Page 33 of Unforgiven

Seth felt as if the bottom had just dropped out of his life.

12

How long had it been since she’d felt so helpless? Two years? Three?

Yesterday?

Tabitha wasn’t completely sure. Nor was she even sure why she was asking herself such things. The amount of time that had passed didn’t matter. All she knew for certain was that her head was buzzing, her mind was racing, and she felt more vulnerable than when she’d woken up that morning.

That said a lot.

“I . . . I . . .”

Seth was on his feet, looking panicked. “I don’t know how to help you, Tabitha. Do you want a glass of water or maybe some hot chocolate?” He paused, obviously wracking his brain. “Do you want me to call the sheriff for you? I could ask him to stop by.”

For some reason, his panic seemed to set her mind at ease. She couldn’t help but smile at his barrage of questions. “Hot chocolate?”

Looking embarrassed, he ran his fingers through his hair. “I know. You’ve got a cup of coffee sitting there right in front of you. I mentioned hot chocolate because that’s what used to help my sister when she was small. Then I, uh, recalled that she’s not a child anymore and neither are you.”

“No, I’m not. I haven’t been a child for a long time.” What she was really thinking about was that no one had been so anxious to soothe her for a long time. But how did one mention that?

Pulling herself out of her fog, Tabitha stood up. “Thank you for offering to call the sheriff, but there’s no need. Mia already called him.”

The concern in Seth’s eyes didn’t ease. “Is he going to do anything?”

“I don’t know. Mia sounded calm but not especially hopeful.”

“Really?”

“She thinks Sheriff Johnson will probably stop by, but it might just be a courtesy call.”

Seth frowned. “Why only that?”

She shrugged, hoping she looked more self-assured than she felt. “There’s not much he can do, right? It’s not like the sheriff or one of his deputies can guard me 24/7. I’m on my own.”

“I hate that you’re okay with that.” After looking at her more closely, his voice softened. “Wait a minute. You aren’t okay, are you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not?” Her mind was buzzing so much, she wasn’t sure of anything. “I’m still trying to come to terms with the news. I think I was happy to pretend that I’d never see Leon again. It’s been so long since he was released from jail.”

“Where has he been?”

She waved a hand. “I don’t know all the details—only what Mia has told me. But after serving three years, he had to live in a halfway house for almost a year. Then, I believe, he had to stay near his parole officer and attend some anger management classes.”

Seth’s expression remained neutral. “And then?”

“And then, um . . . well, I believe he was allowed more freedom because he had a job and had done all the things he’d been asked to do.” She looked at Seth curiously. “Isn’t that what happens?”

“Jah. More or less.”

“Well, then.” She swallowed. “Anyway, supposedly Leon stayed on the straight and narrow for a time but then, ah . . .”

“He went back to intimidating and abusing women.”

“Yes.” She supposed she should say more but didn’t feel up to it. Even after all this time, Leon’s cruelty toward her still felt fresh.

“You really think he’s going to come here?”

She hoped not, but . . . “Mia seems to think it’s a possibility.”

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