Page 94 of All My Heart

“Axel—” I said even as my heart sped up.

He squeezed my hand. “You love that place.”

“I do.”

“If you're keeping the cottage, then there's no timeline. We can do whatever we want. And I heard there's a snowstorm hitting Maryland in a few days. I want to be snowed in with you.”

A smile spread over my face. “I want that too.”

Axel glanced over at me. “You won't miss the beach?”

“Sanibel will always be waiting for me. But snow? I can't wait to see it in person.” I was practically bouncing in my seat. I couldn't wait to experience a snowstorm.

“I wanted to give you something you've never had before,” Axel said as he turned onto the road that would take us to the airport.

“I've never been in love before you. You've given me everything. Happiness. Love. Joy.” My heart was constantly overflowing. I couldn't think of anything better than the life we lived.

“I have a few more things up my sleeve,” Axel said conspiratorially.

“Life is exciting with you around.”

“And I don't plan on going anywhere.” Our relationship moved fast but felt natural. As soon as he joined me in Florida, we moved in together. It wasn't anything we discussed; it was just a natural progression. I loved him, and he loved me. Why did we have to do things a certain way or wait to move in together?

This worked for us, and we were happy. That's all that mattered.

“I can't believe we're going to Maryland.”

“My family wants to see us.”

“Both of us?” I asked.

“They were the ones that encouraged me to come here, to tell you how I felt.”

“I'll forever be grateful to them.”

“I was so stubborn, not wanting to interfere in your life.”

“Well, I'm glad you did. These last few weeks have been the best of my life.”

“Mine too, and I have a feeling they're just going to get better.”

Teddy

I'd made it a habit to drink my coffee on the small balcony of my new apartment. Ever since my house flooded, I'd had no choice but to move into Jameson's place above the garage on my family's Christmas tree farm. The one bedroom was small compared to the four-bedroom house I'd built a few years ago when I realized the odds were against me finding someone who could love me for me.

I was grouchy on the best of days. Most women didn't stick around longer than it took me to get them off. To be fair, I probably said something that made me sound like an asshole. I couldn't help myself.

Ever since my mother died, my life was different. I took care of my siblings, helped my grieving dad, and pursued my dream of being a cop. I protected others. That was my job.

I heard the rumble of a vehicle traveling way too fast down the lane. Nothing else was down here except for Daphne's cottage which had been left empty since she moved in with Cole.

I set my coffee down and hopped into my cruiser. I probably should have taken the truck, but whoever this was needed the extra authority my badge carried.

The small, red car pulled up to the cottage. The trunk was propped open and the back seat was filled with boxes. If I was on duty, I'd give her a citation for blocking her rearview and speeding. But I wasn't on duty, and this was technically private property.

I got out of my cruiser, reaching for the gun in the holster I wasn't wearing. I felt naked as I approached the driver's side door. Whoever this was trespassed on private property. I should call it in.

Right when I decided to go back to my cruiser and call it in, the door opened, and a woman stepped out.

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