“What happened to you, Christi?” As the blunt question spilled out, he winced. So much for subtlety and discretion.

Her lips twisted into a humorless smile. “Life.”

“That’s not an answer.”

She shrugged but offered nothing more.

Let it go, Colby. If she doesn’t want to talk, you can’t make her.

“Are you divorced? Is that why you have money issues?” Again, the questions tumbled out—suggesting his diplomacy skills needed a major overhaul.

She took a tiny step back, and despite her makeup, her complexion lost a few shades of color. “No. I never got divorced.”

Then where was her husband?

“You use your maiden name.”

“Yes.” She moistened her lips. “I intended to get divorced. He died before I could set that in motion.”

She was a widow?

Jack let out a slow breath. Losing a fortune would be traumatic. Losing a spouse as well would be devastating. No wonder she was reeling.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Her features hardened. “Say a prayer for his soul if you like. That’s what I do. But don’t feel sorry for me. My life is better without him.”

As Jack digested that, a disturbing suspicion began to niggle at him. “Was he abusive?”

“He never hit me, if that’s what you’re asking.” She twisted her wrist to display her watch. A plain, vanilla timepiece. Nothing like the diamond-encrusted piece of fine jewelry she used to wear that also happened to display the hour. “I have to finish getting ready for work. I don’t want to be late on my first day.”

Their discussion was over—and she hadn’t mentioned the loan. But it had to be on her mind, as it was on his.

“You said the loan you asked me for can wait thirty days.”

A brief flare of hope sparked in her irises. “Yes. A few less now.”

“I’ll give you an answer in the next three weeks.” Telling her no today would be like kicking someone while they were down, and he wouldn’t do that to his worst enemy. After a couple of weeks in Hope Harbor, she might be less stressed—and more able to take bad news.

“Thanks. I will pay you back. You can keep my mom’s ring until I do.” She touched the chain at her neck.

No way was he taking her mother’s ring. If he gave her a loan, it would be because he trusted her word that she’d repay him, not because he had physical collateral or—

He frowned.

Wait.

If he gave her a loan?

There was no if about it. The answer was no. He just wasn’t quite ready to lay that on her yet.

“I don’t want your mother’s ring.” He summoned up his sternest expression. “You’ve never told me why you need the money, other than a vague reference to an obligation to fulfill.”