Page 80 of Safe With You

Finally, there was Ethan. Katie couldn’t stop the way her heart fluttered in anticipation. As meaningful as the other gifts had been, she had no doubt he had put meticulous thought into his. With a smile, he handed over a narrow package about eight inches wide and two feet long. She had a suspicion it was something he had made. Pulling away the wrapping paper revealed an antiqued wooden sign. Carefully painted in the center was the name of her business—The Ruby Thread—designed just like the logo Megan had helped her create.

She ran her fingers lightly over the lettering. “Ethan, this is beautiful.”

“Now you can proudly show off your brand at the craft show.”

She gave him a warm smile. “It’s perfect.”

“May I see it?” Naomi asked.

Katie passed it down to her. As everyone admired it, she noticed Ethan grab a gift bag from behind his chair.

“I have one more thing for you.”

He handed it to her, and Katie pulled out the tissue paper. She gasped when she caught her first glimpse of what was inside. Reaching in, she lifted out the mama cat toy she had wanted so badly as a child.

“Ethan! Where did you get this?”

“That’s actually Abby’s. I tracked it down at the wedding. Bradley’s kids ended up with it, but he said they wouldn’t miss it.”

Tears burned Katie’s nose even as she couldn’t stop grinning. It was just a stuffed animal, and she was an adult now, but it somehow healed one small wound from her childhood.

Ethan placed another log on the fire before reclaiming his seat. Joel and Megan had left with their families a while ago. Now, it was just Mom and Dad, Becca, and Katie around the fire. Mom had just finished a story about when they were all little, drawing laughter from each of them. Ethan looked over at Katie, enjoying the look of complete happiness and contentment on her face. As far as he could tell, she’d enjoyed every minute of her birthday. Mission accomplished.

After sitting for a while longer, Dad excused himself. It was well past when he usually headed to bed. A few minutes later, Mom got up too.

“I’m going to finish carrying things in.” She gathered the bags of marshmallows and graham crackers they’d used for s’mores.

Katie and Becca rose to help, but Becca grabbed what remained and told Katie to stay by the fire. She and Mom then headed inside, leaving Ethan and Katie alone. Instead of returning to her seat, Katie stood at the edge of the fire pit. Ethan got up to join her. They were silent for a minute or two, listening to the crackle of the fire and the chorus of frogs from the lake’s edge. It was a beautiful night to be outside.

Katie shifted next to him, and he looked over at her. She wore a contemplative expression.

“It’s weird to think about what my birthday would’ve been like if I was still living in Elling and dating Drew.”

He probably would have taken her to a fancy restaurant and bought her an expensive gift. Ethan tried not to feel like what he’d done today was lacking. He knew how much his gifts meant to her, but it was hard not to compare them with what she might have had. “Do you miss any of that?”

“No. I’m much happier here. Today has been wonderful.”

“So you’re doing all right with all of it?” Until tonight, she hadn’t mentioned Drew or the breakup since their talk in the canoe.

She shrugged but then nodded. “Yeah. It does still feel weird sometimes. It’s not that I wish we were still together; it’s just that three years is a long time to have put into a relationship that no longer exists. He was the only guy I’ve ever seriously dated. I have a hard time trusting people and letting them in. It took a long time with Drew. I’ve always been afraid to get into a relationship and then find out he’s like Grant. It’s hard to feel safe with anyone.”

“I’m sure it’s difficult to trust when you’ve been hurt so badly by the people you should have been the safest with.”

“It is. And now I know I’ll have to start all over if I ever want to be with someone again.”

“I don’t know. I think, maybe, with the right guy, it won’t be as difficult.” Even though it was like taking a two-by-four to the chest, he prayed she would find a man she felt safe with. Someone she could trust and who would take care of her. He just wanted her to be happy and protected.

She mulled that over for a long moment before taking a deep breath. “So, what about you? I have to say I’m shocked a good guy like you wasn’t married a long time ago. I have a hard time believing you haven’t caught the eyes of multiple single women at church.”

What was he supposed to say to that? He would have thought she’d have at least suspected the reason. Shrugging, he tried to play it cool. “I’ve just never met the right one.”

But she tipped her head at him, clearly not buying his answer. “Come on, I just laid out my fears and struggles. It’s only fair you should do the same.”

He drew in a deep breath and scratched his head. This wasn’t a conversation he’d anticipated having tonight. Or ever. He wanted to change the subject, but she was right. She trusted him enough to be open with him. He should do the same.

“I had a girlfriend about four years ago. We dated for a little over a year. I think she expected a ring at that point, and she had every right to, considering how serious we were.”

“What happened?”

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