Page 57 of All My Heart

“I can't believe he doesn't want the best for you.”

I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat. “He thinks what's best is for me to work in the office. I told him I'd go forward with opening my own design business, but I wouldn't offer my services to any more of his clients. I'd advertise, and if they hired me, then it couldn't be helped.”

“What did he have to say about that?”

I huffed out a laugh. “Not much. It's almost like he doesn't believe me. I even told him I was planning to leave the office soon, and he'd need to hire someone else.”

Axel's forehead creased. “He doesn't think you'll do it.”

“Oh, I'm doing it.”

Respect shown in his eyes. “Attagirl.”

Pride coursed through me. “I wanted to prepare him for when I left. But I want to have a chance to get things off the ground. If I don't get clients?—”

“You will.”

“It's nice you believe in me.”

“You're working on my cabin, and I love your design. You captured exactly what I'd want the place to look like if I had any sense of style.”

“You would have figured something out.”

“It wouldn't have been as nice. That's why your clients need you. It's why they'll keep coming back and tell everyone about your work.”

“As long as I can capture everyone's vision when I meet with them.”

“You just have to believe in yourself.”

I frowned. “Why is that the hardest part?”

“The stuff that's all jumbled up in your head will mess you up every time if you don't get a handle on it. Every time your family or a boyfriend made you feel less than, made you question what you were doing. It adds up. You have to question those doubts. You can be scared, but do it anyway.”

I smiled. “I like that. Be scared, but do it anyway.”

“It got me through my time in service, the deployments, the uncertainty.”

I tipped my head to the side. “And now?”

Axel chuckled uncomfortably. “Now, I'm afraid to tell my family I'm home. I'm not the best example of courage.”

I moved around the counter, slipping under his arm so that I was trapped between his hard body and the counter. With my hands on his chest, I said, “You're taking time for yourself. There's nothing wrong with that.”

I cupped his cheek and pulled his lips down to mine. I was floored that this man who seemed so strong was struggling with his discharge and his place in the world. But I was confident that he'd figure this out. That he'd conquer his doubts too.

I pulled back slightly. “We'll get through this and come out stronger for it.”

“How'd I get so lucky to find you in the middle of the woods?”

I grinned. “It was a right-place, right-time kind of thing.”

Then he sobered. “I'm going to have to make an appearance soon. My brother Teddy and my dad keep calling. I won't be able to put them off forever. I hate lying to them.”

“You can tell them you're home and visit on your own terms. Maybe just meet with your dad first and tell him your concerns.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

I was worried that he was going to let it go too long, and his family would be hurt by his refusal to tell them he was home. But at the same time, I was stressed that it would be the beginning of the end for us.

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