Page 33 of All My Heart

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.”

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