Page 65 of Safe With You

When it was time to leave, he grabbed his keys and headed out to his truck. They could have ridden with his parents and Becca, but in all his wisdom, he’d decided they would drive separately. It hadn’t seemed like a big deal until yesterday had shown him what a fragile grip he had on his deep-down feelings. Obviously, he had to be much more vigilant and redouble his efforts to move on.

This became abundantly clear when he pulled into Katie’s yard, and his heart skipped anxiously, catching in his throat. One would think he was a nervous teenager picking up a prom date. He shook his head sternly to himself. This wasnota date. They were friends—family—attending a family event.

Repeating this in his mind, he exited the truck and approached the cottage. He was halfway there when the porch door opened, and Katie stepped out. He stopped, every thought flying right out of his brain. That three-times-too-big dress now fit her petite figure perfectly, the skirt falling just past her knees. The way she’d taken the very ordinary dress and turned it into such a unique and elegant creation was stunning. He couldn’t stop the grin that claimed his face.

“I was right. You will outshine the bride in that dress.”

Katie shook her head as though he were teasing her. “I should hope not. It’s her wedding.”

But Ethan wasn’t teasing. He couldn’t imagine anyone at the wedding, not even his cousin, looking as beautiful as Katie. “I think it’s too late for that.”

Butterflies erupted in Katie’s stomach at Ethan’s warm tone and admiration for her work despite how she fought to suppress them. She’d never reacted so strongly to one of Drew’s compliments. But then, it somehow never felt as meaningful coming from Drew as it did from Ethan. Try as she might to stop it, heat bloomed in her face. She only hoped Ethan would read it as a natural feminine reaction to a compliment.

She murmured a thank you, not quite able to meet his eye. He didn’t seem to notice and opened the door of his truck for her. She climbed in and drew a deep, calming breath as he rounded the vehicle to his side. She wasn’t sure what happened yesterday, but it still had her flustered. If she wanted to enjoy this wedding, she had to get a handle on her emotions that were fluttering about as much as the butterflies in her belly. She’d never dealt with such a confusing array of feelings before, especially not with Ethan.

She cleared her throat as he got in. “I can’t wait to see what the venue looks like. I’ve never been to a barn wedding.”

“I’ve been past it a few times.” Ethan put the truck in gear and pulled away from the cottage. “It looks like a neat place. Abby just got engaged two months ago. The only reason they could book the place on such short notice was because someone canceled.”

“Sad for the couple who canceled, but that’s great for Abby.”

They continued their small talk as they followed behind his parents’ truck, and it wasn’t long before Katie’s nerves settled. She almost shook her head. Clearly, she’d overreacted to her silly thoughts yesterday.

They pulled onto a long gravel driveway a little over thirty minutes after they’d left. Off to the right stood a gorgeous white farmhouse Katie would have loved to live in if she hadn’t had the cottage. To the left rose a beautifully preserved gray barn that looked like it belonged in a calendar. Gauzy white fabric draped the entrance, and several guests already mingled there.

They pulled into an area reserved for parking and got out. Joining Ethan’s parents and Becca, they all walked toward the barn. Here, they met up with Joel, Megan, and their families and were directed inside to rows of white wood folding chairs.

As they found their places, Ethan’s mom leaned forward to look at Katie. “Your dress is beautiful.”

“It really is,” Becca chimed in.

Katie thanked them, appreciating the validation of the quality of her work. She then looked around to take in the lovely décor. Twinkling string lights wove through the rafters with more gauzy fabric and an assortment of flowers. Beautifully rustic and country with a dreamy Bohemian flair. Drew would have hated it.

If they ever got married, he’d want a traditional church wedding and black tie reception—not at all the sort of wedding she imagined on the rare occasion she dreamed of such things. Now that she was thinking about it, all she could imagine was how much disagreement the wedding could cause. There would have to be a lot of compromise. How much compromise was too much before a couple just wasn’t right for each other?

Before she could answer that question, the barn doors creaked closed, and anticipation built across the audience. A few minutes later, the entrance music played, and Katie put all her pondering out of her mind to focus on the wedding. The doors opened again to let in the wedding party and, finally, the bride and her father. Abby looked radiant in her flowy lace dress. Katie wasn’t outshining her today.

The sweet and heartfelt ceremony brought moisture to Katie’s eyes at seeing the deep love between the couple as they shared their uniquely written vows. They were a couple who clearly had a special connection and belonged together, and it was a beautiful thing to witness. That was the sort of love and relationship Katie wanted. The kind that was obvious to everyone around them. Did people see that when they looked at her and Drew? She brushed the thought away. Today was not the time to analyze such weighty questions.

After the ceremony, the guests found refreshments at the popcorn and candy bar off to one side of the barn. Katie loved the idea and laughed at the kids’ enthusiastic reactions. Before long, she found herself caught up in the fun, celebratory atmosphere and let her unsettling questions fade away.

Ethan had to hand it to his cousin. She’d created something truly special for planning a wedding in such a short time. People were laughing and happy everywhere he looked, just as it should be at a time like this. After the chicken dinner that had been just about as good as a home-cooked meal, everyone came together to mingle. At some point, Katie wandered off with Becca and Megan, and Ethan visited with family he hadn’t seen in a while. His eyes kept finding her, however. It was hard not to, even though he scolded himself for it.

Winding up near the popcorn bar again, he found the one person he’d been hoping for a chance to talk to. “Hey, Bradley.”

His cousin, dressed in the wedding party’s gray suit, turned to face him with a wide smile. Though he’d retired from service, he still sported a military cut. He had, however, grown out a short beard. “Ethan, good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“It has. How are things? How are Heidi and the kids?”

“Good. They’re around here somewhere.” He glanced over his shoulder to scan the crowd.

Ethan looked as well. “Probably running around with Joel’s kids.”

Bradley chuckled. “Probably, just like we always did.”

Ethan grinned at the memories. Good times. “So, are you enjoying the new house?”

“Yes, it’s nice to be closer to family and settled in. Especially since we’re getting ready to take a trip next month.”

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