Page 101 of Unforgiven

But he only had eyes for her cousin Bethanne.

Bethanne was standing off to the side, looking as perfectly beautiful as she always did. Her skin was smooth and creamy, there was a touch of pink in her cheeks, and her brown hair was neatly arranged under a white kapp. Even her light blue dress was spotless and crisp looking. That was a minor miracle in his estimation. Everyone attending the Crittenden County Fair had to walk on dirt, grass, and gravel.

But that was Bethanne, at least by his estimation. No matter her age, she’d always managed to look serene and in control of both herself and her surroundings. Most people thought she always did the right thing. And she did. Just not 100 percent of the time.

He knew that better than most, he reckoned.

Peter Miller, his best friend in school, had always been smitten with her. When they were young, Peter would tease and joke around with Bethy. He’d do the most outlandish things just to make her smile or laugh. Peter had once told him that he got a kick out of pushing Bethanne out of her comfort zone.

Jay had never thought that was necessary.

After they’d all graduated eighth grade and begun apprenticing or working, Bethanne had finally let down her reserves around Peter and had started spending a lot of time with him. That hurt. Jay had longed for her for years but had been forced to keep his distance on account of Peter’s interest. But he’d known deep in his heart that Peter wasn’t right for Bethanne.

Worse, he’d also been pretty sure that Peter wasn’t good for her. Back then, he’d believed that Peter had some good qualities but that he sometimes let his impulsive ways get the best of him.

Jay hadn’t known the half of it.

Jay would have never guessed that Peter could do something so horrible. Which was part of his problem, Jay knew. Why hadn’t he known that Peter was capable of rape?

He could barely handle the guilt.

“Ain’t it something?” the woman sitting next to him called out over the roar of the crowd. “That girl is from right here in Marion. Candace is one of our own!”

Jay forced himself back to the present. “Jah. It is something indeed.”

He joined the clapping as Candace finished a brief speech, then he stood up when everyone else started to leave. He barely had time to watch Bethanne hug her cousin before it was time to join the others around him and walk out of the amphitheater.

“Never pictured you to be a fan of beauty pageants, Jay,” Walker Burkholder said when Jay made it to the main aisle. With a grin, Walker clapped him on the back.

“I’m not. Not really.”

“You just ended up here, then?” His eyes were filled with mirth. “Not that I blame ya, of course. Nothing wrong with wanting to look at a pretty girl . . . or six.” He chuckled at his own joke.

“You’re right, but, ah, I mainly just sought some shade. It’s covered and there are chairs.”

Something eased in Walker’s expression. “Jah, that is true.”

“What about you? Why are you here?”

“One of the contestants is one of Peggy’s former students.” Looking over at his wife, he said, “Peggy wanted to cheer her on.” Chuckling to himself, he added, “And where Peggy goes, I go.”

“I knew you were a smart man.”

“Of course I am. I hired you, didn’t I?”

“I’d say that was a sign of your brilliance, but we both know I didn’t give you much of a choice in the matter,” Jay joked. “I begged and pleaded for that first job.”

“And since then, you’ve proven yourself to be outstanding. You’ve deserved your promotions, Jay.”

“Yes, sir. I’m thankful.”

“Sam treating you all right?”

“Yes, sir.”

Walker was the president of one of the biggest sawmills and lumber manufacturers in the county. He was as honest as they came and had been good to Jay from the day he’d signed on to work in the mill. His new manager? Suffice it to say that Jay did not hold the man in the same esteem.

“Walker, are you ready to head to the arena?” his wife called out. “The boys are about to show their calves.”

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