Page 79 of All My Heart

When he came back out, he held a rectangle object wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. He thrust it in my direction. “This is for you.”

I opened it slowly, wondering what it could be.

“Something to remember your first renovation.” His voice wavered slightly.

It was a framed photo of Axel's cabin. “I love this. Thank you.”

“I don't know if you'll want framed photos of all your projects, but I could see this one on a wall next to your beach house.

I hugged the frame to my chest. “I don't have the beach house yet.”

“You will. I have no doubt.”

The tears came now, unchecked even though I knew I had to leave. He hadn't said the words I wanted to here. “Thank you for believing in me. For letting me take over your cabin.”

Axel pulled me into his chest, as if he couldn't express himself any other way, and I was all too eager to hide my face.

“You have a friend in Maryland, so maybe we'll see each other again,” Axel said as I pulled away.

I managed a smile even though it felt broken. “Right.”

I rested the picture of the cabin gently in the back, and Axel shut the trunk.

“I'll see you,” I said as I got into the car and shut the door. I turned the car around, careful not to look at Axel. I wouldn't be able to see to drive if I cried anymore.

I let out short breaths as I drove away, the pain settling deep in my chest. I was driving away from the man I loved, who didn't love me back. It was somehow worse than walking in on Rex cheating on me.

The pain was deeper, more permanent. I wasn't sure I'd ever feel okay again.

CHAPTER 20

AXEL

After Luna left, I went back to the cabin, wishing I had something to work on, but we'd completed everything. The only thing missing was Luna. She'd designed everything with me in mind, and there was nothing that was quintessentially her.

This was my style, and that should have been fine. But I wanted more. I wanted to wake up to Luna and cook her breakfast every morning before we worked on whatever project we had planned for the day. I wanted to talk to her about our day and fall into bed or the hot tub together at night. Instead, Luna was flying home, and someone else would rent out her cabin.

It wouldn't be the same without her. This cabin was supposed to be my respite, but instead everything reminded me of her.

I went for a run, but it was too late in the day, and it felt off. I was hungry, tired, and irritated. After a shower, I decided to show up at the farm and see if they needed my help. It had been a long time since I worked there, but I was positive it would all come back to me.

When I parked at the house and got out, Dad greeted me. “What are you doing here?”

“The cabin is done. Luna went home.” I stuffed my hands in my pockets. “I have time. Figured I'd offer a hand.”

Dad gave me a look before sending me in the direction of the cut lot. “We can always use help getting trees on vehicles.”

I gave him a wave. “I'm on it.”

I worked side by side with Teddy and the kids we hired for the season. Charlotte must have worked some magic because we'd never hired this many people before.

I volunteered to work all day, not wanting any down time. I knew what would happen as soon as everything around me slowed down. I'd wonder why I'd let Luna go without telling her how I felt.

We gathered for dinner after the farm closed for the day.

“Luna gone?” Wes asked.

“Got on a plane today,” I said, stuffing the sandwich into my mouth so no one else would ask any more questions. Everyone exchanged a look that had me shifting on my feet. I chewed, swallowed, then added, “She's seeing a beach house tomorrow. Might put an offer on it.”

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