Page 91 of Unforgotten

“I think so.”

“I know where it is.” Jay looked at Chief Foster. “It’s that old shack on the other side of the broken bridge on Cripple Creek.”

The chief nodded. “I know it. We’re close, then. Jay, get Bethanne to the main road. I’ll radio for an ambulance. Ryan, you’re with me.”

But Bethanne couldn’t go to the ambulance yet. Candace was still out there. “I want to go with you.”

“We need you safe, Bethy,” Jay said.

She was about to argue when she noticed her brother walk to her side. “Lott.”

“I wanted to give you a moment with Jay, but I can’t stay away another second.” He held out his arms. When she walked into his embrace, he held her gently and kissed her brow. “I’ve been so worried about ya.”

“I know. I’ve been worried too. But we have to go get Candace.”

Lott held up his phone. “While you’ve been reuniting with Jay here, I’ve been texting Sheriff Johnson and telling him where you were. He’s heading there now.”

“I hope he gets there soon.”

“Ryan and Chief will be there soon too. Don’t worry.”

She couldn’t seem to let go of her panic, though. “Nee, I promised Candace I’d help her.” Looking back at the path, she added, “Lott, Jay, I need to take you there.”

The men exchanged glances. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Bethy,” Lott said. “The police will be there soon. I think Mamm and Daed would appreciate it if we took you to the ambulance that’s waiting on ya.”

“I agree,” Jay said as he rubbed her back. “Having you safe will relieve everyone’s minds. The policemen won’t like you returning to the thick of things.”

Turning back to him, she said, “Jay, I canna leave these woods without Candace. I simply can’t.”

Jay and her brother exchanged glances. “All right, then. Let’s go.”

“Jay, hold up,” Lott said. “She doesn’t even have shoes on.”

She loved her brother, but he wasn’t going to treat her like a child. She really didn’t want him speaking about her as if she wasn’t standing there. “My feet are going to be okay. Let’s go.”

“But Bethanne—”

“Lott, Candace is our cousin. I’m not leaving her.”

“Fine.”

“Let’s go.” Jay held out his hand, then looked as if he wondered if her fingers were too sore. “Can you hold hands?”

Her fingersweresore, but she wouldn’t dodge that connection for anything. Slipping her left, slightly less-sore hand into his, she smiled at him. “Always.”

“Ach, you two. Enough. Let’s go.”

Without another word, the three of them headed back in the direction from which she came. Now that she wasn’t alone—and she knew that Ryan and the chief were likely already at the shack—some of the frantic energy surrounding her had dissipated. Her heart was still heavy, and she was still scared to death for Candace, but if the Lord could bring Jay and Lott into her path, she felt certain that He would save Candace too.

Don’t lose hope, Candace! Keep strong for just a little while longer. It’s almost over.

Bethanne hoped with all her heart that was the truth.

30

There were so many pictures. So many pictures of her. After Scott had tried to grab Bethanne but failed, he’d come back inside the shack, grabbed Candace’s hands, and tied them back together. This time they were positioned in front of her. Her shoulders were grateful for the reprieve, but her wrists were stinging something awful. He’d intentionally tied her tight, and the rough rope dug into her already raw skin.

Then, after she was trussed up, he left for a few minutes. Her head felt foggy, and her ribs and side ached terribly from his kicks. But he was gone now, and she could only hope he would leave her alone for a while. For long enough for Bethanne to get help.

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