The Selfless Act by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page A

back. About halfway down, he spotted her, sitting beside a man with blond hair. He wasn’t her dad.
    Joel’s heart started to pound, and his nerves wavered. Kristi’s folks sat in the pew behind them, and the blond-headed guy was leaning close to Kristi, as though he was whispering something in her ear.
    I’m too late.
Joel’s jaw clenched so hard his teeth clicked together.
She’s already found someone else.
He felt heat behind his eyes, and his shoulders slumped in defeat.
Kristi.
Clutching his arm toward his chest, Joel turned and hurried out the door. This would be the last time he’d ever set foot in this church. It would also be the final time he’d try to make contact with her. He definitely needed to move on.

C HAPTER 6
Farmerstown
    I t was nice having you and your family visit our church today,” Arlene said as she and Elsie sat in the kitchen together, drinking tea. “And I’m glad you came here afterward so we’d have more time to chat.” She reached down and patted Bristleface’s head. He leaned against her chair, seeming to absorb the sweet attention.
    “It’s always good to visit with family.” Elsie smiled, although there was no sparkle in her eyes. “I see Scott’s new pet has taken a liking to you.”
    “Jah, this little terrier knows when he’s got it made.” Arlene wondered if her sister was trying to put on a brave front by talking about things other than what was actually on her mind. Elsie hadn’t been the same since their house burned down. Arlene certainly understood how hard it could be to remain cheerful when tragedies occurred. Adding more tea to her near-empty cup, she said, “I wish Doris and Brian could have joined us, too.”
    “It would have been nice, but since Brian is down with the flu, I’m sure Doris didn’t even go to their own church service today.”
    “It’s understandable. She needs to take care of him. I hope for her sake she doesn’t get sick, too.” Arlene tapped the side of her mug.
    Elsie added half a spoonful of sugar to her tea and stirred it around. “I’m glad her leg has finally healed and she’s able to work at the restaurant again. I think she missed it, and with hospital and doctor bills to pay, they need the extra money coming in.”
    “How well I know.” Arlene sighed. “I think we’ll be paying on Scott’s hospital bill till the end of this year.”
    “We all need money right now.” Elsie bit her bottom lip. “I don’t mean to sound greedy, but it would sure be nice if we could all open our envelopes to see how much Dad left us.” She looked out the window, watching the birds eating from one of the feeders.
    Arlene cleared her throat. “I’m sure he gave us equal shares of whatever his assets are, but if Joel doesn’t do something we can all agree is a heartfelt, selfless act, we may never get whatever Dad wanted us to have.”
    Elsie drank some tea, then added a bit more sugar. “Have you heard anything from Joel lately?” she asked, looking back at her sister.
    “No. Have you?”
    “Huh-uh. Not since he came by a few weeks ago to see if we all liked our Christmas presents. I think he was hoping we’d say his gift-giving was a selfless act.” Elsie pushed her chair back a ways to cross her legs.
    Arlene folded her arms. “Same thing for when he gave Scott the dog. I heard from Aunt Verna a few weeks after that, and she said Joel had called and told her what he’d done.”
    “What’d she say in response?”
    “Not a lot. Just said she told Joel she thought Scott would enjoy having the dog, but it wasn’t a selfless act.”
    “Maybe our bruder isn’t capable of doing something completely selfless. Whatever he’s done so far has been with an ulterior motive.” Elsie blew out a breath, rattling her lips. “He’s trying too hard, and it’s not heartfelt.”
    “What’s not heartfelt?” Scott asked when he entered the room and squatted beside his dog.
    “Nothing, Son.” Arlene pointed at the terrier,