Page 66 of Safe With You

“Oh, where to?”

“Out to Colorado to visit my friend Riley and his wife.”

Ethan was a little jealous. He and Joel had always talked about taking a trip out west. Of course, work and kids derailed that dream. Someday in the future, perhaps. “Sounds like fun. You’ll have to tell me about it when you get back.”

“I’ll do that. How’s business been?”

“Can’t complain. It was slow over the winter, but that gave me time to build up inventory. Hopefully, it will pick up again now that tourist season is here.”

“I’ll have to come over and see what you’ve been working on. Heidi loves the cabinet you made.”

That cabinet had been one of the first sales Ethan had ever made and had given him the itch to start his business. “Yeah, do that. Listen, I have a question for you. This may seem odd, but do you have that one cat toy Abby had as a kid? The mama cat with the kittens? Your mom mentioned you were the last to have it.”

Bradley thought about it for a second. “I think we do. It’s probably in one of the kids’ closets.”

“Is there any chance you and the kids would consider parting with it?”

“I don’t see why not. I haven’t seen them playing with it, so they probably won’t even miss it. Is it for one of Joel’s kids?”

“Actually, it’s for Katie. She loved that toy when we were kids, but her parents wouldn’t get it for her. Her birthday is in a couple of weeks, and I thought it would be a fun surprise.” He’d spent the last couple of weeks scouring the internet for it but had come up empty. Bradley had been his last hope.

“I’ll look for it tomorrow and let you know.”

“That would be great. Thanks.”

Bradley scanned the crowd again. “I was happy to hear Katie’s back in Two Lakes. I’m glad she could come tonight.”

It only took Ethan a moment to locate her standing with Becca and laughing at Charlie, who was being her spunky self. “Yeah, me too.”

Chapter Twenty-nine

Katie excused herself from a conversation with Megan and some of the Hart cousins and walked over to the refreshments, where she filled a glass of lemonade. Though she’d only previously met a handful of the people in attendance tonight, she’d enjoyed getting reacquainted and meeting some she hadn’t known.

She sipped her lemonade and sensed someone coming up behind her. Turning, she smiled as Ethan joined her. They had spent little time together since dinner, but she was happy he was spending time with family.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” He reached to pour himself a glass.

Despite her internal questions earlier, contentment settled comfortably inside her. “I am.”

“Out there dazzling everyone with your dress?”

She shrugged, ducking her head. “A few people have asked where I got it.”

“Of course they have. Your work is amazing.”

Her smile broke out as she fought not to blush again.

They then turned to watch the crowd. The music and dancing had started some time ago with various tame country and pop songs mixed in with classic polka music. Everyone looked to be having a marvelous time, especially the kids.

Ethan shifted, and Katie turned back to him. He gave her a coaxing smile.

“What do you think about getting out on that dance floor and showing everyone how it’s done?”

She laughed. “I don’t know about showing anyone how it’s done. I’m about as graceful as a baby elephant.”

“Nonsense. I remember you dancing quite well at that little music festival we went to as kids.”

“Oh, my word, don’t remind me. What were we, like eleven?” She shook her head and half-covered her face. She’d been so awkward during those pre-teen and early teenage years. “That was so embarrassing. And your mom has a video of it, doesn’t she?”

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