“Yeah.” She sniffled and pulled a tissue out of her pocket. “Where were we?”

“You were talking about the sparks between you and Jeff.”

“Right. In the end, I was the one who took the initiative—and the plunge.” She linked her fingers and leaned forward. “Here’s the conclusion I came to, for whatever it’s worth. I knew Jeff could end up not being The One, but the electricity between us told me the guy I was dating, safe and nice as he was, wasn’t the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. If I stayed with him, I’d be settling. And I didn’t want to do that. You shouldn’t either. It wouldn’t be fair to you or Becky.”

“But is it fair to her to add a breakup to all the trauma she’s been through these past twelve months—some of it thanks to me?”

“The accident wasn’t your fault.”

“It was, in a roundabout way.”

“That’s misplaced guilt talking, and guilt won’t sustain a marriage over the long term. In fact, it could lead to resentment.” Kathleen leaned closer. “Let me ask you this. Do you feel the same about her as you do about this new woman you’ve met?”

He shifted in his seat. “That’s not a fair question. I don’t even know this new woman.”

“Do you want to know her?”

Oh yeah.

“That’s what I thought.” She dropped back in her chair. “Staying with Becky would be safe, but I don’t think that’s how you’re wired. And you’ll hurt her worse if you continue down a road that seems like a dead end.”

He took a sip of his coffee. “Dead end is strong language.”

“But accurate, based on the evidence.”

“What evidence?”

“You’re the cop. Figure it out.” She rose. “You want more coffee?”

“No.” He drained his mug and stood too. “I’m going to go home and finish sanding the kitchen cabinets.”

“Not a very exciting conclusion to the weekend.” She took his mug and set it in the dishwasher.

“I had enough excitement overseas to last a lifetime, and I get more than my share every day as sheriff. Sanding cabinets will be a perfect end to my weekend.”

“If you say so. But maybe you could spice up your rehabbing in the future with some company—of the female variety.”

“I’ll take that under advisement.”

She rolled her eyes. “Go home. And work on the situation with Becky. She already senses the relationship is on shaky ground. If I were in her position, I’d prefer a clean break. And it wouldn’t hurt to throw a few prayers into the mix, either, as you straighten this out.” She walked toward the door, and he followed.

“Thanks for the dinner—and the advice.” He stopped on the threshold.

“That’s what sisters-in-law are for. Call me with an update.”

“I will.” He gave her a hug, walked to his Jeep, and lifted his hand in farewell.

And as he drove down the long, dusty drive that led from the home of his youth to the main road, he made a resolution.