Page 92 of All My Heart

“The only thing was that it only had four bedrooms. My brothers had to share rooms so I could have my own.”

“Was it good being the only girl?”

“They resented me for getting my own room, and I wanted to do everything they did. I was the youngest with six brothers. They didn't want me tagging along. But as we got older, I bonded with the other two youngest, Brady and Dalton. The twins, Cooper and Shepard, were always getting into trouble, planning some prank or other, and my oldest brothers were always the responsible ones. Marshall went to school, then enlisted. Hudson came back and took over the business.”

“I love learning more about you.”

“I held back because I thought our relationship was temporary.”

Axel leaned over and kissed me. “There's nothing temporary about us.”

His words caused my heart to squeeze. I couldn't believe how upset I'd been when I fled to Maryland and how happy I was now. All I had to do was take a chance, and I got everything I'd ever wanted. “They'll be on the back porch. Let's walk around.” I took his hand and led the way around the porch to the back where there was cushioned furniture and a long table overlooking the water. It was already set with fresh flowers and dishes.

“There you are,” Mom said as she came out with a pitcher of iced tea. “We were just getting ready to eat.”

“Mom, this is Axel Calloway. His family owns a Christmas tree farm in Maryland.”

Mom shook Axel's hand. “It's so nice to meet you. You're helping Luna renovate her house?” Mom asked as Dad stepped outside, his gaze locked on Axel.

“Luna's the boss. I just do what she tells me to.” That wasn't exactly the truth. It felt more like a partnership with me taking the lead.

When Dad stepped forward, I said, “This is my dad, Jonathan Kingston.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Axel said, shaking his hand.

“You made quite an impression on our girl.” But Dad's voice was stern, assessing.

My brothers filtered out of the house, laughing and talking about something or the other.

“I think it's the other way around,” Axel said.” I just resigned from the military when we met, and I was a little lost, wasn't sure how I was going to fit in the world. She made all the pieces come together.”

Dad's expression softened. “We didn't like the last guy.”

“He had some dinosaur name. Not saying yours is better, but I hope your personality is,” Cooper said as he leaned over to shake Axel's hand.

“Coop. Behave.” He just liked to cause trouble. It was Hudson I was worried about. The boys looked to him for approval. If he didn't like Axel, this might be difficult.

Hudson's expression was stony. “Hudson Kingston. I'm the oldest.”

He said his name like Axel should know and recognize it, but he hadn't grown up here. Our last name held no weight. Axel loved me for who I was. It only made me love him more.

I shot him a glare, hoping he got the message. Axel was important to me.

I went through the introductions for the rest of my brothers. Then we sat down to eat fish tacos and watermelon.

Over dinner, Hudson asked Axel, “What do you do?”

“I recently resigned from the military. I had plans to spend time with my family. Then I met Luna. She helped me renovate my cabin, and we discovered that we both enjoyed the work.”

“What will you do when the renovation is done on the cottage?” Jonathan asked.

“We're not sure yet. We might visit my family in Maryland. Then my brother and his fiancée are planning to get married here.”

“His brother Ryder is engaged to my friend, Violet.”

“Oh, right. I remember you saying something about that,” Mom said.

“Where will you live though? Maryland or Florida?” Hudson persisted.

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