Page 17 of Safe With You

Mom took the album and set it on the end table. “You go get some sleep. I’m sure you have plenty to make up for.”

Amidst a chorus of goodnights, Katie disappeared upstairs, and Mom rose from the couch next.

“I think I’ll turn in too. Becca, if you plan to be up for a bit, would you mind making sure the fire has burned down?”

“Sure.”

They bid her goodnight, and then only Ethan and Becca remained. He gestured to the fireplace. “I can stay up and watch the fire.”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t planning to go to bed just yet.”

She, Mom, and Megan had always been the family’s night owls. Mom would undoubtedly be in bed reading for the next hour before she actually went to sleep.

Ethan pushed up from the armchair he’d occupied for the last few hours and stepped over a sleeping Rosie to sit with Becca. They sat silently for a moment as the remnants of the last log Dad had put in the fireplace glowed and occasionally snapped.

“It’s nice having Katie back.”

Ethan glanced at Becca, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth. “It is.” Tonight had been one of the most enjoyable nights they’d had in a long time. Katie always fit in so well with the family. It was as if she filled a hole that had existed for so many years.

“Will you be all right when she has to leave?”

Now Ethan’s brows drew together, and the heaviness of the impending goodbye descended. He’d tried to avoid thinking about Katie leaving. Would she head back down to Elling as soon as she finished with Grandma Ruby’s attorney on Monday morning? Saying goodbye would be harder than he wanted to admit, but he had to believe it wouldn’t be like last time.

“Hopefully, we’ll stay in touch now that we’ve reconnected.” The alternative hurt too much to consider. He couldn’t watch her disappear from his life again.

“I hope so.” Becca looked over at him. “How was it, spending time with her again today?”

Ethan’s smile returned, perhaps a little too quickly. “Like she never left. I thought it might take some time to get reacquainted, but honestly, I feel like I still know her as well as I did then. There’s a lot to talk about after fifteen years, of course. We talked about Grant.”

“That must have been difficult.”

The unwelcome burn deep in his chest flared. “It’s hard not to feel all that old hatred I carried for so long. Back then, I let it turn me into someone I’m not proud of, so I know I must let it go. But it’s hard knowing more about what he did to her and how much it still affects her. The man should be in prison.”

“I agree.”

“I just hope she’ll be all right with Grandma Ruby gone. Her life has revolved around her for the last four years. I’m worried she’ll have a hard time with her absence once it all sinks in.”

“I guess we’ll have to do whatever it takes to make sure she’s okay. The way you’ve all done for me.”

Ethan leaned over to put his arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She nodded against his arm. “Yeah…most of the time.”

“Well, we’re always here for you. I’m just a short walk away any time you need to talk.”

She smiled at him. “I know.”

No pattering rain greeted Ethan this morning. Clouds still blanketed the sky, but he expected the sun to appear this afternoon. After showering, he changed into a nice pair of jeans and a button-up shirt for church. While he usually stayed at the cabin and ate breakfast alone on Sunday mornings, Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind if he showed up early today. So he grabbed his Bible and headed over there.

Rosie nosed around one of Mom’s flower gardens and walked lazily toward him as he neared the porch, where Dad stood in his sweatshirt and flannel pajama pants.

“Coffee just got done.” He brought a steaming mug to his lips for a sip.

Ethan thanked him and entered the house to pour himself a cup. No one else appeared to be up yet, so he rejoined his dad on the porch. They both enjoyed their coffee in silence for a few minutes, taking in the spring morning. Though the air still held a chill, it was warmer than yesterday.

“How late were you guys up last night?” Dad broke the silence.

“Not too late. Katie was tired. I sat up with Becca while the fire burned down.”

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