Page 20 of Safe With You

He nodded. “Perfect.”

In the background, Joel shushed the kids, and everything grew quiet except for some babbling from Harper. Nerves tickled Katie’s stomach to play in front of an audience, but she pushed them out of her mind and reacquainted herself with the piano keys. Finally, she glanced over her shoulder at Ethan.

He smiled. “Ready when you are.”

Drawing a deep breath, she touched the keys and began. She was a little rusty at first but gained confidence as she got caught up in the music, the sound of the guitar syncing perfectly with the piano.

Once the song concluded, she took another long breath, this time in satisfaction. She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed playing a well-tuned piano. Applause sounded behind her. She turned, her gaze catching with Ethan’s, and they shared a smile that showed he had enjoyed it as much as she had.

Chapter Ten

With a sigh, Katie pushed herself up from her pillow and just sat there in bed. Memories from yesterday filtered through her mind. It had been one of the best days she’d had in a very long time. Maybe even years. Shortly after she and Ethan had played their duet, everyone went outside to sit by the lake while Marshall and Charlie fished from the dock, and the younger kids played in the sand. Katie especially enjoyed watching Ethan interact with his nieces and nephews. They obviously adored him. She had never known that sort of relationship since her mom had been an only child.

But yesterday’s fond memories didn’t relieve the nauseating ache that twisted the pit of her stomach. Monday morning had arrived, which meant she had to see Grandma’s attorney. Had to face her mom and Grant again, as well as the stark reality of Grandma’s passing.

Tears needled her eyes when she reached for her phone and brought up a picture of her and Grandma last summer. A few of the tears leaked out, leaving hot streaks. What would life look like after today?

A text popped up on the screen from Drew, and she rubbed her palm against her cheeks.

I’m praying for you this morning. Let me know how everything goes and when you’re on your way back. I can bring you supper tonight if it gets late.

Katie sniffed. It was sweet of him to text her first thing and offer to get her supper. She typed a quick response.

Thanks. I will.

With a silent plea heavenward, she dragged herself out of bed. She would have to face the day sooner rather than later. She dressed and packed her clothes to be ready to take her suitcase to her car later. The thought of goodbye left a sharp pain in her chest. The last time she’d said goodbye to Ethan, she had not seen or talked to him for fifteen years.

She shook her head. That wouldn’t happen this time. No one could keep her from maintaining her rekindled relationship with the Harts. Whatever it took, she would remain close to them. They were all the family she had left.

Downstairs, she found Ethan, Becca, and their parents in the kitchen as usual. She’d loved waking up to enjoy their company the last few mornings instead of her lonely apartment. What would she do with herself now with no job and not having Grandma to visit with whenever the loneliness set in? It wasn’t like Drew’s schedule had opened up, and she didn’t have any close friends in Madison or anywhere else other than right here in this house.

Her turmoil must have shown on her face because she caught Ethan’s gaze, and concern furrowed his brows as he pulled out a chair for her at the table.

“How are you doing?”

An uncomfortable twinge darted through her middle. “I just want to get it over with.”

She would find no peace until the matter was settled and she knew the outcome.

Despite the Harts’ abundant kindness and understanding during breakfast, Katie found it hard to engage with them. She only took a few bites of the scrambled eggs and toast Evelyn offered, her stomach knotting around the food and threatening to force it back up.

Thankfully, she had an early appointment, so the time didn’t drag out long before she and Ethan headed into the entryway for their shoes.

He glanced at her as he bent to tie the laces on a pair of work boots. “Do you want to take my truck, or were you planning to drive separately and leave from the attorney’s office?”

“No, we can take your truck.” The gut-churning anticipation made her lightheaded, so she probably shouldn’t drive anyway. She’d be tempted to pull over and avoid this meeting altogether.

They walked outside to Ethan’s truck parked alongside her car. The older model extended cab was well-used and exactly what she expected him to drive. He opened the passenger door for her before walking around to the other side. The ride into town passed in silence as Katie tried to prepare herself mentally and not get sick along the way.

Long before she was ready, they pulled up to a small law office one block from Main Street. Fingers cold and clammy, she unbuckled her seatbelt and rubbed her palms on her jeans. Then Ethan reached over to put his hand on her shoulder.

“Everything will be all right.”

Katie sucked a breath and prayed it would be so. She slid out of the truck and scanned the other parking spaces. No black BMW. Was it possible her mom and Grant weren’t called to this meeting? She didn’t dare hope.

Ethan opened the door to the office and let her inside. The middle-aged receptionist greeted them kindly and had them take a seat while they waited. Katie’s knee bounced, and she couldn’t stop her gaze from darting to the door. She almost, almost let a tiny seed of hope take root until it swung open. Her mouth turned to sand as Grant stepped in, followed by her mom and Christopher. Grant’s cool eyes landed heavily on her, pinning her to the chair for a long moment, in which she failed to breathe. Then, his gaze slid over to Ethan. Though he wore a bland expression, a twitch in his brow revealed his displeasure. Katie gulped and glanced at Ethan, who calmly held Grant’s gaze.

With a dismissive lift of his chiseled chin, Grant looked away, putting on all his slick, false charm as he greeted the receptionist. While he was distracted, Katie drew a deep breath to fill her depleted lungs and compose herself. Why did she have to react to him? She shouldn’t. He had no power over her anymore.

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