Page 85 of All My Heart

“You don't want to help the family?” Dad asked, the hurt evident in his tone.

I lowered my phone. “It's not that. I want to help the family but not in the office. It's not challenging, especially since I can't offer design services. Customers ask for it, and I have to send them elsewhere. Why do that when I could offer it to them?” I held up a hand to stop him from interjecting. “I want to do something else, and if you're not going to let me do that in the business, then I have to go out on my own. I have to do this, and I don't want you intervening or dropping in to criticize my work.” I couldn't take the constant put-downs or digs that I didn't know what I was doing. “I'm confident that I can do this, and that's all that matters.”

Dad's expression fell. “I'm sorry I didn't encourage your interest. It's just you have six older brothers who were already in the business.”

I touched his arm. “I understand. But I've been denying a huge part of myself for years, burying myself in that office. I finally feel like I'm doing what I want to do. I'm excited for the future. But I won't know if I'll succeed without trying.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” Dad's expression was pained.

I wondered if our relationship would survive this. “Maybe not, but you did just the same.”

Dad was quiet for a beat before he nodded. “I'm happy you're home, and we'd like to see you tomorrow for Christmas dinner.”

I smiled. “I'll be there.”

Dad moved toward the door and hesitated next to Cooper. “Let me know if you need anything.”

It would be so easy to take him up on that, to use one of my brothers as a contractor. “I need to do this on my own.”

Dad's expression morphed from concern into respect. “I'm only a call away if you have questions.”

“I appreciate that.” I moved toward the door, holding it while they stepped onto the porch.

“This is a good investment. It should sell quickly, and whoever bought the place wouldn't have been able to get on our schedule for months.”

My throat tightened with emotion. “That's why what I'm doing is necessary. I saw a need and sought to fill it.”

Dad looked down the street before turning his attention to me. “Like all good entrepreneurs. I'm proud of you, Luna.”

“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.” I didn't need his approval, but it was nice to get it.

“Enjoy your evening.” Then he was walking toward his truck parked at the curb.

Cooper winked at me. “Good job going out on your own, sis. I know you don't want my help, but if you get stuck, I'm happy to help.”

I hugged him. “Thanks, Coop.” When his arms came around me, I looked up at him. “You were always my favorite.”

He chuckled, his chest shaking under my cheek. “You say that to whichever brother is giving you what you want.”

“With six brothers, I had to do something to get attention.” I loved pitting my brothers against each other, and it was easy enough; they were competitive to their core.

“You did good. I can't wait to see the finished project.”

I stepped back and gazed at the house. “You think I can do it?”

“I saw the pictures of the cabin. Your choices were solid, and the work looks great. Tile can be tough.”

“I had Axel helping me. He'd worked with his buddy tiling before.” Whether I could do an entire project myself remained to be seen. But I'd researched various contractors in case I got into a bind.

Cooper frowned. “Do I need to be worried about this guy, Axel?”

I shook my head. “ I helped him renovate his cabin. That was all.”

“And Rex is a thing of the past?” Cooper asked hopefully.

“I barely think about him at all.” That was the point of my trip. The reason I moved on so quickly was Axel, but Cooper didn't need to know that.

Cooper gave me a look. “I think there's more to Axel than you're letting on, but I'll respect your privacy.”

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