Someday: 3 (Sunrise) by Karen Kingsbury Read Free Book Online

was a section of Scripture John had come back to many times in his life. When Elizabeth had cancer the first time and when Luke went through his rebellious season after the tragedy of September 11. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. . . .”
    The words expanded and filled his mind. There was always a reason why God placed a certain verse on his heart, and today was no exception. He was tired and weary. The burden of the decision before him was more than he could bear, especially on his anniversary.
    He opened his eyes, and the message seemed clearer than the late-summer sky. If the thought of marrying Elaine was too much for him, then this wasn’t the time to make that move. Instead he needed to focus on the Lord, on God’s great and mighty power to lead and guide and grant wisdom wherever it was needed. To think about God’s faithfulness. In doing so, he would be taking on the Lord’s yoke and allowing God to dictate his next step.
    For the most wonderful few seconds, John could almost feel Elizabeth sitting beside him. The memory of her was that strong. “Thirty-nine years . . .” He felt the sting of tears, but he blinked them back. A smile started in his heart and ended up tugging at his lips. Because when it came to Elizabeth, he couldn’t do anything but feel the joy of all she’d been to him and the kids. Thank You for her, God. I’m so grateful.
    He stood and gathered the strength he’d need to face the day. As he did, he heard the words once more. “Come to me, all you who are weary. . . .” He’d spend the day looking at pictures and calling his kids and reading the Bible, and he’d do it all with Elizabeth’s favorite CD of hymns playing in the background. But before too long, he’d do what he needed to do in order to be fair—both to himself and to Elaine. He’d call her and cancel their plans for tomorrow. Because until the Lord cleared up the questions clouding his heart, he had no right taking things further.
    Even with the engagement ring sitting upstairs in the velvet box.

     
    Katy was grateful for the going-away party at the Flanigans’ house because it was a diversion. Rhonda Sanders—her longtime friend and assistant CKT director—was moving to Cleveland to be near Chad Jennings, who had filled in with the production of Godspell when Katy stepped down. The two were full of energy, in love, and excited about the future. They were leaving tomorrow, and Rhonda would live with one of the CKT families near the Ohio theater. The couple would work on two productions and then get married sometime next spring.
    Katy pulled a package of frozen hamburger patties from the freezer and watched Rhonda and her fiancé, the way her friend’s eyes sparkled when she looked at Chad and the way he hung on everything she said.
    A hint of jealousy colored the moment, and Katy looked away. Rhonda and Chad would have everything Katy and Dayne could never have. Anonymity and privacy and a world where the people who watched would cheer them on, believing in them and supporting them.
    Dayne stepped out of the pantry with two enormous bags of hamburger buns. “Where does Jenny want them?” He was halfway to Katy when he must’ve seen something different in her expression. He set the buns on the granite countertop and came to her, gently touching her elbow. “What’s wrong?”
    She found a smile and looped her arm around his waist. “Sorry.” She glanced at Rhonda and Chad again. In the living room someone was playing a song from Beauty and the Beast on the piano. By the sound of it, a roomful of kids provided the vocals. She let the noise around her fade. “Just wishing.”
    Dayne followed her gaze, and he seemed to understand at almost the same time. “That we could be them . . . ?”
    “Not really.” She turned back to Dayne. “For someday.”
    A dozen kids ran past, squealing and laughing and chasing a handful of others.
    Dayne didn’t seem to