Page 4 of Unforgotten

Watching all that play out hurt. Jay had hoped to eventually court her but then was forced to keep his distance on account of Peter’s interest. But he’d known, deep in his heart, that Peter was no good for Bethanne.

Worse, he’d been pretty sure that Peter wasn’t good for any girl. His friend had developed a wild streak, though Jay had thought the worst things Peter could do were drinking, smoking, and driving illegally.

He’d been wrong. And when the unthinkable happened, Jay could barely handle the guilt.

“Ain’t it something?” the woman behind him called out over the roar of the crowd, bringing him back to the present. “That girl is from right here in Marion. Candace is one of our own!”

Jay swallowed. “Jah. It’s something indeed.”

When Candace finished a brief speech, he joined in the clapping as the audience headed for the center aisle. He barely had time to watch Bethanne hug her cousin before he had to follow the others in his aisle to leave.

“Never pictured you to be a fan of beauty pageants, Jay.”

Jay looked up as he came face-to-face with Walker Burkholder and his wife at the center aisle. With a grin, his boss clapped him on the back.

“I’m not,” Jay said. “Not really.”

“You just ended up here, then?” Walker’s eyes danced with mirth as he grinned. “Not that I blame ya, of course. Nothing wrong with wanting to look at a pretty girl—or seven.” He chuckled at his own joke.

That wasn’t his reason at all. “I, uh, just wanted to sit with a friend for a while. It’s pretty warm out.” Except she wasn’t a friend, and she hadn’t wanted to sit with him.

Something eased in Walker’s expression. “Yeah, that is true.”

Jay followed them. “What about you? Why are you here?”

“One of the contestants was one of Michelle’s students. She wanted to cheer her on.” Chuckling again, he added, “And where Michelle goes, I go.”

“I knew you were a smart man.”

“Of course I am. I hired you, didn’t I?”

“I’d say that was a sign of your brilliance, but we both know I didn’t give you much of a choice in the matter,” he joked. “I begged and pleaded.”

“And since then, you’ve proven yourself to be outstanding. That’s what’s gotten you your promotions, Jay.”

“Yes, sir. I’m thankful.”

Walker met his gaze. “Sam treating you all right?”

“Yes, sir.”

Walker was the president of Burke Lumber, one of the biggest sawmills and lumber manufacturers in the county. He was as honest as they came and had been good to Jay from the day he’d signed on to work in the mill. But his new manager? Jay didn’t have the same esteem for him.

“Walker, are you ready to head to the arena?” Michelle said over her shoulder, now ahead of them. “The boys are about to show their calves.”

“Sure thing. I was just catching up with Jay here.” Walker clapped Jay on the back again. “He’s a good man. He’s going to go far at Burke Lumber. I’m sure of it.”

Michelle stopped and turned around. “Well, I sure hope you don’t spare one more thought about work, Jay. Enjoy the fair and don’t forget to go on some of the rides on the midway tonight.” She winked as they said goodbye and walked off.

Just in the nick of time too. The last thing he wanted to think about was going on the Ferris wheel alone. Or with anyone other than Bethanne Hostetler.

That wasn’t going to happen, though. Not when she despised him.

“Jay, there you are!” his brother Tommy called out, hurrying toward him as he left the amphitheater. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Tommy had been his parents’ surprise baby. Twelve years younger than Jay, he was twelve, had red hair and freckles, and was built like their father’s grandfather. Tall for his age, he would’ve been a great football player if he was English. As it was, he was a good farmhand and one of Jay’s best friends.

Jay stepped into pace beside him. “You found me now. What’s going on?”

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