“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you told me. I noticed your ring the day we met, and I wondered if you were a widow.”

She examined the sparkling stones. “Steve’s very much alive—and we’re still married. For now.”

“Has he tried to reconnect?”

“I asked for space, and he’s respected my wishes. But he sends a card or note every week or two. None of which I’ve read. They’re in a box in my closet.”

“So you haven’t thrown them away.” That was telling, whether Beth was willing to acknowledge it or not.

“No. I expect I will one of these days.”

“Without reading them?”

“Why bother? Nothing’s changed.”

“Maybe Steve has.”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “For years, I clung to that hope—but I finally accepted the truth of the old adage. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.”

Another conviction Jack appeared to share with Beth.

Christi’s spirits tanked.

The day that had begun on an optimistic note with the uplifting service at Grace Christian was deteriorating fast.

“I don’t know, Beth.” She pressed her finger against a stray crumb on the table. “Everything I went through changed me. I used to be spoiled and selfish and a bit of a snob.” At the very least.

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Believe it. I wasn’t a nice person. I also hurt someone very badly—a regret I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. By the grace of God, I learned from my mistakes—but it’s hard to convince people who knew me in my previous life that I’ve changed.”

“Is that why you decided to stay here? To start over? Escape the mistakes from your past?”

“Partly—but I also wanted to try and fix one of those mistakes.”

“Have you?”

“It’s a work in progress—and that’s a story for another day.” She rose. Much as she could use a sounding board to talk out her feelings about Jack, even Tasha didn’t know the details she’d always been too ashamed to verbalize. And it was doubtful Jack had shared the sordid tale with anyone either. “Would you like me to plate that and put it in the fridge for you?” She motioned toward Beth’s food.

“Yes. Thank you.” Her boss yawned. “Sorry. I’m not sleeping as well as usual with this leg. I’m overdue for a nap.”

“Do you want a hand into the bedroom? I could let myself out.”

“No. I can manage. I’ll lock up behind you. The doctor encouraged me to walk.”

Christi handed her the crutches, waited while she fitted them under her arms, and slowed her gait as Beth left the kitchen and hobbled to the front door.