, nerves pricked the back of my neck. What was I doing getting more involved with the temporary neighbor?

When I thought she was gone for good, I felt bereft, and now that I'd successfully pulled her into my life for a few weeks, I was excited. There was something to look forward to, and I could continue avoiding my family. It was a win-win.