Page 37 of Safe With You

Joel did not comment, and Katie giggled.

Ethan nodded. “That’s what I thought. One of these days, though, I’m gonna do it.”

His brother cast him a challenging look. “Good luck.”

“Oh, now it’s on.”

Katie smirked at them, jumping in on the fun. “Or maybe I’ll beat both of you again.”

This made Ethan’s eyes twinkle. “Sounds like the three of us need to get a wager going.”

“Or four of us.”

A handsome blond had joined them, and Katie realized it was Adam. Perhaps that’s why Becca acted the way she did in the kitchen. Adam had grown up to be a very good-looking guy.

Ethan loved nights around the fire with his family. Laughter filled the air, especially with the kids as they roasted their hot dogs and marshmallows. Rosie constantly circled behind the chairs, sticking her nose in to gobble up spilled chips, marshmallows, and crumbs. Katie sat to his right, having just as much fun as the kids. Charlie had claimed the chair beside her, talking her ear off.

Adam sat just to Ethan’s left and told them all about his trip to Uganda. He spoke about it passionately, but Ethan didn’t fail to notice how his friend’s gaze often rested on Becca across the fire. Nor how Becca avoided it. He wasn’t sure why she was so opposed, but maybe it was too soon.

When the evening grew late, Adam took his leave and headed out on his bike. Naomi gathered the kids next. Joel started to push up from his chair to help, but Naomi put her hand on his shoulder to keep him there. “Why don’t you stay awhile?”

“Are you sure?”

“If you take care of Jackson if he wakes up tonight.”

“Deal.”

She bent down, and they shared a quick kiss. She then addressed their three oldest. “All right, say goodnight to everyone.”

They circled the fire, saying their goodbyes, ending with Joel. As they headed out, trailing after Naomi, he called after them, “Listen to your mom and go straight to bed when you get home. If she has to call me, you won’t like the consequences.”

Echoes of “Yes, Dad” drifted back in response.

Ethan caught Katie’s wistful expression as he watched the exchange. He could hardly imagine what it would be like never to have had a good father. He made a mental note to himself to tell Dad how much he appreciated him. It was too easy to take for granted the life he’d had compared to Katie’s.

Mom and Dad headed into the house next, leaving only Ethan, Katie, Joel, and Becca. Now that there was more room, they all scooted closer to the fire, and Ethan threw a couple more pieces of wood into the flames. It was like old times. They were only missing Megan. Too bad she and Taylor had been busy tonight.

Considering his younger sister and the energy she always brought, a memory popped into Ethan’s mind. “Do you guys remember when we lost Megan at the petting zoo?”

Joel snorted a laugh. “I still don’t know how she managed to get inside that rabbit hutch without anyone noticing. Or that she stayed in there a whole hour while everyone was yelling for her.”

“Was it that long?”

Joel nodded, brows lifted. “Probably scared ten years off of Mom and Dad. And that wasn’t the only scare we had with her. She was always wandering off.”

Ethan chuckled. Their little sister certainly had been a handful. “I wonder if her ears are burning.”

Joel dug into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out his phone. “Let’s find out.”

He sent Megan a quick text, and they all laughed at her response before reminiscing over other childhood memories. Like the night at Katie’s, laughter rang out. It was probably good that their closest neighbors were a distance down the shore. Ethan prayed the entire summer would be filled with nights like these.

It had to be close to midnight when Katie yawned and pushed up from her chair. “I hate to leave, but I think I should head home.”

Ethan shifted to get up. “Do you want me to walk you back?”

“That’s all right. I brought a flashlight.” She held up an old plastic one that had probably been in a drawer at the cottage since they were kids. “If I see a bear or anything, I’m sure you’ll hear me scream as loud as Joel did in the tent all those years ago.”

Laughter burst from Ethan and Becca, and Joel shook his head.

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