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money and schedules and employees, and not enough time on the pain in her joints, the smiles on her grandchildren’s faces, and the comfort of her couch at home.
    Her goals had become about taxes and profits, not about taking trips or starting hobbies.
    Something needed to change, but she just wasn’t sure what to do. How did one go about changing a life?
    Her four children would say that she’d brought this on herself. Harrison had left her enough money to take care of her needs for the rest of her life. It had been her stubbornness and a desire to honor her husband’s memory that had kept the restaurant going.
    Only now did she realize that while she’d been honoring Harrison’s memory, years and years had passed. Her children had married and had children of their own. Far too many times she’d put off visits to them because of her many commitments at the restaurant.
    A playful wave in front of her nose brought her back to reality. “Jana, you planning to give me my change anytime soon?”
    With a start, Jana realized she’d been clutching her friend Pippa Reyes’s ten-dollar bill like it was a lifeline. “I’m sorry, Pippa. It’s been a long day.”
    Pippa gazed at her in concern. “That’s not good, my friend. It’s barely three o’clock.”
    Jana tried to laugh it off. “Yes. It really is not good.”
    Pippa reached out and patted her hand. “Why don’t you come over to my house tonight? I’ll make you some tamales and we’ll talk. I’ll be more than happy to help you in any way I can.”
    Pippa Reyes was a new transplant to Sugarcreek. Her brother worked at the brickyard and had often commented to her over the years about how much he enjoyed the wholesome, quiet and quaint atmosphere of the Midwestern town.
    Pippa, still recovering from a painful divorce, had seized upon her brother’s invitation to join him and his wife in Sugarcreek.
    In short order, she’d found an apartment in the middle of town, gotten a part-time job at the Walmart in Millersburg, and had settled into life in rural Ohio.
    She and Jana had started talking one afternoon over a slice of pie and had soon discovered that they had many things in common. Now they got together once or twice a week and caught up on the latest news. Jana considered Pippa to be her best friend.
    Though Jana knew spending some time with her girlfriend would be wonderful, she simply didn’t know how she was going to be able to fit in one more thing with her schedule. “I’d love to come over, but tonight’s not good.”
    â€œMake time. I’m worried about you,” Pippa said, her voice lilting the way it did whenever she grew concerned about something. “I think you need a friend right now.” After a second she added her trump card. “Besides, in addition to making tamales, I’ve got cheese enchiladas and pintos in the fridge. Manny came over with his boys yesterday, and I have leftovers.”
    There were some things Jana just wasn’t strong enough to resist. And tamales and cheese enchiladas were one. They sounded wonderful; so completely different from the kind of food they served at the inn. She smiled at her friend. “Is eight o’clock too late? I’ve got a meeting with the accountant at five o’clock and I don’t know how long it will take.”
    The dimple in Pippa’s cheek appeared. “It’s not too late at all. I’ll have a plate waiting for you.”
    â€œBless you, Pippa.”
    Her girlfriend playfully shook her finger at her. “Just don’t forget. You need some time to rest and relax. I’m sure of it, chica .”
    Looking around the restaurant, Jana smiled wanly. For the record, she was sure about that, too. She needed to make a change very soon. Very, very soon.

chapter three
    It was taking every ounce of strength Judith Knox had not to reach out and