37. Chapter Thirty-seven
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.”
He agreed. “Megan knows all the best shows. I know she’ll love to have us join her.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
After a brief pause, he leaned closer and bent to give her a soft kiss. She sighed. Every time he kissed her, she melted inside.
He murmured goodnight as he pulled away, and she echoed him.
Before parting, he glanced toward the cottage. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
Katie shook her head. He was probably as tired as she was, if not more. After all, he’d done all the heavy lifting. “That’s all right.”
Sharing one more smile, she turned and headed toward home. She yawned widely along the way, looking forward to her bed even if her bedroom would be uncomfortably warm. Living without air conditioning was something she’d had to get used to.
Inside the cottage, she called for O’Malley as she flipped on the kitchen light. After re-locking the door, she kicked off her sandals and looked around for the cat. Usually, he came running as soon as she got home at night. Maybe he was sleeping upstairs, too lazy from the heat to run anywhere. She walked into the living room.
A tall, dark shape materialized out of the sewing room as she reached for the light switch. She stumbled back with a gasp. Light from the kitchen fell on Christopher’s pale face. Her heart missed a beat before racing.
“What are you doing here?” She tried to project strength, but her voice came out breathless.
He just peered at her, his eyes dark and seething. She took a step back into the kitchen. Her gaze darted to the baseball bat in the stairway. Could she reach it before he reached her? He didn’t give her time to debate, taking a menacing step forward.
She lunged for the stairway. He seized her arm, yanking her back before she could grab the bat. A scream built in her chest, but Christopher’s other hand slapped over her mouth with such force her eyes watered.
Her next panicked thought was to call Ethan. She fumbled for her phone. Though she managed to pull it from her pocket, Christopher grabbed for it. She struggled against him, but he twisted the phone away from her. Pain pierced Katie’s wrist and shot up her arm. She gasped as the phone clattered on the floor. His wiry arm wrapped around her chest, pinning her against him.
He was too strong. Despite her fiercest attempt, she couldn’t break free. So she stilled, trying to breathe deeply, though her heart continued its frantic rhythm. A moment later, he dropped his hand from her mouth. This was her chance.
“Christopher, please, let’s just talk. What do you want?”
He snorted loudly in her ear. “You know what I want. I want what should have been mine, but you kept it for yourself. And you got me stuck with another restraining order. We’re done talking.”
His hand closed around her throat, his fingertips digging into the sides of her neck. She gasped for air, barely able to draw any in. He dragged her through the kitchen and to the door. She fought harder when he released her with one arm to open it, but his fingers only tightened around her throat, weakening her attempt. He shoved her outside. She tried to cry for help, but she couldn’t draw in a full breath, let alone scream.
She clawed at his hand, struggling to pry his fingers loose. Rocks bit into her bare feet as she fought to dig in, but he just kept moving forward. She kicked at his shins and attempted to trip him up to no avail. He was so much taller and stronger than her. Pressure throbbed in her head as she struggled to gasp in air.
The gravel beneath her feet turned to grass, and the realization struck. He was dragging her down to the lake. A fresh burst of horror flushed through her veins. She dug her nails deep into his hand and wrist. He cursed and dropped his other arm. Seizing the opportunity, she yanked against him, but his fist smashed into her side, expelling any air left in her lungs. Her knees buckled, her chest burning. Still, he just kept dragging her toward the water.
Tears streamed down Katie’s cheeks. No, no, no! She didn’t want to die. Not like this. Not over inheritance money. He could have it all: the money, the cottage, everything if he’d just let her go. Ethan’s face flashed in her mind. She just wanted to be with him. It didn’t matter if she had nothing else. Please, God!
Water splashed around her ankles and up her legs. Her airway opened up just long enough to drag in a full breath before Christopher spun her to face him and grabbed her throat again. Then he shoved her backward. Her back hit the water, her head going under as he pushed her downward.