Page 85 of Safe With You

Katie breathed in the festive air, working to embrace the day’s excitement instead of the nerves darting through her stomach. This was a big event. Much bigger than she’d realized when Megan had talked her into it. While she’d sold some of her work in the past, today, there might be hundreds of people walking through the annual craft show. Displaying her work for all of them to see seemed bigger than selling a few pieces here and there at a small consignment shop.

At least the rest of the week had gone well so she could focus. Her anxiety had been running high Monday morning before the restraining order hearing, but Ethan had been right there with her the entire time. In the end, Christopher hadn’t even shown up, and the judge granted her a one-year protective order.

“Here’s the last table.”

Katie turned as Ethan set the plastic folding table next to Megan and set it up under their canopy.

“Perfect, thank you.” Megan helped him move it where she wanted it.

“What else can I do?”

She looked around at everything. “I think we’ve got it from here. You should get your stuff set up. Time always goes faster than you think.”

He nodded and sent Katie a quick smile before returning to the truck and trailer. Her gaze lingered as he worked. Megan crossed in front of her, and she snapped back to what she was supposed to be doing—setting up for the craft show. She moved to help and caught Megan giving her a knowing little grin.

Once they’d arranged the tables, Katie set up a clothing rack off to the side and a standing mirror and pop-up changing room. Both were Megan’s ideas, and Katie appreciated the suggestion. She could see how they might help her make sales she wouldn’t otherwise.

A few minutes later, Becca and Adam showed up. Katie wondered if they’d arrived at the same time coincidently or if they’d planned it. They seemed to spend more time together lately, which made her happy.

Megan squealed in delight when she saw they had brought mocha frappes for everyone. “You guys are a lifesaver. I was feeling the need for caffeine but thought it was too early to break into my Dr. Pepper stash.”

Katie took one of them, happy for a cold drink more than the caffeine. Though not even eight o’clock yet, it was already getting hot out. Thank goodness for the shade under Megan’s canopy.

In between conversations, Katie arranged all of her current clothing creations on the rack and hung the sign Ethan had made. It wasn’t as much as she hoped to have available someday, but it was a good start. She then helped Megan and Becca arrange what remained of Megan’s candles while Adam helped Ethan with his setup.

They had a brief lull between finishing and the first people arriving, and Katie double-checked everything. After that, a trickle of customers turned into a steady stream. Megan’s candles drew in most people, but many went on to look through Katie’s clothing.

By noon, she’d sold nearly a quarter of what she had brought, which was much more than she’d realistically thought she’d sell. It filled her with hope for the future of her business, especially since many of those who didn’t end up buying were eager to take one of her business cards so they could shop later or share with friends.

Suddenly starving, Katie pulled out one of the granola bars she’d brought since they had no current customers in the booth. She took a bite, watching Megan walk over to Becca and nudge her with her shoulder.

“I think you should grab Adam and go have fun looking around. Katie and I have things handled.”

She not-so-subtly turned her toward where Adam chatted with Ethan. Becca gave her sister a long-suffering look, but Megan didn’t give her a chance to refuse.

“Hey, Adam.” She waved him to their table. “You and Becca should go look around. There are some great items this year.”

His expression said he saw right through Megan’s nosy matchmaking, but his eyes turned hopeful when they slid to Becca. “Want to go check things out?”

She shot Megan one more unamused look, but a smile replaced it as she rounded the table to join him. “Sure.”

Ethan stopped them before they walked away, digging some money out and handing Adam a few bills. “On your way back, grab us cheese curds and funnel cakes. I noticed the food trucks on the way in, and I can smell them from here.”

Adam tucked the money in his pocket. “Will do.”

He and Becca then walked off together, and Megan wore a distinctly pleased grin as she turned to Katie.

“Looks like both of my single siblings are finally with the people they’ve always belonged with.”

Katie suspected Becca and Adam still had a ways to go yet before considering themselves a couple, but she couldn’t argue with Megan.

Echoes of goodnight followed Katie and Ethan as they left the house. The night air had cooled significantly, and Katie breathed it in. She was both tired and satisfied after the full day and an enjoyable evening with the family.

They walked down the steps and paused on the driveway, where they would part ways for the night. He turned to her, and his smile mirrored her contentment, lit by the warm glow of porch lights.

“People loved your stuff today. I think this was just the beginning of a successful business for you.”

His support of her dream meant the world to her. “You did well too. We’ll have to do it again soon.”

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