Page 14 of Unforgotten

“Yes, of course,” Sam said quickly. Color brightened his cheeks as he visibly fought to gain an aura of authority again. “Everyone, please follow the new regulations as best you can.”

The rest of the meeting was smooth sailing. Jay did his best to pay attention and listen, which meant pushing his thoughts and worries about Bethanne to one side.

As they walked out, Virgil clapped him on the shoulder. “You all right, then?”

“Jah. Thank you for speaking up for me.”

“I didn’t mind. But you shouldn’t let Sam get to ya. It only makes things worse.” He winked. “He’ll needle you just like anyone else.”

“I know. And as much as it pains me to admit it, Sam was right to call me out. I wasn’t paying as close attention as I should have been.”

Virgil’s expression filled with a new respect. That was the kind of man he was. He admired a person who wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable or admit his faults. “Everything all right with your family?”

“Jah. Everyone’s gut. I ... well, I was thinking about something personal.”

Understanding filled his expression. “Maybe it has to do with a certain brown-eyed girl?”

“Is it that noticeable?” he asked as they stopped.

“Only to someone who’s been around for a spell.” He rocked back on his heels. “Care to listen to some advice?”

“From you? Always.”

“I know you’re a patient man, and that’s to be commended. But sometimes a person needs a nudge in the right direction.”

A little bit of his hope faded. Virgil’s judgment was usually spot-on, but in this case, Jay knew his advice was misguided. The last thing Bethanne needed was to be pushed or prodded into doing something she wasn’t ready for. Especially if that push was toward another relationship.

“I hear ya,” he said. It wasn’t a fib, but it also didn’t reveal what he was thinking.

“I’m serious, boy. Sometimes one’s desire to be safe interferes with one’s desire to be happy. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that feeling safe can also bring a sense of false comfort.”

“And maybe even false happiness,” Jay whispered.

Looking glad that Jay was at last on the same page, Virgil said, “When my Rachel was eight, she had to get her tonsils out. The doctor said there was no choice in the matter, she had been plagued by sore throats and infections too often. But everyone told Emma and me that her recovery would be hard.”

Continuing the story, he waved a hand in the air. “As you probably know, healing from that operation can be painful. Because of that, we were prepared.” Chuckling softly, he added, “Emma had more bottles of pain relievers and ice packs than all six of us in the house would ever need!”

“I bet,” Jay said with a smile.

“Now listen to this, son. To our surprise, three days after surgery, that little girl was eating ice cream and was all smiles. She hardly complained at all. When Emma asked Rachel how it was possible that she wasn’t in terrible pain, my eight-year-old said that her throat had hurt so constantly for so long she had thought everyone’s throat felt like that. Her post-surgery pain wasn’t any worse than what she was used to.”

“So one can learn to accept hurt as something normal.”

“Jah. Your girl might have forgotten what it’s like to go through life without a heavy heart. But that can change. Love can open doors, jah?”

“Jah,” he whispered back. “Danke, Virgil. That was gut advice.”

“You’re welcome. And keep your chin up here. Sam will settle in. He has to sooner or later.”

“I hope so.” Somehow, Jay had a feeling that it might be easier to earn Bethanne’s love than Sam’s respect.

He sure knew which one he was more desperate to have.

6

It was embarrassing to admit, but Candace hadn’t really thought about what her life would be like as the new Miss Crittenden County. Now that she was almost two weeks in, she was starting to wish that she’d thought a whole lot more about what her duties would entail.

Not that she would’ve done anything differently. When her mother had suggested she participate, Candace thought it might be a good idea. She’d always liked doing good works and volunteering in the community. In addition, the scholarship money would help pay for some additional college courses. Of course, she’d also wanted to make her mother happy. Oh, it wasn’t like her mom had raised her to think that she had to be a winner or pretty or even particularly talented—she wasn’t like that. But her mom would’ve been disappointed if she hadn’t given it a try.

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