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“Oh, of course she’s behaving. Ari’s such a good girl. This isn’t about her.”

That was welcome news, and yet Patience’s fingers curled more tightly around the handle of her cup. “Then what is it?”

Sobering, Glenda stared down into her latte for a few seconds before lifting her gaze. “I don’t think Jack and I are going to make it.”

Oh God. Ari had been dead-on. Patience shouldn’t have doubted her. After all, she spent a good deal of time with Jack and Glenda.

Patience rested her elbows on the table while rubbing her temples. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I know it’s strange that I would come to you about this. I just… I don’t know where else to turn. You’ve always been there for me—”

“You mean, before you married my ex-husband?” Patience broke in.

Glenda flinched. “I know. I shouldn’t have. I feel terrible about how everything went down. But it’s been five years! And I’ve apologized several times. I don’t know what more I can do.” She offered Patience a sheepish expression. “I thought maybe you’d be able to forgive me.”

Letting go of her coffee, Patience sat up straight. “I have forgiven you, Glenda. I’ve done everything I can to be kind and accepting and to make our current situation work—no matter how it made me feel to have lost both my husband and my best friend, essentially at the same time. But just because I’ve forgiven you doesn’t mean I can simply pick up where we left off. Since you already chose Jack over me, I’d stick with that decision and…and try to make it work.”

Glenda gaped at her. Apparently, that wasn’t the response she’d been expecting. “I have!” she said. “But we’re fighting constantly, can barely say a civil word to each other!”

Patience stood. She didn’t want to hear any more and didn’t know what else to do except leave. She wasn’t the one who should be having to deal with this. “Glenda, I’m really sorry. But I’d rather not be dragged into the trouble you’re having in your marriage, okay? I want what’s best for you and Jack—would never wish either of you ill—but I’ve moved on.”

“And you think I was a bad friend? People make mistakes. What about all those things your father teaches about forgiveness?”

“I told you, I have forgiven you.”

Glenda leaped out of her seat. “No, you haven’t. You’re glad things aren’t working out! You’re probably hoping to get him back after we split up. Don’t think I haven’t seen the checks he’s been writing you!”

Kanon glanced up to see what all the ruckus was about, but Patience tried to ignore that. “He hasn’t been writing me checks!” she said. “He’s been donating money to the Christmas festival, just like everyone else.”

“No, not like everyone else. I bet you haven’t given one dime!”

Patience pressed a hand to her chest. She’d only agreed to this meeting to be nice, to try to keep the peace, but she’d definitely made a mistake coming here. “I haven’t had any money to donate, but I’ve given countless hours to save this town!”

“To save this town? Or become the town darling?” Tossing her head, she batted her eyelids mockingly. “The one everyone loves and praises!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Patience said. “I’m only trying to help! And I’m terrified that it won’t work, that everything we’re doing will be a total waste and it’ll be all my fault!”

Glenda shoved a finger a few inches from Patience’s face. “It will be your fault! Maybe it’s time little Goody-Two-shoes understands what it feels like to make a mistake. I’ve been such a good stepmom to your daughter, and this is how you treat me?”

The shop was now quiet around them, except for the grinder, which whirred loudly in the sudden silence. But Patience was too upset to lower her voice. “You slept with Jack before the divorce papers could even arrive!”

Glenda threw up her hands. “So? What does that matter? Your marriage was over, Patience!”

“You were my best friend! I trusted you, and you used everything I told you to step into my place!”

“That’s a lie! Jack told me I was the one he wanted all along and that getting you pregnant was the worst mistake he ever made!”

Glenda was the one person who knew Patience’s worst fear—her greatest insecurity—had always been feeling as if Jack wouldn’t have married her if not for Ari. And she’d just used that knowledge against her.

That was why Patience could never trust her again.

Patience was so upset she could feel her legs trembling. And since Kanon was watching them, she was embarrassed on top of everything else. She wanted to let Glenda have it—at last. But she couldn’t make any more of a scene than they’d already made. It wasn’t fair to Demin. Besides, she had to think of the future—of Ari and Jack and how it might make their situation worse if she didn’t watch her temper.

Forcing back a tidal wave of emotion, she spoke as calmly as she could. “I’m sorry that you and Jack are having trouble. I—I hope you can work it out.” She drew a shuddering breath, praying she could retain her composure for just a few more seconds. “I do appreciate that you’ve been a good stepmom to Ari. I… I hope that won’t change,” she said. Whirling around, she ignored Kanon’s arched eyebrows and passed a stunned Demin on the way out.

Chapter Five

After leaving the coffee shop, Patience walked two blocks to the town square and spent an hour rambling around the giant park with its outdoor Christmas tree—something that’d cost the town a fortune but was the centerpiece of the upcoming festival. She was the only one there. It was so cold she could see her breath, but she didn’t want to go home with red, swollen eyes. She was afraid Ari would notice and ask what was wrong.