Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
She’d been wanting to kiss him since he stepped off the helicopter. Definitely when he’d offered her tea. And absolutely when he’d opened up about his past. In fact, she’d nearly kissed him first. So yes. She was all in.
He tasted like coffee and chocolate, and his tender, unhurried exploration stole her breath as much as the rippling lights painting the night sky above them.
The kiss was gentle—tentative yet full of promise.
Ethan’s warmth radiated through her, chasing away the chill of the Alaskan night and, for a fleeting moment, the ache she’d carried for so long.
When his lips pressed more firmly, deepening the kiss, she instinctively leaned into him.
Somehow, she had edged closer, her hands lifting to cup his jaw.
His skin was smooth beneath her fingers, a stark contrast to his rugged strength.
Her pulse thrummed as his fingers threaded through her hair, cradling her like she was something precious.
The sensation sent a shiver through her, a soft gasp escaping her lips before she could stop it.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself believe in something good. In someone good.
But what would Sadie think about this?
The thought pierced through the haze of warmth left by his kiss.
Her daughter’s face—stormy and suspicious when she’d caught them hugging in the café kitchen—flashed through her mind, wrenching her back to reality.
She pulled away abruptly, chest heaving in the soft glow of the battery-powered lantern Ethan had brought.
“Tisha?” His voice was quiet, unsure. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” she said, pushing to her feet. The blanket bunched beneath her as she stumbled slightly, pacing back and forth, her palms pressed to her flushed cheeks. “I don’t know, Ethan. I think…I think that was too fast.”
He stayed seated, his gaze steady on her as she moved.
“What about Sadie? What about Brody?” The words tumbled out as she shoved her hands into her coat pockets. “Has anybody asked them what they would think about us kissing? Sadie had a fit when she caught us hugging.” Her voice cracked. “Oh, Ethan. I just—I don’t know.”
He stood slowly, giving her space, then stepped forward and gently clasped her shoulders. “Hey, listen. It’s okay.” His tone was calm, grounding. “We’re both dipping our toes into this uncertain pool, right? I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been on a first date in over a decade.”
A shaky laugh bubbled out. “Yeah. It’s been a while for me too.”
“Let’s pack up. But listen, Tisha…” He ducked slightly, catching her gaze as she tried to look away. “I really like you. I thought that was an amazing kiss, and I’ll go as slow as you need to go. But I have to say two things.”
She swallowed, her heart pounding. “Okay.”
“At some point, we’re going to have to talk to our kids about dating,” he said gently. “Unless you’re absolutely sure you want to be a single parent forever, which I hope isn’t the case.”
Her chest tightened. “I know,” she whispered.
“And,” he continued, lowering his voice, “I’m going to need Chase to step out of the way.”
The mention of her late husband hit her like a punch, sharp and unexpected. Oof. Her heart pinched, guilt and longing warring inside her. She drew in a shaky breath. “I know. I know you do.”
A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I sort of assumed when you took off those rings that you were signaling it was time to move on. Otherwise, I never would’ve accepted Charlie’s help to make this date happen. Did I misunderstand?”
“No, of course not.” She tried to smile. “The reason I took off my rings is because I-I am ready.”
He tilted his head to one side. “Except you just told me we moved too fast. So it feels like maybe…not so much.”
“Please be patient with me, Ethan,” she whispered.
His gaze held hers, but then he nodded, his expression softening. “I will.”
He glanced up at the night sky, where the auroras had faded, leaving wisps of clouds drifting across a pale half-moon. “Why don’t we head home?”
She nodded, a lump in her throat, and together they packed up the basket and folded the blanket. He carried both items along with the lantern to the helicopter, his quiet steadiness a balm to her frayed nerves.
Once they were buckled in and the headsets secured, Ethan started the rotors spinning.
“Let me send a quick text to Luke to let him know we’re on our way back,” he said.
“I’ll text. You fly,” she said.
He nodded. “Deal.”
She focused on her phone, terribly aware of the silence between them.
As the helicopter lifted into the starry night, its lights sweeping over the snow-covered ground below, she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. “Thanks for, um, arranging the babysitting. I hope Sadie wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Like I said, my mom is great with kids. I’m sure they had a fun time,” he said, his tone kind but measured.
“Thank you for telling me more about your story,” she said. “That was really brave of you to share. I’m honored that you chose me.”
“You’re welcome.” He managed a smile, but there was a tightness in his face that she couldn’t ignore. Had she hurt him? She turned to the window, staring out into the vast, snowy wilderness, her mind spinning with doubts and what-ifs.
Twenty minutes later, Ethan guided the helicopter smoothly to the ground beside the resort. They disembarked in silence, Tisha carrying the lantern and blanket while he held the basket.
When they entered the resort, the warm glow of the lights greeted them. Sadie stood in the lobby, clutching Ollie in one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other.
“Mommy, you’re back!” Sadie ran into her arms.
Tisha pulled her daughter close, hugging her tightly before glancing up at Mrs. McGuire. “Everything go okay?”
“Yep, everything’s fine.” Mrs. McGuire offered a warm smile. She glanced at Ethan. “I sent Brody to brush his teeth.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Mom,” Ethan said, then turned to Tisha. “Walk you out?”
“That’s okay. I’m good.” Tisha forced a smile. “Thanks, I had a great time.”
She ushered Sadie toward the door, avoiding Ethan’s gaze.
Once outside, she couldn’t help but replay the moment in her mind. Okay, maybe she had been rude. But what was she supposed to do? Her emotions were a mess.
She settled Sadie into the car and drove quickly back to the cabin.
Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as her thoughts churned.
Thankfully, Tom and Melinda’s house was dark.
She didn’t want to face them—or anyone else right now.
Not that it was their business, but she was sure they’d heard about her impromptu date with Ethan.
Knowing Chloe and Charlie, half the town probably knew by now.
When they reached the cabin, she said, “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
Sadie chattered on about her evening, describing the chicken nuggets and french fries she’d eaten, the movie she’d watched, and how Brody had let her pick the film.
“Well, how about that?” Tisha pulled back the covers on Sadie’s bed. “The McGuire fellas were gentlemen tonight.”
“What’s a gentleman?” Sadie asked, her eyes curious as she hopped onto the bed.
“A man who is kind and considerate.”
“Oh, yeah. Well, that’s Brody…some of the time.”
Tisha laughed softly, tucking her daughter under the covers.
“Was my daddy a gentleman?” Sadie asked, her voice small.
“Yes,” Tisha said, her throat tightening. “Yes, he was.”
They said their prayers, and Tisha kissed Sadie and Ollie good night.
“Good night, Mommy. I love you,” Sadie whispered, her eyelids growing heavy.
“I love you too, pumpkin. Sleep well.” Tisha brushed a strand of hair from her daughter’s forehead before padding softly down the hall.
In the dim glow of the living room, her gaze landed on the framed photo of Chase perched on the bookshelf by the fireplace.
I’m going to need Chase to step out of the way.
Ethan’s words echoed in her head. Her stomach clenched at the memory.
He wasn’t wrong. At some point, she’d have to figure out what she really wanted.
But how? How could she choose between holding on to Chase’s memory and opening her heart to something new?
As much as she loved Chase, she didn’t want to be alone forever.
And Sadie deserved a strong, loving father figure in her life.
Her thoughts drifted to a moment etched in her memory—she and Chase sitting across from each other at a picnic table under an umbrella on a warm summer day.
It had been one of those rare times they’d gotten away while her father was nearing the end of his life.
They’d dropped Sadie off with Natalie and her family, then shared a simple meal of hush puppies and barbecue sandwiches.
The conversation that day had stuck with her.
Chase had brought up the subject of moving on, though she hadn’t understood why.
“If anything ever happens to me, I want you to know it’s okay to move on,” he’d said, his tone serious.
She’d bristled, shocked. “Chase, why would you even say something like that?”
He’d smiled, reaching for her hand. “Because I want you to be happy, Tish. I want you to love and be loved, even if I’m not here.”
She’d been upset, maybe even a little angry, accusing him of being morbid. But now, as she stared at his photograph, those words resurfaced like a lifeline.
“That’s the problem, Chase,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what I want. At least, I didn’t. Until today.”
The truth gnawed at her. She’d uprooted her life, moved across the country, and built a world where Chase’s memory could thrive—where Sadie would always know who her father was. But now? That kiss with Ethan had upended everything.
“Oh, Chase,” she murmured, tears blurring her vision. “This is so hard. How can I know the right thing to do?”