Chapter 18
Letters Misplaced
Hannah arrived at the boardwalk, sketchbook under her arm, only to find Ethan pacing near the railing, a worried look on his face.
“Hannah,” he called as soon as he saw her. “I… I lost one of your letters.”
Her heart sank. “Lost? How?”
“I had it in my jacket pocket yesterday, and this morning… it was gone. I’ve checked everywhere,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I know how important your letters are.”
Hannah’s chest tightened. That letter had contained a personal confession she hadn’t shared in her sketches, something only Ethan was supposed to know. “Do you think… someone else found it?” she asked, anxiety creeping in.
Ethan shook his head. “I don’t think so. Probably just misplaced it. But I swear, I’ll find it. I won’t let anything happen to it.”
Hannah took a deep breath, trying to calm the flurry of emotions. “Okay… I trust you,” she said softly, though the worry lingered.
He stepped closer, taking her hands in his. “You don’t have to worry about anything when I’m around. Letters, sketches… even storms, I’ll handle them all.”
Hannah felt a warmth spread through her, easing the tension. “You always know how to make me feel better,” she whispered.
Ethan smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Because I care. More than you probably realize.”
She looked up at him, the bond between them stronger than ever despite the small crisis. “I care too,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned down, forehead resting against hers. “Then let’s promise something. No matter what happens—lost letters, unexpected obstacles—we face it together.”
Hannah nodded, feeling the comfort of his words. The slow burn of their love had survived yet another challenge, and in that shared promise, it grew stronger—unshakable and real, even in the face of uncertainty.