The Memory Keeper: A Heartwarming, Feel-Good Romance(60)

“Somethin’ wrong with your daddy’s truck?” Ethan asked, coming in and giving her a playful once-over, clearly wondering why she was there. He loved giving her a hard time, and she didn’t mind at all. It was Ethan’s way of showing affection.

“Ethan, I just wanna make sure you’re gonna be home—” A woman with wispy brown hair and an unfussy appearance came in, a young toddler on her hip, still chatting up a storm to Ethan before she stopped, catching up to the situation, her gaze landing on Hannah.

Ethan turned around, and the atmosphere became notably uneasy, to Hannah’s confusion. “This is my wife, Christie,” he said, introducing them. “And my son Wesley.”

“You have a son?” Hannah asked, taking in the child’s familiar blue eyes.

“I do,” he said quietly. Ethan gestured toward Hannah. “Christie, this is—”

“I know who she is,” Christie cut him off. Her words were more guarded than angry, but they gave Hannah the feeling that she wasn’t very welcome in Christie Wright’s presence. “Come on home right at five, please. You need to watch Wesley for me.”

“I will,” he said.

Christie gave him one final lingering look, and then left, the mood lighter once she’d gone.

Ethan jammed his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he shared a quick glance with his dad.

Hannah stood between the two men, waiting for some explanation.

“I’ve gotta get back in there,” Ardy said. “Got a transmission that’s givin’ us all fits. It’s great to see you, Hannah.”

“See ya,” she said, still waiting for Ethan to give her some idea of what was going on, the confusion eating away at the excitement she’d had when she’d first arrived at the body shop looking for him.

“So, what’s up?” Ethan asked Hannah, as if nothing was wrong.

“I’m not really sure,” she answered honestly. “What just happened?”

“She’s just testy, that’s all.”

“Testy.” She said the word like a statement, but he knew full well it was a question. “And you have a son?” Hannah felt her tone soften at the memory of those rosy cheeks and blue eyes. “Why didn’t Gran tell me? Surely she knew.”

“I don’t see your family anymore, Hannah. I went on and had my own life after you left. I sank myself into work and focused on raising my family,” he said. “Like I told you, there’s a lot you don’t know about me these days. I’ve gotta clock in.” He went over to the computer and typed in something. “You just droppin’ by to say hey, or are you in the market for an oil change?”

“I need your artistic skills,” she said, finally allowing a warmhearted smile to settle on her lips. She knew that would get him.

“I don’t do art anymore,” he said. “Look, I gotta get to work.”

“Wait, what?” she said, grabbing his arm to stop him from going toward the door to the garage.

“My painting days are long gone.”

Hannah was sure a whole lot had transpired in the years she’d been away, but this was a complete and utter shock. “You don’t paint anymore at all? Not even in your free time?” Her words withered on the air, her disappointment clear.

He shook his head, something more in his eyes than what he was telling her.

“You could start again,” she suggested. “You’re the best, and I need you.”

“Sorry, Hannah. You’ll have to find someone else.”

“It’s for Gran.”

Surrender slid down his face.

“Could you just come to The Memory Keeper after work and see what I need?”

His chested puffed out with an inhale that he then blew through his lips in frustration. “I can’t tonight. I’ve gotta get home to watch Wesley.”

“You could bring him,” she suggested. “Maybe we could take him for ice cream after.”

“I can’t.”

“What’s going on?”

“Ethan,” a man said from the door to the garage. “We’re shorthanded in here. Wanna finish up that marathon lunch break and get to work?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Sorry. On my way.” He addressed Hannah. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

“Ethan!” the man called, causing Ardy to leave what he was doing and walk over with an expectant shrug.

Ethan went into the garage, the door closing between them, leaving her in the waiting room alone. Stunned, she turned around and walked out, feeling anxious. Ethan had been so adamant his whole life that he’d never end up working at Ardy’s body shop, and there he was, clocking in.

And why had Christie been so standoffish? Hannah had never met the woman in her life. What had she ever done to her? She remembered what Ethan had said about Christie worrying he’d want to see what was out there in the world, but Hannah had come into their world. So what was with her?

Ethan was right about one thing: things had definitely changed. In fact, nothing at all seemed the same anymore. She wanted to talk to Gran. Maybe she could swing by the hospital for a visit after she and Georgia finished at the shop. She got into the truck and headed back.