18. Chapter Eighteen
Ethan had errands to run. Errands that involved a forty-five-minute drive to one of the larger home improvement stores for supplies he told himself he needed. Once there, he debated whether to purchase the table saw he’d been looking at with the money he would get from Grandma Ruby. After all, she would have been happy to see him use it to pursue his business dreams.
While he held off in the end, he welcomed the distraction. Keeping busy meant less time to dwell on meeting Katie’s boyfriend this evening. It shouldn’t be a big deal. He’d already determined his feelings wouldn’t get in the way of their friendship. So now he just had to bury them and be happy for her. Getting to know her boyfriend and helping him to become acquainted with the family should be a good thing.
Mid-afternoon had crept in when he returned to Two Lakes and stopped at the grocery store to pick up things for Mom. If he put off returning home any longer, she wouldn’t have what she needed for supper.
She met him in the kitchen when he carried the grocery bags into the house. “There you are. I was starting to wonder.”
He set them on the counter and pulled out a tub of sour cream to put in the fridge. “Sorry. I got caught up looking at stuff.”
She gave him one of her looks, no doubt seeing right through his thin excuse. If Joel and Becca had him all figured out, then Mom doubly so.
He avoided her gaze. “So, what time are Katie and Drew coming?”
“Five-thirty.” She reached for the bag of potatoes she needed for her family-famous potato salad. “I figured you and your dad could start the burgers shortly before that.”
“Sounds good.”
He helped her finish the groceries before heading back outside to unload his supplies into the shop. After that, he worked on the swing to stay occupied, though keeping his hands busy was much easier than keeping his mind busy. It constantly wandered to Drew being over at the cottage with Katie. Were they sitting on the porch having coffee? Or down by the lake?
Imagining it left a tight feeling in his chest. He shook his head. When did he become a jealous person? He hated how this thing with Drew dredged up all sorts of bad qualities he didn’t realize he’d be in danger of struggling with. Enough was enough. He set aside his tools and bowed his head to pray. He couldn’t go into this evening like this.
He spent a good fifteen minutes asking for a better attitude, guidance, and more charitable feelings toward Drew. Just because it was hard seeing Katie with someone else did not make Drew an enemy. He was a fellow believer, and if God had brought him into Katie’s life, then He’d done so for a reason. Ethan had to accept that. Resenting and questioning it would only make him miserable and could endanger his friendship with Katie just as much as his feelings toward her could.
When evening rolled around, he returned to the cabin to change into something more presentable before heading to the house to help with supper. Dad already had the grill going, so he joined him, and they chatted about everything except tonight’s visit. But it wasn’t long before a vehicle pulled into the driveway.
Dad closed the grill. “Sounds like they’re here.”
Ethan thanked God that no unwanted reaction surfaced inside him. The time spent in prayer was working. Maybe he and Drew could be friends…or at least friendly.
He and Dad rounded the porch to the front, meeting up with Mom and Becca along the way. Katie and Drew were just getting out of a newer model Lincoln that didn’t appear to have a spot of rust. This didn’t bother Ethan. Not really. But then Drew stepped out of the car. Of course, he was tall. A good five or six inches taller than Ethan. It didn’t appear he lifted weights like Adam did, but he undoubtedly spent time in the gym. Just the type of guy women always seemed to find attractive.
Rosie rushed down the steps ahead of everyone, trotting out to meet them. Ethan couldn’t help but notice how Drew sidestepped and avoided her. He brushed away the bothersome thoughts fighting to take root in his mind. So the guy wasn’t a dog person. Not everyone had to be.
Ethan worked up a smile. If Katie and Drew got married someday, Drew would be part of the family. He didn’t want to make a poor first impression and set the wrong tone going forward.
After pausing to give Rosie the affectionate greeting she was looking for, Katie led the way toward the house with a big smile. They all met at the bottom of the steps, and she first introduced Drew to Mom and Dad. If only Ethan could summon half the enthusiasm in his mom’s greeting.
When Katie turned to him next, he stepped forward and extended his hand to Drew, determined to make this a pleasant experience for all involved. “Welcome. I’m Ethan.”
Drew shook his hand with a firm grip. “Ah, Ethan. Katie’s told me a lot about you.”
Ethan couldn’t detect any suspicion or animosity behind those words. “Likewise.”
The introductions concluded with Becca, and Mom ushered everyone inside, where they talked about the house, Drew’s job, and all the usual things new acquaintances discussed. Dad had to excuse himself to check the hamburgers, but Mom and Drew hit it off well since they both had the medical field in common. Becca didn’t join in the conversation as much, but even she had more in common with Drew than Ethan did.
He couldn’t help but be glad of the interruption when Joel walked in, still wearing his dusty, sawdust-flecked work clothes. He said a quick greeting, casting a look at Drew before focusing on Katie.
“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by.”
“No, not at all. Drew, this is Joel, the big brother I never had. Joel, this is Drew.”
They shook hands, and Ethan very much wanted to know his brother’s initial thoughts on the man. He always had been a good judge of character. However, if he had an opinion, he kept it well hidden and turned to Mom.
“Naomi’s sister is visiting this weekend. They’re making ice cream or something with the kids tonight and said they didn’t need me, so I thought I’d stop in for a bit.”
“Well, you know your dad always makes extra, and I made an especially big bowl of potato salad.”
Joel rubbed his stomach. “Excellent.”
As if on cue, Dad opened the porch door to announce the burgers were ready. Mom led the way out to the picnic table she had prepared earlier. Ethan let everyone go ahead of him, bringing up the rear. Joel dropped back to join him, and Ethan lowered his voice. “So, was it your curiosity or Naomi’s that sent you here?”
Joel smirked. “Both.”
Being the last to the table, Ethan had little choice but to take the seat directly across from Drew. Not sitting next to Katie threw him off since he realized that’s what he always did whenever she joined them for meals. He busied himself with fixing his cheeseburger and spooning a generous helping of potato salad onto his plate when the bowl came around to him. The conversation flowed as Drew talked with Dad and Joel about the family business. Ethan focused on his food and didn’t even realize when Drew’s attention had shifted to him.
“Katie says you have a woodworking business.”
Ethan swallowed a bite of potato salad and nodded. “I do. I just started it last year.”
“What do you make?”
“I work on a variety of things. Currently, I’m working on a bench swing. When I can, I like taking old materials and turning them into something new. Kind of like Katie does with her clothing, I guess.”
He glanced at her, and she responded with a happy smile. Did that smile have as profound an effect on Drew as it did on him? For Katie’s sake, he hoped so.
“So more of the rustic sort of stuff?”
Ethan snapped his attention back to Drew, nodding again as he fought to wipe that smile from his mind so he could think coherently. “That’s what people like around here.”
Drew asked him a few more questions, seeming genuinely interested in the business before the topic changed again.
Becca joined in to ask Katie, “What are your plans tomorrow?”
“I thought we could take the canoe out in the morning and then hang out in town for a while before we go to the Lodge for supper.”
“That sounds fun.”
Katie had asked yesterday if she could borrow the canoe. Of course, they would all give her anything she asked for.
“I can get up and bring the canoe over for you early tomorrow,” Ethan offered. “I’ll leave it by your dock and make sure the life jackets are in it.”
“You don’t have to go to the trouble if you don’t mind us coming over to get it.”
He shrugged even though the last thing he wanted to think about was Katie out on the lake with Drew. “I’m always up early. I don’t mind.”
“Thanks.”
Once they had eaten their fill, Mom, Becca, and Katie got up to clear the table, and Ethan somehow found himself alone with Drew when Dad and Joel headed off to the wood pile. A moment of awkward silence hung between them. Prompted by the good manners Mom taught him, Ethan struck up a conversation.
“So, did Katie say where she wanted to take you tomorrow?”
“She said something about an ice cream shop.”
“The Ice Shack. It’s a family favorite. We were there all the time as kids.” His mind chose that moment to think about the photo in his Bible. The Ice Shack was a special place, and he chided himself for not wanting to share it. He was about as bad as his nieces and nephews and silently asked forgiveness.
Drew studied the house for a moment. “Sounds like Katie practically lived with you guys.”
“Pretty much. We all loved having her around. She quickly became family. She still is.”
Drew turned, studying Ethan now. “Thanks for helping her with what needed to be done at the cottage.”
“I’m always happy to help.”
Drew’s chin dipped in something of a nod, but Ethan detected tension there. Despite the thanks, he got the impression Drew thought he was being a bit too helpful. He bristled. Regardless of his feelings, Katie was his friend. He’d always be there for her and help her if that’s what she wanted.
Dad and Joel returned with arms full of wood, breaking the tension. Ethan stepped aside to give them room to start a fire in the pit. The women joined them a couple of minutes later, and they found their seats. Mom let Katie and Drew share the couple’s camp chair she and Dad usually used. Ethan really wished she hadn’t done that, but all he could do was smile and bear it as he sat across from them.
The next couple of hours passed pleasantly enough, though Ethan and Drew had little more to say to each other. Joel left before it got too late, and shortly after that, Drew decided he should go too. They all got up to walk him and Katie to his car and say goodbye.
Ethan sighed as they pulled away, wishing Katie would have stayed. But, of course, she’d want to spend every spare minute with her boyfriend.
Mom and Dad turned back to the house, and it took a moment for Ethan to realize Becca lingered behind.
She peered at him, her inquiring eyes lit by the porch lights. “So?”
“So what?”
She gave him a look she’d inherited from Mom. “So, what do you think about Drew? I know you must have an opinion.”
Ethan mulled that over. If he was honest with himself, nothing tonight justified all his ill feelings before meeting Drew. He’d been looking for red flags but hadn’t found any—at least none too egregious. Avoiding Rosie all evening really couldn’t be held against him, and he was ashamed to find a stirring of disappointment at that.
“He seems nice.”
Becca rolled her eyes.
“What? He’s successful, responsible, seems attentive…” He shook his head. “What do you want me to say? I’m the last person who should give my opinion about him.”
She sighed. “Listen, I’m sorry Joel and I ganged up on you last weekend. I’m sure it made today hard.”
He glanced down the empty driveway. “It did, but it is what it is. It shouldn’t have been hard, and I know I have to get to a place where it isn’t.” He focused on her again. “So, what did you think of him?”
“Like you said, he seemed nice.” And yet, he detected a but in her tone. “I don’t want to say he’s not her type because I have no idea what her type is, but I didn’t feel like they complement each other. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know.”
She’d voiced Ethan’s impression perfectly. However, there was nothing he could do about it. “Well, whether they complement each other or not, he’s the one she’s in a relationship with. My over-analyzing it won’t do either of us any good. I know he wouldn’t want me sticking my nose in their business, and Katie probably wouldn’t appreciate it either.”
Well-intentioned or not, anything he said or did that might drive a wedge between Katie and Drew would look self-serving. He wouldn’t do that. It would be best for both of them if he steered well clear of anything that involved her relationship.
Becca nodded slowly, her tone quiet. “You’re probably right.”
She turned and walked up to the house. Ethan followed but took a detour that led him back to the fire. Sinking into one of the now-vacant camp chairs, he poked at the glowing embers and laid another piece of wood on them. As flames licked at it, he slumped back in the chair with another sigh. Exhaustion weighed on him. In one way, today had gone better than he’d expected. Drew had interacted well with the family, but the constant battle with his rebellious emotions had worn Ethan out.
For several minutes, he lost himself in thought as he stared at the fire until he heard the porch door slap shut. He looked up, expecting Becca to join him, but found Dad instead. Ethan would have thought him to have gone to bed by now. He sank into the chair beside Ethan. Neither of them spoke at first as Dad took a turn poking at the fire. Once he was satisfied and had settled, he looked over at Ethan.
“Rough day?”
Had Mom mentioned Ethan’s dilemma, or was Dad fully aware of the situation, just like everyone else? “Kind of.”
Dad contemplated this for a long moment. “When I first met your mom, she was already in a serious relationship.”
Ethan was pretty sure he’d heard that before but didn’t remember the details. “Yeah?”
Dad nodded. “Greg Redmond.”
Ethan scrunched his brows together. “Wait, Greg from the boat shop?”
Dad gave an exaggerated nod, and Ethan looked at him in disbelief. Greg did not seem like Mom’s type at all. Not only that, but he was currently going through his second divorce after cheating with a much younger woman. A man like that would have ruined Mom’s life.
“So, what did you do?”
“I prayed about it, and I let it go. At least as much as I could. Not that she wasn’t on my mind all the time.” He gave Ethan a knowing look, a corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile. “But I knew the only thing I could do was trust God to work it out if that was His plan. Then, a couple of months later, Greg showed his true colors, and your mom dumped him. We started dating three weeks later.”
Could Ethan ever hope for such an outcome? Of course, that still left the fact that Katie was his best friend. Even if Drew was out of the picture, could he jeopardize that?
Dad leaned toward the fire, resting his arms on his knees. “I know it’s hard to let things play out, especially if we’ve already had a specific future imagined. But sometimes—many times—the future we imagine isn’t the one God has planned, and we must accept that because it’s always better in the end.”
For the first time all day, a sense of peace settled the turmoil Ethan had been wrestling with. “Thanks, Dad.”