Chapter 24
24
O ver the next few weeks, Capri settled into an easy rhythm with Jake. The initial push-pull between them had softened, replaced by a subtle understanding. They worked well together, despite her instinct to keep him at arm’s length.
Jake had a way of diffusing tension with a calm, dependable approach that allowed them to make solid progress on the renovations. Bit by bit, the old house transformed under their hands—walls were knocked down, floors replaced, the fresh scent of sawdust and new beginnings filling the air.
Capri still felt the occasional flicker of hesitation, that familiar need to pull back when things felt too close, but the work kept them focused. Each day, they found more common ground, though she remained cautious about where it all might lead.
Still, she was learning to trust Jake. He showed up every day on time, worked diligently, and as promised, leaving her to focus on the rafting company and the arduous tourist season. More than once, she returned home exhausted, only to find him packing up with a glass of iced tea waiting for her.
Today had been particularly trying. A family of five had booked the afternoon raft tour, and from the moment they arrived, Capri’s nerves were on edge.
The parents seemed blissfully unaware as their three young children tore through the equipment area like miniature tornados, grabbing at paddles and life vests, knocking over supplies, and shrieking at the top of their lungs.
Capri’s jaw clenched as she tried to maintain her usual professional demeanor, though inside she was fuming. The youngest boy had already fallen into the shallow water twice before they even boarded, and the older two were locked in a constant state of sibling warfare, shoving and arguing while their mother distractedly scrolled through her phone.
Capri loved running her rafting business, but days like this—days when parents seemed to treat her tours like a daycare—made her question her life choices. By the time they finally launched, her temples throbbed with the beginnings of a headache, and she had to remind herself to breathe as the kids banged around the raft, completely oblivious to her instructions.
The draining experience had left her with a slight headache.
When the ordeal was finally over, Capri returned home and walked up to her cabin, her boots kicking up dust from the well-trodden path. The day had been long. Not only with the family from hell, but full of small setbacks and endless meetings. All she wanted now was a hot shower and a moment to breathe before tackling the next set of decisions for the house renovation.
But as soon as she turned the corner to her porch, her steps faltered.
There, set up neatly on the front porch, was a brand-new set of outdoor furniture—two rustic wooden chairs with deep cushions and a small table between them. The kind of furniture that would’ve looked perfect in a catalog but now felt glaringly out of place. Her heart thudded in her chest.
She dropped her bag on the ground, her hands going to her hips as she stared at the chairs. It didn’t take long to put the pieces together.
Jake.
Just as she was about to storm inside, the screen door swung open, and there he was, wiping his hands on a rag like he had no idea the world was about to explode. He glanced at the furniture, then at her, his easy smile in place. “Hey, you’re back earlier than I thought. I finished up some work inside and figured I’d surprise you.”
Capri felt her irritation bubbling up, her hands clenching into fists. “Surprise me? With this?” She gestured to the furniture like it was something offensive. “Jake, what were you thinking?”
His smile faded, replaced with confusion. “What do you mean? You said you wanted something cozy for the porch. I found this set at a good price, thought it fit the space. Just trying to help.”
Her pulse quickened. Help. That word, so innocent, sent her spiraling. She had asked for cozy, yes, but this wasn’t about the chairs. It was about control—about decisions being made without her.
“You should have asked me first,” she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. “This is my house, Jake. Every decision, big or small, needs to go through me. I thought we were clear on that.”
Jake frowned, stepping toward her but keeping his distance. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. You’ve got a million things going on—I figured this would be one less thing to worry about.”
“That’s not the point!” Capri’s voice rose, frustration pushing her words out faster than she could control them. “You can’t just go around making decisions for me. I need to be involved in every detail. I need to know what’s happening, what’s being bought, what’s being changed.”
Jake’s face softened, though his eyes held a flicker of frustration. “Capri, I’m not trying to take control of anything. I’m just trying to make things easier for you. This was supposed to be a gesture, not a problem.”
But it was a problem. Everything felt like a problem when she wasn’t in control. “You don’t get it,” she muttered, shaking her head. “If I don’t stay on top of things, they fall apart. That’s just how it is.”
Jake took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm. “I get that you like to have things done your way, but Capri, sometimes people can help without it being a bad thing. This isn’t about taking control from you. It’s about making things better—for you.”
Capri stared at him, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She knew, deep down, that he was right. That he wasn’t trying to undermine her. But she couldn’t let go of the gnawing fear that if she stopped paying attention to every detail, something would slip away, unraveling everything she’d worked so hard to hold together.
Her voice wavered. “You don’t understand. I can’t just… let things go. It doesn’t work like that.”
Then it started.
Her heart raced uncontrollably, thudding against her ribcage like it was trying to escape. Cold sweat trickled down her spine, and a terrifying sense of doom gripped her, overwhelming her thoughts with a flood of fear she couldn’t name or control. She reached for Jake, gasping, trying to ground herself in a reality that was slipping away.
Concern immediately sprouted on his face. “Capri? Are you alright?”
He led her to one of the new chairs and gently pushed her to sit. “You look like you’re going to faint.” He squatted beside her, took her hands in his, and squeezed. “Take a deep breath.”
She did as she was told, fought to gain control by squeezing her eyes tightly shut.
Breathe in…breathe out.
What seemed like an eternity passed before her heart quit racing. Trembling, she wiped the sheen of sweat from her forehead and swallowed.
Jake stood. “Stay here. I’m getting you a glass of water.”
He headed inside and was back in seconds, thrusting the glass to her lips. “Take a drink.”
She placed her hand on his, thankful for his care and concern. She took a sip, then a longer one. “Thanks, I’m okay now,” she told him, hoping that was true.
They sat in silence for several minutes. He let go of one of her hands and rubbed her arm with little circles. Letting down her defenses, she let herself lean into him. He felt…safe.
Finally, he broke the silence. “Do you do that often?” he asked, brushing a damp strand of her hair off her face.
“What?” she asked weakly.
“The panic thing.”
Filled with shame, she quietly shook her head. “No. Just a couple of times. It only happens when…” She let her words drift.
“When your feelings get too big?”
She gazed up at him, fighting back tears of shame, and simply nodded.
Jake’s expression softened even more, his patience unwavering. “I think you’re afraid of something bigger than porch furniture, Capri.”
Her throat tightened at the truth in his words. She wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t. Not really. “I just need to know what’s going on,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.
She cautiously removed her other hand from his.
Jake nodded slowly, respecting the space she was creating between them, even if he didn’t like it. “I get that. But you don’t have to shoulder everything all alone. That’s what I’m trying to say.”
Capri clenched her jaw, swallowing the lump of guilt rising in her chest. She wanted to apologize, to tell him she had been unreasonable. But the fear still clung to her, making her feel like if she gave an inch, everything could slip out of her grasp.
Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Just… next time, run it by me, okay?”
Jake met her eyes, his gaze unwavering. “Okay,” he said softly, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. He stood, and after confirming she was feeling better, he turned back toward the door. “I’ll be inside if you need anything.”
As the door closed behind him, Capri let out a long breath, her shoulders sagging. The sight of the new furniture, so thoughtfully placed, now felt heavy with the weight of her own stubbornness.
She glanced at the chairs again, the simple beauty of them mocking her resistance. Jake had only been trying to help, and she had turned it into a battleground over something deeper than either of them could name.
Capri sighed, rubbing her hands over her face, the guilt settling in. She knew she was wrong. But admitting that to herself was one thing. Letting go of the control she clung to so fiercely?
That was something else entirely.