Page 32 of All My Heart

I nodded toward the narrow door, and her eyes lit up. “You have marshmallows?”

My lips twitched. “I have a sweet tooth.”

“Good to know,” Luna murmured as I led the way outside.

I wondered if she'd taste sweet.

On the porch, I set the steaming mugs on the table between two rocking chairs and sat down. She'd pulled on her coat and was dropping minimarshmallows into her mug. “You want some?”

“Sure.”

I waited while she put the same amount in my mug, then closed the bag and sat next to me. The night was quiet.

When the hot chocolate cooled, we sipped it, content to enjoy the evening without filling it with conversation.

“I don't think I've ever just sat on a porch to gaze at the stars.”

I looked up. It was clearer than it had been in a while. “There's a first time for everything.”

“I usually walk on the beach.”

I wished that we could do that here. I wanted to see Luna in her element, and something told me she was beautiful on a beach. I bet she thrived in the warmth and sun.

CHAPTER 9

LUNA

In 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?”

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