Page 10 of Unforgotten

“No.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere when you’re busy being famous. I’ll just see you other times.”

Her hands began to tremble. She fisted them at her sides. “You can’t do that.”

“Don’t worry, Candy. I’m not going to meddle with your life. I’ll stay out of your way.” He chuckled and turned to walk away. “Why, I bet sometimes you won’t even know I’m there.”

The lump that had formed in her throat had somehow moved down to her chest. No, that was her chest aching because at some point she’d stopped breathing. She pressed her hand to it and forced air into her lungs.

He disappeared into the moving crowd. She sat back down and clasped her shaking hands together. Hating that he’d known exactly what to say to put her even more on edge.

She needed to get away from him. But how? At least move out of the county. Maybe even out of the state.

Except that couldn’t happen anytime in the next year. Not when she was Miss Crittenden County. Making up her mind, she decided to visit the police station again. Maybe this time they’d take her seriously.

4

Abox waited on the front porch, just a foot or so from the door, when Bethanne arrived home. Nearby, Lott and Melonie slowly rocked back and forth on matching chairs while snapping beans into stainless steel bowls.

Well, Melonie was. Lott was eating grapes—when he wasn’t gazing at her with puppy-dog eyes. The two of them looked like an advertisement for positive relationships.

Or maybe like a beautiful couple on the cover of a romance novel. Their obvious devotion to each other would encourage the most cynical reader to believe that one day she, too, could enjoy such moments of domestic bliss. Bethanne had sure read enough of those books to recognize that.

The sight of them was bittersweet for Bethanne. For a time, she’d been sure Peter would be so devoted. She’d even fooled herself into imagining that one day he would declare his love for her.

That wasn’t even the worst of her childish fantasies. She’d dreamed that he would propose early because he didn’t want another man to ever think that he had a chance with her. Then, after a year-long engagement, they’d have a big, joyouswedding and settle down into married life with ease. She’d gone to sleep at night wondering how many children they’d have.

The silly, girlish thoughts now embarrassed her. She pushed them away with effort as she climbed the steps. “Hi, you two.”

Melonie paused her snapping and smiled at her. “Hiya, Bethy.”

“Home already?” Lott asked.

“It was fun but so hot.” She stopped by the box. “I might go back tomorrow and look at the food tents. I thought y’all would still be there.”

“It’s my fault.” Melonie lifted a bare foot. “I stepped on a piece of glass.”

“Oh no. Are you badly hurt?”

“Only my pride. Lott warned me not to wear flip-flops.”

“Several times,” he added.

Melonie rolled her eyes. “See what I mean?”

Bethanne smiled. “Lott, perhaps it’s not the best time to remind Melonie about your warnings.”

He shrugged. “It’s not my fault that I was right.”

“Bethanne, your brother’s unbearable. Help me!”

“Gladly. Bruder, perhaps I should remind you that Melonie was not the only woman who wore flip-flops at the fair. Lots of girls wore them!”

Looking triumphant, Melonie turned to him. “See, Lott? It’s too hot to wear tennis shoes.”

He huffed. “You aren’t helping, Bethy.”

Softening her voice, Bethanne returned her gaze to Melonie. “I am sorry about your foot, though. Did you have to get stitches?”

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