Page 37 of Unforgiven

Still, no matter how many times he’d prayed for it to happen, he’d never been able to go back in time. The Lord knew what He was doing too, because living with his regrets had made Seth stronger. And maybe better. This was going to break his heart, but ruining Melonie’s chances for a happy life would break it even more. “All right. I’ll try to keep some distance from you.”

Melonie got to her feet. “Seth, nee! That isn’t what I came over here to talk about.”

He didn’t stand up. Instead, he took a long look. Really saw her. Noticed the way her dark purple dress brought out the blue in her eyes. How she lifted her chin when she was determined to prove a point. How she looked at him intently when he talked, like she wanted to soak in every word.

Melonie was precious to him. It was time to give himself a reality check. And maybe her too. “No need to get riled up, girl. I’ve had a lot of time to come to terms with the consequences of my actions.” He frowned, realizing he sounded a whole lot like one of those do-gooder counselors back in prison. “I mean, I get what you’re saying and I understand.”

“You don’t get anything, you . . . you big loon.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you calling me names now, Melonie?”

“Oh, stop. You know what I mean.” She frowned. “Don’t you?”

No. No, he did not. All he did know was that he was starving and mentally exhausted from difficult conversations with two different women in his life. He stood up. “Mel, I need some sustenance. Come on in the house and have a sandwich with me.”

“You want to eat right now?”

“Obviously.” He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the front door. “I’m starving.”

“You know, there’s no need to lock your door, Seth. This is Crittenden County, not St. Louis or Louisville.”

“I happen to know that bad things can happen here too. Come on.”

He left the door ajar and walked into his small one-bedroom house. It was warm thanks to the gas furnace, and that pleased him. As did the overhead lights he turned on. He might not have a big need for games on his phone or the latest TV series streaming, but he did like having light whenever he wanted it.

“Your haus is so bright,” she said.

“I know.”

“I don’t know how you got used to that.”

“It happened in prison. The lights are never completely off there at night, and in the morning they’re almost blinding.” He shrugged. “I got used to it.”

“You never talk about prison.”

“Not to you, I don’t.”

“What about to Mamm or Daed?”

He almost laughed. “You know I barely speak to them, Mel. No way am I going to start chatting with them about my life as a prison inmate.”

“Do you want to tell me about your life there? I’d be happy to listen.”

“Thank you, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” After walking into his tidy but basic kitchen, he pulled out some bread, peanut butter, and a jar of Tabitha’s strawberry jam. “Want a sandwich?”

“A peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Nee.”

“Open that cabinet and get out some chips for me.”

She reached in and grabbed a bag of potato chips. “Here you go.”

“Care for milk?”

“I’m not a child anymore. I don’t want a glass of milk.”

“Fine.” But he saw her eyes tracking the sandwich he was making.

“Um, maybe I’ll have a sandwich too, after all. If you don’t mind.”

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