The Missing Will Read Online Free Page A

need, I’d be happy to pray for you.”
    Taking a seat on the edge of Audrey’s bed, Kristi shared some of her situation with Joel, without giving all the details. Her throat felt tight and began to ache as she continued to speak. “As much as Joel wants me to take him back, I’m convinced it’s not the right thing to do.”
    Audrey’s lips pressed tightly together. “It sounds like your ex-fiancé needs the Lord. Have you been praying for him?”
    “Praying for him?” Heat tinged Kristi’s face. “Guess I’ve been too consumed with my anger and disappointment.” She sniffed deeply, attempting to thwart oncoming tears. “I will pray for him, but it’s time to move on. Looking back on it all now, I realize we weren’t meant to be together.”

    Joel tried calling Kristi as soon as he finished work that evening. Once again, she didn’t answer. “Big surprise,” he muttered, directing his truck onto the highway.
Think I’ll drop by her house and see if I can catch her there. I’d like to know if she got the flowers I sent.
    The last few days had been hard for Joel, with Kristi not returning his calls, and no word from Elsie about Dad’s will. On top of that, he still hadn’t landed a job big enough to cover all of his debts.
    Disappointed when he pulled up to Kristi’s house and saw that her car wasn’t there, Joel glanced at his watch. It was five o’clock.
She should’ve been home from work by now.
He scraped his fingers through his hair, noticing how greasy the roots felt.
Maybe she went to the store. Or she could have gone to the gym to work out.
    Inhaling deeply, Joel made a decision. He’d drop by Kristi’s parents’ house and see if he could enlist her dad’s help. Paul Palmer had always seemed like a reasonable fellow. Whenever he and Kristi got together with her folks in the past, Joel felt as though he and Paul had made a connection. If he could talk to him without JoAnn intervening, he might have a chance.
    He turned his truck in the direction of the Palmers’ home. When he arrived and saw a dark blue SUV parked in the driveway, he knew at least one of Kristi’s parents was there. Hopefully, it was Paul.
    Pressing his finger on the doorbell, it only took a few seconds before Paul answered the door.
    “Oh, it’s you.” The man’s cool response caused Joel to take a step back. “If you’re looking for Kristi, she’s not here.”
    “No, I…uh…was hoping I could talk to you.”
    Paul’s blue eyes narrowed as he peered at Joel over the top of his reading glasses. “About what?”
    “About me and Kristi.” Joel moistened his lips with his tongue. “She won’t respond to any of my calls, and—”
    Paul held up his hand, leaning against the door frame. “Can you blame her, Joel? You’ve shattered her trust, and she’s deeply hurt.”
    Joel blinked a couple of times to refocus his vision. His eyes felt gritty from lack of sleep. “I realize that, but I need another chance to prove myself.” He shifted from one foot to another. “Would you speak to her on my behalf? Tell her how sorry I am and that I’d like to start over?”
    Paul’s lips pressed together as he shook his head. “I won’t play go-between for you. It would be best if you leave Kristi alone and move on with your life so she can do the same.”
    Scowling, Joel felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest as he turned away. “Thanks for nothing.” He stomped off the porch, gritting his teeth as he made his way back to his vehicle.
There has to be something I can do to get Kristi back. I need to figure out how to make her see she can’t live without me.

C HAPTER 4
Berlin, Ohio
    D oris turned toward the kitchen window, smiling when she saw it was no longer raining. Some puddles remained in the yard, rippling occasionally from the slight wind blowing leaves about.
Guess I’ll go to the phone shack to check for messages.
    She glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was six-thirty. Brian would be in from