Page 35 of Unforgotten

“I need to go. Expect me back by four o’clock.”

“It’s only eleven.”

“I know.” Carrying her tote bag with her purse tucked neatly inside, she strode to the barn and got out her bicycle. A few minutes later she was pedaling down the road, feeling warm and free and almost hopeful.

Two hours later, Bethanne was feeling nervous and a bit embarrassed. Her visit to the publishing house had gone very well. Edna, the personal assistant to the editor, was there, and she was so happy to have received so many reviews early that she’d asked Bethanne to lunch.

While they were eating, Edna had mentioned that her roommate had just left and she was looking for a new one. Bethanne couldn’t help but ask about the room. Next thing she knew, they were walking through Edna’s sparkling-clean home. Bethanne wasn’t sure if she actually wanted to live with Edna, but the thought of moving on with her life and getting out from underneath the sheltered existence she’d begun to take for granted was tempting.

Now, after she parked her bicycle in the bike rack in front of Burke’s, her nerves returned. She should’ve used some common sense and realized that Jay was at work. She couldn’t just stop by and expect him to be able to take time off to see her.

“Is everything okay, miss?” an older man dressed in slacks and a red shirt emblazoned with “Burke Lumber” on the chest asked.

“Yes. I just realized that I probably made a mistake.”

He frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you lost?”

“Nee, I ... well, you see, I’m friends with Jay Byler and decided to stop by. But it just occurred to me that he’s likely busy and not able to have visitors. I should’ve considered that his boss wouldn’t be too happy about a friend stopping by on the spur of the moment.”

When the man smiled, wrinkles appeared around his eyes. “He likely is hard at work, but I don’t think his boss will mind. Everyone deserves a break—especially if it’s for a friend. Come on in. I’ll find him for ya.”

“Are you sure I won’t get him in trouble?”

“I’m positive.” He winked. “I’m the boss, you see.”

“You’re Mr. Burkholder?” Boy, she’d just put her foot in her mouth!

“Guilty,” he said with a laugh as he opened the glass door and motioned her inside.

Deciding to see the humor in it too, she grinned at him.

And then gasped.

They were in a showroom with beautiful wood tables, doors, floor samples, and other woodwork surrounding them, including a variety of rocking chairs. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, her sense of smell took in the aroma. A luscious combination of pine, hardwood, and lemon furniture oil filled the room.

“It smells so good in here.”

Mr. Burkholder laughed. “I’ve heard a lot of things said about this place, but its smell isn’t usually the first thing people mention.”

“I bet not. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He inhaled. “Honestly, I think it smells pretty fabulous myself.”

“Do you need any help, Walker?” a man in his midthirties asked.

“I do. I happened to meet this nice young lady on the way inside and we got to talking. Could you please find Jay Byler and send him to the front?”

“Sure thing.”

“He’ll likely be here in about ten minutes, my dear. If I’m not mistaken, Jay is working at the far back of the campus today.”

“Thank you for getting him. I don’t mind waiting, and I promise I won’t take too long.”

Mr. Burkholder shrugged. “Jay’s a good employee. Alwaysa hard worker. And all the employees know what they need to do. As long as they get it done, I don’t monitor their every move.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s your name, dear?”

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