Chapter 20

20

I can't believe I ever thought throwing a party for your father was a good idea," Mamm said as she scanned their backyard. "I must have lost my mind."

Bethanne bit her lip so she didn't start laughing. "It'll be okay, Mamm."

By her side, her brother, Lott, didn't seem to agree. Looking at her mother's neatly written guest list, he frowned. "We have nearly half the county coming over. Daed doesn't even know what to think about it."

"All he needs to think about is being happy."

Lott looked up at the sky. "Mamm, really?"

"Jah, really. Turning fifty is a big deal."

"So was turning forty, but we didn't throw him a party then. Or when he turned forty-five." Folding his arms over his chest, her brother scowled at the five tables they'd rented since even the wagon that held all the furniture for church didn't contain enough. "We haven't had a party like this in years. I'm just saying I don't understand why you're throwing one now."

"That's enough, Lott," she said in a sharp tone.

"What did I say wrong?" Glancing at Bethanne, he sighed. "Oh."

And there it was. Yet another consequence of her being unable to cope with life for several years. They'd all put their lives on hold while she got her bearings.

To be honest, she still wasn't very comfortable with a crowd around her. But she would handle it for her father. After all, she'd gone to the county fair to see Candace. She could help her mother host a birthday party too. Especially since she had her bedroom here. If she needed to, she could always go there and escape for a moment.

"You doing okay, Bethy?" Lott said in a low tone.

That right there was what broke her heart. Lott was her little brother. Memories of when she had taken care of him for almost a year flooded through her. Bethanne had been nine and Lott six when their mother had had a miscarriage and had been so sad. Bethanne had made their breakfasts and lunches and got them both to school every morning. One particularly bad night, he'd crawled in bed next to her and she'd rubbed his back, promising that one day everything would be happy in their home again.

And it had been for a while too.

Adopting a light tone, she said, "I'm gut. Don't worry about me." Winking at their mother, she added, "You should be taking notes anyway, Lott."

"Why is that?"

"Chances are good that Melonie is going to be thinking about her wedding day. You'll have to glean what kind of gathering she's going to want."

He frowned. "You think Mel is going to be thinking about that?"

"Jah."

"How do you know?"

He looked so suspicious, she giggled. "Because that's what women do. Women of a certain age who are engaged, that is."

"Hmm."

"Don't worry, son," Mamm said as she patted his back. "You might not be the only person in the backyard thinking of future celebrations."

"Who else would be?"

"I'm not going to say, but it might surprise you." Their mother had adopted a singsong tone.

"Mamm!" she exclaimed.

"No worries, Bethanne. Now let's get to work. Will you greet all the ladies who are bringing dishes?"

"Of course."

"There's going to be a lot of dishes to organize," her mamm warned.

"I know, which is why I asked Candace to help me."

Her mother brightened. "That was a good idea, dear. Between the two of you, everything will be organized."

"Does that mean you don't need me?" Lott asked, sounding hopeful.

"No, it does not. You're going to need to help me decorate, set out chairs, and prepare the firepit."

"I'm on it."

Four hours later, Bethanne was staring at the massive amount of bowls, platters, and covered containers lining the dining room table. Beside her, Candace was writing notes.

"What do you think? Should we call people to the buffet by tables or let them go up whenever they feel like it?" her cousin asked.

"Mamm said almost a hundred people will be coming."

"I know. If we call each table up and have me, Melonie, and one other girl serve, we can move everyone in an organized fashion."

Bethanne was stunned. "How in the world do you know how to organize such things?"

"I'm not even sure. I just do." She winked. "I guess I have a gift for telling people what to do."

"Should we ask our moms what they think?" Bethanne asked as they headed outside.

"No way. If we involve them, it will be an hour's discussion."

Candace did have a good point. "Our mothers do like to discuss things to death."

Standing up, Candace walked along the rows of tables. "Next thing we know, they'll start tackling seating charts and decide we need napkins rings."

Looking at her cousin fondly, Bethanne chuckled. "I'd forgotten all about that." When she and Candace were kids, their families had hosted Thanksgiving, and at nine in the morning, their moms had decided everyone should have ribbons with fake leaves wrapped around each napkin. She and Candace had to stop playing school and start folding napkins. It had taken them hours. Then Candace had cried when most of the people just tossed the ribbons to one side.

After walking toward the back of the yard, she returned to Bethanne's side. "Okay, decision made. When everyone arrives, they can put gifts on the back table your mother set up and get something to drink, and then your mom can tell everyone to sit down. After we say prayers, you will be in charge of calling each table to the buffet."

"I can do that. You better not ever move away, Candace. I couldn't do this extended family stuff without ya."

"Since I'm not planning on it, you don't have to worry about it."

"Yeah, right."

"No, I'm serious." Wrapping one of her hands around her forearm, Candace lowered her voice. "I think I'm here to stay."

"What about all your big plans?"

"I'm beginning to think that I can achieve all my dreams by staying here."

Bethanne was shocked. For years now, Candace had talked about earning multiple degrees. "What changed?"

"I think I've fallen in love," she whispered.

Her face was dreamy and sweet and showed everything Bethanne would ever want for her cousin. It was still confusing, though. "Who?"

"Ryan."

"I don't know..." She wracked her brain. "Is he one of your second cousins over in Indiana?"

She scowled. "Absolutely not. I would never fall in love with a cousin."

"Then what Ryan is it?"

After peeking over her shoulder, she lowered her voice. "He's the police officer who's been escorting me to my Crittenden County events."

"Candace, you've fallen in love with your policeman?"

She nodded happily. "I think so. At the very least, I know I'm on my way to falling in love."

Bethanne didn't know whether she should hug her cousin or give her a good shake. Or maybe burst into tears. Candace's proclamation was outlandish. "I hope you haven't told your parents."

"I haven't. But that's okay, because I think my mom already knows. She saw me when I came inside the other night. I know I was flushed."

"Why?"

"Well, he kissed me on my forehead." Grinning, she added, "And he might have kissed me when we stopped at the park to talk too."

"Candace!"

"I know!" Grinning wildly, Candace reached out her hands.

"So ... it was good?"

"Bethy, it was better than good." Looking dreamy, she added, "Ryan's kisses were life-changing."

Bethanne couldn't resist grabbing her hands and jumping up and down with her. No doubt they looked like they were kids again, but some moments didn't call for reason. Only big emotions.

"Girls, what in the world?" Mamm called out.

"Sorry, Mamm. We, um, just got excited."

She chuckled. "Candace, if your mamm was here, she'd be thinking the same thing that I am. It's nice to see you girls do that again."

Candace smiled. "I was just thinking the same thing." As they walked upstairs to retrieve the boxes of tea lights that were going to line the centers of the long tables, she asked, "What about you, Bethanne? Have you received any kisses lately?"

"Not hardly."

"Nothing from Jay?"

She almost stumbled. "Nee."

"What would you do if he did try to kiss you?"

"What do you think?" she asked as she opened a closet door and pulled out the first package of tea lights. "I'd kiss him back."

"Really?"

She stopped at the top of the stairs. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that Jay might be worried about how you might react."

"Candace. It's a kiss. That's all." Bethanne knew she sounded far more blasé than she ever actually would be, but she was tired of everyone assuming that any little thing was going to set her off. She was a lot stronger than she'd been in years. Even more than she was a year ago.

"Think of it from his point of view. Come on, Bethanne, you hardly left the house for years."

"Peter tried to rape me. And then he died. That's a little bit different than a kiss, cousin."

"It's still intimate. It still means something."

She had something there. "Do you think he's waiting to make sure he doesn't spook me?"

"I don't know his mind, but maybe. Is he going to be here tonight?"

"For sure. I'll ask him."

Candace smiled. "I hope you do. And I hope he replies by finally kissing you."

"That would be nice, but if it doesn't happen yet, I'll know that the time isn't right. I'm okay with that." All this talk of kissing made her realize that Candace was going to be alone at the party. "You should ask Ryan to come tonight."

"No way. And don't say something like it being no different than Jay Byler. Ryan is older than me and a cop. It would create quite the talk, and tonight is all about your father."

"I guess you're right. It would've been fun to have the chance to see the two of you together, though."

"If I have my way, one day we'll be together all the time."

Bethanne smiled. "I like that."

"Me too."

"Girls, those tea lights aren't going to take care of themselves!" her mother called from downstairs.

"We're heading down now, Mamm."

"Come on. The party is going to start before we know it."

Jah. Bethanne whispered a silent prayer as she headed outside. That's what she was counting on.