Page 32 of Safe With You

She laughed now, and he wished he had a good reason to continue the conversation over lunch. “What I mean is, you seem like you’d be good at it, and I’m sure you are.”

“It’s a challenge sometimes and always entertaining, but I enjoy it. I hope I can help at least some kids avoid the same mistakes I made, especially as they’re getting ready for high school. I’ve got the thirteen- to fifteen-year-olds. Mrs. Anders assists me.”

“I can see that.”

“If you’d like to come, I can pick you up. I usually drive separately in case I stay late making sure all the kids get home. But you can ride back with my parents if that happens.”

“All right. I think I will.”

Chapter Fifteen

After two days of cold weather, Saturday morning dawned with bright sunshine that promised a warmer day. Brewing a cup of tea, Katie grabbed a throw blanket and carried the mug out to the porch. O’Malley followed and hopped onto the windowsill beside her as she curled up in a comfy chair in the corner. She took a sip of her tea, sighing contently, before pulling up the Bible app on her phone. She missed her own Bible. If only she’d had the presence of mind to pack it. It should have been the first thing she packed, but everything had been so awful, and she’d been in such a rut. She had tried hard to change that this week.

With blackbirds singing in the background, she prayed and read a few chapters in Psalms. She’d just about reached the end of one when her phone rang, making her jump. She forced out a sigh, all the peace she’d enjoyed shattering.

“Why are you still calling me?” She glared at her mom’s name on the screen. This made the fourth attempt in the last three days. The message she left ranged from cold and demanding to fake emotion over how hurt she was that Katie wouldn’t share the cottage.

Conviction pricked Katie’s heart. Despite the uncomfortable situation, her attitude could probably be better. She breathed another, quieter sigh. “I don’t even know how to pray for her, God. She’s been fighting You her whole life. It seems so impossible she or Christopher…or Grant could ever change, but like Grandma always used to say, You’re a God of miracles. I pray for a miracle where their hearts are concerned. And, please, let them give this up and accept what’s done.”

Her phone dinged, this time with a voice message. Bracing herself, she put the phone to her ear. Another overly emotional message, in which Mom even sounded teary as she accused Katie of keeping her away from her childhood home and being greedy with Grandma’s money.

Attempting to control her own emotions and anger, Katie forced her focus back on finishing the chapter. When she reached the end, she closed the app and enjoyed the sun streaming through the window for several minutes. Then her phone chimed again, though it produced a much less visceral reaction this time since it was the text tone she’d set for Ethan.

I’m taking the canoe out. I’ll swing by there if you want to join me.

The words brought a smile to her lips. How could she say no to a beautiful spring morning on the lake? She typed back a response and got up, calling to O’Malley to follow her into the house. After putting on her shoes, she headed back outside and down to the dock. She waited at the end, breathing in the fresh, calm air. A few minutes later, Ethan appeared around the point and paddled up to her.

“Good morning.” He smiled brightly as he grabbed the dock to hold the canoe steady.

She echoed him and carefully stepped into the boat so she wouldn’t send them both careening into the cold water. It wouldn’t have been the first time, though that had been Ethan’s fault, thinking he could show off and stand with his feet braced on either edge. She laughed as she grabbed the extra oar and helped him push off.

“What’s so funny?”

She looked over her shoulder. “I was just thinking about when you flipped the canoe.”

He winced. “Not one of my brightest moments. Joel was furious.”

“Oh, that’s right, he was there too.”

“Yeah, Dad took away my canoe privileges for a while after that.”

Katie just shook her head, holding tightly to those moments she’d been allowed to find some normalcy. As they paddled leisurely around the lake, a loon called nearby. She had always loved that sound as a kid.

“It’s a beautiful day,” she breathed.

“It is. I think Joel is bringing Marshall out to go fishing later. We’re also going to have a fire tonight and roast hot dogs for supper. Obviously, you’re invited.”

“Thanks. That sounds fun. I don’t remember the last time I was at a campfire. Probably not since I started attending this one church in California and got invited to a singles’ bonfire.”

“I’ve been to a few of those. Meet anyone there you liked?”

She shook her head, reliving the awkwardness of that night in her mind. “The guys were nice enough, but I was in a rough place and uncomfortable the whole time. I was new to the church and felt like an outsider, so it wasn’t much fun. Like I said, making friends isn’t my strong suit.”

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out better for you.”

“It’s just the way my life has gone.” She grimaced. “Sorry, I’m not trying to ruin a beautiful morning with pessimism. I’m trying to do the opposite lately.”

“No worries.”

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