Free The Selfless Act by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

clear a table, wiping the area clean as soon as the customers rose and headed for the desk to pay for their meal. Several other workers moved quickly about, trying to cater to many hungry patrons.
    Her mouth watered, smelling the delicious aromas. She could hardly wait until it was her turn to be seated at a table. Kristi had eaten at this restaurant before and remembered how good the baked chicken on the buffet had tasted. Another thing Kristi had enjoyed were the pickled red beets.
After I’m seated and it’s time to place my order, I’m definitely going to do the buffet.
    Kristi didn’t normally eat much for lunch, but today she’d make an exception and would probably be full the rest of the day.
I may not have to eat any supper tonight, but if I get hungry later, I’ll fix a light snack. I probably should go for a run as soon as I get home, to burn off all the calories I’ll be eating today.
    The man and woman in front of Kristi were being seated, so it was her turn next. Her stomach growled, and she placed her hand over it, hoping no one had heard. In a short while she’d be choosing whatever she wanted from the delicious array of foods on the buffet.
    Looking to the right, where a man and woman sat in a booth, Kristi’s breath caught in her throat. It was Joel, with the pretty Amish woman she’d seen him talking to the day of his father’s funeral. When she’d asked Joel about it later, he’d said the woman’s name was Anna, and that he’d been engaged to marry her before he left the Amish faith. Apparently they were back together, for Joel reached across the table and placed his hand on Anna’s.
    I can’t believe it.
Unbidden tears sprang to Kristi’s eyes.
I should have expected he would eventually give up on me. No wonder Joel hasn’t called or left any messages for so long. He’s obviously back with his old girlfriend.
A lump lodged in her throat.
I bet he’s planning to return to the Amish faith again, too. Or maybe Joel’s convinced Anna to become part of the English world with him.
    The hostess returned from seating the other people, but before she could say anything, Kristi turned, nearly bumping into the gentleman behind her, and rushed out the door. She’d waited all that time to be seated, but now her appetite was gone.

    Joel smiled as Anna told him about Melvin Mast, who had recently started courting her. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her face glow like this—not even when the two of them had been courting. Anna deserved to be happy, and he wished her well, reaching across the table and placing his hand over hers.
    Joel hadn’t made plans to meet Anna here for lunch. They’d both arrived around the same time, and after learning she was alone, he’d invited her to sit with him. He was anxious to see how she was doing and tell her that he’d committed his life to the Lord. Anna seemed as happy for Joel as he was for her starting a relationship with Melvin. They’d laughed and talked when they began eating, and Joel couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so relaxed in her presence. Of course, he felt better around everyone these days—especially his family members.
    Joel thought about the inheritance he’d received from his father and bit back a chuckle. There would have been a day he’d have been hopping mad at Dad for leaving him so little and at his sisters for getting much more than him. Not that it was their fault. None of them knew what Dad had designated in his will. To Joel’s surprise, shortly after Doris, Arlene, and Elsie opened their envelopes, they’d each offered to give him part of the money they’d been left. He’d said no. He didn’t deserve one penny of what Dad wanted his daughters to have. All three of them had been dutiful to Dad—especially after Mom died and he’d needed their help. Joel’s sisters had always been kind and loving to their parents; unlike him, who’d given Mom and Dad nothing but trouble and heartache.
    Once more, Joel