Page 50 of Unforgotten

Aunt Dora paused before shrugging. “Security reasons, I suppose. I’m thankful she doesn’t have to go anywhere alone. Some of her appearances are at the opposite end of the county. Some of them even farther out than that. And a number take place at night.”

“I never thought about the dangers of her traveling by herself.”

“I’m afraid her father and I didn’t think too much about it either. I was only thinking about the scholarship money. And the fact that she might enjoy the experience, of course.”

Bethanne sipped her drink and nodded. Just as she was about to take a bite of her sandwich, the back door opened.

“Mom?”

“We’re in here, Candy!” Aunt Dora called.

“Who’s we?”

Aunt Dora winked. “Come see.”

“Oh. Hey, Bethy,” Candace said in a quiet voice.

“Hiya, Candace.”

Candace smiled, but her expression didn’t match thecheeriness of her voice. “It’s good to see you. I didn’t know you were coming over this afternoon.”

“No one did. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

As Bethanne’s words penetrated, her cousin’s grin turned more genuine. “Bethy, I’m so proud of you!”

“It’s nothing much.” Glancing at her aunt, she added, “We’re having a good time.”

“I feel certain that the Lord brought her to me today,” Aunt Dora said as she pointed to the cluttered countertops. “I was on my way to making a mess in here.”

Candace’s lips twitched. “I reckon so.”

“We’re having lunch and then Bethy’s going to help me make strawberry jam. You can help if you’d like.”

“I’d like that.” But then tears glinted in Candace’s eyes.

Aunt Dora stood up and went to her. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, Mom. I’ve been keeping something from you. But Ryan told me that I need to tell you.”

She frowned. “You mean Officer Mulaney?”

“Yes.”

“Well, what’s the news?” She gasped. “Are you two seeing each other?”

Bethanne almost smiled. Aunt Dora did try to find romance in almost any situation. But to her surprise, Candace blushed.

“No ... but we have become good friends.”

“How good? Isn’t he older than you?”

“Ryan is older, but not by that much. He’s twenty-eight.”

“So, six years.” Frowning, Aunt Dora sat back down. “Has he been taking advantage of you?”

“Mom! Of course not.”

Aunt Dora continued to stew. “You know, I don’t know what your father is going to say about this.”

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