Every Woman Needs a Praying Man
Page 14
“Okay, babe. Don’t worry. I’m on my way.” Lines etched Kidd’s forehead, which put Sandra on alert. No time for whimsical musing as she leaned forward with concern. “Is everything okay?”
“No.” He gritted his teeth. “The car won’t start and Kennedy has a doctor’s appointment. Sorry, Mom, we have to cut our breakfast date short.” He stood and pulled a twenty out his wallet then kissed her cheek. “Are you going to be all right?”
Sandra smiled. “No apologies needed, son. Go see about my grandbaby. She’s your priority.”
“But you’re right up there at the top of my list too.” Snatching his jacket off the back of his chair, he hurried off.
The monthly breakfast treat was her older son’s idea for some one-on-one time. Even though he was married, he still felt obligated to look after her as if she was an ailing out-of-shape granny in her eighties, not a woman who had yet to experience a hot flash.
In her mid-50s, Sandra had regrets in her life. One, she had yet to marry. Even after she repented of her deeds and accepted the salvation outlined in the Book of Acts, God hadn’t blessed her in that way. Second, the man who fathered her two sons out of wedlock wasn’t worth the heartache he caused her. But the Lord had given her two beautiful granddaughters to spoil—one from each son. And she did without any guilt trips from their scolding.
As a personal fashion consultant and shopper, Sandra set her own schedule. She didn’t have to meet with her client until this afternoon. She had worked in the insurance industry for most of her adult life to provide for her boys. With her 401K and pension, Sandra had quit her job in Boston and relocated to St. Louis to be closer to family. That move seemed to liberate her and she explored her creative side. She was finally, after thirty years, putting her fashion merchandising degree to work.
Sandra glanced around the café. No other male patron seemed to pay her any mind. She didn’t consider herself vain. She strived to live with a humble spirit, but a male compliment, not coming from her sons, did make her smile. Wait until I tell the Jamieson girls about this. She chuckled as she finished her crepes and fruit.
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I can’t believe what I just said. Raimond Mayfield snickered, amused by his actions, but he had no regrets. He had told the truth.
It was as if God was his dining partner and had turned his head in the direction of that beautiful woman. But his womanizing days were long gone and God had his record when he repented of his past sins.
Yet, the Lord seemed to push him out of his seat, because he wasn’t moving fast enough. Once Raimond began his trek, there was no turning back.
Somehow Raimond managed to sneak a peek at her hands. All fingers were void of jewelry. Her beauty so empowered him that he briefly thought about inviting himself to join her. But he saw another plate and her dining companion was missing, so he decided to keep going. In hindsight, he should have stuck around and introduced himself, if for no other reason, on a professional level as curator of the new Black museum.
He walked aimlessly through the men’s clothing section, but his mind was still in the café. Raimond couldn’t shake the natural glow from her face when she turned around. His eyes seemed to zoom in on her features like a microscope. The small curve of her cheeks seemed to be positioned to be cupped by a man’s hands. Her hair framed her face and her brown eyes brightened when they met his. Her lips puckered, but nothing came out. Yes, God had formed a masterpiece.
Raimond was no stranger to beauties; he had married one. Later, they divorced, to no fault of his ex-wife, but his. Then for years, Raimond enjoyed the endless selection in the dating pool.
That was, until Jesus commandeered his soul and he had repented shamefully before he was baptized with water and fire in Jesus’ name. God had truly become his heart regulator.
So what happened back there? Raimond had just concluded an early morning business meeting with a senior manager in one of the departments at Nordstrom. The potential backer’s interest was piqued by Raimond’s theme for The Heritage House. His mind switched back to his sweet tooth, in the form of a woman and not a pastry on the shelf.
Raimond felt like a giddy teenager rather than a seasoned adult. Banishing all thoughts of the woman, he browsed through the shirts selection. “Lord, why did You have me make a fool out of myself?” he mumbled as he grabbed three shirts then stepped over the rack of ties.
Suddenly, he experienced an unexplainable sensation that ran down his back. Then the soft melodious female voice spoke from behind him.
“Pick the lilac shirt and that yellow and lilac print tie.” The same beautiful woman came to his side. He was speechless as her lips puckered, as if she was contemplating his purchase as her own. “Get the lilac and yellow paisley. It goes good with your skin tone.”
With the wave of her hand, she strutted away in a dress that outlined her figure, and all Raimond could do was stare with his jaw slacked. God, did You do that?
Once he closed his mouth and breathed, Raimond acted like an obedient student. He checked the shirt’s neck size and grabbed the tie the beauty queen had suggested, then he sought out a clerk to ring his purchase.
Twice their paths had crossed—two times, he repeated looking at his fingers. He didn’t believe in coincidences. “Lord, if You give me one more chance today, I’ll take it as a sign to properly introduce myself and get her number.” Next time, if there was a next time, Raimond wouldn’t be tongue-tied again.
The clerk greeted him and accepted his merchandise. After verifying the sale price and changing the register tape, the transaction was complete. The young man handed Raimond the bag with a smile. “Thanks for shopping at Nordstrom. Enjoy your day.”
Not without seeing that woman again, I won’t, Raimond thought. He trekked to the women’s department, then the perfume counters, but there was no sign of the lady in orange, peach, or whatever the shade she was wearing. He huffed and did another sweep of the store, which wasn’t crowded. Gone.
Heading to the parking lot, Raimond chalked it up to a missed opportunity. He strolled to his SUV, tossed his purchases in the back, and slid behind the wheel. While waiting at the light to exit the shopping plaza, he lowered his window to enjoy the freshness of spring. A flash of orange came into his peripheral vision at the same time the light changed to green, and he accelerated. He whipped his head around—it was “her.”
He lost all manner of proper etiquette as he honked and yelled, “Excuse me, excuse me.” He waved to get her attention. That’s when Raimond slammed into the back of the car in front of him.
End of excerpt. Pick up the story by downloading your copy of THE CONFESSION today.
Other Christian titles include:
The Guilty series
Book I: Guilty of Love
Book II: Not Guilty of Love
Book III: Still Guilty
Book IV: The Acquittal
The Jamieson Legacy
Book V: Guilty by Association
Book VI: The Guilt Trip
Book VII: Free from Guilt
Sandra Nicholson: Backstory to The Confession
Book VIII: The Confession
The Carmen Sisters
Book I: No Easy Catch
Book II: In Defense of Love
Book III: Driven to Be Loved
Book IV: Redeeming Heart
Love at the Crossroads
Book I: Stopping Traffic
Book II: A Baby for Christmas
Book III: The Keepsake
Book IV: What God Has for Me
Book V: Every Woman Needs A Praying Man
Making Love Work Anthology
Book I: Love at Work
Book II: Words of Love
Book III: A Mother’s Love
Single titles
Crowning Glory
Jet: Back Story to Led by the Spirit
Love Led by the Spirit
Talk to Me
Her Dress (novella)
Holiday titles
Love f
or the Holidays (Three Christian novellas)
A Christian Christmas (Book 1 Andersen Brothers)
A Christian Easter
A Christian Father’s Day
A Woman After David’s Heart (Valentine’s Day) (Book 2 Andersen Brothers)
Christmas Greetings
A Noelle for Nathan (Book 3 Andersen Brothers)
Check out my fellow African American Christian fiction authors writing about faith, family and love. You won’t be disappointed!
www.blackchristianreads.com