Page 39 of Unforgiven

“Jah. You’re more relaxed. More like the Seth I remember.”

“Then you better come back all the time,” he teased.

She smiled. “Maybe I will.”

14

After several more days had passed and a whole lot of talking had taken place, Lott finally persuaded Seth Zimmerman to meet with Bethanne. Seth made some stipulations, however. The place needed to be secluded so no one in the community would see them or eavesdrop, and Seth also didn’t want to meet with Bethanne alone.

Lott had been fine with that. He wanted to accompany his sister anyway, both so Bethanne would feel secure and so he would know what she and Seth were talking about. If Bethanne went without him, chances were pretty good that she’d never relay what she and Seth discussed.

At last they’d come up with a time and a date—the afternoon of October thirtieth at a popular fishing spot near Cripple Creek. The creek had grown wide and deep in this section, and over the years folks had built campfires, moved logs around, and made an almost comfortable spot to while away a few hours.

During the summer, it was common to see a couple of cars or bicycles parked on the road nearby. In fact, Lott and his friends had gone swimming there a couple of times in July. Now that it was almost November, though, very few people were there. The three of them would be able to converse in relative privacy, and he hoped that the quiet surroundings would encourage Bethanne to comfortably—and quickly—share whatever she wanted to say to Seth. Then they could go back home and his sister wouldn’t think about either Seth or Peter’s attack anymore.

That was the hope, anyway.

To Lott’s surprise, their parents didn’t act too shocked when Bethanne told them that she’d decided to go on a walk with him that afternoon. They’d seemed pleased. Daed had even pulled Lott aside and complimented him, saying that he was glad that Lott was finally growing up.

Lott didn’t know if walking with his sister was a very grown-up thing or not, but the way his father was making a big deal out of something so little did embarrass him. Had he really been acting so immature and self-centered of late? No wonder Elias Weaver had asked Seth to speak with him.

Deciding to worry about his flaws later, he met Bethanne at the front door and they set out for the meeting. His sister seemed quieter than usual.

“Are you nervous?” he asked after they’d walked about half a mile.

“A little.”

“Is it about being near the woods, or is it because of the meeting?”

“A little of both, I guess.” She opened her mouth as if to say more but then closed it and sighed instead.

“Are you sure you still want to talk to Seth?” he asked. “If you don’t, I can walk you back and then meet Seth and tell him you changed your mind.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know how Seth is going to respond, but I’m not going to change my mind.”

That didn’t make Lott feel any better. “Bethanne.”

“Nee, don’t try to convince me to change my mind, Brother. I need to do this.”

“But if it’s hard for you . . .”

“A lot of things are hard, but hard doesn’t mean bad. Ain’t so?”

“I suppose not.”

They walked on in silence. While Bethanne seemed to be practicing whatever she planned to say to Seth, Lott prayed.

Gott, please give me the words my sister needs to feel better and find peace. Give Seth the patience he needs to talk with Bethanne about the past. And while You’re at it, could You maybe also try to keep this visit short? If it lasts too long, I might not be able to handle it.

He didn’t sense any response from the Lord, but his mind did ease a bit. Hopefully, that was the Lord’s doing. He really needed His help.

When they at last arrived at their designated spot, Cripple Creek was barely running. They’d had no rain to speak of for a couple of weeks and it showed. Instead of looking vibrant and full of life, the area appeared to already be in the throes of winter. It was also chilly.

“I’m glad I wore my cloak,” Bethanne said as she shivered in the cold. “It’s so sunny, I almost didn’t.”

Lott looked around. “I wish I’d brought mine. When we were hiking the cold wasn’t bad, but it’s settling in now.”

“I reckon so.” She sat down on one of the thick logs around the firepit.

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