Page 84 of All My Heart

It was late on Christmas Eve when there was a knock on the front door. My heart surged that it was Axel. He'd gotten on a plane, unable to live without me, and couldn't wait to tell me how he felt. That he loved me and shouldn't have let me go.

I crossed the floor to the front door in record time and pulled it open. Frowning, I said, “Dad. Cooper. What are you doing here?”

I pushed open the door wider.

“I heard you'd bought a house,” Dad said.

I shrugged even as my shoulders tightened. “It's not for me. I'm renovating it and hoping to sell it.”

Dad grunted as he stepped inside.

I smacked Cooper as he walked past me.

When Dad was busy examining the wallpaper in the living room, I mouthed to Cooper, “What the hell?”

He shrugged. “He wanted to know where you were.”

“I told you I was settling in after my trip,” I reminded Dad.

“We always get together as a family on Christmas Eve.”

“I wanted to make the place livable while I was here.” So far I'd bought an air mattress and was using various boxes as tables. I'd begun to move my kitchen items from the apartment to here, but that was it. I was more interested in getting started on the walls.

“By taking the wallpaper down?” Dad asked over his shoulder with a dubious look.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” I said, the familiar uncertainty creeping in.

Dad looked around, setting my nerves on edge. “Cooper told me he walked through the place for you.”

“He was nice enough to do that.” He'd told me the place was structurally sound, and that the previous owners had taken care of it. So the roof and HVAC unit was on the newer side.

“Why didn't you come to me?” Dad asked as he turned and placed his hands on his hips.

My forehead creased. “You would have tried to talk me out of it.”

“You can lose a lot of money when you flip houses. Get in over your head.” His hands rested on his hips as he studied the meager progress I'd made on the layers of wallpaper.

“I didn't want anyone else to influence my decision. This is my dream, and I love this house. I knew Cooper would remain objective when he toured the place.” Cooper was the one of us who got into the most trouble growing up. He knew how to keep a secret. If Dad had found out he would have discouraged Cooper from helping me.

“Have you written out a business plan, complete with expenses?” He continued without waiting for an answer. “You're still going to be paying the mortgage on this place while you do the work. Then you have to find a buyer.”

“I know how it works, Dad. I've done my research, and I'm going to get a real estate license. I've already gotten a following on social media. People are interested in what I'm doing here.” It was in the back of my mind that I could increase awareness for Sanibel and draw in more tourists, and possibly buyers.

Dad waved a dismissive hand. “Social media is not business.”

I gave Cooper an incredulous look. “It is these days. First there were the fixer-upper TV shows. Then it moved online. Anyone can showcase their work and get a following.”

Dad's brow furrowed. “It doesn't mean it will increase business or revenue.”

“It can't hurt. And it's free advertising. But more importantly, I'm enjoying it. I want to do this.” I moved closer to Dad. “I've wanted to learn the construction-side for years. But you didn't want to teach me.”

“I didn't need anyone else in the business.”

“It's not about that. I'm your daughter, and I wanted you to teach me.” I pulled out my phone. “When I was out of town, I helped a neighbor renovate his cabin. I came up with the design, plan and ordered the materials. Then I helped him do the work.”

“How did you manage that?” Dad asked as I scrolled through the images of our progress.

“Axel had some skills, but we watched videos. We learned on site. I enjoyed it. I felt good about my work.”

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