The Runaway Pastor's Wife

by Diane Moody

  “Max, look at this.” Megan pointed at the note from Denton. “The number is listed under the name ‘C. Benson.’ Does that mean anything to you?”

  He thought for a moment. “No, not off the top of my head. I assumed she was staying at a hotel or something. Is that a private residence?”

  “Sounds like it. Best way to find out is to place a call.” She looked at Max with eyes full of expectation.

  “I guess you’re right.” He picked up the note and made his way over to the extension. “What am I supposed to do if she answers? What if she doesn’t answer?”

  “Well, you can’t exactly say ‘Hey, Mom—this is Max, what’s happenin’?’” Megan mimicked. “If she thinks you know where she is, you’re gonna freak her out.”

  “She’s right,” PJ added. “You can’t say nothing. You just listen and make sure dat’s your mama’s voice who answers dat phone.”

  “Well, here goes.” Max took a deep breath then dialed the sticky cordless phone. “PJ, don’t you ever wipe your hands before you pick up the phone? This is gross.”

  “You gonna call the health department or you gonna call your mama?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Now you’ve made me forget what I’ve dialed.” He pressed the button and started over. He listened impatiently as the connection worked its way across the miles. “Okay, Mom, answer the phone.”

  “Hello?”

  Max motioned with his hand then froze.

  “Hello? Is that you, Dr. Wilkins?”

  His stomach doing a complete somersault, Max pressed the button to break the connection.

  “It was her,” he whispered.

  “Max, that’s wonderful! You found her!” Megan grabbed him, slapping him on the back.

  “Did she sound okay, your mama?”

  “Yeah . . .” He found the wooden stool and slowly sat back down. “But kind of anxious. She said ‘Is that you, Dr. Wilkins?’” He paused again, his thoughts obviously running a thousand directions at once. “I wonder if—you don’t suppose she left town because she was sick or something? What if she’s got—”

  “No, no,” PJ interrupted. “Don’t you start hopping to conclusions, Max.”

  Megan sat down again. “PJ’s right. She wouldn’t have left town if she was ill.

  Dr. Wilkins could be anybody. Maybe he’s the one who owns the place where she’s staying.”

  Max blinked back to his present surroundings. “Yeah. Maybe. At least I know where she is. Now I’ve just got to figure out how to get there.”

  Eagle’s Nest

  “Hello?”

  No response.

  “Hello? Is that you, Dr. Wilkins?”

  Click.

  Doc’s warning immediately echoed through Annie’s mind. I’m still concerned that whatever trouble Mr. Dean has gotten himself into may follow him up this mountain.

  Fear rushed through every fiber of her being. Grabbing her crutch, she hurried back out to the great room.

  “Who called?”

  She reached for her quilts. “I don’t know. They hung up.”

  Her eyes met Michael’s.

  Nothing more was said.

  CHAPTER 23

  Seminole, Florida

  “Why don’t you fly?” Megan suggested. “It would take you at least three days to drive there from here, and that’s driving straight through without stopping. No way.”

  The unlikely trio continued their strategy. They all agreed Max had to find his mother. Getting there was the problem.

  “We talked about that,” Max said, looking at PJ. Their older partner stood up again, hiking his pants above his waist and sucking in his stomach. With a cocky shake of his head, he unfolded the plan.

  “Max thought maybe he was gonna find him some money and just hop on some plane. Well, I told him that’s not gonna work on account two reasons. One, the minute his daddy realizes he’s gone, his daddy gonna call up the police and the next thing you know, they gonna be waiting for him at that airport in Colorado.” He punctuated his concern with a nod of his head.

  “Then, he gonna have to have himself a car and nooo-body gonna rent a car to a sixteen-year-old boy. Not gonna happen. Besides, the minute he pulls out that driver’s license, they gonna know he’s dat boy who’s missin’ from Florida. Am I right?” PJ thrust out his chest, hands on his hips.

  Megan stifled her grin and turned to face Max. “You know, he’s right. But what are you going to do?”

  Before he could answer, PJ jumped in. “Well now, Megan, I’m glad you asked. Come and see for yourself!” He grabbed her elbow and led her to the back door. He threw it open then once outside, he rushed to strike a pose. “Ta-daaaaa!” Waving a broad sweep of his hands, PJ presented the getaway car: his very own 1968 Volkswagen bus.

  Megan’s mouth fell open. Her face registered a mix of disbelief and suppressed laughter. “Uh . . . PJ! This is really . . . nice?” She turned to her boyfriend. “So you’re planning to drive to Colorado. In a hippie bus?”

  Max laughed. “Isn’t it great?” He walked over to slide open the side door. “And get a load of this—PJ fixed it up so I can sleep in it and everything. If I get tired, I can just pull off at some rest stop or truck stop and climb in back for a couple of hours. It’s got everything—a small refrigerator, a mattress, pillow—”

  Megan peeked into the van over Max’s shoulder. “PJ, where on earth did you find this carpet?” Avocado shag lined the floor, walls and inside roof of the vintage vehicle.

  He beamed. “Nice, huh?”

  “Oh, very! And I suppose it has a tape deck so you can play some really groovy music?” She smiled at Max, trying desperate not to laugh.

  “Eight-track in mint condition!” PJ’s bushy eyebrows danced again.

  “And PJ has offered to send his lifetime collection of polka music along for the ride. I mean, admit it, Megan. It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

  PJ snapped his fingers. “Oh! I’ll get that case of tapes right now!” He rushed back into the kitchen.

  Max hung his arm across Megan’s shoulder and looked at her, the mischief playing across his face. Before she could speak, they both burst into laughter.

  “Max, are you really—”

  “Yes, Megan, I’m really going to do it.” He grinned with assurance. “And if it wouldn’t shock everyone in the whole western hemisphere, not to mention the church and school, I’d take you along with me.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Sorry, no can do.”

  “’Cause I know how you like ‘dos polkas, Miss Megan,” Max teased in his horrible attempt at a Polish accent as he swept her into a silly dance.

  CHAPTER 24

  Seminole, Florida

  Caroline sat quietly in the slip-covered chair, her legs stretched out comfortably on the matching ottoman. Peering out the windows of the quaint guest room, she could see the empty flowerbeds lining the back yard privacy fence. Faded winter mulch seemed to beg for the kaleidoscope of the impatiens, vinca, coneflowers, and zinnias Annie would plant with the arrival of spring. Morning’s first light uncovered a thick blanket of grass the color of winter wheat. The weathered beams of the jungle gym stood guard like a silent fortress, its two lonesome swings tracing a lonely pattern in the early morning breeze.

  A weary sigh escaped her wondering thoughts. Her hands rested on the Bible in her lap, palms pressed lightly against the worn pages as if willing the answers she sought to absorb through her fingertips. She’d exhausted her prayers. Now only the silent language deep in her soul could communicate the cries of her heart. She knew nothing else to do at this point. It was all in God’s hands. Caroline rested her head back against the soft chair and closed her eyes. The long hours had eclipsed the night. It was time to face another day.

  A quiet knock on her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts. “Come in.”

  A sleepy-eyed vision of pink flannel and soft curls padded across the room and into her lap. Jessie clutched the form of her stuffed kangaroo and burrowed
into her grandmother’s warm embrace. Caroline pulled the cream-colored afghan to cover them both. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

  “Uh-hum.”

  “What’s my beautiful granddaughter doing up so early this morning?”

  Jessie yawned. “I don’t know. I just woke up. Didn’t want to go in Mommy and Daddy’s room so I came in here.”

  “Now, why wouldn’t you want to go in your mommy and daddy’s room?”

  Jessie shrugged.

  Caroline glanced down at the cherubic countenance. She hugged her granddaughter tighter and took a deep breath.

  They sat in silence. Finally, Jessie squirmed a little then asked, “Where’s Max?”

  “What do you mean, honey?”

  “I walked by his room and his door was open just a little bit and I peeked inside and he’s not in there.”

  Caroline didn’t like the sick feeling washing over her, but swallowed her angst. “Jessie, let’s you and I go check it out and see what he’s up to, okay?”

  The first thing to catch Caroline’s eye was the framed photograph of Megan and Max noticeably missing from his bedside table. She hurried over to his closet, throwing open the louvered doors. Her eyes flew to the top shelf above his rack of clothes—his Nike duffle bag noticeably missing. Max used it whenever he traveled.

  “What’s the matter, Gran?” Jessie grasped her Caroline’s hand. “Why did you moan like that?”

  Caroline faced her. “Oh sweetie, I’m afraid your brother has taken off. And I have a feeling I know where he’s gone.”

  Jessie started to whimper as she clung to Caroline’s waist.

  “Shhh. Jessie, I’m right here and I’m not going to leave you.” She grabbed her granddaughter’s hand and held it tight. “Let’s find out what this is all about.” They peeked in Jeremy’s room, relieved to find him snoring softly. They listened at David’s door and could hear a much louder version of the same snore. A sad smile played across Caroline’s lips.

  They slowly descended the stairs together in silence. The house seemed unusually quiet, almost reverent somehow, as they made their way to the kitchen. Snickers waited eagerly at the back door until Jessie let her out. Caroline noticed the crocodile tears still brimming on her granddaughter’s eyes as she looked back toward her.

  Caroline’s heart ached as she looked around the room hoping to find a note or some indication of Max’s whereabouts. Nothing was out of place, nor was there any sign of a note. Heaving another sigh, Caroline searched her heart for answers. Now what? How am I going to tell David? Was it really just yesterday he lost it over that headline?

  Headline? Oh Lord, please don’t let there be another headline this morning. Stealing a look out the kitchen window, Caroline grimaced at the vacant spot where Max always parked his car. “Jessie, why don’t you pour us both a nice glass of orange juice? I’m going out to get the paper, then I’ll come back and fix us some breakfast. How does that sound, honey?”

  Damp eyes the size of saucers stared at her beneath a crinkled brow. Caroline headed for the front door. Opening it, she felt Jessie’s presence behind her like a shadow.

  “Don’t leave me, Gran,” Jessie warbled.

  She dropped to her knees, scooping Jessie into her arms. They hugged for several moments, Caroline breathing in the sweet fragrance of her granddaughter’s curls. She pulled back and with her index finger, lifted Jessie’s chin so they could look into each other’s eyes.

  “Jessie, you can stick to me like super glue if that’ll make you feel better. C’mon. Let’s get the paper and hurry back in before the wind blows up our nightgowns!” At long last, she heard a tiny giggle escape as they dashed outside. Once back inside with the door safely shut, she grasped Jessie’s hand and led her toward the kitchen. Heavy, slow steps descended the stairs behind them. She swallowed and uttered an unspoken prayer.

  “Mom?”

  The husky tone of her son’s voice gripped her, but she fought the threatening wave of emotion. “Yes, dear? We’re out here in the kitchen.”

  David looked awful. He had aged a hundred years in his mother’s eyes. Appearing at the kitchen door, the dark circles under his eyes testified to another restless night.

  “Jessie and I are going to have some breakfast. Would you like to join us?” she asked in a voice a little too cheerful.

  “Sure. Thanks,” he mumbled, sitting down at the table. “Did I miss Annie’s call last night?”

  Caroline busied herself gathering the ingredients for pancakes. “No, honey, I’m afraid she didn’t call.”

  David looked at his mother. “Do you realize it’s been three days now since she called?”

  “Daddy, is Mommy all right?” Jessie interrupted, her voice hushed with apprehension. “You said she was just away on a little vacation.” Her innocent eyes pleaded for truth.

  Caroline watched them as she whisked the pancake batter. David took a long, deep breath and rubbed his eyes. His face still buried in his hands, he answered softly. “Pumpkin, she really is on a vacation like I told you. She’s gone away to rest and think and pray, which is something we could all use about now.” He looked up at his daughter’s worried countenance. “The only thing is, she didn’t tell us where she went.”

  They could see the words slowly drifting through Jessie’s thoughts. Her eyebrows drew together in two miniature creases. “You mean she’s lost and you can’t find her?”

  David paused for a moment. “Well, yes, I guess you could say it’s something like that. Except that Mommy’s not lost—we’re the ones who don’t know where she is.” He looked to his mother for help.

  “Oh, sweetie, we just need to pray for Mommy and at the same time ask God to bring her home to us. I’m sure she’s somewhere safe and sound, and . . . and probably catching up on her sleep and just forgot to call,” she finished with gaining speed. She turned around and poured the first six pancakes onto the griddle, avoiding further questions.

  “But Daddy?”

  Caroline peeked over her shoulder as David reached across the table to grasp his daughter’s hand in reassurance. “Jessie, Gran’s right. There’s no reason for us to worry. She promised to take care of herself and we’ve all asked God to take care of her, so we just need to practice our trust a little more. Right? Don’t you think God’s big enough to watch over our Mommy for us even when we don’t know where exactly she might be?” He nodded in affirmation to convince those questioning blue eyes.

  “Well said, Pastor.” Practice what you preach, she thought.

  “Yeeeaaahhh.” He yawned, stretching his arms high into the air. “So where are the boys? Still asleep?” he asked Jessica.

  “Jeremy is but—”

  “Would you like some coffee, David?” Caroline grabbed the carafe from the coffee maker.

  “Sure, Mom. What were you saying, honey?” he asked his daughter.

  “Cream and sugar?” Caroline held the carton of creamer directly in front of his face.

  David turned to look at his mother. “You know I never put cream and sugar in my coffee, Mom.” His eyes narrowed as he searched her face. “Mom?”

  She set the carton on the table and handed David a steaming mug of coffee. “Why, of course you don’t. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  He placed his hand on her extended wrist. “Mom.”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “You’ve always been terrible at playing cards. You never learned how to bluff, remember?”

  She smiled weakly. “Oh, well I—”

  “Max is gone,” Jessica blurted, disappearing behind her glass of juice.

  “What?” he asked, turning to face her.

  “I said Max is gone,” the reply echoing from the glass.

  He turned back toward his mother. She started to move, but his hand held her firmly in place. “Max is gone?”

  “Now before you get upset again, let’s just calm down and talk about this.” Caroline quickly took a seat.

  “Max is GONE?”

>   “David McGregor! Lower your voice this minute!” She jerked her hand free and subtly nodded in Jessica’s direction. David’s eyes grew wider as he started to say something, but Caroline jumped in. “Jessie, sweetheart, why don’t you go see if Sesame Street is— ”

  “No!” she answered, pounding her fist on the table. “I don’t want to watch Sesame Street. I’m not a little baby anymore! I’m just as much a part of this family as anybody else. And I’m tired of everybody trying to keep secrets from me.” Lips pursed, she raised her chin and folded her arms across her chest.

  “Okay, okay!” Caroline raised her hands in surrender. She drew an unsteady breath before continuing. “Now Jessica, David—both of you—just stop for a moment and calm down. Jessie, you’re exactly right. You are as big a part of this family as the rest of us. So I suggest we all try to work through this together. Quietly. Calmly. But together.”

  She turned to face David. “Jessie discovered Max’s absence just a little while ago when she came to my room. His room is neat, his bed is made.” Pause. “And his duffel bag is missing.”

  David started to speak but his mother beat him to it again.

  “His car is also gone, so I think it’s safe to assume he’s taken off. And I believe with all my heart he’s gone to find Annie.”

  “What?” David snapped. “Why would he—how does he think he can—”

  “Because he feels as helpless as the rest of us! And unfortunately he was the closest bystander when you popped your cork yesterday.” She leveled a knowing gaze at him.

  “Popped your what?” Jessie asked.

  David sighed. “Popped my cork. Lost my temper. Blew it.”

  “Honey, your father held in his feelings as long as he could, then—”

  “Look, I’m sorry about exploding. I need to apologize to you about that, Jessica—to you too, Mom. I’ve never acted like that in my entire life. I don’t know what got into me.”

  Jessie patted his hand. “You’re forgiven.”

  “David, we know how hard this has been for you. Don’t we, Jessie?” Caroline nodded toward her granddaughter, who nodded back. “But we’re all struggling to get through this. And Max? Well, he’s a lot like you, son. In his own way, he needed to explode too. And once he calmed down, I’m sure the wheels in his mind started spinning, no doubt searching for a solution to ‘fix’ this whole mess for all of us. Maybe it’s not necessarily what we would have done, but I’m sure he thought it was something he had to do.”