Page 56 of Echoes of Eternity

Heading out the door, Ryan quickly started his car and drove over to the Baptist church to talk to the pastor.

Finding Pastor Chris in the front of the church locking up, Ryan shoved the car in park and jumped out.

The pastor turned toward him.

“Hey. What was Bill doing here?”

Furrowing his eyebrows, the pastor lifted his hands in a stopping motion. “This is highly inappropriate, son. If you have something to talk to Bill about, I suggest you take it up with him directly.”

Ryan shook his head, taking a step closer. “After all the years and money my dad put into this place, I figured you’d respect him enough to give me a heads-up.”

The pastor looked conflicted for a moment, then took a step closer and placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. His voice lowered. “I’ll tell you this. He’s gathering the whole town together next Saturday night.”

“Where?”

The pastor dropped his hand. “Jim’s Hardware over on Sycamore.”

Ryan turned around and headed for his car. As he got back in and was about to close the door, the pastor called out to him.

“Ryan . . .”

He looked at the pastor.

“He’s still a good man.”

Shutting the car door, Ryan drove home.

Arriving back at his house, he saw Jason’s truck gone.

Confusion swirled as he parked and went inside.

The children’s duffel bags and a few suitcases were by the front door.

Hurrying through the hallway to his bedroom, he walked in to find Emily packing.

“Where are you going?”

She stopped and looked back at him with tears running down her cheeks. She shook her head as her lips quaked. “You lied to me, Ryan. You promised me no more secrets.”

Shaking his head, he proceeded into the room and over to her. She stopped him by shoving a piece of paper into his chest.

Taking it, he read it. It was a bank statement detailing the last two transfers he had made to Linda for July and June.

He tossed the paper off to the side and grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him.

“I was going to tell you and I forgot about it. Come on, Em. You’re leaving me for this? She’s just a struggling mother who needs help. It’s the right thing to do.”

Emily frowned as she shook her head and gently removed herself from his grasp. “You hid it from me . . . again. I can’t take it anymore, Ryan. I need a break.”

“It’s not that bad here.”

Stopping, she looked at him. “I need a break from you. From this. My heart can’t handle it anymore. I feel like I’m so alone in this marriage ever since Frank died. I love you and I want us to work, but this isn’t working for me.”

She tossed a few more pieces of clothing into the suitcase and zipped it. Hurrying down the hall after her, he followed her into the living room.

The boys were looking at him, uncertainty in their innocent eyes.

“What’s going on?” Jack inquired.

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