Preacher looked at Natalie, who nodded, and then back at Tanya. It grated on her that he looked at Natalie first, as if asking permission. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure, Preacher,” she said. “Natalie will look after me. Won’t you, Natalie?”
Natalie waved her arms toward Preacher, shooing him away. “I’ll take good care of Tanya. You go over to the funeral home so you can get started on your destiny.” She turned to Tanya. “Have you been to the funeral home yet?”
Tanya shook her head.
“Well, why don’t I give you a ride over there after we finish here. I don’t want you to miss out on seeing the place.”
Tanya opened her mouth, but Preacher spoke before she did. “How nice of you,” he said to Natalie. “But I can pick her up. Like she said, we have some errands to run today.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, my offer’s still open.”
“Thanks,” Preacher said. Then he gave Tanya a hug, whispering in her ear, “Behave.” He smiled at Natalie and then he left.
Tanya turned to Natalie. “I didn’t think he was ever going to leave.”
Natalie chuckled. “It’s sorta nice having a protective guy. You’ve got a good one.”
Tanya looked down at her. “So you noticed?”
“Noticed what?” Natalie asked.
“That Preacher’s mine.”
Natalie’s eyes widened, like she was surprised. “I don’t think I understand what you mean.”
“Oh, but I think you do,” Tanya said, not buying her surprise. “Are you and Preacher becoming friends?”
“I’d like to think so,” Natalie said.
“Well, I have a problem with men in committed relationships having friendships with single women. Nothing but a disaster waiting to happen.”
Natalie rested her hands on either side of her waist. “Look, Tanya, I don’t know what point you’re trying to make here, but Preacher is only a friend and I’d hoped you and I could be friends, too. If it puts you at ease any, I’m seeing someone myself so you don’t have to worry about me having designs on Preacher. And I can tell you that he doesn’t have designs on me. All he talks about are you and those kids. You’re a lucky woman. No, scratch that, luck has nothing to do with it. You’re a blessed woman to have a man like Preacher who holds you in such esteem. I recognize that, but let’s not get it twisted. I’ve got my own man who holds me in high esteem so I don’t need or want yours. Are we clear?”
Tanya tucked one of her arms in Natalie’s and let her lips relax in a smile. “Very clear,” she said. “You know what?” Without waiting for a response, she said, “You’re my kind of woman. I think we’re going to become very good friends. What do you say to you and your guy going out one evening with me and my guy? I think we’d have fun.”
Natalie seemed to study her, as if gauging her sincerity before she answered. “I like that idea. Let me talk to Dante and I’ll get back to you on a date. I’ll get your number when we’re completing the paperwork for the boys to enroll in the Center. That work for you?”
“Perfectly,” Tanya said, with a smile. “Now show me around so I know what I’m getting my boys into.” Though Tanya kept her smile in place, she also knew she had to keep a watch out for this Natalie chick. Tanya might be thinking of discarding Preacher, but there’d be six inches of snow in Atlanta before she’d let anyone steal him from her.
Preacher pulled into the funeral home parking lot and eased into an open space near the entrance. He removed the key from the ignition and pressed the handle to open the door, but he couldn’t complete the action. He searched his heart for the enthusiasm he’d felt for this place yesterday, but all he could find was anxiety about Loretta, the dealings at the car dealership, and Natalie.
How did he end up in the middle of this mess? he wondered. All he wanted to do was get out of prison and make a good life for his family. Now Loretta had put all of that in jeopardy with her wheeling and dealing. Of course, he could go on as if he knew nothing and let the chips fall where they may. But Natalie deserved better. Preacher didn’t want to see her hurt, but the sinking feeling in his chest told him that no matter how this played out, she would be one of the losers.
But how could he warn Natalie without fingering Loretta? He knew his sister was in the wrong, but though he wanted her out of the business, he didn’t want to see her in prison. His instincts told him Natalie would feel compelled to go to the authorities, especially since Dante had been willing to drag the jobs program into his mess. Though Preacher knew it was unfair, he felt no sympathy for the man. He didn’t know him well so friendship didn’t factor in. All he saw was a liar using Natalie. He couldn’t tolerate that kind of abuse. He had to do something.
Getting out of the car, he flashed back to Tanya asking him if he were angry at her for being late. He would laugh if he could summon up the emotion. Her tardiness hadn’t even registered with him. He had real problems that Tanya’s minor irritations couldn’t touch. He had to plan his next steps carefully, he decided. Then he heard his name called, turned and saw Patrick, the kid from yesterday, jogging toward him.
“I was waiting for you, man,” the kid said when he reached Preacher. “I’m ready for work. What we doing today?”
Preacher really didn’t have the energy to deal with this kid, but what choice did he have? This boy was determined to stick to Preacher like glue, and Preacher knew that if he turned him away, the kid would only align himself with somebody else and end up in a world of trouble.
“Come on inside,” he said.
Preacher greeted George with a handshake. “Morning,” George said. “Mr. Luther cleared out the office for you. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, George,” Preacher said. “Why don’t you do me a favor and give Patrick here a short tour? Let him know what we really do around here.”
George raised questioning eyes to Preacher. “You sure?”
Preacher nodded, clapping the kid on the back. “He’s going to be working with us. Let’s talk after you show him around and we’ll figure out what he can do.”
“Whatever you say,” George said, eyeing the kid skeptically. “Come on, boy,” he said to the kid.
Patrick bristled as if he were about to hit George.
“Don’t even think about it,” Preacher said. “You treat George with the same respect you treat me. Got it?”
The boy quickly backed down. “Got it.”
Preacher nodded. “Good. I’ll see you and George when you finish.”
Nodding, the kid followed George down the hallway. After they had gone about ten steps, George turned around and said, “I forgot. A guy is waiting for you in the office.”
“Lord, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Preacher said aloud, after George and the kid were out of earshot, “because things seem to be spinning out of control.”
When Preacher opened the door to Luther’s office, he was taken aback to see Big Boy sitting in one of the chairs flipping through a magazine. “What are you doing here, man?” Preacher asked. “How did you even know I’d be here?”
Big Boy inclined his head toward the door. “That kid has a big mouth. Everybody in Atlanta knows you’re here. I didn’t believe it at first, so I had to come check it out for myself.”
Not again, Preacher thought, bracing himself for the negativity.
“You really are going straight, aren’t you?” Big Boy said.
Preacher relaxed, he wouldn’t have to explain himself again. “That’s the plan, man.” He walked to Big Boy and gave him a man’s embrace. “It’s good to see you. How things shaking for you?”
“Trying to keep my nose clean, too, man,” he said, “but it’s tough. The life is always calling to me. And it’s hard not to heed it. But my old lady is good at keeping me straight. Even got me this job at UPS. Imagine it, me on a nine-to-five.”
Preacher laughed. “It’s different, huh?”
Big Boy laughed, too. “You’re telling
me. The good thing is I drive a truck, so I’m out all day by myself. It’s hard work, but it’s good work.”
“I’m proud of you, Big Boy.”
“Well, don’t be too proud. My hands aren’t as dirty as they used to be, but they still aren’t totally clean.” He gave a self-deprecating grin. “The business ain’t like it used to be, man. I think it’s getting more dangerous every day. I’m glad I had a chance to get out. I’m just sorry it took you getting sent down for it to happen.”
“It’s all good, man,” Preacher said. “Things happen for a reason.”
Big Boy sat back down, and Preacher pulled up a chair next to him. “I assume you’re here because you have some news for me.”
“Yeah, I do,” Big Boy said, “but I’m not sure you gonna like it.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t find him. From all accounts, he dropped out of sight around the time you got clipped.”
Preacher nodded. G-Money’s information must have been right. “Any idea where he went?”
Big Boy shook his head. “None. It’s like the dude vanished. Disappeared. I’m sorry, man, but that was all I could find out.”
“It’s all right. I appreciate your help.”
“So you think this guy was involved in you getting arrested?”
Preacher met Big Boy’s gaze. “Is that what you think?”
“Looks like it. Besides, I heard your sister’s been looking for this dude, too.”
Preacher put on his game face, hiding all emotion. “How long?”
Big Boy shrugged. “Don’t know. Her guys came to the same dead end that I came to, but she hasn’t given up. You know Loretta. She ain’t gonna give up until she finds him.”
“That’s my sister.”
“So what you gonna do? Loretta ain’t playing. That dude gonna wish he was dead if she finds him.”
Preacher knew he had to try to save his sister from herself. “I’m gonna find him first.”
“How you gonna do that? I told you the guy done disappeared.”
“Takes a lot of cash to disappear like that. We need to figure out where he got it. Besides, he’s not smart enough to have pulled this off by himself. I’m sure he was working for somebody. That’s the person we need to find. Any ideas on that?”
Big Boy laughed. “I’m already on it, man.”
Preacher pointed his index finger at Big Boy’s chest. “Just don’t get yourself in trouble. The goal is for both of us to keep our noses clean. So don’t cross any lines that could get you in trouble. Got it?”
“Now you’re sounding like my old lady. I hear ya.” Big Boy stood. “Well, I’d better get outta here. Today’s my day off and I’m supposed to be mowing the grass. Women!”
Preacher laughed. “Sounds like you got a good one there. You’d better hold on to her.”
“I’m trying, man,” he said. “I’ll ring you when I find out something. I figure it’s best we don’t meet again.”
Preacher nodded, understanding fully that their friendship could not be a public one until Preacher was off probation. “Thanks again.”
Big Boy waved his hand behind him as he closed he door.
Preacher dropped his head in his hands, wondering what other troubles the day would bring.
“Thanks again for giving me a ride over here, Barnard,” Tanya said as she got out of his blue Taurus. While this brother didn’t have the style or the cash to make him attractive to her, Tanya acknowledged that he was, in fact, a good catch. Handsome face with a nice body, though a little heavier than she liked her men, but by no means fat, and a charming smile. She’d bet he kept the little woman at home happy. “I can wait here by myself until Preacher gets back from dropping some kid off at the train station. It’s only a short trip and he said the caretaker would be here.”
“Not a problem at all. I don’t mind waiting for Preacher with you,” Barnard said, closing the car door behind her. “In fact, it seems fitting.”
She looked back at him. “What do you mean by that?”
Barnard chuckled. “I waited with Preacher for you at the prison the day he was released.”
“The day I was late, you mean?”
“Yeah, that day.”
“I’m sorry I was so late.”
“I’m only sorry I didn’t get to meet you that day. I’ve wanted to for quite a while now.” He turned up the wattage on his smile. “I’m glad that we’ll be seeing more of you.”
“Me, too,” Tanya said. “Thanks for letting me steal your cookout idea. I’m really excited about it since it will be the first time Preacher and I have hosted an event since he’s been back home. We used to entertain a lot, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Barnard nodded. “So am I. I can’t wait for you to meet my wife. I think you two are really going to hit it off.”
“If she’s anything like your sister, we’ll become fast friends,” Tanya said, even though she still didn’t trust Natalie with Preacher. “Natalie’s very easy to know. She seems serious about the guy she’s dating. What does big brother think about him?”
Barnard pulled open the door to the funeral home and allowed Tanya to enter before him. “I’ve met the guy, talked some business with him,” he said. “He seems all right. Your cookout will be the first time we’ve been together in a social setting though. That alone should win you points with Serena. She’s been trying to get those two over for dinner for a while now.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Tanya said, already losing interest in the topic. She looked around for the caretaker, but she didn’t see him. “So this is Preacher’s new business, huh? A funeral home.”
“Yeah, it is,” Barnard said. “Natalie told me he’s really excited about it, but I guess you already know that. So what do you think?”
Tanya sat on the bench in the foyer, unsure where else to go. She certainly wasn’t going to go searching around the funeral home looking for the caretaker. “It’s a funeral home, Barnard. It’s not exactly the business I wanted for Preacher. This seems like a business for an old person. Preacher is a young man and he needs a young man’s business.”
Barnard sat next to her. “This business will be what you and Preacher make it, Tanya. It’ll only be old if you’re old, and you’re not old. You two can breathe life into this place, and serve a lot of good in the community in the process.”
Tanya stood and walked down the hallway a bit. “I don’t know, Barnard. I just don’t see it.” She turned back to him. “Can’t you help Preacher find something else? I was thinking of a car dealership, preferably an import. That’s more Preacher’s style, and mine. I can see us building that business together, but not this one.” She looked toward the door when she heard a car drive up. “I hope that’s Preacher.”
Barnard got up and went to the door. “Yeah, that’s him.” He opened the door. “Hey, man, good to see you.” They two men clapped each other on the back. “I’ve been taking good care of Tanya for you.”
Preacher gave Tanya a questioning smile. “Been enjoying yourself?” he asked, extending his hand to her. “Let’s go in the office.”
“I’ve got to leave,” Barnard said. “I have a couple of errands to run before heading back to the church.” He turned to Tanya and gave her a brief kiss on the cheek. “I enjoyed meeting you and I look forward to seeing you again. I’ll have Serena get back to you with a date.”
Tanya bussed his cheek. “Sounds good. Thanks for everything.”
“What’s this about Serena getting back to you?” Preacher asked after he and Tanya were seated in the office.
“Just me trying to be the good fiancée. I’ve invited your friends over for a cookout. Barnard and Serena and Natalie and Dante. All we need to do is coordinate schedules. What do you think of that?”
I think you’re playing with fire, that’s what I think. “I think you’ve been busy.”
“Is that all you have to say? I thought you’d be happy about this. Or maybe you don’t want your
friends over? Maybe you want to keep them separate from me? Is that it?”
Preacher could already feel the tension mounting around this cookout. Him and Serena with their secret. Him knowing what was going on at Dante’s dealership. He wasn’t sure he was up for it. “You’re talking crazy, Tanya.”
“Don’t try to play me, Preacher. I’m the master player, not an idiot. I saw the way Natalie looked at you and the way you looked at her. The chick will have to be cold-blooded to go after you after she visits the home we share and sees how loving we are.”
Tanya was so far off base, Preacher didn’t know whether to be glad she didn’t know the truth or sad he didn’t feel he could share the truth with her. “Don’t blame me or Natalie because you’re having evil thoughts. There’s nothing going on between us. Maybe you’re the one with something on the side.”
“Don’t try to turn this on me,” Tanya said. “Though if you want to get technical, since you’re not taking care of business at home, I’d be within my rights to look elsewhere.”
“Not as long as I’m living and breathing,” Preacher said, growing tired of this conversation. “I’ve told you what I’m trying to do for us. You either stand with me on it or you don’t, but you don’t run around on me. You don’t even think about it. Do you understand?”
Tanya sat back down. He knew she realized she’d overplayed her hand and pushed him too far. “Look,” she said, “what do you expect me to think? You and this chick are mooning over each other—”
“We were not mooning over each other. She’s Barnard’s sister. We’re friends, Tanya. That’s it.”
“Don’t be obtuse. Yours wouldn’t be the first platonic friendship to grow into something more. Before you know it, you’ll be comparing me to your little Miss Perfect Christian and thinking that she’s everything I’m not. I won’t put up with it.”
Up Pops the Devil Page 16
