Chapter 16

16

"Why, Bethanne, what a nice surprise, dear," Aunt Dora said as she ushered Bethanne inside her sprawling ranch house. "I didn't know you were planning to stop by. Usually Martha lets me know."

Her aunt was looking at her curiously. And perhaps with more than a little bit of worry? She hated that. She hated that everyone assumed she was mere seconds from having a panic attack.

"I didn't tell my mamm I was coming by."

"No?"

"I ... well, I went out for a walk and then realized I was close by and thought I'd visit with Candace for a spell." She peeked down the hall. Hopefully she would appear any second.

"She'd like that, but I'm afraid she's not home," Aunt Dora said as she led the way into the kitchen. "She's out at yet another Miss Crittenden County event."

Feeling foolish, Bethanne paused near the kitchen table. "I guess I should have guessed that. I'm sorry to bother you. I'll go on home."

"No, no. Please stay." She chuckled, holding up her hand to indicate the countertop. "Look what I've been doing."

Bethanne smiled. Several dozen jelly jars and assorted caps waited there, along with containers of strawberries, a cutting board, and a knife. A glass bowl held a few hulled strawberries. "Are you going to make strawberry preserves?"

"I am and I'm already overwhelmed." Picking up the recipe card lying there, she moaned. "When I looked over the directions, it sounded so simple. Why, I thought it would take no time at all. I was so wrong."

Bethanne pressed her lips together to keep from bursting out laughing. Canning two or three dozen jars of anything never took "no time at all."

Frowning at the counter, Aunt Dora said, "If I made you a snack, would you consider helping me for a while? You've made preserves before, right?"

"I have. I guess you haven't?"

She chuckled. "Obviously not. Your mother was the domestic one. It was no wonder that she married an Amish man and I went in the opposite direction. I ... well, I was always anxious to get out of the house."

Aunt Dora and her mother had grown up in a conservative Mennonite household in southern Ohio, and they'd been close but like night and day. While Bethanne's mamm had fallen in love with an Amish man and moved to Crittenden County, Aunt Dora had gone on to college and fallen in love with Uncle Wayne, who happened to be from Marion. He worked in town while Bethanne's father managed his family's farm.

To everyone's surprise, the two families got along well despite their differences. They didn't see each other all that often, but when they did, her mamm and Aunt Dora chatted and laughed together.

So, they still had plenty in common ... except in the kitchen. She couldn't remember Aunt Dora making too many things that weren't in her "fast and five ingredients" cookbook.

"I'll be happy to help you. No snacks are even needed."

Pure relief filled her eyes. "Thank you, honey. Now let me call your mother and let her know where you are." She paused. "She still has a phone in the kitchen, right?"

"Jah."

"Okay. You wash up and grab an apron." She pointed to an assortment of bright printed aprons, each one more festooned with ruffles and piping than the next.

Hiding a smile, Bethanne picked out one with cartoon smiling bananas and oranges all over it. She couldn't wait to tell her mother about her sister's cooking project.

Holding a hand over her cell phone, Aunt Dora said, "Bethanne, I just told your mamm I'd bring you home later." She frowned. "Probably close to suppertime. Okay with you?"

"That's gut. Danke."

Flashing a smile her way, Aunt Dora finished the call. "I'll see you later. Yes, we'll catch up soon. I'll bring you some jam!" Hanging up, she giggled. "Your mother sounded alarmed about my undertaking."

Bethanne reckoned she had good reason to be. "I'm surprised Mamm didn't offer to come over to help."

"Oh, she did. But I told her you and I would do just fine."

That made her happy. It was nice to be treated like she was capable. "I reckon we will."

Aunt Dora looked around the kitchen. "What do you think we should do first?"

That was easy. "Finish hulling the strawberries."

Looking like she was about to go into battle, she picked up a knife. "Are you sure you don't want a sandwich?"

Her stomach chose that moment to growl. "Actually, that sounds good."

Aunt Dora grinned, looking like she'd just escaped the most horrible of chores, then went to the refrigerator. "I'll make us lunch. Would you mind working on the berries?"

"Not at all." Bethanne grinned as she took her aunt's place and began quickly hulling berries.

"I know. I'm hopeless."

"It is a big task." Considering her aunt seemed to plan on making enough jam for the entire town.

"Things like this have always been my problem, I'm afraid," she said as she pulled a variety of lunch meats, as well as lettuce, cheese, and brown mustard from the refrigerator. "I start a project, lose interest or get overwhelmed, and then have no idea what to do about the mess." After fetching the bread from her bread box, she asked, "Do you like your bread toasted, Bethy?"

"It doesn't matter." When her aunt continued to wait for a real answer, she shrugged. "Toasted, please."

"All right." She placed four pieces of bread in the toaster, then pushed the lever and got two plates out of a cabinet. "Now, you, dear, have the right idea."

Bethanne picked up the next container of strawberries. "About what?"

"Oh. I was talking about your lovely job reviewing books. Your mamm is mighty proud of you, dear. She's told me all about the boxes of manuscripts that arrive on your doorstep like clockwork."

"I'm glad she's proud."

"And it sounds like you love it. That's what matters the most, I think."

"I do."

Aunt Dora nodded. "I hope Candy gets a job she likes as much as you like yours."

"Me too. She's got time yet, though. Now that's she's our family's beauty queen."

As she finished making the sandwiches, Aunt Dora smiled at her, though it then dimmed a bit. "Come sit down and let's eat. What do you want to drink? I have water, milk, or Diet Coke."

"Diet Coke."

"I'm going to have that too," she said with a pleased smile.

After they both said their prayers in silence, Bethanne asked, "Is Candace enjoying all the appearances?"

"I think so, though she doesn't share too much about them. Other than that Officer Mulaney is accompanying her."

"Why is that?"

Aunt Dora paused before shrugging. "Security reasons, I suppose. I'm thankful she doesn't have to go anywhere alone. Some of her appearances are at the opposite end of the county. Some of them even farther out than that. And a number take place at night."

"I never thought about the dangers of her traveling by herself."

"I'm afraid her father and I didn't think too much about it either. I was only thinking about the scholarship money. And the fact that she might enjoy the experience, of course."

Bethanne sipped her drink and nodded. Just as she was about to take a bite of her sandwich, the back door opened.

"Mom?"

"We're in here, Candy!" Aunt Dora called.

"Who's we?"

Aunt Dora winked. "Come see."

"Oh. Hey, Bethy," Candace said in a quiet voice.

"Hiya, Candace."

Candace smiled, but her expression didn't match the cheeriness of her voice. "It's good to see you. I didn't know you were coming over this afternoon."

"No one did. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing."

As Bethanne's words penetrated, her cousin's grin turned more genuine. "Bethy, I'm so proud of you!"

"It's nothing much." Glancing at her aunt, she added, "We're having a good time."

"I feel certain that the Lord brought her to me today," Aunt Dora said as she pointed to the cluttered countertops. "I was on my way to making a mess in here."

Candace's lips twitched. "I reckon so."

"We're having lunch and then Bethy's going to help me make strawberry jam. You can help if you'd like."

"I'd like that." But then tears glinted in Candace's eyes.

Aunt Dora stood up and went to her. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, Mom. I've been keeping something from you. But Ryan told me that I need to tell you."

She frowned. "You mean Officer Mulaney?"

"Yes."

"Well, what's the news?" She gasped. "Are you two seeing each other?"

Bethanne almost smiled. Aunt Dora did try to find romance in almost any situation. But to her surprise, Candace blushed.

"No ... but we have become good friends."

"How good? Isn't he older than you?"

"Ryan is older, but not by that much. He's twenty-eight."

"So, six years." Frowning, Aunt Dora sat back down. "Has he been taking advantage of you?"

"Mom! Of course not."

Aunt Dora continued to stew. "You know, I don't know what your father is going to say about this."

"Dad doesn't need to get involved."

"Of course he does. And why didn't Ryan come and ask our permission to court you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Probably because he isn't Amish and neither am I."

"That's not just for the Amish, dear. It's good manners."

"No, Mom. It's old-fashioned. Plus, it's not the point."

"Candace—"

"Mother, listen to me!" Candace drew a deep breath and blew it out. "Ryan isn't the issue."

Aunt Dora exchanged a look with Bethanne before looking back to her daughter. "What is going on, then?"

Candace bit her lip for a second. "I still have a stalker."

"Who is it?" Bethanne asked.

"I'm not sure."

"You don't know his name?"

"No. He's contacted me online. And sometimes he shows up when I'm at various places. Sometimes he speaks to me. Other times he just watches me."

Aunt Dora pressed a hand to her mouth. "This is my fault," she whispered.

Candace started toward her. "Mother, it is not."

"But I encouraged you to enter the pageant. I wanted you to have that scholarship, and I also thought you would be so perfect." Standing up again, she wrapped her arms around her midsection. "The truth is, I guess I wanted to live a little bit through you. Growing up the way I did, being in a beauty pageant was the farthest thing from anyone's mind. And I knew I shouldn't care about such things, but I did." Turning to Bethanne, she looked even more pained. "I'm sorry, dear. That's probably a shock."

"Nee, but, um, maybe you two don't need me here? I could go home."

"Stay," Candace said.

She loved her cousin, but she also respected Aunt Dora. "Are you sure you don't mind me being here?"

"Darling, when I said that the Lord brought you here to help me make jam, it was said half in jest. But now, seeing how distraught Candace is, I think she's going to need us both. Please stay."

Well, that was decided. "All right." She met Candace's gaze. "So, um, how does Ryan fit into all of this?"

"He's been my escort in case things escalated."

"Do you think they will?" her aunt asked.

"I think they have." Taking a deep breath, she added, "The man was at my appearance today, and he left a paper bag of photos. They were all of me." Suddenly looking a little pale, she added, "There were even pictures from years ago too. All taken when I had no idea someone was watching me. It's so creepy."

"Oh, Candace," Bethanne whispered.

"Does Officer Mulaney have these pictures now?" Aunt Dora asked.

"Yes. They're going to check them and the bag for fingerprints."

Aunt Dora closed her eyes for a few moments. "Maybe you need to quit all these appearances."

Candace stared at her. "Quit being Miss Crittenden County? I can't."

"But, Candy, your safety needs to come first."

"Mom, he was stalking me before I even competed in the pageant. He's going to continue following me around no matter what."

"I don't like this."

"I don't either," Candace said.

"I think your father and I need to speak with the police," Aunt Dora said. "And I'm just warning you, your dad might insist that you stop the appearances for a while."

Candace's chin lifted. "I'm not going to stop, Mom," she said in a firm tone. "Ryan's accompanying me. He said he's going to watch out for me, and I believe him."

But her mother kept talking. Just as if she hadn't said a word. "Best intentions are all well and good, but things can happen," her mom said with a nod. "The more I think about it, the more I believe you'll be safest here at home."

"Nee," Bethanne said.

Candace turned to her, a look of surprise on her face.

"Don't make her do that," she continued. "It's ... it's miserable being a captive in your own home."

Dora's expression softened. "Honey, I understand where you're coming from, but Candace's situation is very different than yours."

"I know. But not living your life is an awful existence. I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Candace reached for her hands and clasped them tightly. "You're right, Bethy. If I stay home, all I'm going to do is let fear get the best of me."

"And fear is a terrible thing to live with," Bethanne said.

It was almost as bad as the memories.