Page 76 of All My Heart

I'd have a ton of content to release online. I'd taken pictures and videos of our progress. In my spare time, I edited the videos and added captions to them, explaining what we were doing or giving little tips.

I wasn't sure it would be well received, but I was doing something. I was headed in the right direction. I wasn't waiting for my dad or one of my brothers to change their mind. For once in my life, I was taking the first step to a different future.

And I wasn't going to stick around in Maryland where I wasn't wanted.

I ate a quick breakfast, then headed over to Axel's cabin. I hadn't noticed the extra trucks arrive that were parked beside Axel's. It looked like a couple of his brothers had shown up. I was happy for him, but it meant that he didn't need me.

When I walked inside the open door, Jameson and Wes were moving the fridge into place, and Axel was directing them. I got out my phone to take pictures at every angle, then took more of the finished bathroom and bedroom.

I made Axel's new bed with the bedding, and the entire effect was amazing.

With nothing else to do, I wandered back to the kitchen, my heart beating hard. Should I stay, or should I go? It seemed like he had plenty of help.

Axel flashed me a grin. “What do you think?”

“Everything looks great.” We'd painted the walls white to complement the stone floors and white marble countertops.

“Come watch us hook up the fridge. You wanted to know how to do it, right?”

I let out a breath. “I'd love to.”

He waved me over, and I watched intently while he explained the process. He did the same with each appliance, and then they installed the heavy countertops.

I mainly watched and took notes. I figured I'd have someone install countertops. They were too heavy for me, and I was going to be a one-person operation.

I tried not to think about Axel's offer to flip houses together. That was merely a business proposition, one he hadn't mentioned again. So it must have been an impulsive idea that he hadn't been invested in. Otherwise, he would have brought it up again.

When we were finished, the guys talked about a celebratory bonfire back at the house. It sounded like a brother get-together, so I bowed out when Axel asked if I wanted to join them.

“I'm going to stick around and take pictures of the finished project.” The house was mostly completed. There was nothing left for me to do here.

When the guys walked out, Axel said, “Lock up when you leave.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Then they were gone, and the pain settled deep in my chest. I took pictures of the kitchen as my vision blurred. I needed these pictures though, so I swiped at the tears that fell, trying to focus on getting every angle.

I wouldn't be able to come back and get more photos and video. This was all the content I'd have. I'd planned to do a few intro and conclusion videos, so I did that now since no one was home.

I was getting more comfortable in front of the camera. If I wanted to make this design business a thing, I'd need to get used to documenting everything. Then in the evenings I could post my videos.

I'd been watching similar businesses closely, and their followers tracked their progress with great interest.

I hoped I'd have followers too. When I was done, I turned off the lights and locked the door, I went home and heated up a frozen pizza. It was sad and lonely, but soon I'd be doing this in Florida. I needed to get used to the feeling.

There was a house I was interested in, and now that I'd be going home soon, it was time to reach out to the agent.

I sent her a message, indicating my interest. It was close to the beach, but then again, everything was in Sanibel. I wasn't worried too much about selling because houses that were renovated sold quickly, regardless of size.

The only thing I couldn't get out of my head as I clicked through the pictures again, was that I could see myself living there. It was a smaller three-bedroom cottage with a gravel driveway, and attached garage. There wasn't a pool in the backyard, but someone could easily install one.

I'd need to renovate the bathrooms and the kitchen, freshen the paint through the whole house. But the outside looked good from what I could see. The location was nice. I was excited about the idea of buying the house and fixing it up.

I'd given up on my family supporting my endeavor. I didn't need their approval. I knew I could do this, and that was all that mattered.

I was sitting in bed with my laptop going over plans to renovate the house I didn't yet own when I heard the rumble of a truck. I forced myself not to look outside to see if he was going into his cabin or not.

I asked my brother Cooper to do a walk-through for me since I couldn't be there, and he'd be able to give an opinion on the foundation, roof, electrical, and all the things I didn't know enough about. He wasn't swayed by my dad or Hudson's gruffness. He did his own thing, and I was fairly positive he'd keep his involvement a secret.

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