Page 5 of Unforgiven

It didn’t matter anyway. As much as she enjoyed her nephews’ hugs and chatter, she still had a difficult time venturing off her property.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” John said in an earnest voice. “I could stay by your side.”

Ack, but the boy surely had her heart.

She hated these goodbyes as much as she loved her nephews. “I appreciate that. Maybe one day, jah?” She kept her voice light as she fended off the dark feeling that once again threatened to plummet her spirits.

Two lines formed between Jack’s brows. “But—”

“That’s enough, Jack,” Mary said. “We’ve already talked about this, remember?”

He looked down at his feet. “Yes’m.”

“Gut.” She reached out and hugged Tabitha tight. “We all love you. Don’t forget.”

“Never. I’ll see you next month.”

Mary’s expression tightened, but she nodded. “Next month.” After clearing her throat, she said, “Let’s go, boys.”

Anson led the way to the door. One by one they filed out and hopped into the buggy. Tabitha stayed on the porch and watched as Mary allowed Jack to hold the leads for the horse. Then, after another chorus of goodbyes, her guests departed. Seconds later, they were out of sight and only the memory of their voices remained.

Tabitha sat down on the porch step, looking out at the expanse of land surrounding her farmhouse. The wood creaked under her weight.

It was such a rickety thing. Just like the rest of the house, she supposed. The house had been Leon’s grandparents’ home before they’d passed, and his parents had “gifted” it to them. Leon had been pleased, she less so. The house was on three acres, near a creek that often flooded, and in disrepair. Leon had never been one for carpentry and was far too proud to ask for help, so none of the broken floorboards, drawers, or shutters had been fixed. It was drafty in the winter and damp during the spring. Summer brought in stifling heat and bugs. Sometimes her pride got in the way and she’d wish she had a better, prettier place to welcome guests.

Not that anyone would visit anyway. Her divorce had created a barrier between her and the rest of the community that seemed to have gotten thicker and taller with each passing month.

After losing her child and then divorcing Leon, she’d had a hard time believing her lawyer’s promises that she could keep the house. It wasn’t as if she’d had any money of her own when she’d come into the marriage.

Mia Rothaker had felt otherwise. After seeing the pictures that the police had taken of Tabitha at the hospital and reading the doctor’s report, Mia had promised to do everything in her power to make sure Tabitha felt safe. And somehow the judge agreed. Even Leon’s parents hadn’t protested Tabitha being awarded the property. Mary had told her that someone from their community had been in the hospital when Tabitha had been brought in. The news about the amount of blood she’d lost had spread like wildfire.

In any case, though Tabitha wasn’t exactly whole anymore, she wasn’t as broken as she used to be. And she did have a home. It was one of the Lord’s mysteries how the very place that had been the site of the worst moments in her life had somehow become her refuge.

The snap of a twig followed by the rustle of leaves brought her to her feet. As much as she didn’t want to believe Leon would return, it was a possibility. Heaven knew he’d taunted her many times that no judge’s decree would ever be enough to keep him out of her life.

Her breath hitched as her lungs tightened. Her brow, even though her hair was neatly pulled back from her face with a band, felt damp.

“You’re okay,” she whispered to herself. “You’re okay. You’re—” She stopped in midreassurance. Seth Zimmerman appeared out of the opening in the woods nearby.

This time just four days after he’d come before.

She couldn’t help but stare. Today he had on a baseball cap, a dark gray hoodie, thick-looking army green pants, and tan boots. Every bit of his clothing suited him and fit like a glove.

But worse than that, she hated that she was feeling a little charge of awareness. It was like her brain couldn’t seem to think about anything else but him whenever he was in her vicinity.

“Tabitha, hey!”

Remaining seated, she watched him stride forward.

She had no idea why Seth had come by again—or what to do, since it was too late to hide from sight. Before she could run, Tabitha found herself raising her hand in greeting. “Hiya, Seth.”

“Hallelujah. You’ve decided to speak to me yet again.” His tone was teasing and his smile kind.

When her insides jumped a little in anticipation, Tabitha knew she was in trouble. Seth Zimmerman really did make her feel too much.

4

Tabitha had paled and looked unsteady on her feet. Seth feared she was about to pass out in the middle of her front porch. If she did, that would be his fault. His stupid joke had scared her silly.

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