Chapter 21

21

The evening weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too humid, thanks to a hint of a northern breeze coming down from the Ohio River Valley. Jay gave thanks to the Lord for providing such a perfect backdrop for John Hostetler's fiftieth birthday party.

After getting home from work, he'd spent some time with Tommy, then helped his father with chores in the barn. Then he took a long, hot shower. By the time he was finally ready, he'd somehow ended up walking to the Hostetlers' party with his father. That wasn't a bad thing, it was just unexpected. It was also rather unexpected to see his father carrying two large stoneware jugs of cider. They were his gift for John.

"You sure you don't need me to carry one of them, Daed?" Jay asked.

"Certainly not. I haven't gotten so old that I can't carry a bunch of apple juice, son."

"It was just an offer, not a judgment."

"Good to know." Looking up at the sky, he breathed deep. "It's a gut evening out, ain't so? Not too hot or buggy."

"You're right. It's a perfect night for a gathering."

"And what a gathering it is. You woulda thought a young'un was getting married, there's so many people coming."

"John Hostetler is a good man. He's well liked."

"Jah, he is." Sobering a bit, he added, "He's had his share of hardships too."

"Like what?"

His daed cast him a sideways glance. "Like the obvious. His daughter's trauma."

"I never thought of him being affected. I mean, I know he loves Bethanne and worries about her, but I didn't think it had affected his life." Of course, now that he'd said the words out loud, Jay realized he'd been na?ve.

"One day you'll understand just how much a child's hurts can affect a father, son. It's the lot of a parent, I reckon. You kinner might be experiencing something, but mothers and fathers feel the hurt almost as much. In some ways, I think it feels almost harder because there's nothing we can do but sit and watch."

Jay nodded slowly. "I can see why you'd say that. I felt that way a bit."

"Of course you did. You not only lost Peter, but you realized that your buddy was not the man you believed him to be."

"That's exactly how it felt. It was a long time ago, though."

"Indeed it was." He brightened. "And now, here we all are. About to celebrate a birthday together. Seems like a perfect time for all of us to move forward, don't you think?"

"Is that your not-very-sneaky-way to hint about me courting Bethanne?"

"I don't think it needs to be sneaky, son. She's had your attention for years."

"She has."

"And ...?"

"And I think we're doing good."

He coughed. "But are ya serious?"

"You know I am. I'm visiting her house as often as I can."

"You're certain that she's the one for you?"

"Mighty certain. I know I'm the one for her too. I can be the man she needs. I know it. I love her."

"One last thing. Your courtship is your business, but time is a funny thing. One minute it feels like it won't ever pass, then the next, too much has passed in the blink of an eye. If you are sure of your love, don't be afraid to tell her."

"I don't want to scare her off."

"Being honest shouldn't scare her. I reckon there's a lot of other things to scare a person in life."

A sense of foreboding filled Jay, though he couldn't exactly say why.

When Bethanne looked at the clock and discovered it was already after ten, she deemed her father's birthday party a success. About half of the guests had gone home, but the house was still filled with the remaining adults, while about thirty of her and Lott's friends were gathered in groups around the firepit.

Lott and Melonie were laughing at something his friend Anson had said. Jay, who'd spent most of the evening by Bethanne's side, was standing with a couple of guys from work near the last of the drinks. When his eyes met Bethanne's, he smiled at her. All was good.

Until she noticed that Candace looked out of sorts. She was sitting on a bench and staring off into the distance.

"What are you looking at?" Bethanne asked as she sat down next to her.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how I've been surrounded by tons of people tonight, but I still felt a little lonely. I wish Ryan was here."

"Next year, right?"

Instead of looking relieved, she frowned. "Bethanne, Ryan's not a part of my group of friends. He's not only a cop, but he's from out of town and six years older."

"I know all that. But if it's meant to be, then you'll be together."

"Do you really think getting my parents to accept him will be that easy? It's not going to be like that for you and Jay."

"I don't think it will, either. Jay and I have a past that was intertwined with a lot of hurt and brokenness. Learning to overcome those things hasn't been easy. I could be wrong, but I don't think you're looking for easy either."

Looking sheepish, she muttered, "I guess you have a point."

"Candace, you've done hard things before. You've had big dreams that other girls in your high school didn't want to think about. You've wanted to go to college, and you entered a beauty pageant to make completing your degree possible. If this man is worthy, then everyone you know will think he's perfect for you."

She sniffed. "Great. Now you're going to make me cry."

"I didn't mean to do that. I just want you to realize that I believe in you."

"I believe in you too, Bethy," she said as she gave her a hug. When she pulled away, she added, "Now, I'm getting tired, so I think I'm going to take off."

"How will you get home?"

"In my car. I parked down the road. I wanted to leave some space close to your house for older people when they arrived."

Clouds had started forming about an hour ago. They hid some of the brightest stars and the moon. She hated the idea of Candace driving home alone in the dark. "Should we tell your parents that you're going to go?"

Her eyes widened. "No way. If I leave, they're going to ask why I don't want to stay later, or they'll try to leave too."

"Or, worse, try to guilt you into staying and cleaning up." She winked.

"I didn't want to say it, but I was thinking the same thing."

"If you're tired, you should go." Standing up, Bethanne held out her hand. "Come on. I'll walk down with you."

"Thanks for the offer, but there's no need to walk me to my car. I'll be fine."

"I don't mind. The smoke from the firepit is bothering my eyes anyway."

Candace hesitated for a second before nodding with obvious reluctance. "Okay, but let's compromise. You can walk me halfway. Then neither of us will be by ourselves the whole time."

"That's a plan. Now, do you have your keys?"

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 run ning around 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?"

The man jerked Bethanne's wrist painfully, but there was no need. Even if she hadn't been tied, she would've gone with her cousin without any force. "I ... I'm not leaving you, Candace."

"Oh, good. A sweet Amish girl who knows how to listen," the man said as he began to tie a knot so they were attached. "She might be just the person you need to have around you for a while. Maybe you can learn from her." When he yanked harder, Candace cried out again.

"What do you want?" Bethanne asked.

"You know what I want." He put the tip of the knife against Candace's neck. When she pulled away, Bethanne's anxiety rose.

"I don't," Candace protested. "I don't know a thing."

"Quiet." After pulling off Bethanne's kapp, the man grabbed a chunk of hair at the base of her neck and pulled hard.

Gasping in pain, she stumbled forward.

"Please," Candace begged. "Leave us alone."

He pulled them into the woods. "Do you even remember my name?"

"How could I? We've never met!"

Her answer seemed to infuriate him further as he dragged them toward an empty gully. "Of course we have." Within seconds, they were surrounded by darkness. "We know each other. All this time I've been following you. You've seen me everywhere. I know it. But you don't remember me?" A new thread of emphasis filled his tone. "I'm Scott, Candace. Don't you remember me? We knew each other in high school!" He jerked the knife.

Candace cried out as the blade pierced her skin.

"Candace!"

He turned on Bethanne. "Don't say a word. Keep quiet or I'll kill you and leave you here."

"Where are we going?" Candace asked.

"Someplace safe. Someplace no one will find you." Scott lowered his voice as he pulled them deeper into the woods. "Someplace where you're going to learn to forget about that cop."

Bethanne's dress kept getting caught on brambles and twigs. Each time the fabric snagged and released, a loud snap reverberated through the air. As they journeyed deeper and deeper into the holler, the back of her head became damp. The man's fingers had obviously pulled portions of her hair by the root and made her skin bleed.

She said nothing, though. She didn't think he was bluffing about killing her. Worse, she feared he would eventually realize that she was Candace's weak link. Candace had always been protective, and Bethanne feared her cousin would do just about anything to keep her safe from harm. And that, Bethanne realized, was the crux of it all. Here she'd spent years attempting to get past what Peter did, but now she might be the one who would inadvertently betray Candace.

Worse, she could only imagine what this man intended to do to her cousin. She wished her imagination wasn't as vivid as it was.