“Could we take our coffees and go sit over there?” May pointed across the street to benches in a small grassy area near the parking lot.

“Or we can drive to Lake Louise. It’s not far. Take our coffees. There are lots of private places we can sit and talk.” Amelia crumpled the paper plate and napkin. “Come on, let’s go.”

Relieved, May followed Amelia to her car and in less than five minutes they were seated near the lake, where a family of ducks scrambled from the water and hastened toward them, anticipating treats. These not forthcoming, the ducks waddled back to the lake and swam away.

“May. What was it you wanted to talk about?”

The bench was hard. May crossed and uncrossed her legs. She stared past the lake at cars dimly seen through shrubbery and sighed. “Where shall I begin?”

“Anywhere,” Amelia replied. “Just start, and whatever it is, it’ll get easier.”

“You know, I’ve been seeing Pastor Denny for several months.”

Amelia remembered seeing them at the diner one day, May leaning forward, her eyes fastened on Denny, and Denny waving his hand, seemingly pontificating about something or other. She’d thought nothing of it. “Yes, and…?”

“He’s been very kind, very helpful,” May said.

“I expect he would be. He’s a kind man.”

May’s brows puckered. “Why do you think Pastor Denny isn’t married?”

Amelia finished her coffee, rose to dispose of the cup in a trash bin close at hand, then settled on the warm, thick grass. She looked up at May. “Maybe he never found the right person.”

“You’d think he’d have married long ago. He’s an attractive and caring person.”

“You considering matchmaking? Both your daughters are married, aren’t they?”

May said, “Oh no, not that. Yes, they’re both married. Not my daughters. Oh, no.” She blushed and felt utterly foolish.

Amelia waited.

May sank down beside Amelia and plucked bits of grass, discarded them, plucked more bits of grass, and discarded them. Finally, Amelia reached for one of May’s hands and cradled it in hers. “What is it, May? What’s troubling you?”

May’s slacks were green, almost the color of the grass. “It’s about Pastor Denny.” Her voice dropped and Amelia leaned closer. “And me.”

“About Pastor Denny and you?”

“I think I’ve gone and fallen in love with him.” There, I’ve said it. A heavy weight shifted from May’s shoulders to the pit of her belly. Already she regretted her admission.

Amelia looked out at the lake. Ducks were everywhere, swimming in line or in circles. “You think you’re in love with Pastor Denny?”

The floodgates opened; May could not stop. “It’s making me crazy. I can’t sleep nights for thinking about him.”

“Oh, May, my dear. Did he lead you on, encourage you?”