Page 59 of Unforgiven

“And why did you visit?”

“I chopped wood. Brought her food. Shoveled snow. You know. I did things a man would do for a woman.”

He gave a few slow nods. “Why?”

“Because she needed the help.”

The deputy looked at her. “You don’t have anyone else, Tabitha?”

“Nee.”

“I thought you had family in the area.”

“My sister and her family are here. But because of my divorce, I had to leave my faith. My brother-in-law doesn’t want to go against the church’s beliefs, so he avoids me.”

Deputy Ernst drew in a breath. “Even after what happened to you?”

She pursed her lips and nodded.

“Ms. Yoder, Sheriff Johnson told me everything the two of you talked about when you visited the other day. Is there anything else you’d like to add?”

“About what?”

“Anything about your ex-husband? Anything you might not have told anyone before but might be helpful now?” He tapped his notepad with the tip of the pencil. “He’s already violated the restraining order, so we can pick him up for that. But if there’s anything else you can think of that might help keep him locked up, it would be great.”

Tabitha stiffened. When she cast a furtive glance at Seth, he wondered if she was finding it difficult to speak in front of him. That would hurt, but his feelings didn’t matter. “Tab, if you’d like me to step outside so you can talk to the deputy in—”

“Nee.” Her voice came out deep and rough, like the response had been a knee-jerk reaction. She cleared her throat. “I mean, no, there is nothing else I have to share.”

Though he didn’t exchange a glance with the deputy, Seth suspected the man was thinking the same thing he was. That Tabitha Yoder was still keeping something about her and her ex-husband hidden away. Something dark and painful and secret.

And that’s why Leon was able to be so brazen. He had something on her, and he was content to tease and jab her with the memories. Because he knew she’d rather die than admit it to another living soul. He was counting on it.

21

It was near nine o’clock when Deputy Ernst left. After he finished questioning Tabitha, he’d gone back outside, called Sheriff Johnson, and then canvassed the surrounding area for over an hour.

When he’d said he was going to pull down the driveway but stay for a spell just in case Leon had a mind to return, Tabitha made him a sandwich and gave him a tin of chocolate chip cookies. The deputy seemed grateful for her kindness. Then, just before he left, he’d knocked on her door again and told her that the sheriff would likely be by in the morning.

He’d also offered Seth a ride home. Seth had refused, saying he had some things to speak to Tabitha about. As reasons went, it was a pretty poor one. After all, Seth had already been there for hours.

Tabitha’s face had turned as hot as a morning skillet, but she didn’t try to explain Seth’s presence further. The simple fact was that she didn’t want Seth to leave. She didn’t want to be alone in the house.

The deputy had scowled at Seth’s excuse but didn’t argue. After reminding her to give him a call if she needed anything, he’d walked out the door and drove back down the drive a couple of minutes later.

Seth closed the door when the vehicle was out of sight. “Alone at last,” he teased.

Tabitha tried to smile but reckoned she looked anything but happy.

Looking far more serious, he reached for her hands. “Hey, you know I was just joking, right?”

She nodded.

His expression sharpened. “How are you feeling?”

“The truth?”

“Always.”

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