Page 67 of Unforgotten

She patted her jeans pocket. “Yes, Mom.”

Without announcing that Candace was leaving, they headed for the road. If they stopped to let everyone know, Candace would never get to leave—and Bethanne was exhausted. It had been a long day between the preparations and the party.

When they reached the front yard, Bethanne was struck by how quiet it was in comparison to the backyard. The few streetlights cast shadows on the road.

When a burst of laughter erupted from the woods to their right, they both jumped.

Candace stopped and looked in the direction it had come from.

“It’s probably some Amish kids who just entered their runningaround time,” Bethanne said. “When I started going to singings, me and my friends would hike through the woods instead of walking down the road.”

“Why?”

“Well, either to sneak a kiss ... or just be a little daring.” She shrugged. “It probably sounds pretty tame to an Englischer, but it was what we did. Even Lott used to run around in the woods when he turned fifteen.”

Candace smiled. “In that case, I hope they’re having fun.” She started walking again but took only two steps. “This is close enough. Thanks, Bethy. Have a good—”

“Nope. I said I’d walk with you halfway and I’m going to.”

“Fine.” As they continued on, Candace pointed to two couples their parents’ age walking in the distance. “I’m kind of glad to see those folks. We’re not as alone as I thought we were.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

She pointed up the street, maybe fifty feet. “Look, my car’s right there.”

Bethanne breathed a sigh of relief. Her car wasn’t too far off at all. “I’ll stay with you to the Browns’ mailbox.” Remembering the way they used to hold hands, Bethanne linked her fingers with Candace’s. “You don’t have to be Miss Crittenden County tomorrow, do you?”

She laughed. “No. I don’t have any more appearances until the end of the month.”

“You’ll have to think of a way to see Ryan—”

“Bethanne!” Candace screamed.

Before Bethanne could process what was going on, a man dressed in black grabbed Candace. With a jerk, he pulled her out of Bethanne’s grip and back to his chest. One arm held her securely against him while the other held a knife to her neck.

“Candace!” Bethanne shrieked.

“Scream again and I’ll cut her,” he said.

Bethanne froze.

He glared at her. “Will you stay quiet?” When she nodded, he pulled out a thick rope and tied it around Candace’s hands. She cried out in pain.

Bethanne gasped. It was as if her mind couldn’t come to grips with what was happening. “I ... I...”

“Bethanne, I’m so sorry,” Candace whispered. Fear had widened her tear-filled eyes.

“Nee!” Before she realized what she was doing, she’d reached for her cousin.

But the man slammed his hand against Candace’s ribs. As she fell down with a cry, he wrapped a hand around Bethanne’s arm. “You’re both coming with me.”

“No, please!” Candace protested. “Leave her alone. You don’t need her.”

“She’ll talk,” the man muttered. Then, with a low curse, he slapped Bethanne.

She tasted blood on her lips as her entire body began to shake. To her dismay, he’d used her shock to quickly tie a rope around her wrist.

“No, please.” Candace struggled even more. “She won’t. You won’t say a thing, will you, Bethy?”

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