“The Lord says, ‘I know the plans I have for you.’” Pastor Jack’s rich Southern accent made the words so much more believable, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome the walls of doubt Zandra had built up.

He went on. “The Bible also says the Lord has done great things for us.”

Zandra couldn’t argue with that. She had a great life. Up until ten days ago when everything she really cared about came crashing down.

“Maybe the Lord realized He’s given me too much,” said Zandra. “I don’t deserve such a perfect life, so He took some away.”

“Like he did with Job?”

“But Job did deserve what he had,” objected Zandra. “He was a good man.”

“And in the end he was blessed with twice what he had in the beginning.”

They were so lucky to have Pastor Jack. So distinguished with his white hair and beard against his dark skin. And so full of wisdom.

It had been two days since she’d heard from Emmett. She’d sent a couple texts, but no response. In one bad moment she pulled up the tracking app, dying to see where he was, but her icon was alone on the screen, alone in the digital world. He’d unlinked from her on the app.

“I can do all things through Christ,” said Zandra. I believe that. “So how do I reconcile that with saving my marriage? It’s not just a thing, it’s a big thing.”

Pastor Jack sat back in his chair. He had a happy, always half smiling manner that always set people at ease. “It’s not about other people. It’s about you. The Lord has His plan for Emmett.” He rubbed his short beard. “It doesn’t seem fair that Emmett should be able to hurt you so, but it also wouldn’t be fair if your faith could force him to do what you want instead of what he wants. Lord knows I’ve been praying for him, but we each have to make our own choices.”

That made logical sense, but Zandra still hurt.

“So what are you advising? Dump his things on the driveway and burn them? Just keep waiting until he comes strutting back? Because I know that man doesn’t know how to crawl.”

“Oh, Zandra.” His drawl made it almost sound like he was using her full name, Alexandra. “That’s not my job. I can listen. I can talk to you and Emmett if he’ll come.”

“I’d rather just have you tell me what I should do?”

Pastor Jack leaned way forward onto his desk. “Let me tell you what I do know. The Lord loves you. You can do all things. But, you’re never gonna be able to make someone else do all things. The Lord loves you, girl. Maybe that’ll be enough for now.” He spread his hands. “Even if the time comes that you have to say goodbye to Emmett, He still loves you.”

“Okay, thanks,” said Zandra, standing and offering a hand to shake. She really did appreciate everything he’d done for her, but she wasn’t ready to hear that yet.

Hopefully she never would be.

As Zandra pulled out of the church parking lot she gave herself a pep talk.

“Fight the good fight, girl. This will be nothing more than a bad memory soon.” Then before she could lose her courage she added, “Hey Siri, call Emmett.”

It was the first time she had attempted to call him, and she didn’t have a lot of faith that he would answer after he’d ignored her texts.

The second ring cut off halfway through and Emmett said, “Hey.”

Just hearing his voice gave her so much hope as all the good memories they’d had together rushed back. The Lord truly had done great things in her life. And she knew He had great things in store.

“Hey, you,” she answered. “You coming home tonight? I promise not to cut off any vital body parts while you sleep.”

“That’s … tempting.”

“Is it?” Zandra couldn’t tell if they were bantering or negotiating. She heard him take a deep breath.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Zandra, but I just don’t see it happening.”

“Two weeks ago things were almost perfect, Emmett.” That was an exaggeration, but the optimist in Zandra forced her to not take it back. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Let’s just rewind that far.” I’m not going to let you walk away so easily from what we had.

For a long while there was silence on the line. Zandra started to wonder if the call had dropped when Emmett said, “How’s Fiyero? Is the new coach chick working out?”

At least we’re talking. That’s a start. “She’s great, and Fiyero loves her. All of the wounds are healing slowly, but he just still seems more lethargic every day.”

“So he’s not still licking like crazy?”

“Hardly at all,” said Zandra. “Neither is Elfie, but …” There was so much more, so many little things that added up to a dog who was suffering, but Zandra wasn’t sure how much Emmett deserved to know, at least until he made a gesture of some sort that showed he really cared about his little family. “Come home and see. He could use you being around right now.”

“You’re gonna blackmail me with dog visitation?”

“No, you’re welcome to come any time, no requirements. Besides, that would be extortion. Blackmail would be if I threatened to tell your mom what a donkey you’re being to try to make you come home.”

“Her little angel, Zandra? She wouldn’t believe you for a second.”

Zandra loved her mother-in-law but when it came to Emmett, the woman saw only perfection.

“You’re just calling us quits, Emmett? Were things that bad?”

“Not at all. We had a great run together but things have changed. I’ve changed.”

“So you’re throwing me away for a better model? That’s it? I was just the practice run?”

Emmett blew out a long breath and she could picture him rubbing his forehead. “Fine. If you really want to do this, we can. The term is starter wife, and if you want honesty, I’m lucky enough to be one of the guys who outgrows his first because believe me, every man out there wishes he could upgrade at some point in his life.”

Starter wife! It was a good thing they were miles apart because she wasn’t sure she could guarantee his personal safety. For a tactful way of saying it, that really hurt. Zandra pulled over and blinked the tears out of her eyes.

“Are you there, Zandra?”

The tears continued to flow into her eyes faster than she could blink them away and she had to wipe them. She knew her voice wouldn’t work if she tried.

Starter wife. Was it really possible to wrap everything they’d shared into one despicable phrase?

“I can hear the highway, Zandra. I know you’re still there.”

Zandra swallowed and took a slow, quiet breath.

“This is a waste of time,” said Emmett. “I’ll call you in a few days.”

“I refuse to walk away, Emmett. Come home. Come talk to me.” That was all Zandra could manage. She hit the end button on her phone before breaking down into audible blubbering.