Page 20 of Unforgotten

Leaving Ryan once again with the feeling that he’d done the right thing by moving to Crittenden County. Somehow, someway, he was going to make a life here.

All he needed to do was pray and give it some time. He could do both.

8

Jennifer ran. The sound of her hard-soled shoes made a clopping sound on the pavement. The noise reverberated in the dark alley, magnifying the sense of danger. Her breaths came hard. So hard that the sound of each one combined with that of her shoes and the pounding of her heart into an awful mix of fear. Creating a rushing in her ears.

Disoriented, she turned, knocking into a metal coal bin. It clanged. Loudly. Echoing around her. Tears pricked her eyes as Sir Garrett laughed.

He emanated evil. She wasn’t going to get free. Not—

“Bethanne?” Three sharp raps sounded on her door.

She must have jumped a foot. Holding her hand to her heart, Bethanne put the manuscript she’d been reading down on her bed. She was actually out of breath.

Her mother’s voice turned more concerned. “Bethy? Are you okay?”

Getting to her feet, she hurried to the door and opened it. “Jah. Sorry, I was reading.”

Her mother looked her over, taking in her slightly rumpledplum-colored dress, bare feet, and no doubt breathless expression. “It must be a good one.”

“It is. Exciting.” She realized that the usual fine lines surrounding her mother’s eyes had deepened. Something was bothering her. “Did you need something, Mamm?”

“Well,Idon’t. But there’s someone here for you.”

“Who?”

“Jay Byler. He’s come over to pay you a call.”

Now he was at her house? The man had no shame. “I don’t want to see him.”

Leaning against her bedroom door’s frame, Mamm sighed. “Bethy, dear, I think you should reconsider.”

“Why? It’s my choice, ain’t so?”

“Of course it is, but you told me that you’ve finally forgiven him for his friendship with Peter.”

Ignoring the way her mother had saidfinally, she lifted her chin. “I have forgiven Jay.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

Everything.“Just because I’ve forgiven Jay doesn’t mean that I want to see him.” She certainly didn’t want him calling on her.

“So, you haven’t actually forgiven him.” Disappointment filled her mother’s expression. “That’s a shame, daughter.”

“Mamm, you’re misunderstanding me. I have forgiven Jay. I just ... on some days it’s hard for me to see him and not remember what happened.”

“I see.” Her pretty mother scanned her face. Pursed her lips. Then she seemed to come to a conclusion. “I promised Jay a cup of coffee. He’s no doubt wondering where it is by now. I’d best get that for him.”

“I bet you could just ask him to leave.” Her cheeks heated as soon as she heard her own words. She knew she sounded snide. Maybe worse. Like a recalcitrant child. She was ashamed, but fear and the need for self-preservation tookprecedence. Years of counseling had taught her to stick up for herself, and that’s what she was doing.

“I’m not going to do that,” Mamm said.

“Well, enjoy having coffee with him.”

Two lines formed between her mother’s brows—a sure sign that she had run out of patience with her. “No, miss. You are going to go downstairs and talk to Jay. And while he is having that cup of coffee, you are going to be pleasant because he is a guest in this house.” She took a deep breath. “And then, after he finishes that cup of coffee, if you still don’t want him calling on you...”

“Yes?”

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