Page 8 of Safe With You

He opened the car door and put the suitcase in the back seat. Once he shut it again and turned to her, his gaze quickly swept her appearance. She’d changed into a dark red sweatshirt, one of those off-the-shoulder styles Becca liked, and a pair of jeans with embroidered patches on the knees. When he reached her feet, he paused, a smile growing to find a pair of worn red Chucks.

She glanced down too. “What?”

“You have a pair of red sneakers like when we were eight.”

For the first time all day, a light smile bloomed on Katie’s face that wasn’t weighed down or shadowed by troubles. The sort of smile he remembered from when they were kids that revealed her dimples. It left a funny feeling in his chest, and he only just stopped himself from rubbing it.

She shrugged one shoulder. “They’re my favorite shoes.” Adjusting her purse strap, she looked toward the office. “How did it go with the manager?”

“He agreed to only charge for one night.”

Relief washed over her face. “Thank you. I better go take care of that.”

She turned, but he stopped her. “I already took care of it.”

Her eyes jumped to his, her expression probing. “You paid it?”

“I didn’t want you to have to go in there.”

“How much was it?”

Though he would have liked to cover the cost for her, given her no-nonsense tone, she probably wouldn’t appreciate it if he insisted. “Fifty-nine forty.”

She dug into her purse and pulled three twenty-dollar bills from her wallet, holding them out to him expectantly.

He didn’t take them right away. Might as well try. “Are you sure? It’s no big deal.”

But she gave him a firm nod. “You’ve already provided me with a new place to stay. You don’t have to pay for my room.”

He took the bills and swapped them with the coins in his pocket, giving her the change. At least he’d convinced her that his parents’ house was a safer option, and she wouldn’t have to pay for any more nights.

They both got back into the car, and Ethan headed north again, toward home. As they drove through town, Katie gestured to The Ice Shack. “Is the ice cream still as good as I remember?”

Ethan grinned at the memories of their childhood that floated into his mind. “The best. It’s still a family favorite.” He glanced over at her. “Maybe we can stop in before you have to leave.”

Just as he’d hoped, another smile lit up her face. “I’d like that.”

Before either of them could say more, a phone rang. Katie reached into her purse and pulled it out. “Mind if I answer this?”

“No, not at all.”

She accepted the call and put the phone to her ear. “Hey.”

Though Ethan couldn’t pick out the words, a muted male voice responded on the other end.

“Yeah, I’m okay, but it was rough…” Katie replied to whatever greeting or question she had received. “No, I’m going to an old friend’s house… Ethan Hart… I know I mentioned his family. He was my best friend growing up. He invited me to stay at their lake house. Turns out that motel is sketchier than I wanted to admit. He thought this would be safer… Well, I told you I couldn’t afford anything else… It’s not his house; it’s his parents’… Drew, I’m staying with his parents and sister. He’s got his own place.”

A light sigh escaped her, and Ethan glanced over as she reached up to rub her forehead. All the cares of the day seemed to have fallen on her again. He gripped the steering wheel more tightly. If his hunch was correct, she had a boyfriend on the other side of that call who wasn’t thrilled about his invitation. Maybe said boyfriend should try being grateful his girl wasn’t staying alone in some shady roadside motel for a second night.

When Katie spoke again, the frustration in her voice died away, leaving her sounding tired. “No, it’s fine, I understand… Yeah… I’ll just be happy not to sleep in a bed that reeks of cigarettes tonight… I’ll call you later… Okay… Bye.”

She ended the call and slid the phone back into her purse. A long moment of silence stretched out. Ethan twisted his hands on the wheel, telling himself to loosen his grip. He glanced in her direction. She still stared down at her purse as if lost in thought. He probably shouldn’t say anything, but curiosity got the best of him.

“Boyfriend?”

Her gaze snapped to him. “Yes. Drew.”

And yet she’d come all this way and had to attend her grandma’s funeral by herself. If Ethan hadn’t been there, she would have had to face both the sorrow and her mom and Grant alone. Considering the fear he’d witnessed in the parking lot at church, he couldn’t imagine it. “He couldn’t be here with you?”

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