The Missing Will by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

on the end of Audrey’s bed. “I’ve been praying for Joel, too, but he’s still up to his old tricks.”
    Audrey tipped her head, raising a quizzical brow. “Is it something you’d like to talk about?”
    Kristi hesitated at first but then told Audrey how she’d met up with Joel when she’d been jogging at the park and that he’d said he had spent the weekend at his dad’s house, looking for the will.
    “Joel’s concentration seems to be on how he can get his hands on more money, yet when he does have money, he spends it foolishly—like he did when he bought a classic car he didn’t need. I think he’s obsessed with it.” She drew in a quick breath and released it with a huff. “Maybe my prayer for Joel will never be answered.”
    Audrey stood and moved slowly over to Kristi. Placing her hand on Kristi’s arm, she said in a confident tone, “God always answers our prayers. Sometimes it’s yes. Sometimes no. And sometimes He wants us to wait. When your faith begins to waver, dear, remember the words of Psalm 46:10: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’” She smiled pleasantly and released a soft sigh. “I am more than ready to meet the Lord.”

C HAPTER 10
    W hen Kristi entered her parents’ house to share their Thanksgiving meal, a sense of sadness enveloped her. Joel had come here with her last year to celebrate the holiday. She wondered what he was doing right now. Had he been invited to one of his sisters’ homes? Or maybe he’d gone to his friend Tom’s place to eat. She was sure he wouldn’t have spent the day at home alone, because Joel didn’t like to cook that much.
    Kristi had gone to the bank like her dad suggested, withdrawn what was left of the money, and closed her and Joel’s joint account, which the bank teller said she could do. She hoped if Joel tried to take more money out, the closed account would give him another indication that their relationship was definitely over.
    Up until a week ago, he had been calling and leaving Kristi messages almost every day. She hadn’t heard anything from him since then and wondered if he was too busy to call or had finally figured out she wasn’t going to take him back and had given up his pursuit. She hoped it was the latter, because listening to his voice messages or reading his texts was a constant reminder of her loss. It would be a lot easier to move on with her life if she didn’t hear from Joel anymore.
    The delicious aroma of turkey cooking drove Kristi’s thoughts aside, so she hung her coat in the hall closet and made her way to the kitchen.
    “Happy Thanksgiving.” Kristi gave her mother a hug. “The turkey smells delicious. Is it done?”
    “Yes, but I’m keeping it on low until the potatoes are cooked. Would you like to see how it looks?”
    “Sure, Mom.”
    Her mother grabbed a potholder and opened the oven door.
    Kristi stepped up to the stove as Mom slid the bird out far enough to remove the foil and expose the golden brown meat. “Yum! That looks and smells so good. As always, you’ve roasted a beautiful Thanksgiving turkey.”
    “Thanks, hon.” Mom put the foil back on and slid the pan into the oven again. “I hope it tastes as good as last year’s turkey.”
    “I’m sure it will.” Kristi moved over to look at the holiday wall hanging. “Is there anything you’d like me to do?”
    “Not at the moment.” Mom gestured to the stove. “The veggies are cooking, the dining-room table is set, and the salad and pies are in the refrigerator, so there’s not much to do until it’s time to serve the meal. Would you like to sit here in the kitchen while I keep an eye on things, or visit with your dad in the living room, where he’s watching TV?”
    TV. Why am I not surprised?
Kristi stared out the kitchen window with an unfocused gaze as she thought about Joel’s Amish family.
I wonder if his sisters know how fortunate they are that their husbands don’t have a television for entertainment.
Kristi didn’t