Chapter 2

2

Only by sheer force of will did Jay remain where he stood while Bethanne scooted down the aisle of chairs. What he wanted to do was follow her. Maybe press his hand on the small of her back so both she—and anyone around—would know that she was taken. Then he'd stand out of the way while she raced up the metal stairs to the stage to congratulate her cousin.

That was what he wanted to do. The reality was that Bethanne would probably slap his face or scream if he put his hand on her without permission. So Jay stayed where he was and watched from a distance.

Candace Evans now had a white satin banner arranged over her gown and a rhinestone tiara sitting on top of her head. She was fetching, there was no denying that. And she looked like the beauty queen she now was.

But he only had eyes for Bethanne.

She stood off to the side of the stage, looking as perfect as she always did. Her skin was smooth and creamy, a touch of pink colored her cheeks, and her dark hair was neatly arranged under a white kapp. Even her light blue dress was spotless, which was a minor miracle considering the dirt, grass, and gravel on the fairground.

But that was Bethanne, at least by his estimation. She'd always managed to seem serene and in control of herself and her surroundings. Most people had thought she always did the right thing. And she did. Until the time she'd agreed to take a walk in the woods with Peter. Jay knew that better than most, he reckoned.

Peter Miller, his best friend growing up, had always been smitten with her. When they were young, Peter would tease and joke around with Bethanne, doing the most outlandish things just to make her smile or laugh. He'd once told Jay that he liked pushing Bethanne out of her comfort zone. Jay hadn't liked that but didn't say anything. Maybe he should've.

After they'd all graduated eighth grade and begun apprenticing or working, Bethanne started showing interest in Peter. He ate it up but never officially made her his girlfriend, even after they turned sixteen. He'd liked the idea of stringing her along.

Watching all that play out hurt. Jay had hoped to eventually court her but then was forced to keep his distance on account of Peter's interest. But he'd known, deep in his heart, that Peter was no good for Bethanne.

Worse, he'd been pretty sure that Peter wasn't good for any girl. His friend had developed a wild streak, though Jay had thought the worst things Peter could do were drinking, smoking, and driving illegally.

He'd been wrong. And when the unthinkable happened, Jay could barely handle the guilt.

"Ain't it something?" the woman behind him called out over the roar of the crowd, bringing him back to the present. "That girl is from right here in Marion. Candace is one of our own!"

Jay swallowed. "Jah. It's something indeed."

When Candace finished a brief speech, he joined in the clapping as the audience headed for the center aisle. He barely had time to watch Bethanne hug her cousin before he had to follow the others in his aisle to leave.

"Never pictured you to be a fan of beauty pageants, Jay."

Jay looked up as he came face-to-face with Walker Burkholder and his wife at the center aisle. With a grin, his boss clapped him on the back.

"I'm not," Jay said. "Not really."

"You just ended up here, then?" Walker's eyes danced with mirth as he grinned. "Not that I blame ya, of course. Nothing wrong with wanting to look at a pretty girl—or seven." He chuckled at his own joke.

That wasn't his reason at all. "I, uh, just wanted to sit with a friend for a while. It's pretty warm out." Except she wasn't a friend, and she hadn't wanted to sit with him.

Something eased in Walker's expression. "Yeah, that is true."

Jay followed them. "What about you? Why are you here?"

"One of the contestants was one of Michelle's students. She wanted to cheer her on." Chuckling again, he added, "And where Michelle goes, I go."

"I knew you were a smart man."

"Of course I am. I hired you, didn't I?"

"I'd say that was a sign of your brilliance, but we both know I didn't give you much of a choice in the matter," he joked. "I begged and pleaded."

"And since then, you've proven yourself to be outstanding. That's what's gotten you your promotions, Jay."

"Yes, sir. I'm thankful."

Walker met his gaze. "Sam treating you all right?"

"Yes, sir."

Walker was the president of Burke Lumber, one of the biggest sawmills and lumber manufacturers in the county. He was as honest as they came and had been good to Jay from the day he'd signed on to work in the mill. But his new manager? Jay didn't have the same esteem for him.

"Walker, are you ready to head to the arena?" Michelle said over her shoulder, now ahead of them. "The boys are about to show their calves."

"Sure thing. I was just catching up with Jay here." Walker clapped Jay on the back again. "He's a good man. He's going to go far at Burke Lumber. I'm sure of it."

Michelle stopped and turned around. "Well, I sure hope you don't spare one more thought about work, Jay. Enjoy the fair and don't forget to go on some of the rides on the midway tonight." She winked as they said goodbye and walked off.

Just in the nick of time too. The last thing he wanted to think about was going on the Ferris wheel alone. Or with anyone other than Bethanne Hostetler.

That wasn't going to happen, though. Not when she despised him.

"Jay, there you are!" his brother Tommy called out, hurrying toward him as he left the amphitheater. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Tommy had been his parents' surprise baby. Twelve years younger than Jay, he was twelve, had red hair and freckles, and was built like their father's grandfather. Tall for his age, he would've been a great football player if he was English. As it was, he was a good farmhand and one of Jay's best friends.

Jay stepped into pace beside him. "You found me now. What's going on?"

"I'm starving. Want to get something to eat?"

"I could eat. What are you hungry for?" He grinned. The kid was always hungry.

"There's a food truck with tacos."

"Sounds good. Let's go."

The food trucks were off to the side, just before the carnival games and the tent housing all the food and handcraft contest entries. "What have you been doing?"

"Hanging out with the guys."

"Where are they?"

"Able had to go home with his family, and Cade and Zack are hanging out with girls."

Tommy's disparaging tone made Jay chuckle. "You didn't want to hang out with the girls too?"

"Nah. I'm not ready for that. Guess what they're making Cade and Zack do?"

"No idea."

"Pet the baby animals." He grunted. "Like Zack don't have a ton of them on his own farm."

Jay knew that didn't matter. "Sorry, but I'm afraid that kind of thing goes with the territory. Girls like baby animals. Most folks do, come to think of it."

"Whatev. Cade's only doing it because he thinks Mary might kiss him."

"Whoa." Jay looked at him.

Tommy shook his head. "Right?"

"How old is Cade?"

"Thirteen, but he has three older brothers." He lowered his voice. "He knows things."

Good grief. "Ah. That explains it."

"I guess." Tommy kicked a plastic bottle cap that someone had thrown on the ground.

Jay picked it up and tossed it in the nearest trash can. "Don't be too hard on your buddies. You'll be hanging out with all the pretty girls before you know it."

Tommy shrugged. "Maybe not."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that maybe I'll be like you."

"Still not following, Tom."

"Well ... I know you don't chase anyone."

"I'm a little old to be chasing women, kid. Besides, it's not good manners. Ladies don't take kindly to being chased."

"You know what I mean." He waved a hand. "Mamm said you're a late bloomer."

Jay's feet slowed to a stop. "Our mother said what?"

"Don't get mad at me. I'm just repeating her words."

"She shouldn't have said that."

"Why? Is it a lie?"

Jay turned to his brother. "Mamm doesn't lie."

"So you're the one who's lying?"

"I am not."

"Something can't be true and false at the same time, Jay."

"It can." How had he even gotten involved in this conversation?

"I don't understand why you're acting upset anyway. Mamm wasn't being mean. And it's not like you've ever had a girlfriend."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Pretty much what it sounded like." Tommy folded his arms over his chest. "Have you had a sweetheart before?"

"A sweetheart?"

Ignoring him, Tommy continued. "Was she a secret?" Looking intrigued, he added, "Do you have a secret love life that no one knows about?"

"Where do you come up with such things?"

"You still haven't answered me, bruder."

"I don't intend to. My personal life is none of your business."

"I guess not. But it sure don't seem like it's anyone else's either." He laughed at his own joke before moving toward the food trucks again.

Luckily, it was also before Jay could admit that Tommy might be right. One of these days, he was going to find a way to get Bethanne to finally trust him. He didn't know how, and he didn't know when, but he was going to do it.

And when that happened, everything in his life would be good. No. Fantastic.

Wunderbar.