The Divided Family Read Online Free Page B

the details, but I don’t think Joel and Kristi will be getting back together.”
    “Can you tell me this much—did he break up with her, the same way as he did me?”
    “No, it was Kristi who ended their relationship.”
    Anna glanced out the window, then looked directly at Doris. “Do you think …? Is there any chance Joel might return to the Amish faith?”
    “I honestly doubt it.” Doris wanted to say there was a possibility Joel might return and show an interest in Anna again, but he had given no signs of making such a change. Even if he had, she couldn’t imagine him giving up his modern ways for the plain life—not after he’d been gone for more than seven years.
    “I need to forget about Joel and move on with my life, don’t I?” Anna’s chin quivered.
    “Jah, I believe you should. It’s the right thing to do.”

    Akron
    As Joel left the jobsite and headed for the bank, he felt thankful he was finally able to work again; although he still had to take it easy. The last thing he wanted to do was reinjure his back and end up out of commission once more. He’d been paid for the first half of a kitchen remodel and wanted to put the money in the bank.
    I’ll put it in our joint account,
he decided.
If Kristi checks on the balance again, and discovers I’ve put some of the money back that I previously took out, maybe she’ll decide I’m deserving of a second chance.
    A short time later, Joel pulled into a space in the bank’s parking lot and walked into the building. When he reached the first available teller, he explained, “I’d like to deposit a check into the joint account I have with Kristi Palmer.”
    When the middle-aged woman gave him a blank stare, he realized she needed the account number. Having memorized it from previous deposits he had made, Joel gave her the information.
    Peering at him through her metal-framed glasses, she let out a soft breath and turned to the computer, entering the necessary data. She looked back at Joel and squinted. “I’m sorry, sir, but that account’s been closed.”
    “What?” His arm jerked, and he felt sweat bead on his forehead. “Are—are you sure?”
    She gave a brief nod. “According to the statement on the computer, Miss Palmer closed the account several days ago.”
    That’s just great.
Joel rubbed the side of his neck.
Is she trying to send me a message?
    “Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Byler?”
    “What?” Joel jerked his head.
    She repeated herself.
    “Uh, sure. I’ll put this check in my business account.” He gave her the number and rolled his shoulders in an attempt to shake away some of the tension he felt.
Maybe it’s really over between me and Kristi. Is it time to move on with my life?

C HAPTER 4
    T he second Sunday of December found Kristi at her parents’ home, sharing a meal after church. Ever since she and Joel had broken up, Sunday dinners had become a regular occurrence. Last year during the holidays, Kristi and Joel had driven around, looking at Christmas lights. They’d picked out two trees—one to put in her condo and one for Joel’s single-wide. She remembered how they’d stayed up late to ring in the New Year, making a toast with sparkling cider at midnight. Those times together had been fun, but Kristi needed to start fresh, without Joel in the picture.
    She felt thankful her parents were Christians and had always been there when she had a need. Although the pain of losing Joel had lessened, at times she missed what they’d once had.
    “You’re not eating much today. Is the roast not tender enough?”
    Mom’s question scattered Kristi’s thoughts, and she nearly lost her grip on the fork she held. “Uh, no, it’s fine.” She took a bite of meat and blotted her lips with her napkin. “Really good, in fact.”
    “Did you get a chance to greet our new youth pastor when church let out?” Mom asked. “His name is Darin Underwood, in case you didn’t hear it when Pastor Anderson