Page 11 of Safe With You

Katie’s eyes smarted. “Thank you.”

Ethan’s mom tipped her head toward the counter. “Do you want coffee? There’s a fresh pot. Just help yourself to whatever you need.”

Katie thanked her again and approached the coffeemaker to pour a mug. Maybe it would help the lingering sinus headache. After fixing it how she liked it, she returned to the peninsula, where Ethan handed her a plate with a slice of cinnamon loaf topped with a drizzle of icing. Plates and mugs in hand, they all joined Tom and Taylor at the table.

“Katie, I just noticed your jeans,” Megan said as they sat down. “They’re adorable. Where did you get them?”

Katie glanced down at the vintage fabric patches and embroidery adorning the denim. “They’re just a pair of thrift store jeans I patched and embellished.”

“You added the patches? They’re so cute!”

“Thanks. Grandma taught me how to sew before I left Two Lakes, and a few years ago, I started upcycling clothes.”

“Do you ever make anything to sell?”

A little creative passion stirred amidst the weariness of the day. “I have sold a few pieces in consignment shops. I would like to have an online shop, but I have no idea where I’d even start.”

Ethan settled into the seat next to her. “You’re in luck. Megan is an expert in online business. She’s even working on a website for me.”

Megan waved off the compliment. “I’m no expert, but I’ve been doing it long enough to be proficient. I’ve been making and selling candles and body butter for a couple of years and have grown it into a nice side business I can run while I’m at home with Harper.”

Katie loved the sound of a home business, especially considering the disaster of her previous employment. “That sounds amazing. I love candles.”

“Well, whenever you’re ready to set something up, I’d be happy to help and give you all the tips I can to help it grow.”

“Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”

It had been a long time since Katie had thought seriously about starting a business, but maybe now was the time to make an effort toward that goal. After all, she needed to make money again, and soon.

Chapter Six

Rain drummed the cabin roof as Ethan rolled over to look at the clock. Just after five. Even though it had been a year since he’d started working for himself, eleven years of early mornings with Dad and Joel had probably programmed his sleep pattern for life.

Shoving back the covers, he got out of bed and stepped to the window. Everything hung heavy with rainwater. This time of year, he could still see the house from here, though the dripping branches would soon pop out with leaves. Was Katie awake yet? Hopefully not, after the exhaustion of yesterday.

Unwelcome memories of Grant intruded on his mind. Ethan drew a deep breath even as his chest tightened. He had to be careful. It was all too easy to hate the man, and that kind of anger was not a path he wanted to walk again. Shaking it off, he left the room.

Once he’d finished in the bathroom, he walked into the living area of the cabin that once belonged to his grandparents. It wasn’t exactly where he’d seen himself living at thirty as a bachelor. He’d always pictured himself with a family, living in a lake house he’d designed and built with Dad and Joel. That, of course, hadn’t happened. It might have if he hadn’t ended things with Anna. Had it been the right choice? He hated how often he doubted himself.

Katie’s face sprang to mind, proving just how legitimate his reasons for breaking up had been. But that didn’t make the future any less uncertain. If anything, it just made it even more complicated. Besides, it was far too late to reconsider with Anna even if he had wanted to. She’d been happily married for a year and a half now.

Knowing the best place to turn to let it rest, Ethan walked over to his desk in one corner of the living room. The window above it offered the perfect view of the gray lake, where wisps of fog hovered just above the surface that rippled with raindrops. He sat down and switched on the green desk lamp to dispel the gloom. Then he reached for his Bible, the edges of the pages worn from the last several years of use. He opened to Daniel where he’d left off reading yesterday and settled in.

Just after six o’clock, he replaced the ribbon bookmark between the pages. While his questions about the future weren’t answered, he had a greater sense of peace. He stared at the words for another moment before he flipped through his Bible to the photograph tucked between the last pages. He pulled it out—his favorite picture of him and Katie sitting on the sidewalk eating ice cream in front of The Ice Shack. A pair of awkward thirteen-year-olds who’d meant the world to each other. Back then, he’d seen the future looking much different than it did now. Of course, that all shattered the day she’d come crying to tell him they were moving to California. She might as well have said the moon. Her absence had left a gaping hole in his life that had taken years to heal, and even then, remnants of it existed to this day.

Reminding himself of the comfort of the Scripture he’d just read, he tucked the photo back into the spot it had rested for the past fifteen years and set his Bible aside. He reached for his phone. Katie might not be awake yet, but his dad would be. He sent a quick text, asking Dad to let him know if Katie got up before he could get over there. After all, he might not see her again once she left Two Lakes. He wanted to make every second count. Maybe it would finally heal the lingering ache in his heart, and he could fully move on.

He grabbed his laptop next, checking for emails. Rob from the furniture store in town wanted to stock the two hall benches Ethan had constructed from a vintage door. He welcomed even one or two sales in these early days, especially to get his name out there. Though he always had the family business to fall back on if things didn’t work out, that left an uncomfortable itch inside him. Having this business to call his own was important.

A few minutes later, he noticed the rain had slowed temporarily. Now would be his best chance to go over to Mom and Dad’s without getting too wet. He tugged on his work boots and headed outside. As he walked along the soggy gravel drive toward the house, large raindrops splashed into his hair, threatening to fall more heavily at any moment. He hurried his pace. Good thing too. As he reached the porch, another wave of heavy rain echoed in the trees. So much for a decent opening day of fishing season. It seemed to go this way every year.

Ethan let himself inside. Rosie rounded the corner to meet him as he pried his muddy boots off. He ruffled her ears, and she followed him into the kitchen. Mom stood at the peninsula, whisking a bowl of pancake batter. Dad sat at the table with Becca, who was already dressed for work in a pair of purple nursing scrubs just like Mom used to wear. They all traded good mornings, and Ethan slipped up onto the barstool opposite his mom.

“How are you this morning?” Mom didn’t look up from adding more buttermilk to the batter.

Ethan brushed a drop of rainwater from his sleeve. “Okay.”

Maybe something in his tone gave him away. Something unperceivable to anyone but her. Or maybe it was just mother’s intuition, but she paused now to give him a probing look. A look that drew out the truth more times than not, even if deeply buried.

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