Her head hung low as she waited for the rest of his family to be seated. She was handed a funeral program. She looked at the picture of Uriah on the front. It reminded her of happier times. Of when they didn’t have a care in the world. She had two regrets in her life. One was that she cheated on him, and the second one was that they would never have a child together.
About midway through the service, Sheba felt the funeral was getting to be too long. She sat impatiently, waiting for the sermon to be over. People were laughing, but she couldn’t find anything humorous in what the pastor had said. She knew Uriah was in a better place, but he had left her alone. Alone to deal with the world. Alone to deal with raising a child that should have been his.
“Do you want the casket opened up again?” the funeral home director asked her.
Sheba shook her head.
Delilah answered for her. “No. If they didn’t get a chance to see him yesterday or before the service, too bad.”
Sheba had been doing well, but now she found herself crying uncontrollably. As the funeral home director and the attendants got ready to roll the body down the aisle, Sheba and Delilah stood up to walk behind them. Sheba’s feet were planted in one spot. She rocked back and forth and said, “My baby. There goes my baby.”
Delilah wrapped her arms around Sheba’s waist and tried to get her to walk, but she wouldn’t move. David approached them and assisted Delilah with Sheba. Sheba fainted, and she would have hit the floor if David hadn’t caught her in his arms. When she woke up, she was in the back of the limousine. David was on one side of her and Delilah on the other.
“Tell me I didn’t miss the burial.” Sheba felt her heart drop again.
Delilah said, “No. We’re on our way there now.”
Sheba was relieved. “David, thanks for catching me back there.”
“Yes, sis, you almost hit the floor. Now, that would have been a sight,” Delilah said, trying to lighten up the situation.
Sheba laughed a little. “Delilah, thank you for helping me this week. Lord knows I wouldn’t have been able to get through this week without you.”
Delilah winked her eye. “That’s what older sisters are for.”
After Uriah’s casket was lowered into the ground, Sheba remained seated for a while. People walked up to her to offer their condolences. Then David walked up to her, and standing next to him was a man almost as handsome as he was.
“Ladies, I want you to meet my best friend, Reverend Nathan McDaniel.”
Sheba shook Nathan’s hand.
Then Delilah shook Nathan’s hand and said to David, “Your best friend is a preacher, and you’re like you are.” Delilah looked at Nathan. “I bet you use up a whole bottle of holy water on him.”
Nathan laughed. “Well, dear, I can tell I might have to sprinkle a few drops on you, too.”
David said, “He just calls it likes he sees it.”
Delilah rolled her eyes.
Sheba, tired of the display, stood up. “I’m ready to go home.”
“The repast is back at the church’s fellowship hall,” Delilah said.
“Y’all can go. I think I just want to go home,” Sheba sighed.
Joyce, one of Uriah’s cousins, walked up to her at that moment and said, “That looks like a baby bump. Are you pregnant?”
“Joyce, now is not the time for this,” Sheba said as she turned and walked toward the limousine.
Joyce shouted, “Don’t walk away from me.”
Sheba threw her hand up in the air and waved and got inside the limousine. The tears flowing down her face were not only from the grief of losing her husband, but also for her and David’s betrayal.
Chapter 38
“Being at that funeral was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a while,” David confessed to Nathan over lunch the following week.
“You’re going to have harder days than that unless you did what I told you to do. Did you repent? Did you go to God and ask him to forgive you for the things you’ve done?”
David stopped eating. “Yes, but he’s been whipping me. I haven’t had a good night of sleep since I sent Simon that e-mail about having Uriah handle the issues with the government officials there.”
David just realized that it was the first time he’d confessed what he had done to anyone. The only other person who knew was Simon, and Simon treasured his job too much to mention to anyone that sending Uriah to meet with the officials had been David’s idea. David waited for Nathan to berate him again.
“The Lord is not through with you, David. Don’t think that because He’s punishing you that He has taken His hand off your life. You’re still His child, and He will never leave you or forsake you.”
It was reassuring to know that God was still in his midst, although lately David hadn’t felt His presence.
They were riding in the back of David’s limousine after lunch when Nathan asked, “What are you going to do about Sheba?”
“I really don’t know. I’ve been giving her time to grieve, but she’s having my child, and I want her and the baby to move in with me.”
“But do you think that’s wise?” Nathan asked.
“I’ve made so many bad decisions as of late, but I think asking Sheba to move here so I can take care of her and the baby is the right thing to do. I am the father.”
Nathan didn’t voice his agreement or disagreement. He allowed David to make his own decision. “Be prepared for the aftermath.”
“I’m used to people talking,” David said.
“Up until now, the media has portrayed you in a positive light. Know that this move may change the public’s opinion about you.”
“I don’t allow the public to dictate my moves. I’m David King. Only God can dictate my moves.”
Nathan said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The limousine dropped Nathan off at his house. David waited until Nathan was gone and then dialed Sheba’s number.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Better, but not good at all,” she responded.
To David, Sheba sounded really depressed. He wished he could make her feel better. Contrary to what Nathan and Delilah thought, he really did care about Sheba. He wanted the best for her. Right now, with Uriah gone, David felt he was the best.
“Why don’t you pack a bag? I’ll have a driver come pick you up, and my pilots will fly you into Dallas.”
“David, you can’t be doing that. What are people going to think?”
“Does it matter? You’re having my baby, and I just want to make sure my baby’s mama is relaxed.”
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything, but I went to the doctor today and he put me on bed rest. I’m off work until I have the baby.”
David and Sheba went back and forth in a friendly banter of conversation. David tried his best to convince her to come to Dallas for the rest of her pregnancy. “Delilah can watch your house. I’m pretty sure if you ask her, she’ll do it for you.”
“Delilah has been great. I’m going to miss her if I move out there,” Sheba said.
“She’s welcome to come out here anytime she wants. My house is big enough for the three of us.”
“As crazy as it sounds, I’m thinking about taking you up on your offer. Let me think about it and get back with you.”
“You got my number,” David said. He had to handle the situation with her delicately because he was close to getting her to move in with him. If he could get her to Dallas, he knew she would succumb to her feelings for him.
He could tell she liked him more than she let on. He recalled the night he and Delilah flirted with one another. She had the look of a jealous woman, and if she was jealous, that meant she had some feelings for him.
He didn’t have to wait long for her to respond. A few days later Sheba called him back. She said, “Delilah’s agreed to watch my house, so if you, not your driver, can come and get me this weekend, I’ll come back to Dallas with you.”
“You drive a hard bargain, but I will be there. Can I ask what helped you make up your mind?”
Sheba responded, “Joyce has been telling everyone I’m pregnant and that there’s no way that Uriah is the father.”
“How did she find out?” David asked.
“She’s just speculating. As you know, she approached me at the grave site, but I ignored her. I guess that pissed her off, so she’s been gossiping about me ever since to anyone who will listen.”
David could hear the tension in Sheba’s voice. “Getting upset isn’t good for the baby.”
“I know. That’s why I need to get away. I can’t stand to be around Uriah’s family right now.”
“Where’s Delilah?”
“She’s been screening the calls, because if one more person calls me with some mess, I swear I’m going to snap.”
“Calm down, Sheba. Breathe in and out.” David could hear Sheba doing as he instructed. “Better?” he asked.
“I will be. Let me take care of some business here, and you’ll see me soon.”
David was glad that Sheba was coming, but hated that she had to endure ridicule from Uriah’s family. He hoped the stress wouldn’t affect her or the baby much. He would make sure when she arrived in Dallas that she was well taken care of.
David was supposed to be going out of town during the weekend, but he would juggle whatever he had to because he was bringing his woman home. Well, she wasn’t officially his woman yet, but she would soon be. He had to convince her that he was all she needed. Her and their baby would be one big happy family.
David could control a lot of things, but time wasn’t one of them. The week seemed to drag by. He was up bright and early Saturday morning. For one, he still wasn’t sleeping well, and two, he was anxious about his soon-to-be houseguest.
He gave his maid strict instructions on how he wanted Sheba’s room. He had noticed she liked peach and had painted her bathroom that color, so he had an interior decorator come in and redecorate one of the rooms across from his bedroom in peach. His ultimate plan was to have her move in the master bedroom with him, but until then, he wanted her room to be her personal sanctuary.
He was glad he did redecorate, because ten hours later, when he arrived back at the house with Sheba, her eyes lit up when she saw her room.
“David, thank you. This is absolutely beautiful.”
His butler placed her bags near the closet. “Mademoiselle, I’m not sure where you want your things. When you’re ready to unpack, let me know and I will send Celia upstairs to help you unpack.”
Sheba said, “No need to. You’ve done enough. I can handle it from here.”
“But, mademoiselle, we’ve had strict instructions that you are not to lift a finger.”
David said, “Bentley, I’ll help her. Thank you. That’ll be all for now.”
“Yes, Mr. King.” The butler turned and walked away.
“Wow. You really are living large. You’re like the king of Dallas.”
David laughed. “You can say that.”
Having Sheba around had brightened up the lonely mansion already. David now had a queen for his castle.
Chapter 39
Sheba lounged around in bed. The door opening startled her. She had been at David’s for two months, yet she still wasn’t used to having someone available to her to help her do everything.
“Ms. Bathsheba, you have a guest downstairs. She says she’s your sister,” one of the maids said.
“Send her up please,” Sheba said.
She hadn’t told David that Delilah would be visiting, so she hoped he didn’t mind. He did tell her prior to her moving to Dallas that she could have visitors. Besides, David had been out of town for the last few nights and their conversations over the phone had been brief. She slid out of the bed. Her hand automatically went to her belly. She had more than a pudge. It was obvious to anyone looking at her that she was pregnant.
Sheba went to the bathroom to freshen up. When she returned, Delilah was sitting in the long chaise near her window. They hugged and exchanged greetings.
“You’re glowing,” Delilah said as she pulled back from her to get a good look.
“Dallas air agrees with me.”
Delilah looked around the room. “You were not lying when you said this place was like a mansion.”
“David didn’t spare any expense.”
“To think he was living here all by himself. I knew he had bank. From now on, I’m calling him King David.”
Sheba laughed. “His head is already big enough, so please don’t call him that.”
“Doing good, li’l sis. You’re doing real good.”
Sadness swept across Sheba’s face. Delilah apparently noticed, because she said, “What’s wrong?”
They each sat on the chaise.
Sheba said, “I feel bad about my pregnancy. I’m excited about this baby. David’s been a sweetheart, and I’m enjoying his company.”
Delilah placed her hand over the top of Sheba’s. “Uriah’s gone. There’s no sense in you sitting around in Shreveport, moping, when you can be here and be treated like a queen.”
“But I don’t deserve all of this. I cheated on my husband, and I’m having another man’s baby.”
“A man who seems to adore you. Do you know how many women wish their baby’s daddy would set them up like this? You’re living the life of royalty, so, Sheba, stop complaining.”
Sheba heard what Delilah said, but it still didn’t make her feel comfortable to enjoy life after losing her husband only a few short months ago. “Things would be so much different if Uriah was alive.”
Delilah reached her hand out and gently rubbed her belly. “You would have had to tell him about this little one. This may sound morbid, but at least he was spared the pain of knowing you were bearing another man’s child.”
Sheba could always count on Delilah to keep it real with her. “I think I’m cursed,” Sheba admitted.
“Why do you say that?” Delilah asked.
“This pregnancy is wearing me out. I thought the morning sickness should have subsided by now, but it hasn’t. It’s like the baby is playing tug-of-war in my belly.”
“What does the doctor say?” Delilah asked.
“He’s confined me to bed rest, like the one in Shreveport did. I can’t take too much more of it. I’m just having to bear with it. I look at it as my punishment, so I’m trying not to complain.”
“Oh, Sheba, don’t look at it like that. Having a child should be a joy. There are plenty of women who wish they could have children.”
“I wish you were having this one,” Sheba said.
“You don’t mean that. Give it some time.”
“Lord, forgive me. I love my baby. I really do. I just hate that Uriah’s not the father.”
“How’s David been treating you?” Delilah asked.
“Like a queen. He’s giving me my space, but he’s attentive to my needs at the same time. I’ve actually gotten a chance to know him, and if the memory of Uriah didn’t stand in the way, I could see myself falling in love with him.”
Delilah placed her hand on top of Sheba’s again. “I see me coming here was perfect timing. Let’s look at your situation. If David wants to be more than just your baby daddy, give him a chance. Look around you. Do you really want to give up all of this?”
“I’m not into material things.” Sheba knew that was a lie the moment she said it.
Delilah did, too, and that was why she laughed. “Not Ms. Got-To-Have-It-Even-If-It’s-Not-On-Sale. I’m Delilah. You can keep it real with me.”
Sheba whispered, as if someone else could hear them. “Okay, I have to admit that I love the fact that I can buy any and everything I want without having to worry about how much it costs. Since I’m really not supposed to be on my feet much, guess what happens? David sends personal shoppers here, and I just tell them what I want.”
“Say what? So someone actually has a job to shop. I need to apply for that po
sition.”
Delilah and Sheba laughed.
“Check out my walk-in closet.”
Delilah got up and went into her closet. She walked out, holding a nice evening gown. “This would make me feel like a princess—correction, a queen—because you know I’m the queen in my world.”
“That you are, sis. But I wore it only once, because the next week my stomach had grown.”
Delilah twirled it around. “You don’t mind if your older sis borrows this, do you?”
“You can have it. In fact, the clothes on the left side, you’re welcome to them if you want them. It’ll be a while before I can fit into them again.”
“I feel like a kid in the candy store. I want them all,” Delilah said.
Sheba and Delilah spent the rest of the morning talking and laughing. David called to alert Sheba that he wouldn’t be returning until next week, so the two sisters were home alone.
Over dinner one night, Delilah said, “I hate to bring this up, but I think you should know that your in-laws are all convinced that you’re pregnant and the child isn’t Uriah’s.”
Sheba shrugged her shoulders. “It’s that Joyce. If she had kept her mouth closed and had stayed out of my business, folks wouldn’t be talking.”
“You leaving Shreveport when you did didn’t help the situation, you know,” Delilah said.
“Right now the most important thing to me is my baby. Those gossiping heifers can say what they want.”
“That’s the spirit. I’ve never cared about what folks say about me. Most of the time, it’s just jealousy, anyway. So what if Uriah’s not the father? He’s gone on to glory now. You just worry about your baby and yourself. Let them deal with the aftermath.”
Sheba wished it was as simple as Delilah thought it was. The truth was, she did care what folks said. She didn’t want them to look at her in a negative light. She wanted to hold on to her upstanding position in everyone’s eyes. She didn’t want Uriah’s memory marked by the shame of her infidelity.
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