16. Chapter Sixteen
Katie sat cross-legged on the sewing room floor, pieces of fabric scraps strewn around her. She’d spent the afternoon picking through Grandma’s stash—sorting colors and setting aside those that caught her eye. The task involved reminiscing and a few tears as she came across fabrics she recognized. Fabrics Grandma had used to sew her sun dresses or doll clothes. Those went into a separate pile to use for something special.
O’Malley kept her company while she worked, sometimes sitting beside her or peering down at her from one of the sewing tables. She didn’t realize how long she’d been working until her stomach growled, and she looked at her phone. The display read just about five o’clock. No wonder she was hungry, considering how she had skipped lunch.
Getting up from his latest nap, O’Malley hopped off a chair and wove through the fabric towers to reach her. He head-butted her knee, and she rubbed his shoulders.
“I bet you’re getting hungry too.”
She scooped the tabby into her arms and pushed to her feet. After feeding him his evening food, she grabbed a hoodie and flashlight and left the cottage, following the path through the woods toward the Harts’. She found Evelyn near the brick fire pit by the porch. They’d improved it from what Katie remembered as a kid, enlarging it to accommodate their expanded family.
“Oh, good. You came.” Evelyn’s welcoming smile would never fail to make Katie feel that she had a place here with them. “I was making sure we had all of our roasting sticks. They tend to disappear sometimes after all the kids are here.”
Katie laughed, imagining Joel’s kids getting into mischief like she, Ethan, and his siblings had around the fires at night. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“We can go in and start gathering the food together.”
On the way inside, Katie noticed a motorcycle parked out front. “Whose bike is that?”
“That’s Adam Donovan’s. I don’t know if you remember him. He’s Pastor’s oldest son.”
“I remember.” He and Ethan had been good friends. Katie had always liked him since he hadn’t minded her tagging along on adventures, unlike some of the boys.
“He stopped by earlier, and Ethan invited him to go fishing and stay for supper. He just got back from a mission trip to Uganda.”
“That sounds interesting.” Besides California, Katie had hardly been anywhere but Wisconsin, let alone a different country.
“I’m sure he’d happily tell you all about it. He’s spent a lot of time in various places over the years and always comes back with a story.”
In the kitchen, Evelyn handed her a bag of hot dog buns from the local bakery that needed to be cut while she sliced tomatoes on the other side of the peninsula. “How are things at the cottage?”
“I’m settling in. I thought I’d focus on organizing Grandma’s sewing room so I can work on things if I want.” Katie shrugged. “Depending on how long I stay.”
“How long do you think that will be?”
Katie didn’t fail to notice the hopeful note in her voice. “I’m still not sure. I’m not in any rush to go back. There’s not much for me to go back to. I mean, except for Drew. I’d much rather be here.”
“Sounds like a complicated decision.”
Katie hummed in agreement. Definitely complicated. She had yet to figure out how to broach the topic with Drew. They already struggled to find the time to spend together as it was. A long-distance relationship didn’t sound like a good idea. But if going back to Elling or Madison was the only way to make it work, she supposed she’d have to do that.
“Have you heard anything more from your mom or Grant?”
“My mom called this morning and left a message. Thankfully, Grant has never tried to call me.”
Katie reached for another bun and realized that Evelyn had paused. Sadness and regret filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry we never knew what was happening until it was too late. I knew it wasn’t a good situation, but we didn’t realize the extent of it until Ethan told us long after you left.”
“Don’t feel bad.” The last thing Katie wanted was for her to feel like they had failed her somehow. Not after all they had done for her. “The only ones at fault are Grant and my mom. Even when you didn’t know, you still offered me a sanctuary and the opportunity to be a kid, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
“I’m glad you had that, at least.”
A few minutes later, the front door opened, and Becca entered the kitchen. She greeted them and set her lunch tote on the counter, unzipping it to remove the containers. “Is that Adam’s motorcycle?”
“Yes. He just got back on Thursday. Ethan invited him to join us for supper.”
Becca paused, something like a wince crossing her face before she appeared to shake it off. “I’m going to shower, and then I’ll be back down to help.”
Katie detected an odd tone in her voice, as if she was trying too hard to sound unbothered. Of course, it was none of Katie’s business, so she didn’t mention it to Evelyn after Becca walked away.
Shortly after that, Naomi arrived with the rest of the kids from their little farm just up the road. According to Ethan, they raised chickens and goats, and Naomi homeschooled the kids. Katie imagined having a baby made things interesting, but Naomi seemed like the type of mom who could handle it. A nurturer, like Grandma had been.
However, Charlie shuffled in behind her, a pout on her face.
“What’s that look for?” Evelyn asked her granddaughter.
“Only Marshall got to go fishing. I wanted to go too.”
Naomi shook her head with only a mildly exasperated look. “There will be plenty of time to go fishing all summer. Your dad promised you’d get to go next time.”
Charlie heaved a sigh. “Yeah.”
Katie set aside the knife she was using and bent down by her. “Sometimes boys just like to do boy stuff without girls around. I didn’t get to go either.”
This perked her up. “Do you like to fish?”
“I do. And they’ve probably beaten me by now, but I had the record for the biggest fish when we were kids, even over your dad and Uncle Ethan.”
“Really? How big?”
“A twenty-inch bass.”
Charlie’s eyes rounded. “Whoa.”
Katie grinned. She hadn’t thought about that fish in some time. It had been quite a catch, especially at thirteen. She’d been so proud, especially when Tom told her what an excellent angler she was. Rubbing it in Ethan and Joel’s faces that she was the record holder made it even better. She’d have to ask Evelyn if she still had the pictures of it.
Charlie straightened her shoulders. “Well, someday I’m gonna catch one that big and beat Marshall.”
Katie laughed. She’d had the same competitive spirit against Ethan and Joel. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”
Once Becca rejoined them, they made quick work in the kitchen before heading back outside to wait for the men. Charlie tagged along with Katie and Becca when they gathered firewood to stack by the pit while Evelyn and Naomi set up camp chairs.
Katie had just bent to put the wood down when Charlie announced the boat was back. She straightened to see the Harts’ big pontoon gliding up to the dock. The men had barely secured it before Marshall jumped off, almost tripping due to the large bass in his hands.
“Mom! Look what I caught!” He ran down to the dock, holding the fish aloft. “It’s sixteen inches!”
They gathered around, exclaiming over the fish, though Charlie started moping again. Katie nudged her shoulder and bent down to murmur, “Now you know what you have to beat.”
Charlie grinned mischievously.
Naomi guided Marshall over to a good spot where she and Evelyn could take pictures of him and his fish, and everyone else headed toward the house. Katie fell in beside Ethan and Joel.
“I imagine one of you two beat my bass record.”
Ethan pointed to Joel. “Unfortunately, yes. Joel caught a twenty-three-inch over on Fern. But your record stood for a long time. Eight years, I think.”
“Wow, that is a while.” She turned to Joel. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, but it’s no big deal. I’m not in it for the competition.”
Ethan eyed him. “Oh, really? So if I go out and catch a twenty-four-inch, it won’t eat at you? Not even a little bit?”
Joel did not comment, and Katie giggled.
Ethan nodded. “That’s what I thought. One of these days, though, I’m gonna do it.”
His brother cast him a challenging look. “Good luck.”
“Oh, now it’s on.”
Katie smirked at them, jumping in on the fun. “Or maybe I’ll beat both of you again.”
This made Ethan’s eyes twinkle. “Sounds like the three of us need to get a wager going.”
“Or four of us.”
A handsome blond had joined them, and Katie realized it was Adam. Perhaps that’s why Becca acted the way she did in the kitchen. Adam had grown up to be a very good-looking guy.
Ethan loved nights around the fire with his family. Laughter filled the air, especially with the kids as they roasted their hot dogs and marshmallows. Rosie constantly circled behind the chairs, sticking her nose in to gobble up spilled chips, marshmallows, and crumbs. Katie sat to his right, having just as much fun as the kids. Charlie had claimed the chair beside her, talking her ear off.
Adam sat just to Ethan’s left and told them all about his trip to Uganda. He spoke about it passionately, but Ethan didn’t fail to notice how his friend’s gaze often rested on Becca across the fire. Nor how Becca avoided it. He wasn’t sure why she was so opposed, but maybe it was too soon.
When the evening grew late, Adam took his leave and headed out on his bike. Naomi gathered the kids next. Joel started to push up from his chair to help, but Naomi put her hand on his shoulder to keep him there. “Why don’t you stay awhile?”
“Are you sure?”
“If you take care of Jackson if he wakes up tonight.”
“Deal.”
She bent down, and they shared a quick kiss. She then addressed their three oldest. “All right, say goodnight to everyone.”
They circled the fire, saying their goodbyes, ending with Joel. As they headed out, trailing after Naomi, he called after them, “Listen to your mom and go straight to bed when you get home. If she has to call me, you won’t like the consequences.”
Echoes of “Yes, Dad” drifted back in response.
Ethan caught Katie’s wistful expression as he watched the exchange. He could hardly imagine what it would be like never to have had a good father. He made a mental note to himself to tell Dad how much he appreciated him. It was too easy to take for granted the life he’d had compared to Katie’s.
Mom and Dad headed into the house next, leaving only Ethan, Katie, Joel, and Becca. Now that there was more room, they all scooted closer to the fire, and Ethan threw a couple more pieces of wood into the flames. It was like old times. They were only missing Megan. Too bad she and Taylor had been busy tonight.
Considering his younger sister and the energy she always brought, a memory popped into Ethan’s mind. “Do you guys remember when we lost Megan at the petting zoo?”
Joel snorted a laugh. “I still don’t know how she managed to get inside that rabbit hutch without anyone noticing. Or that she stayed in there a whole hour while everyone was yelling for her.”
“Was it that long?”
Joel nodded, brows lifted. “Probably scared ten years off of Mom and Dad. And that wasn’t the only scare we had with her. She was always wandering off.”
Ethan chuckled. Their little sister certainly had been a handful. “I wonder if her ears are burning.”
Joel dug into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out his phone. “Let’s find out.”
He sent Megan a quick text, and they all laughed at her response before reminiscing over other childhood memories. Like the night at Katie’s, laughter rang out. It was probably good that their closest neighbors were a distance down the shore. Ethan prayed the entire summer would be filled with nights like these.
It had to be close to midnight when Katie yawned and pushed up from her chair. “I hate to leave, but I think I should head home.”
Ethan shifted to get up. “Do you want me to walk you back?”
“That’s all right. I brought a flashlight.” She held up an old plastic one that had probably been in a drawer at the cottage since they were kids. “If I see a bear or anything, I’m sure you’ll hear me scream as loud as Joel did in the tent all those years ago.”
Laughter burst from Ethan and Becca, and Joel shook his head.
“Really?” But he wore an amused smile.
She grinned and said goodnight. They all echoed her as she walked away, her flashlight switching on to light the path. Ethan watched it weave through the darkness. When it disappeared and he caught the glow of light at the cottage, he knew she must be inside and turned back to the fire. Joel and Becca had been quiet, but now his sister stared at him.
“You’ve been really happy since Katie came back. Happier than I’ve seen you in…a long time.”
Ethan didn’t know how he should take his sister’s observation. “Of course I’m happy. It’s great to have her back. And I wasn’t unhappy.”
“No, but… it’s different now.” Her probing gaze continued to bore into him, and he got the uncomfortable feeling this conversation was about to dig a little too deep. “So, when are you going to tell her how you feel?”
Ethan blinked in surprise. “What?”
Joel pinned him with an all-too-knowing look. “You know we can read you like a book, right?”
Ethan shifted, his camp chair creaking as if to give away his discomfort. How had he become the center of his older siblings’ nosy speculations? “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Becca raised a brow at him, clearly not buying his attempt to brush them off. “You drop everything to go over to the cottage and spend time with her at every opportunity.”
Why was that such a big deal? Of course, he wanted to spend time with her. She’d just come back into his life. “Things needed to be done for her to live there comfortably. What was I supposed to do? I always drop everything to help when someone needs it.”
Obviously, his excuses weren’t getting him anywhere with his siblings because Becca forged right on. “Maybe, but there is the fact you’ve been in love with her since we were kids. We all know that.”
Ethan stared at the fire, refusing to meet her eye or Joel’s. He’d hoped no one realized just how deep his feelings ran and for how long. It was easier to pretend everything was normal when he was the only one he had to convince. The last thing he wanted on top of a complicated situation was for everyone to watch him to see how he would handle it.
He cleared his throat. There was only one way to handle it. “She’s my best friend. I can’t risk that friendship. And I’m not even saying that for myself but for her. She needs what we have here. Our family has been her sanctuary. She needs it just as much now as she always did. How could I jeopardize that?”
Becca seemed to think the solution was simple. “You could talk it out and still be friends if the feelings aren’t mutual.”
“It’s too risky. What if it makes her uncomfortable and she doesn’t feel like she can come to us for help or to hang out? I can’t take all of this away from her. It’s too important. More important than how I feel. Besides, you’re forgetting one very major detail. She already has a boyfriend.”
Joel shrugged. “Nothing’s settled until she’s wearing a wedding ring.”
But Ethan shook his head. He was not the kind of guy to swoop in and steal another man’s girl. No, if Katie was happy, he would be happy for her. He would cherish their friendship and leave it at that. He wouldn’t risk losing her again.
Ready for a change in topic, he looked straight at Becca. This was probably a bit underhanded, but she’d started the conversation. “How about we talk about you and Adam instead of me and Katie?”
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please. Let’s not.”
“I’m sure he’s still interested.”
She forced out a short breath. “I can’t imagine why.”
The harshness in her voice took him by surprise. Any annoyance from their conversation faded, replaced by a genuine concern and curiosity. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
She met his gaze, hers shielded by a stone wall. “I’m hardly wife material for a pastor’s son.”
Oh. He winced, regret shooting through his chest. He should never have brought it up. It pained him to know that she saw herself as unworthy. He knew she’d felt guilty about her actions, but not still to this extent, and he tried to speak more gently. “Adam doesn’t care about your past. He just cares about you.”
“Ethan’s right,” Joel chimed in. “You made a mistake and learned from it. It doesn’t have to ruin your future.”
Becca rubbed her arms, not looking at either of them, but Ethan could have sworn he caught the glint of tears in her eyes. “Some mistakes have lingering consequences.”
Ethan exchanged a glance with Joel, who replied, “I won’t argue with that, but there’s a difference between consequences and self-imposed suffering.”
This time, Becca stubbornly refused to respond.
“Listen, I’m not saying you have to have anything to do with Adam. All I am saying is to make sure you don’t avoid a path God is trying to lead you down just because you believe you don’t deserve it. None of us deserve anything, but God blesses us anyway.” Joel held up his hands then, divorcing himself from the conversation. “And that’s all I’ll say regarding either of your two issues. Your decisions are your own.”
Ethan refrained from commenting any further, still watching Becca. Whether self-imposed or not, they faced complicated situations, and he didn’t see either of them taking steps to change that.