Page 57 of Unforgiven

“I’ll stay still if you’ll stop shining that thing directly in my eyes. I can’t see a thing.”

“Fine.” The beam lowered six inches.

“Thanks. Now, can I come forward?”

“Not until you empty your pockets.”

He gritted his teeth but did as he was told. Prison had taught him that being in the right didn’t always mean much. He reached into his coat’s pockets and pulled out his cell phone with one hand and a candy bar with the other. “That’s all I got.”

“What about your pants pockets?”

Just as he reached for his keys, the front door opened. The deputy turned and pointed that blasted flashlight yet again, this time right in Tabitha’s eyes.

“Oh!” she cried.

If Seth had been able, he would’ve wrestled the flashlight out of the deputy’s hands. It was causing more harm than good.

“Sorry, Ms. Yoder.” Deputy Ernst directed the beam toward the ground. Tabitha’s dog, who’d been peeking out the door next to her legs, scurried away.

She stiffened. “Seth, is that you?”

“It is.” He still held his hands, one holding his phone and the other the candy bar, out from his sides.

“What are you doing?”

“Deputy Ernst told me to empty my pockets.”

She stepped out onto the porch, looking at the deputy. “Why did you have him do that? Seth is my friend. It’s my ex-husband I’m worried about.”

The deputy clicked off the flashlight. “Zimmerman said you called him, but I wanted to make sure. I was just doing my job, ma’am.”

Concerned about her catching a chill, Seth stuffed his phone and candy bar back in his coat pockets. “Tab, you need a coat on. It’s cold out.”

“I’m okay.” She wrapped her arms around herself.

Seth knew then that Tabitha wasn’t just chilled, she was trying to hold herself together. She was used to doing that because she hadn’t had anyone else to lean on. No one to wrap their arms around her and ease her fears.

But that wasn’t the case any longer.

Unable to stay away another second, Seth started forward. Deputy Ernst watched him closely but didn’t say anything as he moved toward the porch. The moment Seth reached her side, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.

She froze for an instant, then gripped his biceps and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m so glad you came,” she whispered.

Her slight frame against him felt good. So did the faint scent of vanilla and lemons that surrounded her. “I am too. I’m glad you called.”

He ran a hand along her spine, hoping it would remind her that she wasn’t alone. “You’re doing good, Tab,” he whispered.

“Not really.”

“You’re on two feet, jah?” When she nodded against his shoulder, he ran his hand along her silky-soft ponytail. Her hair was such a pretty brown color. The first time he’d seen it down around her shoulders, he’d thought there was nothing prettier. Now he was fairly sure that everything about her was pretty. “I’m proud of you,” he murmured. When she relaxed against him, he almost smiled.

“Ms. Yoder, are you all right?” Deputy Ernst called out.

Seth was tempted to point out that she obviously was not but held his silence.

Whether it was his support or the deputy’s question, Tabitha seemed to pull up some strength from somewhere deep inside. Stepping away from Seth’s embrace, she said, “I’m all right. Um. Just shaken up.” Despite the tears in her eyes, she looked more at ease.

“Yes, ma’am.”

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