Chapter 13

Thirteen

Natalie

The steady patter of rain against the windows set the tone for the day as I finished the last few stretches of my workout. The weather outside matched my mood—gray and unsettled. But even as the rain drummed down, I pushed myself to focus on the familiar motions, using physical exertion to keep my mind from wandering to places I didn't want it to go. Ethan left only a day ago, and his absence was like a cloud hanging over me, but I was determined to stay strong, to keep moving forward.

As I wiped the sweat from my brow and reached for my water bottle, my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. I picked it up, smiling when I saw Jess's name flash across the screen.

"Good morning," I answered, feeling a bit lighter already. Jess always had that effect on me.

"Same to you," Jess's voice came through, bright and cheerful despite the dreary weather. "How's your morning going? Just finishing your workout?"

"Yep, just wrapped up," I replied, taking a long sip of water. "What's up?"

"Well," Jess began, her tone turning a bit more serious, "I was thinking we should meet for lunch to go over the final details for the fundraiser. The event's coming up fast, and I want to make sure we're all set."

"Definitely," I agreed, grateful for the distraction. "Where do you want to meet?"

"How about the Corner Café? I know it's not the best day for walking around, but I'm craving one of those warm soups they have."

I chuckled, already looking forward to our usual spot, even more appealing on a rainy day like this. "Sounds perfect. I'll see you there in an hour?"

"Perfect," Jess echoed. "And don't forget—we've got that planning committee meeting later this afternoon. Rain or shine, we've got work to do."

"Of course," I said, smiling at her determination. "I'll see you soon, Jess."

After hanging up, I took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The annual fundraiser was something I could control, something that needed my attention and energy. And if I kept busy enough, maybe I wouldn't have time to dwell on the uncertainties of my personal life.

The rain had picked up by the time I arrived at the café, the rhythmic sound of drops against the pavement creating a cozy atmosphere inside. I spotted Jess immediately, sitting by the window with her signature oversized sunglasses perched on top of her head despite the lack of sun. She waved me over, a broad smile on her face.

"Hey, Nat!" she called out as I approached the table. "I already ordered you some coffee. Figured we could both use a little extra pick-me-up today."

"You're a lifesaver," I said, sliding into the seat across from her. "This weather is perfect for staying in bed all day, but I guess we've got too much to do for that."

Jess laughed, a light, melodic sound that always made me feel better. "Tell me about it. I barely slept last night, worrying about all the last-minute details. First, it was Mike's birthday. Now it's the fundraiser—sometimes it feels like there's too much going on."

"You always pull it off, though. That's why I made you the chairwoman of the planning committee," I assured her, wrapping my hands around the warm coffee mug. "Besides, after today, we'll have everything squared away for the event."

Jess nodded, her expression turning more focused. "Speaking of, we need to make sure the silent auction items are all lined up. I know a couple of donors haven't confirmed yet, and I want to make sure we're not short."

"I'll follow up with them this afternoon," I promised, already making a mental checklist. "What about the tables and chairs? Did the rental company get back to you?"

Jess shook her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Not yet. I'm going to call them after lunch. And the band's good to go—we got the final confirmation this morning."

"Great," I said, feeling the familiar rush of satisfaction that came with checking off tasks. "We're almost there."

Jess smiled, but I could see the concern lurking behind her eyes. "You doing okay, Nat? I mean, really?"

I hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I'm managing. The fundraiser's been a good distraction, and honestly, I'm just trying to stay focused on what I can control."

Jess reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "You're doing great. And you know I'm here if you need to talk, right?"

"I know," I said, squeezing her hand back. "Thanks, Jess. I appreciate it."

We spent the rest of lunch going over the final details, with the rain giving a nice vibe to our chat. But my mind kept drifting back to Ethan. I missed him more than I wanted to admit, but I wasn't going to let that derail everything I'd worked so hard to build. I had to stay strong for the fundraiser, for the preschool, and for myself.

As we finished up our meal and prepared to head to the planning meeting, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. Maybe everything wasn't perfect, but at least I was doing something that mattered.

After lunch, Jess and I made our way to the community center, where the planning committee was already gathering. The rain had eased to a light drizzle, but the gray sky still hung heavily over Cedar Cove. I pulled my jacket tighter around me as we walked in, bracing myself for the flurry of activity inside.

The room buzzed with chatter as volunteers discussed final preparations for the fundraiser. The familiar faces of the committee greeted us, their smiles warm but tinged with the same focused energy that had been driving us all for a while.

"Okay, everyone," Jess called out as we took our seats at the long table. "Let's get started. We've got a lot to cover and not much time, so let's make sure we're all on the same page."

I sat beside her, pulling out my notes as the meeting began. We went through the agenda, ticking off items one by one. The silent auction, the food vendors, the entertainment—each piece falling into place with a mix of efficiency and determination. But as the discussions continued, I felt a growing sense of restlessness sneaking up on my senses. No matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to Ethan—wondering how things were going in Dallas.

I'd been doing my best to stay busy, to keep moving forward, but the uncertainty of his absence gnawed at me. Even as I threw myself into event planning, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Or someone.

"Natalie, how's the silent auction looking?" Jess's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

"It's coming together," I replied, forcing myself to focus. "I've followed up with most of the donors, and I'll confirm the rest this afternoon. We've got some great items lined up, and I'm confident it'll be a hit."

"Great," Jess said with a nod, but I noticed the way she studied me, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could sense my distraction.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur of discussions and decisions. I contributed where I could, but my heart wasn't fully in it. By the time we wrapped up, I felt drained—not just from the planning but from the effort of holding myself together.

As we filed out of the community center, Jess caught up to me, her brow furrowed in concern. "You okay, Nat? You seemed a bit off in there."

I sighed, giving her a small smile that I prayed was reassuring. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind, I guess."

Jess nodded, but her concern didn't fade. "Is it Ethan?"

I paused, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess it is. I haven't heard from him since he left, other than one text letting me know he was in Dallas and misses me, and I'm trying not to worry, but…"

"But it's hard not to," Jess finished for me, her voice soft with understanding.

"Yeah," I admitted. "I just wish I knew what was going on."

Jess wrapped an arm around my shoulders, giving me a comforting squeeze. "You'll hear from him, Nat. Just give it time."

"I hope so," I murmured, leaning into her embrace. "I hate not knowing."

"You're stronger than you think," Jess said, pulling back to look at me. "And whatever happens, you'll get through it. But you know I'm here for you, right?"

I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for my friend's support. "Thanks, Jess. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled, but there was a sadness in her eyes that mirrored my own. "You won't have to find out."

Later that afternoon, I returned home, the quiet of the house amplifying the thoughts I'd been trying to keep at bay. I kicked off my shoes and made my way to the living room, the gravity of the day pressing down on me.

The silence felt heavy—oppressive, and I found myself reaching for my phone almost out of habit. I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over Ethan's name. I wanted to call him, to hear his voice, to know that everything was okay. But the fear of what I might—or might not—hear kept me frozen. Instead, I decided to send a text, something simple and non-intrusive.

NATALIE: Hi, just checking in. Is everything okay? I really do miss you.

I hit ‘Send' and set the phone down, trying to push away the anxiety gnawing at me. But as the minutes ticked by with no response, the worry that had been simmering all day began to boil over.

Just as I was about to put the phone down and find something else to distract myself, it buzzed in my hand. But it wasn't Ethan's name that flashed on the screen—it was my mom.

With a sigh, I answered, forcing a cheerful tone. "Hi, Mom!"

"Hi, sweetheart," she replied, her voice warm and familiar. "How's everything going?"

"Busy," I admitted, sinking into the couch. "We're in full swing with the fundraiser. It's been a lot of work, but we're getting there."

"I'm sure you'll pull it off wonderfully, as always," Mom said, and I could hear the pride in her voice. "But I was actually calling to see if you might want to come visit us in D.C. for a weekend visit. Your father and I miss you, and we'd love to have you here for a bit."

I hesitated, caught off guard by the invitation. "Oh, um, I'll have to see how things are going… but I'll definitely think about it."

"Please do," Mom urged. "It would be so good to have you here, even if it's just for a little while."

"Okay, I will," I promised, my mind racing with the implications of the visit. "Thanks for the invite, Mom."

We chatted for a few more minutes before saying our goodbyes, but as I hung up, the unease that had been building all day came crashing down. Between the uncertainty with Ethan and now the prospect of a trip to D.C., I felt like everything was spinning out of control.

After hanging up with my mom, I sat on the couch for a few moments, letting the silence of the house surround me. The rain had picked up again, tapping softly against the windows, a steady rhythm that seemed to echo the restlessness in my heart. I glanced at my phone, hoping to see a response from Ethan, but the screen remained stubbornly blank.

I sighed with the weight of the day settling on my shoulders. The fundraiser, the planning meeting, the conversation with Jess, and the unexpected call from Mom—it had all been a welcome distraction, but now that I was alone, the reality of Ethan's absence hit me full force.

Feeling tired, I decided to call it a night. I grabbed a book from the shelf, hoping to lose myself in its pages and escape the worries that had been distracting me. With a heavy sigh, I turned on my lamp, slipped under the covers, and opened the book, trying to focus on the words even as my mind continued to drift back to Ethan.

Finally, I set the book aside and rolled over, curling up under the covers, trying to cling to the lingering warmth in the bed. But no matter how tightly I wrapped myself in the blankets, I couldn't shake the cold, lonely feeling that had seeped into my bones.

Ethan was gone, and I was left wondering if he would ever truly come back.