Page 42 of Safe With You

Ethan had errands to run. Errands that involved a forty-five-minute drive to one of the larger home improvement stores for supplies he told himself he needed. Once there, he debated whether to purchase the table saw he’d been looking at with the money he would get from Grandma Ruby. After all, she would have been happy to see him use it to pursue his business dreams.

While he held off in the end, he welcomed the distraction. Keeping busy meant less time to dwell on meeting Katie’s boyfriend this evening. It shouldn’t be a big deal. He’d already determined his feelings wouldn’t get in the way of their friendship. So now he just had to bury them and be happy for her. Getting to know her boyfriend and helping him to become acquainted with the family should be a good thing.

Mid-afternoon had crept in when he returned to Two Lakes and stopped at the grocery store to pick up things for Mom. If he put off returning home any longer, she wouldn’t have what she needed for supper.

She met him in the kitchen when he carried the grocery bags into the house. “There you are. I was starting to wonder.”

He set them on the counter and pulled out a tub of sour cream to put in the fridge. “Sorry. I got caught up looking at stuff.”

She gave him one of her looks, no doubt seeing right through his thin excuse. If Joel and Becca had him all figured out, then Mom doubly so.

He avoided her gaze. “So, what time are Katie and Drew coming?”

“Five-thirty.” She reached for the bag of potatoes she needed for her family-famous potato salad. “I figured you and your dad could start the burgers shortly before that.”

“Sounds good.”

He helped her finish the groceries before heading back outside to unload his supplies into the shop. After that, he worked on the swing to stay occupied, though keeping his hands busy was much easier than keeping his mind busy. It constantly wandered to Drew being over at the cottage with Katie. Were they sitting on the porch having coffee? Or down by the lake?

Imagining it left a tight feeling in his chest. He shook his head. When did he become a jealous person? He hated how this thing with Drew dredged up all sorts of bad qualities he didn’t realize he’d be in danger of struggling with. Enough was enough. He set aside his tools and bowed his head to pray. He couldn’t go into this evening like this.

He spent a good fifteen minutes asking for a better attitude, guidance, and more charitable feelings toward Drew. Just because it was hard seeing Katie with someone else did not make Drew an enemy. He was a fellow believer, and if God had brought him into Katie’s life, then He’d done so for a reason. Ethan had to accept that. Resenting and questioning it would only make him miserable and could endanger his friendship with Katie just as much as his feelings toward her could.

When evening rolled around, he returned to the cabin to change into something more presentable before heading to the house to help with supper. Dad already had the grill going, so he joined him, and they chatted about everything except tonight’s visit. But it wasn’t long before a vehicle pulled into the driveway.

Dad closed the grill. “Sounds like they’re here.”

Ethan thanked God that no unwanted reaction surfaced inside him. The time spent in prayer was working. Maybe he and Drew could be friends…or at least friendly.

He and Dad rounded the porch to the front, meeting up with Mom and Becca along the way. Katie and Drew were just getting out of a newer model Lincoln that didn’t appear to have a spot of rust. This didn’t bother Ethan. Not really. But then Drew stepped out of the car. Of course, he was tall. A good five or six inches taller than Ethan. It didn’t appear he lifted weights like Adam did, but he undoubtedly spent time in the gym. Just the type of guy women always seemed to find attractive.

Rosie rushed down the steps ahead of everyone, trotting out to meet them. Ethan couldn’t help but notice how Drew sidestepped and avoided her. He brushed away the bothersome thoughts fighting to take root in his mind. So the guy wasn’t a dog person. Not everyone had to be.

Ethan worked up a smile. If Katie and Drew got married someday, Drew would be part of the family. He didn’t want to make a poor first impression and set the wrong tone going forward.

After pausing to give Rosie the affectionate greeting she was looking for, Katie led the way toward the house with a big smile. They all met at the bottom of the steps, and she first introduced Drew to Mom and Dad. If only Ethan could summon half the enthusiasm in his mom’s greeting.

When Katie turned to him next, he stepped forward and extended his hand to Drew, determined to make this a pleasant experience for all involved. “Welcome. I’m Ethan.”

Drew shook his hand with a firm grip. “Ah, Ethan. Katie’s told me a lot about you.”

Ethan couldn’t detect any suspicion or animosity behind those words. “Likewise.”

The introductions concluded with Becca, and Mom ushered everyone inside, where they talked about the house, Drew’s job, and all the usual things new acquaintances discussed. Dad had to excuse himself to check the hamburgers, but Mom and Drew hit it off well since they both had the medical field in common. Becca didn’t join in the conversation as much, but even she had more in common with Drew than Ethan did.

He couldn’t help but be glad of the interruption when Joel walked in, still wearing his dusty, sawdust-flecked work clothes. He said a quick greeting, casting a look at Drew before focusing on Katie.

“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by.”

“No, not at all. Drew, this is Joel, the big brother I never had. Joel, this is Drew.”

They shook hands, and Ethan very much wanted to know his brother’s initial thoughts on the man. He always had been a good judge of character. However, if he had an opinion, he kept it well hidden and turned to Mom.

“Naomi’s sister is visiting this weekend. They’re making ice cream or something with the kids tonight and said they didn’t need me, so I thought I’d stop in for a bit.”

“Well, you know your dad always makes extra, and I made an especially big bowl of potato salad.”

Joel rubbed his stomach. “Excellent.”

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