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

distinguished
congressman appeared shortly, putting his hand gently on her shoulder. “Ready,
dear?”
    Amelia patted his hand. “Sure, Daddy. I was just
visiting with—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”
    “Where are my manners?” he apologized, tilting
his head slightly in embarrassment. “My name is Michael Dean,” he said, holding
his hand out to her. “And you must be—well, of course you are Amelia
Thomas.” Turning to her father, he continued, “Congressman, it’s an honor to
meet you as well.” He grasped Thomas’s hand firmly, smiling warmly at father
and daughter.
    The expected recognition finally hit the
statesman. “Of course! Michael Dean! I should have recognized you immediately.
You play first base for our Astros!”
    “Yes, sir, I sure do.” Michael beamed.
    The congressman continued, “Fine season last
year, son. You made us proud. It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Dean.”
    Michael pulled his hand free. “Uh, yes sir,
thank you sir, but the honor’s all mine. I wouldn’t want to seem forward, but
if you could give me a few minutes to clean up, I’d be honored to buy you and
your daughter a drink if you have the time?” Michael looked deeply into
Amelia’s soft green eyes shining beneath long, thick lashes.
    Amelia stood up, “Well, Mr. Dean—”
    “Michael. Please call me Michael.”
    Her smile widened at his familiarity. “Very
well, Michael . We thank you for the offer and perhaps we’ll meet again
and take you up on it then. Unfortunately, Daddy and I have a dinner engagement
with some rather important constituents. Otherwise, we’d be pleased to have a
drink with you. Wouldn’t we, Daddy?”
    “We certainly would, honey. Michael, we’ll take
a rain check, except we want you to be our guest up at the house. I insist. How
can we get in touch with you?”
    Michael grabbed a cocktail napkin off the bar
and borrowed the gold Cross pen that Mr. Thomas extended toward him. It was
engraved, Office of the United States House of Representatives . He
smiled at the congressman then scribbled his name and phone number and handed
it to Amelia. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Both. Anytime.” He felt
like a schoolboy meeting his prom date’s dad for the first time. “It was a
pleasure,” he added, making a quick escape.
    After a whirlwind, highly-publicized romance,
Michael and Amelia were married in one of Houston ’s most
memorable weddings. The marriage was a great fascination to Houstonians and
sports fans alike.
    For the groom, however, the fascination quickly
wore off.
    Amelia was as refined as she was beautiful. She
was educated at an expensive private college in Texas where
she belonged to the finest sorority while maintaining excellent grades. She
continued to perform all the expected roles thrust upon her as a Houston debutante. When her mother died of cancer, Amelia assumed the position as her
father’s escort to the perfunctory galas in both Texas and Washington . She
thrived in the spotlight, loving the excitement and glamour of politics.
    She was also very much in love with her handsome
husband, a baseball star and celebrity in his own right. The perfect fan,
Amelia attended every game, sitting with the wives and families of the other
players. When they kept a polite distance from her, she nonetheless made every
attempt to be one of them. She and Michael hosted several barbecues at their
estate for the players and their families. She made every possible effort to be
the best wife to Michael and best daughter to Elliot.
    Sure, she had grown more beautiful with each passing
year, but in Michael’s opinion she was still—well, boring . She was too
beautiful, too proper, and much too refined. He realized his disappointment
early in their relationship, but refused to believe it would ever be a serious
problem for him. After all, this prize had come with unlimited opportunities
and connections. What’s a little boredom at home when you have the world