Page 12 of Unforgiven

“He knows what happened. If he wants to know more, he should ask his sister.”

“Yeah, that ain’t gonna happen.”

“Because?”

“Because Bethanne refuses to speak of it.”

Seth paused. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I wouldn’t lie about that.”

He was surprised to hear that. Bethanne’s note to him in prison had been long and filled with her feelings about both Peter and Seth’s conviction. So, had her parents and brother not given her a chance to tell her side of the story? Or had Bethanne been the one to keep them in the dark for a reason all her own?

Realizing her reasons didn’t matter and that he was going to have to visit with Lott, if for no other reason than he owed Elias so much, Seth released a ragged sigh. “Fine.”

“You’ll do it? You’ll speak to Lott?”

He nodded. “I don’t see what purpose it will serve, though.”

“If you can help Lott cool his heels and find a way to ignore Joe and accept some peace, it will help him and you.”

He understood that Lott needed to find some peace, but he had no idea why Elias thought he needed to find some peace. “Why are you worried about me?”

Elias sighed. “Because Lott wants to court Melonie.”

“Wait. My baby sister?”

“Seth, Melonie is seventeen and no baby.”

“She’s too young for a caller.” And she deserved someone better than Lott Hostetler.

“You know that ain’t true.”

“Okay, how about this? Lott is way too full of himself. If he’s acting hotheaded about Joe Miller, then he still has some growing up to do. Plus, he’s gone out of his way to avoid me.”

“I think he’s afraid of you.”

“Because I’m a killer?” he asked sarcastically.

“No one who was around when all that happened thinks you’re some cold-blooded killer. I think he believes that prison hardened you a bit. And he knows you dote on Melonie.”

Surviving prison had made him harder, that was true. And he did dote on Mel. Studying Elias, he said, “I can’t believe you’re involved in all of this.”

“I think the Lord knew it was a good idea because everyone needs to forgive each other and move on.” He waved a hand. “Bethanne needs to stop hiding and move forward. Lott Hostetler needs to start settling down. And the Millers—especially Joe—need to make peace with Peter’s actions and move on.” Elias lowered his voice. “Seth, you need to not only forgive yourself for losing your temper when you were trying to help Bethanne but accept that you are still a good man. A worthy man.” His eyes twinkled. “Finally, you need to let your sister make up her own mind about Lott.”

Man, he wished Elias hadn’t shown up at his door. “Elias, not a bit of that is easy.”

“I didn’t say it would be. But there isn’t anything you can do about it either. Time marches on, with or without you. And Lott had already called on Melonie once when Joe Miller started shooting his mouth off about you and Peter and Bethanne.”

The whole thing was convoluted and filled with upcoming conversations he’d never wanted to have. But it seemed the Lord had other plans. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” Sooner or later he was going to have to speak to Lott.

“Everyone has choices, Seth,” Elias drawled, sounding like the wise mentor he so absolutely wasn’t. “What you and I and the Lord know, however, is that not every choice is either easy . . . or the right one.”

Seth closed his eyes. Even though Elias was right, he really wasn’t happy about how much of the past was about to be churned up. “I really wish you hadn’t come by.”

Elias grinned. “Does this mean you’re going to talk to Lott?”

Seth nodded. As much as he wished he wasn’t, he was invested now. Besides, even if he never saw Bethanne again, he wanted to be close to Melonie. It would be foolish to pretend that his actions and imprisonment didn’t affect his sister. They did. There was no way he would ever not do everything he could to help her. She had a hard enough time holding up her head when the whole community somehow thought his actions tainted her reputation.

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