“Okay, I think we’d better finish in the house.”
“Alright, lawn man,” Jade said, smiling as she looked at Jasper.
“Come on, my sweet lady, “ he said, getting out of the car and going to the other side to open her door.
Jasper used his keys to unlock the front door and opened it wide so Jade could enter. He disarmed the alarm and asked if she realized it was set to his birthday.
She’d known it the moment she first saw it on paper.
Jasper followed her into the living room and sat on the sofa next to the Christmas tree. She looked up at the top of the tree and immediately said, “Jasper, that’s your star!”
“Yeah, I thought if I put it high enough and in the place that you once loved, the light would guide you back to the place and people you love and who love you.”
“You are the most thoughtful man I know.”
“Thank you, Jade, but I have a confession.”
“I’m listening.”
“When you left, I told myself that I would never allow myself to love you again the way I did. I was so heartbroken by your decision until I began to hurt myself. For months, all I wanted to do was sleep. They say depression will make you check out on life, and now I believe it. I checked out, and my family forced me back.”
“Aw, Jasper. I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault. Listen. When I really realized that you left to protect me, it angered me. But how I found out could anger you. I put a tracking device on your car when we were in college. Not because I wanted to keep up with you.”
“When that young lady was abducted in Lafayette?”
“Yes, that’s when I did it. I was so afraid when you started working that delivery job and at night. All I could think to do was put a tracking device on your car. That way I’d know where you went.”
“Sounds like something my Jasper would do.”
“Well, when I remembered the device was in your car, I found your location in Florida. Imagine how upset I was to find out you were living in my father’s friends’ rental property? Now, I was betrayed by you and my father.”
“Oh no.”
“Well, think if you were in my shoes.”
“I get it.”
“Then I realized Dad loved you like his child and putting you there was a form of protecting you. But I promised myself that I wouldn’t allow you to know that I knew, but I could still do all the things a man would do to take care of his woman.”
“And you did because the new tires, oil changes, and money in my car ashtray were crazy.”
“Yes, all me. I found a letter in your car seat and I read it. It was a letter to God explaining how much you loved me and that you’d never give your body or attention to another man. That literally broke me into pieces. To know that you loved me enough to leave, but had made a vow to God that you’d never go outside of what we have. At that moment, I vowed the same. I took Veronica to lunch and that’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to date. Of course, Jasmine straight busted me and called me out.”
“Way to go, sis.”
“You are a mess. But I’m not done. I realized that there was no other woman on earth for me. I also realized that I wanted more than sex from a relationship. I wanted the closeness you get when someone was loaned to you by God and you know they love God enough to love you. That’s what I want and that’s you, Jade.”
“Oh, Jasper.”
“Listen now and please don’t cry. I promised your grandmother that I would take care of you. I promised that I would watch over, protect, pray for, provide for, and always love you. I knew it wouldn’t be hard because nothing we want to do is ever too hard to do. You were broken and I realized it had nothing to do with you, but everything to do with what God allowed to happen to you. I realized you needed to see that it wasn’t about hurting you. God was concerned about making you. Not as in your natural birth, but as in a spiritual birthing that would allow His spirit to reside in the heart of a woman who would be used for His glory.”
“Wow.”
“Yes, Jade, I know who you are. I know that the Lord has called your name to do great things. I also know that you were born to care for people as God’s hands on earth. So, I helped MiMi to make you rich. Jade, you are rich.”
“What? Jasper, I have two hundred dollars in my account. And maybe a couple thousands in my savings from royalties. That’s far from being rich.”
“Jade, you have an account in one bank with over two million and another with five million dollars in it. Your net worth is over nine-hundred-and-forty-two million. You have real estate from coast to coast, a chain of restaurants, three cleaners, and you are the first female African American owner of a professional football team.”
“You are lying.”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“No, not to my knowledge.”
“You may have well just said no. Now that you have more money than me, will you be willing to love me again.”
“Boy, whatever. I never stopped loving you. When I was broke, now that you’ve made me a rich woman, you and MiMi with all of your hare-brained schemes, I still love you.”
“How did you know?”
“Jasper, I’ve known you since I was five, and you even tried to take my lunch money then to invest it. So, here’s your best deal yet. If you promise to love me again, I’ll promise to love you forever.”
“It’s a deal and I’m all in.” They both laughed as Jasper took Jade in his arms and kissed her with passion and promise.
Epilogue
There was still over a week left before Christmas, but things around the Booth home were too crazy to go back to normal.
Exactly three days after the event, Dr. James Booth and Valerie Kimbrel eloped. They hadn’t even bothered to tell Jasper Sr. and Jessica, not to mention Veronica and Vance. They said the others all were way too young to understand.
Maybe that was the case and maybe it wasn’t, but one thing was surprising, Veronica and Vance were so excited because their mother was happy that they made everyone accept the marriage.
Of course, no one believed they would be the first to get married, but by Christmas, they for sure wouldn’t be the only two people going on a honeymoon.
Veronica was living the dream. New fiancé, a wonderful extended family, new friends, but she hadn’t a clue what old friend was coming for her.
Although she was ready to live her best life, her past was coming to cause her to remember.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In addition to being an author, Danyelle Scroggins is the Pastor of New Vessels Ministries in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is the wife of Pastor Reynard Scroggins and the mother of three young adults: Raiyawna, Dobrielle, and Dwight Jr. by birth; and two: Reynard II and Gabriel by marriage. The privilege of being a mother graciously presented her with the impressive task of now being the grandmother of Emiya’rai Grace and RC III.
She has earned an Associate’s Degree in Psychology, Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies in Psychology and Biblical Studies, and has a Masters in Religious Education.
Danyelle loves writing, and you can discover more about her work, both fiction and nonfiction, by visiting her website.
She loves to hear from you, her readers! Feel free to contact Danyelle to book speaking engagements or learn more about her books via her website www.danyellescroggins.com.
Author’s Note
If you enjoyed Love Me Again, Louisiana Christmas Book 1, please consider writing a book review on any platform where reviews are available. Book reviews are so pivotal in helping authors gain readership and so much more, and I would genuinely appreciate it.
Would you consider blessing a child:
By donating to Shriners Hospitals for Children Shreveport : https://www.donate.lovetotherescue.org
or By Donating a set of PlayTime EDventures Sheets to a child in the hospital
https://www.playtimeedventures.com/product/donate-playtime-bed-sheets/
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One more thing…
Would you please help me by recommending this book to your family members and friends? Also, recommend it to book clubs, your church members, ask your local library to get a copy, share it on your social media pages, to your church libraries, and invite me to your private book parties.
Thank you so very much….Be Blessed and Live Blessed! Danyelle Scroggins
If you enjoyed this book try the
E Love Series Books 1-4.
Enduring Love
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/enduringlove.html
Enchanting Love
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/enchantinglove.html
Everlasting Love
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/everlastinglove.html
Extraordinary Love
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/extraordinarylove.html
Extravagant Love
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/extravagantlove.html
The Power Series Rebirth
https://www.danyellescroggins.com/thepowerseriesrebirth.html
Also Coming by Danyelle
Louisiana Finest Series
Book 1: Mr. Creative
Book 2: Mr.Conservative
Book 3: Mr. Complete
Book 4: Mr. Competitive
Love Me Again Page 13
