The Missing Will (8 page)

Joel stopped when he got to the house, then turned to face them. “If you kids and your friend want to jump on the trampoline, that’s fine with me, but I’ve got things I need to do in the house. So unless you have to use the bathroom or get a drink, would you please stay outside? I don’t want to be disturbed.”

They nodded soberly.

“By the way, where’s Glen? I didn’t see his horse in the barn.”

“Guess he ain’t home from church yet,” Doug answered. “He has farther to go than we do. Besides, he may have gone to his folks’ house after church. Or maybe he went to visit his
aldi
.”

“Didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”

“A lot of stuff goes on here that you don’t know.” Doug’s tone was so matter of fact, it took Joel by surprise.

He frowned. “I’m sure there is.”

Scott tapped Joel’s arm. “Ya know, Uncle Joel, if ya smiled once in a while, people might like you better.”

Taken aback, Joel forced a hard smile. “Maybe you’re right, but I don’t have much to smile about these days.”

“There’s always something to smile about. Our daed says laughter’s good medicine.” Doug rocked back slightly on his heels as he looked up at Joel. “In case ya didn’t know, that’s right outa the Bible.”

Joel rolled his eyes as he bit the inside of his cheek. If he hung around here much longer, one or both of the boys would probably follow him inside and start preaching or quoting more scriptures at him. He glanced at his truck, still parked by the barn. Since Glen hadn’t returned from church yet, Joel thought he should probably stick around. Arlene had allowed her children to come here because she assumed Elsie’s oldest son would be available if there was a problem.

Joel mulled things over a few minutes, until his heart hardened.
This isn’t my problem. Arlene should have made sure Glen was here before she allowed her kids to play on the trampoline.
He looked at his truck again.
Think I’d better head for home.
Truth was, he needed some time to unwind and didn’t want to babysit a bunch of kids.
Maybe I’ll go for a run or head over to one of the fitness centers that are open on Sundays.

“Come back soon,” Scott called as Joel climbed into his truck. “And don’t forget to bring your harmonica next time.”

Joel gave a brief wave, turned the truck around, and headed up the driveway. If he didn’t hear something about Dad’s will from one of his sisters soon, he’d come back and try searching for it again.

Berlin

“It was nice having you and Brian join us for church today,” Elsie said as she and Doris sat at the kitchen table, drinking hot apple cider. The men were visiting in the living room, and the girls had gone upstairs to play in Hope’s room. Glen and Blaine had gone to see their girlfriends a short time ago.

Doris smiled. “We always enjoy visiting other districts on our off Sundays.”

“How are you feeling today? Any nausea?” Elsie swirled the steaming cider in her mug.

“Just a bit, when I first woke up. Drinking ginger tea seems to help a lot.”

“I’m glad.” Elsie raised the mug to her lips and sipped her cider, inhaling the spicy aroma. “Oh, I forgot to mention—I called Joel last night and invited him and Kristi to have supper with us one night this week.”

“What’d he say?” Doris gave her a curious look.

“I got his voice mail, so I left a message. I hope they can come. It will be nice to get to know Kristi better.”

Doris shook her head slowly. “That’s probably not going to happen.”

“How come?”

“I waited on Kristi and her mother at the restaurant the other day. She informed me that she and Joel broke up.”

Feeling a bit dazed by this news, Elsie placed her mug on the table. “How come?”

“Since we were in a public place, and I was working, it didn’t seem appropriate to ask for details,” Doris replied. “Kristi did say I could call and she would fill me in.”

“Have you done that yet?”

“No, but I plan to sometime this week.”

Elsie tapped her fingers, pondering the situation. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the breakup was Joel’s fault. He can be so insensitive sometimes.”

Doris’s mouth twisted grimly. “I know. Just ask Anna how badly he hurt her.”

Elsie stared at the table. “I hate to say this, but both Kristi and Anna are better off without him. Unless Joel gets his life straightened around, he will probably never have a happy, meaningful relationship with a woman.”

Akron

Kristi breathed deeply as she jogged down the trail. She felt exhilarated whenever she ran, and today was no exception. Time and keeping busy seemed to help get her through the breakup with Joel. She hadn’t forgotten about him, of course—that would take a while. But her emotions were more stable, and she didn’t think about him all the time, the way she had at first.
I did the right thing,
she reminded herself once more.
Joel isn’t the right man for me.

Up ahead, Kristi spotted one of her friends from church. “Hey, Sandy,” she called. “Wait for me!”

Sandy slowed to a walk until Kristi caught up; then they ran side-by-side. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one needing some fresh air and exercise today.” She pulled on her hairband and tightened her ponytail.

“Jogging won’t be nearly as much fun once the colder winter months set in.” Kristi shivered, thinking about it. “I’ll probably get most of my exercise at the fitness center.”

“Not to change the subject or anything,” Sandy said, “but I haven’t seen Joel in church with you the last few weeks. Has he been sick?”

Kristi cringed. “Guess you haven’t heard…” She drew in a sharp breath before continuing to speak. “Joel and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Sandy kept her eyes on the trail in front of her. “Any chance you might get back together?”

“No, our relationship is over.” Kristi was glad her friend didn’t pursue the topic. Talking about Joel made her feel worse.

Slowing her pace, Sandy glanced at her watch. “Well, it’s almost four o’clock. Guess I’d better head home before Ed comes looking for me. He was watching a game on TV when I left, but he’s probably getting hungry by now.”

“Okay. I’ll see you at church next week, if not before.”

Sandy turned and headed in the direction of the parking lot, while Kristi continued down the trail. It would be getting dark soon, and she’d have to head back to her car. But for now, it felt good to run.

She’d only gone a short ways, when she came face-to-face with Joel, who’d been running in the opposite direction. “Wh–what are you doing here?” she stammered, trying to push her way past him.

Joel grasped Kristi’s arm, halting her footsteps. “Please don’t go. We need to talk.”

As he stood beside her, she saw the longing in his eyes.
That might have worked at one time, but not anymore.
Kristi wasn’t sure if her body felt hot from running or because of unexpectedly seeing Joel.
Probably both.
Shaking her arm free, she looked up at him through squinted eyes. “Did you follow me here?” Her tone was sharp, and she stepped away from him.

He shook his head vigorously. “Course not. I came here for some exercise and to wind down. How was I to know you’d be here?”

“You’ve been calling me nonstop, and you even went to see my dad, so I wouldn’t put anything past you.” Kristi’s voice trembled. It was hard to look at Joel and not be reminded of what they’d once had.
So much for keeping my emotions stable.

“I didn’t follow you here. I’ve been in Charm most of the weekend and had no idea where you were right now.” Joel slid his fingers through his scraggly beard. “Spent last night at my dad’s place, in fact.”

Her gaze flicked up. “Don’t tell me. I’ll bet you went there to look for his will. Or has it already been found?”

“No, it hasn’t. That’s why I decided to take charge and search for it myself.” He paused. “My sisters don’t understand how important it is for me to find the will. My situation is far more complicated than theirs, and they don’t get how much stress I’m under right now.”

“If you need money so bad, then sell your fancy Corvette.”

“I can’t do that. I’ve waited a long time to have the car of my dreams.” A muscle on the side of Joel’s neck quivered as he folded his arms. “I deserve my share of that inheritance.”

Kristi didn’t comment. What would be the point? Joel’s focus was still on money. It seemed to be what drove him to do things that hurt other people. As much as it upset her to see him again, she was glad they’d crossed paths today. It was the reminder she needed that she’d done the right thing by breaking their engagement.

“I can’t talk to you anymore, Joel. I need to go.” Kristi turned abruptly and sprinted up the trail in the direction of the parking lot. She glanced back briefly and felt relieved that Joel wasn’t following her. Maybe he’d finally realized there was no chance of them getting back together. She hoped so, anyhow.

O
n Wednesday afternoon of the following week, Doris had just left the restaurant where she worked, when she saw Anna coming out of the bakery. She hurried her steps, hoping to catch up to her friend.

“It’s good to see you, Anna. How have you been?” As Doris came alongside Anna, she gave her friend’s arm a gentle squeeze.

Anna shrugged. “I’m doing okay. How about you?”

Doris smiled. “Real well. In fact, I have some
gut noochricht
.”

Anna perked up. “I’m anxious to hear it. I always appreciate good news.”

“I am im e familye weg.”

Anna gave Doris a hug. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you. When is the baby due?”

“Not till this spring. I can hardly wait.” Doris’s excitement mounted. “Brian and I didn’t think we could have any kinner, so this is a
wunner
to me.”

“You’re right, it is a miracle. I’m sure everyone in your family is happy about it.”

“My sisters know, but I haven’t told Joel.” Doris fidgeted with her purse strap. “In fact, I haven’t seen him since our daed’s funeral.”

Tugging her shawl tighter around her neck, Anna leaned forward. “Speaking of your bruder, I think I may have seen Joel Sunday afternoon—or at least someone who looked like him.”

Doris folded her arms over her stomach, tilting her head down, hoping to see a little bump. Her abdomen still appeared flat. Letting out a soft breath, she looked back at Anna. “Where did you see him?”

“On the road between Charm and Farmerstown. I was heading home from church in my open buggy, and the driver of the horse and buggy going in the opposite direction looked like Joel.”

Doris gave her head a slight shake. “It couldn’t have been him. Why would he be out riding with a horse and carriage?”

“That’s what I thought, but then as I said, it may have only been someone who resembled Joel.”

“Jah, it’s probably how it was, all right.” Doris couldn’t picture her brother going anywhere with a horse and buggy when he could ride in his car. He had enjoyed driving a horse and buggy when he was young, but he’d lost interest after driving his first car during their running-around years. Besides, if it had been Joel, which wasn’t likely, whose rig could he have been driving? Most likely, Anna thought the man she’d seen was Joel because he had been on her mind since the funeral.