Page 53 of Unforgotten

Maybe all of his worries had been for nothing. Maybe Bethanne really was ready to move on with her life—and if she was up in her room primping, maybe she hadn’t changed her mind about him.

“Bethanne’s going to keep us on our toes,” he said. Feeling optimistic, he added, “Perhaps that will serve me well.”

She smiled. “Indeed.” Directing him into the parlor, shesaid, “Bethanne put out a puzzle and I brought out large glasses of half and half—tea and lemonade. Would you care for anything else at the moment?”

“I’m good.”

“Well, then, I’ll, uh, go let Bethanne know you’re waiting.”

“She knows, Mamm,” Lott said as he came into the room. “Jay, Bethy wanted you to know that she’ll be down shortly.”

“Danke.”

As his mother headed for the kitchen, Lott sat down at the card table. “I sure hope things work out between the two of you. It’s nice having another man around the house.”

That made two of them. “How’s work?”

“Good. I got hired on, and the boss has me working with just about everybody. Every morning, I’m going somewhere new.”

“Do you like that?” Jay wouldn’t. He thrived on things staying the same as much as possible.

“I do. It keeps things interesting.”

Jay sat down on the couch. “Seth Zimmerman works there too, doesn’t he?”

“Jah.”

“Is he ... difficult to work with?”

“Nope. He’s far more patient than some of the other guys. I would’ve thought he’d be the opposite. But he says that prison taught him the value of perspective. He doesn’t get too upset about much, which I’m glad about since I’m engaged to his little sister.”

“I haven’t talked to Melonie in a spell. Is she doing well?”

“She is.” Lott laughed. “For some reason, she still puts up with me.”

Bethanne entered the room wearing a dark pink dress and pink flip-flops. She looked so fresh and pretty—like she wasready for a day in Pinecraft. And she seemedhappy. “I’m sorry you had to wait, Jay,” she said.

Jay stood. “It was no problem. Lott and I were catching up. Plus, your mother walked me in and made me feel welcome.”

Bethanne glanced at the table. “And she already got us drinks. Would you like some cookies? I made molasses drops yesterday.”

“Not yet.” Jay’s gaze drifted to her brother.

Catching the unspoken signal, Lott stood up. “I’ll, uh, go see what Daed is doing. See ya, Jay.”

“See ya.” Finally alone with Bethanne, he stepped closer to her side. “Hi.”

Her cheeks pinkened. “Hi.” Looking a little more self-conscious, she added, “I’m glad you came over this evening.”

“I’m glad you wanted me to return.” And very glad that she hadn’t changed her mind since then. “So, where were you today? Your mother said you only recently got home.”

“I was at my aunt’s house,” she said as she sat down on the couch.

Right next to where he’d been sitting.

He was so pleased by that choice, he felt like a foolish boy. “And how was your aunt?” he asked as he sat down beside her.

“Overwhelmed.” Looking like she was trying not to laugh, she added, “Aunt Dora was attempting to make jam. I don’t know how many containers of strawberries were on her counters. When I got there, she looked like she was about to box up everything and take it all to my mother to deal with.”

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