Page 66 of Unforgotten

“One last thing. Your courtship is your business, but time is a funny thing. One minute it feels like it won’t ever pass, then the next, too much has passed in the blink of an eye. If you are sure of your love, don’t be afraid to tell her.”

“I don’t want to scare her off.”

“Being honest shouldn’t scare her. I reckon there’s a lot of other things to scare a person in life.”

A sense of foreboding filled Jay, though he couldn’t exactly say why.

When Bethanne looked at the clock and discovered it was already after ten, she deemed her father’s birthday party a success. About half of the guests had gone home, but the house was still filled with the remaining adults, while about thirty of her and Lott’s friends were gathered in groups around the firepit.

Lott and Melonie were laughing at something his friend Anson had said. Jay, who’d spent most of the evening by Bethanne’s side, was standing with a couple of guys from work near the last of the drinks. When his eyes met Bethanne’s, he smiled at her. All was good.

Until she noticed that Candace looked out of sorts. She was sitting on a bench and staring off into the distance.

“What are you looking at?” Bethanne asked as she sat down next to her.

“Hmm? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how I’ve beensurrounded by tons of people tonight, but I still felt a little lonely. I wish Ryan was here.”

“Next year, right?”

Instead of looking relieved, she frowned. “Bethanne, Ryan’s not a part of my group of friends. He’s not only a cop, but he’s from out of town and six years older.”

“I know all that. But if it’s meant to be, then you’ll be together.”

“Do you really think getting my parents to accept him will be that easy? It’s not going to be like that for you and Jay.”

“I don’t think it will, either. Jay and I have a past that was intertwined with a lot of hurt and brokenness. Learning to overcome those things hasn’t been easy. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you’re looking for easy either.”

Looking sheepish, she muttered, “I guess you have a point.”

“Candace, you’ve done hard things before. You’ve had big dreams that other girls in your high school didn’t want to think about. You’ve wanted to go to college, and you entered a beauty pageant to make completing your degree possible. If this man is worthy, then everyone you know will think he’s perfect for you.”

She sniffed. “Great. Now you’re going to make me cry.”

“I didn’t mean to do that. I just want you to realize that I believe in you.”

“I believe in you too, Bethy,” she said as she gave her a hug. When she pulled away, she added, “Now, I’m getting tired, so I think I’m going to take off.”

“How will you get home?”

“In my car. I parked down the road. I wanted to leave some space close to your house for older people when they arrived.”

Clouds had started forming about an hour ago. They hidsome of the brightest stars and the moon. She hated the idea of Candace driving home alone in the dark. “Should we tell your parents that you’re going to go?”

Her eyes widened. “No way. If I leave, they’re going to ask why I don’t want to stay later, or they’ll try to leave too.”

“Or, worse, try to guilt you into staying and cleaning up.” She winked.

“I didn’t want to say it, but I was thinking the same thing.”

“If you’re tired, you should go.” Standing up, Bethanne held out her hand. “Come on. I’ll walk down with you.”

“Thanks for the offer, but there’s no need to walk me to my car. I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t mind. The smoke from the firepit is bothering my eyes anyway.”

Candace hesitated for a second before nodding with obvious reluctance. “Okay, but let’s compromise. You can walk me halfway. Then neither of us will be by ourselves the whole time.”

“That’s a plan. Now, do you have your keys?”

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