Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

LUNA

I n the morning, I ran into town to pick up my packages at the post office. I wasn’t positive the post office delivered to the cabin, and I wanted to make sure I got my holiday lights. I'd ordered enough to decorate the porch and the inside of the cabin. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to wrangle a tree, but I wanted my temporary home to look festive.

Excitement filled my body as I carried the boxes inside and opened them in the living room. Everything was there: lights, ornaments, and some greenery. I hoped Axel didn't think they were obnoxious.

Last night, I felt like he'd let me in a little. He was content to stay in his cabin and work on himself before he reconnected with his family. He ran, he read books, kept his cabin tidy, and he sat on the porch in the evenings. He was content, but was he happy?

I sensed he was nervous to see his family again. Would they not accept him because of his choices? Or was it something else? Did he truly not feel like he fit in?

I couldn't imagine that was true. He came across as gruff and grumpy, but there was so much more to him.

There was a lot he wasn't sharing, but we were just acquaintances. Once I went home, I wouldn't talk to him again. He seemed like someone who kept to himself, never letting anyone in. That's why it felt special to get a glimpse into his psyche.

I dragged the ladder I'd found in the closet outside and set it up on the porch. I had everything I needed to secure the lights, so I got to work. My fingers were stiff from the cold. I had to pull off the gloves to secure the string.

I had the first set of lights tacked to the gutters when I heard Axel's front door open. I jerked slightly, swaying on the ladder.

“What are you doing?” Axel's words rushed together.

I reached for the ladder so I could steady myself, but it was moving too.

The ladder tipped to the side, and I screamed, convinced I was going to fall onto the wood porch. But before I could hit the ground, an arm came around my middle and pulled me against a hard chest.

The ladder clattered against the wood planks.

I was anchored to Axel's chest. His breath huffed against my ear. “What were you thinking?”

“I was doing just fine until you came out here.” I should have made a move to get out of his hold, but I liked it a lot. He was warm and hard everywhere. I felt safe with his arm around me. I didn't want to leave the safety of his body.

He slowly eased his hold, and I had no choice but to step away from him. I whirled on him, expecting to give him hell for scaring me, but his expression was pinched. He was worried about me. Finally, I said, “I was hanging lights.”

His forehead creased as he examined my progress. “Why?”

I followed his gaze. “I wanted to decorate for Christmas.”

His brow furrowed. “But you're only here for vacation.”

“It's the holiday season. I wanted it to feel festive.”

Axel glanced over at me. “Aren't you going home for the holidays?”

“Most likely. But I love this time of the year.”

He still looked flummoxed by the prospect of decorating a vacation cabin for the holidays.

“I love the holidays.” I missed being in Florida with my family even though they drove me crazy. But it was cold here, the way I always imagined it should be over Christmas.

“I'm not sure it's worth the risk of falling off a ladder,” Axel said gruffly.

“I was doing just fine until you rushed out here and scared me.” I threw my arm in his direction.

“You shouldn't be doing this alone. I'll hold the ladder for you.” He easily lifted the ladder and set it upright.

“Don't you need to go for your run?” I asked.

“I already went.”

His hair was slightly damp. Had he gone for his run before I'd woken up? We'd stayed up late last night drinking hot chocolate and gazing at the stars.

It had been nice.

He'd even grabbed a throw for me to put on my lap. He made me feel cared for in a way my exes never had. I was independent, but it was nice to have someone worry about me, someone besides my immediate family.

I suspected that their concern came from a place of distrust. Like I couldn't be expected to make good life decisions. I was the youngest kid in the family, and no one would ever see me as anything different.

The idea of going out on my own had more appeal, especially after hearing Axel's perspective last night. It was still scary, but I had more hope that it was a possibility than ever before.

“Where were you?” Axel moved to pick up the ladder. Then he set it where it was before.

“I finished with this strand. I need to add another.” I pulled the lights out of the box, and Axel helped me unravel them. “You want to hang them?”

“This is the first time I've decorated a house. My brothers hogged this chore at home.” It was hard to participate with six older brothers.

“I can imagine if you have that many older brothers, they don't let you do anything.”

I laughed. “How did you know?”

“I was the same way growing up. We protected our sisters too.”

I climbed onto the ladder. “It's nice but stifling at the same time. I wish they could see me as capable.”

Axel held it steady. “I think they do, but they still worry. Have you talked to them about it?”

His presence made me feel safe. I knew he wouldn't let me fall. “To them, I'm sure it comes out more like a temper tantrum. My brothers bring out the childish side in me, and they don't take me seriously.”

“Mmm.” Axel's voice rumbled through my body, settling in my chest.

His presence was large and unwavering. What would it be like to always have him at my back? I'd feel like I could do anything when I'd always prided myself in being independent. Especially after my parents and brothers insisted on doing so many things for me.

I tacked the next row of lights onto the roof. With Axel's help, it went much more quickly. We'd done the entire porch roof by the time my stomach was rumbling and my arms aching.

I stepped off the ladder. “Want to come in for lunch? I bought fixings for subs.”

Axel stepped away. “I never turn down food.”

I smiled at him as I opened the door. “That's good to know.”

I washed my hands, then pulled out the meat, cheese, and condiments for subs.

Axel did the same, leaning a hip against the counter.

“You weren't cold outside without a jacket?” I asked him as I carefully loaded up the sub rolls with meat and cheese.

“I ran out when I saw you on the ladder.”

He'd panicked. That admission sent a pang through my heart. That was the thing that was missing in all my relationships. Someone who cared about me, who worried for my safety. “Thank you for saving me.”

He grimaced. “I might have overreacted a bit.”

“I didn't fall. Not that time anyway,” I said recalling when he ran into me on the trail. I was no match for his size. “It was nice to have the help. It went much more quickly.”

“What else do you have left to do?” he asked, clearly having noticed the boxes in the foyer.

“I want to do the railings with lights and garland, then the inside of the house. Do you think I should get a tree?”

Axel shifted his weight on his feet. “You're only here for a short time.”

I chewed my lip. “That's what I was thinking. It would be a hassle, and then I'd have to throw it out. I won't even be here on Christmas.”

Axel nodded. “It would be nice though. I haven't had a tree since I lived at home.”

“You should get one then. You're staying here longer than me. Isn't this your home until you sell or rent it?”

“That's the plan.”

It was exactly what he needed.

I added sliced jalape?os on mine. “What do you want on yours?”

“The same.”

I added jalape?os to his sandwich, then poured the lemonade into glasses. We sat at the island to eat. My kitchen was more updated than his. I'd seen the pictures online and fell in love with the space. I thought I could hide from everything, get some much-needed time alone. But spending time with Axel was nice too.

Axel devoured his sandwich in a few bites.

“Do you need a second one?” I asked as I got up to grab a bag of chips and the bowl of watermelon I'd cut up earlier.

“I'll be okay.”

I made another one and cut it in half to put on a plate. Either one of us could have it, or I could save it for later.

I settled on the stool to finish my sub. The only thing missing was pickles. I'd have to pick up some on my next trip into town. I'd avoided Annapolis, since that's where Violet lived. I didn't want her knowing I was so close. She'd insist on coming out to see me.

I wanted to give her space with Ryder, and I wanted this time for myself. I tried not to think too hard about why I was letting Axel encroach on it.

On some level, it felt like he needed me. But I was enjoying his company too. He was gruff on the outside, but gooey soft on the inside. Who else got to see that side of him?

It felt good knowing I was probably one of the few besides his sisters. It sounded like he'd kept himself separate from his family.

When we were finished, I took my time cleaning up. Like last night, I enjoyed just sitting in silence with Axel. I didn't feel the need to fill the space with noise or to prove anything to him. He believed I was capable. Even though he held the ladder, he was doing it to keep me safe, but not in an overbearing way.

Axel drank the last of his lemonade, then stood up. “Want to knock out the railing next?”

I raised a brow as he handed me his glass. “You still want to help?”

He rubbed his hands together. “I don't have anything else planned for the day. And we still haven't decided where to start on the renovations with my cabin.”

I smiled. “We can talk about it while we work.”

I had a feeling he was lonely even though he'd purposely moved out here to get away from people. He obviously needed some interaction with others. Or was there something special about me?

I hoped it was the latter even though I knew we were a bad idea. There was a specific end date to this relationship, and I'd just come off a breakup. Neither one of us was in a position to start a relationship. I doubted he even wanted one.

I'd enjoy this time with him. Then we'd go our separate ways. Hopefully, working on his cabin would give me a much-needed confidence boost. I could go on my own and live out my dreams.

I bundled up again, and we headed outside with the boxes of garland and lights. We each took one side of the porch and easily completed the task.

When we were done, Axel stepped off the porch to get the full effect. “You know no one will see this.”

I grinned. “But you will, and I can sit on the porch in the evenings and enjoy it.”

“Should we meet here tonight to turn on the lights?” Axel asked.

“I'll bring the hot chocolate this time. Oh, and I have the projected timeline for your renovation. Let me grab that.” I hurried inside not expecting him to follow me.

I grabbed my tablet from my desk, and when I turned around, I smacked into him with a thud.

He grabbed my arms, bracing me.

I had to look up to see his face, feeling breathless. “Sorry, I didn't realize you'd followed me.”

His jaw was tight. “It's my fault. I should have made more noise.”

“You are quiet for such a big guy.” Any time I was near him, every nerve in my body was on high alert. I wanted him to lower his head and kiss me. But I wasn't sure he was feeling the electricity between us.

He patted my arms before stepping back. “It's probably my military training.”

“Right. Anyway.” I opened the cover for my tablet and pulled up the list I'd made last night. I was so energized after our conversation; I couldn't sleep. I wanted to get to work on the plan. “I figured we could rip out the linoleum first. I'll order the flooring, cabinets, and appliances you'll need in the meantime. I can also take a closer look at the wood floor, see if any of the planks need to be replaced.”

“I'll get started on that this afternoon.”

“I wanted to help you, but I have to work on the day job since I took the morning off.”

“I don't mind doing it by myself. It gives me time to think.”

“That works. Do you have preferences for appliances?”

“Whatever the best brands are is fine.”

I nodded, loving when I had leeway in ordering. “I can research it and send you the prices.”

“That works.”

“Great. I'll see you tonight then.” I was still grinning when Axel turned and headed into his cabin. I had something to look forward to: our date night on the porch and our renovations for the cabin.

He was helping me with so much, and I didn't think he had any idea the effect he was having on my life.

For the first time in a long while, I felt excited about the future. And it had nothing to do with my family's company. This was something I was creating on my own. I'd make Axel's cabin look amazing, and hopefully, he'd let me share the pictures online so I could get my design business off the ground.

I might not have the money for my own flip yet, but I could design for other people. I didn't have to wait for my family to get on board. I wondered if I should offer my services to the customers who asked about it.

I was positive my family would hate it, but for once, I was going to do what I wanted.