Page 64 of Unforgotten

“Bethy, it was better than good.” Looking dreamy, she added, “Ryan’s kisses were life-changing.”

Bethanne couldn’t resist grabbing her hands and jumping up and down with her. No doubt they looked like they were kids again, but some moments didn’t call for reason. Only big emotions.

“Girls, what in the world?” Mamm called out.

“Sorry, Mamm. We, um, just got excited.”

She chuckled. “Candace, if your mamm was here, she’d be thinking the same thing that I am. It’s nice to see you girls do that again.”

Candace smiled. “I was just thinking the same thing.” As they walked upstairs to retrieve the boxes of tea lights that were going to line the centers of the long tables, she asked, “What about you, Bethanne? Have you received any kisses lately?”

“Not hardly.”

“Nothing from Jay?”

She almost stumbled. “Nee.”

“What would you do if he did try to kiss you?”

“What do you think?” she asked as she opened a closet door and pulled out the first package of tea lights. “I’d kiss him back.”

“Really?”

She stopped at the top of the stairs. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that Jay might be worried about how you might react.”

“Candace. It’s a kiss. That’s all.” Bethanne knew she sounded far more blasé than she ever actually would be, but she was tired of everyone assuming that any little thing was going to set her off. She was a lot stronger than she’d been in years. Even more than she was a year ago.

“Think of it from his point of view. Come on, Bethanne, you hardly left the house for years.”

“Peter tried to rape me. And then he died. That’s a little bit different than a kiss, cousin.”

“It’s still intimate. It still means something.”

She had something there. “Do you think he’s waiting to make sure he doesn’t spook me?”

“I don’t know his mind, but maybe. Is he going to be here tonight?”

“For sure. I’ll ask him.”

Candace smiled. “I hope you do. And I hope he replies by finally kissing you.”

“That would be nice, but if it doesn’t happen yet, I’ll know that the time isn’t right. I’m okay with that.” All this talk of kissing made her realize that Candace was going to be alone at the party. “You should ask Ryan to come tonight.”

“No way. And don’t say something like it being no different than Jay Byler. Ryan is older than me and a cop. It would create quite the talk, and tonight is all about your father.”

“I guess you’re right. It would’ve been fun to have the chance to see the two of you together, though.”

“If I have my way, one day we’ll be together all the time.”

Bethanne smiled. “I like that.”

“Me too.”

“Girls, those tea lights aren’t going to take care of themselves!” her mother called from downstairs.

“We’re heading down now, Mamm.”

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