Chapter EIGHT

The front door swung open, revealing the swirls of white as a heavy wave of snowflakes danced on the invisible currents of the wind. A figure stood in the doorway, shrouded by the thickening storm, a silhouette of mystery etched against the tempest.

"Katie, dear, did you forget—"

But it wasn"t her daughter. Ariel"s greeting faltered, the shape resolving itself into a young man, his features obscured by the knit cap pulled low over his brow and the scarf wound tightly around his face. Her heart skipped an unexpected beat, not out of recognition, but surprise.

"Sorry, ma"am," he began, his breath visible in the frosty air and his voice muffled. "I"m looking for someone."

"We"re hosting a private event," Ariel replied, her tone courteous but firm. Even as she spoke, she couldn"t help but wonder who this stranger was and what urgent matter drove him through the snow to her doorstep. "We are not open to the public at this moment."

The young man removed his scarf and cap, revealing earnest eyes that held a plea she found hard to ignore. "I understand, ma"am. It"s just... I need to see Katie. It"s important."

"Katie?" The name sent a flicker of protectiveness through Ariel"s veins. "And you are?"

"Ethan," he replied, his voice laced with urgency. "Ethan Greene."

From California? To Maine?

Ariel"s posture softened slightly, though her professionalism did not wane. "Ethan! My goodness, what are you doing here? Katie hasn't come home from school yet. But you"re welcome to wait inside, away from the cold."

"Thank you, ma"am." Ethan stepped into the warmth, leaving behind him a trail of melting snowflakes that darkened the wooden floor.

Ariel led him to a small alcove near the kitchen. She didn't miss the small duffle bag that he lugged behind him. "Stay here for now. I"ll let Katie know you"re here when she arrives."

"Of course," he nodded, his gaze lingering on her with a quiet gratitude before settling into the chair she offered.

Ariel's mind whirred with questions. Why had Ethan traveled through such weather to see Katie? And why now, during this carefully orchestrated event? Ariel was just about to turn back to the empty dining room, where she heard Jill and Darcy beginning to clean up, when the front door swung open again, ushering in a gust of frigid air that carried with it the familiar sound of Katie"s laughter. Ariel watched as her daughter, cheeks flushed with the winter chill, shook snowflakes from her auburn hair.

"Mom, I can"t believe how much it"s snowing out—" Katie stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as they landed on Ethan. An unspoken story danced between them, a narrative only they could read. Ethan stood.

"Katie," Ariel interjected gently, grounding the moment. "It seems you have a visitor."

"Mom, Ethan"s here!" Katie exclaimed, her voice a medley of astonishment and joy. She crossed the room in two strides, her books and backpack forgotten on the floor as she wrapped Ethan in an embrace that seemed to both shield them from the world outside and anchor them to the spot.

"Surprise," Ethan murmured, the word muffled against Katie"s shoulder.

Ariel observed the reunion, memories of her own youthful passion stirring within her like embers coaxed back to life by an unseen wind. The sight of their young love was a poignant reminder of the days when her own heart beat in sync with someone else"s, when everything felt possible, and love was a force as wild and untamable as the storm brewing beyond the walls of Cliffside BB.

"Let"s get you warmed up, Ethan," Ariel suggested, the hostess in her taking charge once again. "And we"ll discuss your visit once my work duties have been attended to."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hawthorne," Ethan said, pulling back to look at Katie, his eyes alight with something that made Ariel turn away, a bittersweet ache blossoming in her chest.

"Mom," Katie began hesitantly, her hand finding Ethan"s, "can I show Ethan around the hou—"

"Later, sweetheart," Ariel said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Right now, you have to remember that we have guests, and the dining room needs cleaning up. Now, take Ethan upstairs. I'll send Jill with hot tea and some snacks."

As she drifted back to the parlor, Ariel"s thoughts lingered on the scene she had left behind: two young hearts reunited amidst an unexpected winter storm, their future unwritten, their affection unguarded and pure. And there she was, caught between her past and present, her heart whispering secrets she dared not acknowledge, while her mind remained steadfast, tethered to the responsibilities of the moment.

Ariel"s gaze lingered on the young couple as they ascended the grand staircase of Cliffside BB, their fingers entwined like ivy. The soft murmur of their laughter floated down, and Ariel watched Ethan cast a look over his shoulder—a look that held the promise of a thousand unspoken words and youthful dreams.

"Remember, Katie," Ariel called after them, her voice carrying the weight of authority softened by maternal care. "Keep your door open, and Ethan, please stay out of sight until we sort this out."

"Sure, Mom," Katie replied, her tone light with the thrill of rebellion only youth could afford.

Ariel"s mind was climbing the staircase with Katie and Ethan, recalling the electric touch of a hand, the heart"s stutter at a glance. She remembered the feeling well—the heady mix of anticipation and fear, the boldness of passion unchecked by the years. Yet here she was, bound by invisible threads to the role she had woven for herself: the consummate hostess, the pillar of propriety—and the woman who Bradford had found so easy to leave, only to pledge forever to Jessica, someone so unlike her.

Back in the dining room, she caught Darcy and Jill up on the unexpected guest, and Jill kindly offered to take tea and goodies up to the young lovebirds. When she returned, the three of them—Ariel, Darcy, and Jill—made short work of the clean-up. Ariel put a large pot of seafood stew on the stove on warm, and then slid two dozen sweet yeast rolls into the oven on the lowest setting for the first course, come dinnertime.

Then, Ariel climbed the creaky stairs, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway as she made her way to the room where Katie and Ethan were. She paused outside the half-open door, steeling herself before knocking softly.

"Come in," Katie called out cheerfully. Ariel stepped inside, her gaze immediately drawn to Ethan sitting cross-legged on the bed. His comfortable appearance made her heart clench with concern.

"Hey Mom," Katie said. "Thanks again for letting Ethan stay here. I know it was last minute."

Ariel forced a smile. "Of course, sweetie. I just wanted to check in and go over some ground rules."

Ethan sat up straighter. "I really appreciate you letting me crash here, Mrs. Hawthorne. I promise I won"t be any trouble."

Despite his polite words, Ariel still felt that familiar frustration creeping in. It wasn"t really Ethan himself, but the recklessness of this spontaneous trip that bothered her. She thought of her own lost youth, the opportunities she had passed up in favor of responsibility. An old longing stirred within her.

Ariel took a deep breath, her voice tinged with a hint of weariness. "Ethan, may I ask how old you are?"

Ethan"s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the question. "I"m seventeen," he replied, his voice holding a trace of confidence.

Seventeen. To Ariel, it seemed like a lifetime ago. Her mind wandered back to her own teenage years, when she too had been filled with dreams and aspirations. But Ethan"s story was different. From Katie, Ariel knew he was emancipated, having graduated high school early and ventured off to pursue his artistry in the realm of higher education.

"I see," Ariel said, her tone laced with both admiration and concern. "You must be quite extraordinary to have managed to come cross-country at such a young age."

Ethan nodded, a flicker of self-assurance in his eyes. "I"ve always felt responsible for my own path, Mrs. Hawthorne. I promise you, I can handle myself."

Ariel studied Ethan"s face, recognizing something familiar yet elusive in his youthful determination. It reminded her of the rebellious spirit she once possessed—the desire to break free from the constraints of society and chase after one"s passion unencumbered.

"And yet," Ariel began, her voice gentle but firm, "your actions suggest otherwise. The impulsive nature of this trip speaks volumes."

Ethan"s gaze faltered for a moment before he met Ariel"s eyes head-on. "I understand your concerns, Mrs. Hawthorne," he replied earnestly. "But please believe me when I say that every decision I"ve made has been carefully considered."

Ariel nodded slowly, the maternal instinct in her wrestling with the understanding of youthful impetuosity. "I believe you, Ethan. But as a mother, I have to think about Katie"s well-being too. And as much as I appreciate your feelings for each other, there are rules under this roof."

Katie"s expression shifted, a mix of hope and apprehension playing across her face. "Mom, what are you saying?"

"Ethan, you"re welcome to stay," Ariel continued, her voice steady, "but you"ll be sleeping in the upstairs parlor, not in Katie"s room."

The room fell into a tense silence. Katie"s face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. "Mom!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. "Ethan just came all the way here to see me. Can"t you make an exception?"

Ariel held her daughter"s gaze, her resolve unwavering. "Katie, you know the rules. It"s not appropriate, and we have other guests to consider."

Ethan, sensing the tension, interjected softly, "It"s okay, Katie. I understand her concerns. The parlor will be fine."

Katie huffed, crossing her arms, her disappointment evident. "Fine," she muttered, though her tone suggested anything but.

Ariel sensed the brewing storm in her daughter"s eyes but knew she had made the right decision. "One of us will set up the parlor for you, Ethan. And we can talk more after dinner."

With a final glance at the young couple, Ariel turned to leave the room, feeling the weight of her daughter"s frustration. As she left, the sounds of their hushed conversation reached her ears, a reminder of the delicate balance between protecting and letting go.

Descending the stairs, Ariel"s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. She had been where Katie was, feeling the first flush of love, the desire to break free from constraints. Yet time had taught her the importance of boundaries and respect. She hoped in time, Katie would understand too.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Ariel took a moment to collect herself. The air was heavy with the aroma of the seafood stew and fresh yeast rolls. Tensions may be high, but her roles as a mother and hostess remained unchanged.

With a deep breath, Ariel stepped back into the kitchen to finish prepping dinner, ready to face the rest of the evening.