Page 79 of Unforgiven

She was vaguely aware of the sheriff speaking with the Lapps, no doubt telling Rose that someone would be over to help board up the window she broke. When Tabitha was situated in the ambulance, Kurt asked her more questions as he pricked her good hand and started an IV. Then, the next thing she knew, they were on their way to the hospital.

Maybe she should be worried about what the doctors were going to do, or be thinking about how she was going to pay for the services, but all she could concentrate on was that Leon had been apprehended. She was safe again.

Just as important to her was the knowledge that she’d fought her ex-husband and run instead of cowering at his demands. She’d gotten stronger.

“We’re almost there, Tabitha,” Kurt said. “You hanging in there for me?”

“Jah.”

“That’s good. You sure are a lot tougher than you look.”

Kurt might not realize it, but that was one of the sweetest things someone had ever said to her.

28

Seth braked hard on the turn, causing his sister to clutch the edge of his truck’s bench seat.

“Hang on,” he murmured as he passed a delivery truck parked on the side of the road. Pleased to see no one ahead for miles, he sped up.

“Seth!” Melonie gasped.

“What?”

“Bruder, I think you’re driving too fast.”

That’s because he was. All he could think about was getting to Tabitha’s side. Even though it made no sense, he felt responsible for what had happened. If he couldn’t have prevented Leon from showing up again, he wished he could have been there instead.

He tapped on his brakes at a stop sign, turned left, and edged closer to the vehicle in front of them. The moment it was safe, he passed the white sedan. “We’re almost there.”

Melonie cleared her throat. “I don’t know if you should be driving. I think you’re too upset to be behind the wheel.”

“I may be upset, but I’m fine.” Saying he was upset was an understatement, though. He was angry and worried and guilt-ridden too. All at the same time.

“Prove it.”

Prove it? “What are you talking about?”

She waved off his confusion. “You know what I mean. Slow down.”

“Melonie, I have enough going on in my life without you being a back-seat driver.”

“But I’m not. I’m sitting in the front seat with you,” she said without missing a beat. “I think that means I’m allowed to give you my opinion about things.”

“Of course you’re allowed.”

“What I mean, Seth Zimmerman, is that you are also supposed to listen to me.”

Glancing at his sister, so spunky and full of herself, he tapped the brakes. His truck settled closer to the posted speed limit. “I hope Lott knows what he’s getting into,” he murmured.

“If you’re suggesting that Lott won’t be getting a quiet wife if we do get married . . . you’re right. And, just to let you know, he likes me the way I am.” Melonie sounded so secure.

“Married? How serious are the two of you?”

“Serious enough for him to be officially calling on me now. Mamm and Daed seem to like him fine.”

“Hmm.” He glared at the line of vehicles in front of them and tapped his steering wheel impatiently.

“Seth, I’m telling you the truth.”

---