Chapter 14

After several more days had passed and a whole lot of talking had taken place, Lott finally persuaded Seth Zimmerman to meet with Bethanne. Seth made some stipulations, however. The place needed to be secluded so no one in the community would see them or eavesdrop, and Seth also didn't want to meet with Bethanne alone.

Lott had been fine with that. He wanted to accompany his sister anyway, both so Bethanne would feel secure and so he would know what she and Seth were talking about. If Bethanne went without him, chances were pretty good that she'd never relay what she and Seth discussed.

At last they'd come up with a time and a date—the afternoon of October thirtieth at a popular fishing spot near Cripple Creek. The creek had grown wide and deep in this section, and over the years folks had built campfires, moved logs around, and made an almost comfortable spot to while away a few hours.

During the summer, it was common to see a couple of cars or bicycles parked on the road nearby. In fact, Lott and his friends had gone swimming there a couple of times in July. Now that it was almost November, though, very few people were there. The three of them would be able to converse in relative privacy, and he hoped that the quiet surroundings would encourage Bethanne to comfortably—and quickly—share whatever she wanted to say to Seth. Then they could go back home and his sister wouldn't think about either Seth or Peter's attack anymore.

That was the hope, anyway.

To Lott's surprise, their parents didn't act too shocked when Bethanne told them that she'd decided to go on a walk with him that afternoon. They'd seemed pleased. Daed had even pulled Lott aside and complimented him, saying that he was glad that Lott was finally growing up.

Lott didn't know if walking with his sister was a very grown-up thing or not, but the way his father was making a big deal out of something so little did embarrass him. Had he really been acting so immature and self-centered of late? No wonder Elias Weaver had asked Seth to speak with him.

Deciding to worry about his flaws later, he met Bethanne at the front door and they set out for the meeting. His sister seemed quieter than usual.

"Are you nervous?" he asked after they'd walked about half a mile.

"A little."

"Is it about being near the woods, or is it because of the meeting?"

"A little of both, I guess." She opened her mouth as if to say more but then closed it and sighed instead.

"Are you sure you still want to talk to Seth?" he asked. "If you don't, I can walk you back and then meet Seth and tell him you changed your mind."

She shook her head. "I don't know how Seth is going to respond, but I'm not going to change my mind."

That didn't make Lott feel any better. "Bethanne."

"Nee, don't try to convince me to change my mind, Brother. I need to do this."

"But if it's hard for you ..."

"A lot of things are hard, but hard doesn't mean bad. Ain't so?"

"I suppose not."

They walked on in silence. While Bethanne seemed to be practicing whatever she planned to say to Seth, Lott prayed.

Gott, please give me the words my sister needs to feel better and find peace. Give Seth the patience he needs to talk with Bethanne about the past. And while You're at it, could You maybe also try to keep this visit short? If it lasts too long, I might not be able to handle it.

He didn't sense any response from the Lord, but his mind did ease a bit. Hopefully, that was the Lord's doing. He really needed His help.

When they at last arrived at their designated spot, Cripple Creek was barely running. They'd had no rain to speak of for a couple of weeks and it showed. Instead of looking vibrant and full of life, the area appeared to already be in the throes of winter. It was also chilly.

"I'm glad I wore my cloak," Bethanne said as she shivered in the cold. "It's so sunny, I almost didn't."

Lott looked around. "I wish I'd brought mine. When we were hiking the cold wasn't bad, but it's settling in now."

"I reckon so." She sat down on one of the thick logs around the firepit.

Figuring there was nothing wrong with starting a fire there—they could sit a spell after Seth went on his way—Lott started gathering wood.

"Want some help?" she asked.

"Sure."

Bethanne walked to the edge of the woods opposite him and started picking up sticks, then carried them over and added them to the pile he'd started.

Lott had just gotten a spark out of two pieces of flint when he heard twigs snap in the distance. "Sounds like he's here."

Bethanne swallowed, suddenly looking a little sick. "Jah."

"Listen, if things get too hard, all you have to do is let me know. I'll intervene and get you out of here."

"I'll be fine."

"Or if Seth says something rude—"

"He won't, Lott. You know that."

"Jah." Seth Zimmerman wasn't perfect, but he wasn't going to intentionally hurt Bethanne.

More twigs snapped in the distance, and his sister jumped but stayed silent. He did too. She had enough to worry about without him asking her yet again if she was okay. Instead, he fussed with his project, blowing on the sparks and nursing them with oxygen until they grew into a decent fire.

Seth grinned when he appeared out of the woods. "I should've known you'd be making yourself useful, Lott. This fire was a good idea."

"Danke." Lott was just about to make a joke when he looked up and realized Seth hadn't come alone. Melonie was with him. He sprung to his feet. "Hiya, Melonie."

"Hello, Lott. I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd come along." Her voice warmed as she got closer. "I figured Bethanne might appreciate not being the only girl here." Looking at his sister, Melonie added, "It's good to see you. It's been too long."

"It's good to see you too." Visibly bracing herself, Bethanne walked to where Seth was standing. "Thank you for meeting with me."

"You're welcome," he said softly. "It wasn't a problem. Whatever I can do to help, I will."

Bethanne's cheeks reddened. "I didn't want a meeting so I could ask for more help."

"Understood." Seth clasped his hands behind his back.

"All I wanted was a few minutes of your time."

He nodded. "You have it."

Melonie glanced from Seth to Bethanne to Lott. "Hey, Lott. Maybe you and I could stay here by the fire while my brother and your sister talk?"

"Sure." Turning to his sister, he said, "Is that what you want, Bethy?"

She fisted her hands at her sides but then released them. "Jah."

Seth stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Let's go for a walk, then."

Bethanne nodded, looking apprehensive but determined, and they started toward a worn path alongside the creek. Seth's posture was relaxed and easy, as if he was perfectly used to escorting Amish girls in the woods. In contrast, Bethanne looked far more contained and tense. Neither was speaking, but they did stay in sight.

Lott continued to watch them, part of him wanting to join them, if for no other reason than to provide a shield for Bethanne. It would be terrible if Seth inadvertently made her cry. Then he reminded himself that she didn't need his protection. She was stronger than she looked.

"Are you all right?" Melonie asked.

"Jah." He forced himself to sit down on a log. "It's funny, Bethanne keeps to herself so much, it's hard to see her out like this."

"Out? Or walking beside my brother?"

He heard the defensiveness in her tone. "I meant doing anything by herself."

"Do you know why she wanted to speak to him?"

"Nee."

"Really?"

He shrugged. "Bethanne made it clear that what she had to speak to Seth about didn't concern me. What did Seth say?"

"He was more forthcoming, but I think that's because he was as in the dark as I was."

"Did he seem upset about this meeting?"

"About talking to Bethanne? Nee. Not upset." She bit her lip, then murmured, "Maybe more like worried about what she could want?"

"I can see that, since that's how I feel as well."

She smiled as she moved toward him. "Is it bad that I'm glad to have an opportunity to see you?"

He stood. "I hope not, because I feel the same way." After making sure their siblings were out of sight, Lott reached for her hands. She placed both of hers in his, and warmth spread through him.

Maybe he hadn't needed to build a fire after all.