Large hands gripped his shoulders. “Saul, I’m going to have to ask you to calm down.”
Saul exhaled. He knew the man before him had to be well over six feet because he seemed like the incredible hulk.
“You don’t understand. I need Annie.” He knew he sounded whiny, but he didn’t give two cents how the other man might perceive him.
“Annie is unavailable.”
Corey sounded like he was talking through gritted teeth. Saul knew he wasn’t going to get any information from him. He needed to remain calm and think. “Corey, if it’s not too much trouble, would you please give me my cell phone.”
“You mean the one that you tossed across the room earlier?”
How he hated that ingratiating voice near his ear! He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, resisting the urge to knock Corey senseless—well try to. “Yes, the same one.”
Corey released him and he heard his large footfall as the other man retrieved his cell phone. Saul was glad that he’d bought the Otter Box or he would be purchasing yet another phone.
“Hold out your hand,” Corey said. This time he sounded neutral and Saul was glad for that. He had to trust that whomever Annie had sent in as her replacement was reliable. How he hated being without his sight.
“Do you need me to dial the number?”
“No, I don’t need you to dial the number,” Saul replied nastily. “I lost my sight, not my brain. I’m capable of operating a cell phone.”
“Just asking.” Corey placed the phone in his hands.
Saul complied and curled his fingers around his phone. He played nice until he was settled into his bedroom upstairs. There was no way he was letting Corey take his room. He’d have the younger man move his things upstairs. Saul was now competent at climbing stairs. He counted steps and his cane helped.
He called Cassandra to check up on her and to speak with Emily. He kept his conversation lighthearted, not wanting his daughter to discern that while he was exchanging pleasantries, his heart was tearing against his flesh. He had too much pride to tell her about Annie’s departure.
He settled against his pillows and made another call. This time he heard the swirl before a computer-operated voice informed him, “The number you were trying to reach has calling restrictions which has prevented the completion of your call.”
“Huh?” confused, he tried again.
The same message.
“No, this can’t be right,” he said, hitting the end button. He dialed her number again.
He almost convulsed when he heard, “The number you’ve—”
Annie had blocked his calls!
“Ugh!” Saul threw his phone. He heard a satisfied thud. It dropped to the floor. Sort of how she’d dropped him.
Chapter Fifteen
“You’ve made a big mistake,” Sari declared, rubbing her nose. You shouldn’t have left like that. You owed it to yourself and Saul. You don’t know how he would’ve reacted.”
The two friends had met up by Fisherman’s village and taken an impromptu sail across the Peace River. The water rocked beneath them as they sat across from each other and settled in to their discussion.
“He would’ve paid me and kicked me to the curb, disguised under the politeness of southern gentility, of course,” she snorted. Annie wiped her face with tissues she’d stuffed in her purse. Her face was red and puffy from crying but she was past the point of caring. She’d been crying at the apartment for hours before Sari called and suggested they get together to discuss her wedding plans. Now here she sat on the water, crying for a man who would think she was way too many shades darker than his preference.
“There you go jumping to conclusions. You don’t know what he would’ve done if you’d confronted him head on. Instead, you shirked away like someone who’s ashamed of her heritage and her people.”
Annie’s temper flared. “I’m not ashamed of myself or my race, thank you very much and let’s not forget the man has a supermodel for a girlfriend. I’m sure Saul Sweeterman will be just fine.”
Sari grinned. “There’s my friend. The one I’m used to seeing.” The wind picked up and Sari’s hair went all helter skelter.
Annie groped for the extra ponytail holder she kept in her purse and handed it to her friend. “Normally, I would have been up in his face after hearing that story from his daughter. I mean when Cassandra told me that her dad refused to see her and even her baby—his own flesh and blood, I said to myself, what would he do to me? I wanted to storm into that house and show him the size of my angry black woman hat, but then…” she gulped. “My heart. My heart’s involved. I just didn’t have the guts to…” She put her head into her hands. “I hate that I have feelings for him because it affected my standing up for who I am.”
Sari moved to slide next to her and huddled her close. “You can’t help who you have feelings for, Annie.”
Annie nodded, “Yes—yes, you can. You have a choice about who you love.”
“No, you don’t,” Sari disagreed. “You don’t decide who makes you heart curl like an armadillo. The only decision you make is a commitment to that love. God loves us. We didn’t ask for it. We can’t change it. But, we can decide whether or not to accept His love.”
“Right now, if I could stop my heart from feeling what it’s feeling I would.” Sari’s words came back to her. She digressed, “Only someone in Florida would use an armadillo as a metaphor.”
Sari cracked up. “Whatever. I was trying to be poetic but you get the point. Annie, what if he’s the one God has for you?”
“Then God has a cruel sense of humor. I can’t see God putting me together with a bigot.”
“True. But I can see God using you to teach Saul a lesson in love. God loved Saul enough to spare his life from an accident that killed two other people—his son-in-law and the truck driver. From the police report, we know that Saul had put himself in harm’s way. God shielded him for a reason—two actually.
God wants Saul for a purpose and you’re the person He’s going to use to lead him to it. Two, God knows you needed a man. Girl, all you do is work. Is there any surprise that the good Lord had to deposit the man right under your nose for you to notice him?”
Annie slapped her friend’s arm unable to stifle her laugh. “You’re wrong for that and I’m sure Macy would not agree. I don’t have time for a social life. I’m working towards buying my home.”
“Well, if you hadn’t run off, you wouldn’t need to buy a home or anything else,” Sari said.
Annie shook her head. “You seem to forget his girlfriend. I keep having to mention her.”
“I haven’t forgotten her,” her friend stated. “But you should know that unless there’s a ring, it don’t mean a thing.”
“How could I forget?” Annie thought she had been Cornell Adam’s true love but a week after she’d broken things off with him; he placed a huge rock on another woman’s finger.
A thought occurred to her. “Do you think Cassandra will tell him?” Annie was hopeful. If his daughter told him then she wouldn’t have that task.
“Who knows? Although I think he and Cassandra have way too much to talk about besides you. That’s what I think.”
Annie shook her head. She shifted the subject. “Will you pray with me?”
Sari’s demeanor changed. She took Annie’s hands in hers and bowed her head. “Lord, speak to both Annie and Saul. I know You’ve brought them together. Reveal Your divine purpose and plan for them. Lord, make the path clear. Lead and guide them into Your perfect will. I pray this prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Annie smiled, comforted. Prayer had a way of doing that for her.
***
If he were a praying man, he’d be on his knees now. It had been one month since Annie’s departure and though he still wore the cast, his leg was healing nicely. During a consult, Dr. Pryor had told him that he might have a slight limp. However, Saul wasn’t worried. He’d been fit before the accident so that worked in his fa
vor with his recovery.
He didn’t want to admit it, but Corey was an excellent therapist. He just wasn’t Annie.
Speaking of Annie. She filled his thoughts. Whenever he went in for rehab, Saul hoped to hear her voice but she’d made herself scarce. Somehow, he knew that had been on purpose, and it hurt.
Saul heard the doorbell and made his way towards the door. He heard Emily’s voice outside calling, “Grandpa! Grandpa!”
With a huge smile, he opened the door to welcome his daughter and granddaughter inside. “What a great surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to drop by.”
“We were in the neighborhood,” Cassandra said.
“Oh, you answered the door.” Corey asked as he came up behind him. He heard Corey’s soft, “Hi, Cassandra. You’re looking lovely as usual.”
Saul rolled his eyes, not caring if the younger man saw his actions. Corey was tough as nails until his daughter was present. Whenever she visited, he morphed into some soppy idiot. Saul grimaced. He hoped he didn’t sound like that with Annie.
“Thanks, Corey. How’s my dad progressing?”
“As you can see everything’s improving, except his surly attitude.”
Both of them laughed. Saul waved him off. “Aren’t you late for your workout?”
“Actually, I was thinking of using your pool. Emily, do you want to go swimming?”
“Yippee!!!” Emily grabbed Corey’s hand. Within minutes, Saul heard peals of laughter coming from behind them.
Cassandra kept her end of the conversation professional. Saul knew it was because she’d just buried her husband whom she loved deeply. Since Kellan’s death, Cassandra had focused on Emily and now him. Counseling was her grief solution. She didn’t have any desire for anyone else. Saul had been the opposite when Nora passed. He worked out his pain in the arms of nameless women before dating Macy and now, even that affair had ended.
Unaware of his thoughts, Cassandra said, “He’s so thoughtful. I think he took her so we could talk without her present.”
“Corey’s all right. He’s a good swimmer and lifeguard. I’ve done some of my therapy sessions in the water. That man has so many certifications…” The conversation stilled. He sensed Cassie’s quietness. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m concerned about you. Why didn’t you tell me that you and Macy had broken up? I only know because Uncle Greg told me you turned down his offer to call some of your friends to cheer you up.”
He read between the lines. “I’m not interested in getting with any friends, as you so delicately phrased it. I have every intention of living a full life but I’m not going to settle. I tried with Macy and it didn’t work. I think its time I find someone to grow old with. Someone who wants something more meaningful than shopping sprees and high heels.”
“So what you’re really saying is, you want Annie?”
He shrugged. “I think she’s blocked my number.”
“Then you need to go to her.”
“I don’t know where she lives.”
“But you know where she works,” Cassie said.
“Yes, but she’s been avoiding me.”
“There’s one place she can’t avoid you,” she teased. “You need to face her on neutral territory—church.”
Why hadn’t he thought of that? Saul straightened. “Cassie, how’d you and Emily like to come with me to church?”
“What time will you be ready?”
Chapter Sixteen
CHECK OUT THE THIRD ROW ON YOUR RIGHT.
Annie read the text message from Sari. From the second row of the choir section, she scanned the crowd. Sari’s text could be anything from a fine man to a ridiculous hat. She didn’t know what to expect but she knew it was bound to be entertaining.
Her eyes bulged. What was Saul doing here? Yes, she’d invited him, but that was a month ago and she didn’t think he would still come. His family sat next to him. Macy wasn’t there. Annie admitted to herself that she didn’t mind that at all.
She squinted to roam Saul’s frame. His dark blue suit and baby blue shirt made his eyes popped. She resisted the urge to fan herself. The only comfort was that he couldn’t see her. She drunk in the sight of him and admitted how much she missed him and how glad she was that he was here.
She sent Sari a furtive reply: IS GOD TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING?
HE AIN’T TRYIN, HE IS shot back at her.
An older sister nudged her in the arm and raised her eyebrows. “Sorry,” Annie whispered, contrite. She knew better than to be texting in church. She put the device away. Her eyes wandered at will until they rested on Saul. Wistful, she smiled at his presence, until she locked eyes with Cassandra. When the younger woman gave her a small wave, she nodded but turned her attention to the message.
Pastor Noah Charleston took the pulpit. “Today, I feel led to talk about Esther. Now God isn’t mentioned in the book, but her life depicted an example of Christ that is relevant for us today. Esther was chosen, placed by God, into the king’s house because she had a greater purpose. She was meant to save His people.”
Annie felt awareness creep up her spine. She felt as if the message was meant for her. It was like God was showing her that she was an Esther placed into Saul’s home—a home without God. She shrugged. Maybe she was reading too much into the sermon.
The pastor continued. “Now Esther knew her purpose but her task would require that she enter the king’s chamber without permission. To enter without being summoned meant certain death, unless the king raised the scepter offering a pardon—a pardon that wasn’t guaranteed. She called a three-day fast before she put her life on the line.” He was warming up. “But, it wasn’t about her life, it was about the life of God’s people. In the end, God cares about a soul. I’m convinced that even if it were to save one soul, He still would’ve left His throne in heaven for one person. Friends, Jesus left heaven for you. He is standing in the gap, as Esther stood in the gap.”
She relaxed. Maybe it was a stretch of her imagination that this was for her.
“How many of us can say we’ve been an ‘Esther’ for someone. How many of us have called a fast for someone? How many of us can say we have stood in the gap for another soul?”
Annie covered her mouth with her hand. She couldn’t say that she had stood in the gap for Saul and she should have. She bent her head and uttered a prayer to God. Pastor Charleston made an altar call. She craned her neck to see if Saul was coming forward. He remained in his row, but bowed his head in supplication. Cassandra came forward with little Emily clutching her hand.
What about you?
Annie jumped to her feet in obeisance to the voice of God. She approached the altar and raised her hands in prayer. As the service concluded, she made her way through the congregation to greet Cassandra.
“I enjoyed the service so much, I’ll definitely come again.” Her smile was bright and her eyes shone. “I love the way he explained the word so that I could understand.” Annie agreed. “This is how he is every week. Do you want me to introduce you to him?” The longer she could avoid facing Saul the better. She had no idea what she was going to say to him.
Cassandra shook her head. “Next week. I’ve got to get back to my dad. He looks lost over there.”
“Not too lost,” Annie returned. The women were flocking to him like vultures. The church sisters—black and white—were surrounding him, circling him. You would think they had never seen a handsome man before. Her stomach clenched. She didn’t like the attention he was receiving. From where she stood, she heard his bellow of laughter and cut her eyes.
She caught Cassandra’s knowing look but said nothing. Even though jealousy burned a hole in her insides, she would never admit how affected she was.
“Won’t you come over later? I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t think he’d love to see me.”
Cassandra’s face mirrored regret. “I wish I’d never said anything. I’ve never seen my d
ad so…” Annie looked at Cassandra but she shook her head as if to say, she didn’t have the words.
Was he as miserable as she was? If so, that was a small measure of comfort, because she’d been miserable this past month. So miserable that she passed on going to see her family for Independence Day. Annie wasn’t ready to face her parents’ curiosity and questions.
With her heart in her throat, she went over to Saul. He turned in her direction. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was looking her right in the eyes. She squirmed.
“Dad, look who came over to say hello.”
“How could you leave like that?” he asked, heedless to the onlookers. Saul’s voice rose, “I called and called. You blocked my number.”
Annie gave Cassandra a wide-eyed glare. She couldn’t believe he’d put her on blast like that. “Hello to you too, Saul. How have you been? I’m well.” She grabbed his arm and forced him to walk with her. Under her breath, she dictated, “Thanks for embarrassing me.”
He lacked the decency to apologize. Instead, he griped, “I don’t care how you feel. You didn’t care about my feelings when you disappeared. You left me. Why?”
She drew in a deep breath and held onto her control until they stepped outside the sanctuary. The sun’s glare caught her off guard and she whipped out her sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun. “You should put on your shades. You still need protection from the sun’s harsh rays,” she grumbled. She was still put out with him.
He reached into his shirt pocket, grabbed his frames and put them on.
“I had a good reason for leaving.” Annie picked up the conversation where they left off.
She saw his eyebrows shoot up and he crossed his arms. “I’m waiting.”
His tone got on her last nerve. “It’s nothing that I want to get into,” Annie said. “How’s Corey working out?”
Thankfully, he followed her conversation shift. She wasn’t about to address the race issue here in public. She didn’t want to touch it at all. How could he be so… backwards?
Color Blind Page 6
