The Runaway Pastor's Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

know. I’m kinda surprised she’s not home yet.
She’s always home for dinner. Must have gotten delayed or something.
    “So how’s school going?” David asked, his
eyelids heavy as his head sunk into Max’s pillow.
    “I got an A plus on my physics exam today. Not
bad, eh?”
    David sat up to give his son a high five.
“That’s great! Physics is brutal. You must have inherited your mother’s knack
for academic genius. I’m impressed! Good for you, Max.”
    “Yeah, well, you wouldn’t believe how hard I
studied for it. Totally out of character for me.”
    Smiling, David stood up and tousled his son’s
dark hair. “Totally just like you. I’m really proud of you.”
    “Is it time to eat yet? I’m starving.”
    “Pretty soon. I’m going to take a couple minutes
to clean up and get comfortable.” David was halfway to the master bedroom,
already kicking off his shoes. He tossed his briefcase on the chair and sat
down on the side of the bed. Pulling off his golf shirt, he fell back across
the white comforter.
    Don’t shut your eyes or you’ll be snoring with
your next breath .He knew without question he could sleep
for a month if given the chance. I’ve got to start running
again. Get back in shape. I’m not 101 . . . yet.
    Turning his head slightly to his left, he
noticed an ivory envelope leaning against the pillow sham. He smiled lazily. A
note from Annie. It’s been a long time. He reached for the envelope and was
surprised to find no trace of her familiar cologne.
    “Daddy, will you play some Go Fish with me
before dinner?” Jessie yelled up the stairs.
    “I’ll be down in a minute, pumpkin,” David
answered through a yawn as he opened the letter. His thoughts drifted back to
other notes Annie had left him over the years.
     
    Surprise!
    The kids are spending the night
at your parents’ house,
    We have 7:00 reservations at Giovanni’s,
    and I have you all to myself
    for the next 24 glorious hours!
     
    But his favorite had been the note he found
tucked inside his briefcase one Friday morning several years ago. The poetry
was corny, but the message was unforgettable.
     
    Roses are red,
    Violets are blue,
    The Love Boat sails at seven,
    AND I’M KIDNAPPING YOU!!!
     
    Within moments,Annie had suddenly
appeared, whisking him off on a cruise for seven of the most wonderful days and
nights of his life. He could almost feel the sea breeze against his face as he
began to read.
     
    Dear David,
    It’s
not like me to leave this note for you instead of explaining myself face to
face. We were once able to talk about everything, good or bad. It was one of
the first things that attracted me to you—your ability to be real and open and
honest, straightforward. But I can’t face you this time. Not that you could
spare the time to listen anyway.
    I have
to get away for a while. I’m on the verge of losing my mind and don’t know what
else to do. I’ve been hanging on by one tiny, single thread, and now the thread
has unraveled.
    By the
time you read this I’ll be on a plane. I will not tell you where I’m going
because I don’t want you coming after me. I’ve made all the necessary
arrangements, and there is no reason for you to worry. I will call you when I’m
ready to talk.  Just pray for me.
    I know
Caroline will be anxious to help out with the kids, and it will be good for her
to stay busy. The anniversary of your father’s death is coming up, if you
recall. She needs to be close to you and the kids right now.
    I have
no idea how long I’ll be gone. I need time to sort everything out. There’s a
malignancy of bitterness and jealousy and even hatred toward the church that is
devouring me. I blame the church, I blame you, and I blame God for taking you
away from me and the kids, and I don’t know what to do with all that. The guilt
of that realization alone has almost destroyed me.
    I don’t
even know who you are anymore. The man I married disappeared and I can’t find
him anywhere. As