Page 37 of Unforgotten

She pulled her hand back, the last of the small bit of confidence that had been shining in her eyes fading. “Well ... jah. Except that.” She tensed and shook her head. “You know what? You’re right. Deciding to just come here in the middle of a workday was a mistake. A big one. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I’ll leave right now.”

“Nee.”

“See you—” She must not have heard him.

“Nee, Bethanne,” he said louder. Stepping to her side, he reached for her hand to lead her through the two glass doors that led outside.

When she didn’t fight him, he counted that as a win. And when she curved her fingers around his as they walked into the bright sunlight, he figured it was a miracle.

Burke Lumber not only paid well and had a great staff recroom, but Mr. Burkholder had also provided a secluded outdoor seating area for employees to eat lunch or take breaks. A privacy fence surrounded the area, and amid the trees and shrubs were tables and chairs and even three rocking chairs.

He led her to a table. “Let’s sit for a moment.”

Thankfully, she didn’t refuse. But she perched on the edge of the chair as if she feared she might need to jump up to put distance between them. With her hands clasped on her lap, she looked prim and proper. And anxious.

No. She looked ready. Ready for him to chastise her and make her cry.

He had no intention of doing that.

But now that they were committed to the conversation, Jay wanted to get to the heart of their problem. No, the heart ofhisproblem. Even if it was painful. He wanted to know the answer, even if it would mean that his dream would never be a possibility. That was better than not knowing. “Bethanne, where do you see our relationship going?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think we both know what I mean,” he said in as slow and easy of a tone as he could manage. “I haven’t been shy about my feelings for you, just as you haven’t been shy about your feelings for me.”

She nodded.

“So, I’m asking you now, would you like me to leave you alone?”

“You’d do that?”

“Jah.”

Was that hope shining in her eyes? And if so, was it hope that he really would leave her alone? Or something else? He wished he could tell without her seeing the hope that was no doubt shining in his own eyes. He wasn’t ready to lay himself bare like that.

He didn’t have a pair of sunglasses on him, though, so he was going to have to be honest. Even if it killed him. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do so you can be happy.”

She stared at him. With a shade of wonder in her voice, she whispered, “You mean it, don’t you?”

“Yes.” The tightness in his throat kept him from saying any more.

She exhaled. Nodded a few times. Then swallowed. “I ... I don’t want you to leave me alone. Jay, I think we could be friends.”

Friends. Well, that was ... something, he guessed. “All right.” He smiled tightly, but his insides were a confused ball of hurt. Just what did that mean? Did she want him to call on her again? Wave to her when they passed on the street? Try not to make a nuisance of himself when they sat across the aisle from each other in church?

Maybe it didn’t even matter.

He stood. “Thanks for coming by.”

“Nee, wait.” She scrambled to her feet. “Jay, what I came here to say but somehow lost my nerve ... was this.” She took a deep breath. “If you decide to come calling again, I will come downstairs.” Her eyes widened. “Nee. I mean, I’ll be glad you are visiting.”

“Glad?”

Her cheeks were now a lovely shade of pink. “Yes. Glad.”

His expression warmed. “Then I’ll pay you a visit soon.”

“You will?”

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