by Caryl McAdoo
“I need an accountant for one—if I can afford one. How much are they?” She made a cute helpless baby girl face. “I hate messing with money in the first place. Plus I’ve been so busy, and since I met you, I haven’t thought about –”
He held his hand up. “Stop right there. I don’t have a CPA, but if you want, I’ll be happy to take over paying your bills.” He turned his hand over, palm out. “Give me what you got. Checkbook? Where do you keep your bills? And I’ll need your bank account number.”
“Some of them can be paid online, but I have a list.” She got up and found her purse then started digging in it. Women. They carried so much baggage. He didn’t know how they stood it, hauling around forty pounds on their shoulder.
She finally pulled out her wallet. “Really? You’ll do that for me?”
“Sure, no problem.” He wiggled his fingers.
Retrieving several papers, she extended them halfway toward him then sucked them back. “Why would you? Won’t it be a hassle?”
He pulled the unopened mail and papers from her hand then looked right into her eyes. She leaned in closer and didn’t even blink. Did she want the real reason? Was it too soon to spring it on her?
Then again, why not? The truth was the truth.
It wouldn’t change. She needed to hear it. “Because I love you, Samantha.”
“You love me? You do? But it’s only been two weeks. How could you? And maybe I’m falling for you, too, but…”
“Now you’re doing it. But what?”
She looked to the ceiling then walked to the window and opened the curtain. The city lights twinkled, decorating the night. Made it seem true, like the stars had descended and really made it Heaven down on earth.
That’s exactly how it seemed of late with everything so perfect in his life; the girl, the game.
She turned and faced him. “Are you gay, Gij? ’Cause if you are, I –”
“What? Heavens no, girl. No. Of course not. No way does that lifestyle line up with God’s Word. Gay? Where’d that come from?”
“Where? I’ll tell you where. Do you see me standing here? I am in this hotel room with you! And just in case I haven’t made it perfectly clear, I would very much like to take our relationship to the next level.”
“I know, but…”
“But you haven’t budged, not one bit! Do you understand what I’m saying? Don’t you know you’re driving me crazy? Or do I need to draw you a picture? Spell it out for you? What am I supposed to think?”
Uh oh, now she was the one a little irritated, except from that tone, he’d think more than a little. How could he make her understand?
He shook his head and resisted the almost uncontrollable desire to leap over to the window and smother her with kisses.
“No, ma’am. You’ve definitely been very clear. I got the message in Mexico City. And at home. And I almost lost my mind in the hangar when we got back from Dimple.”
She looked like she might pop out crying any minute. He hated it when girls cried. What was he supposed to do when she went all weepy on him?
The last time it happened at the World Series of Poker final table when he pushed all in. Arizona Annie called, but he held the cod lock cinch. He should let her win because she played the crybaby card? No way.
Annie’s eyes filled with tears then, and now Samantha looked about to let loose on him, too. But not his fault! Neither time! He only did what he should have. He still hated women’s tears though.
“Well? So then what’s the deal? You say you love me, but you’re making me crazy, Gij. Can’t you see that you’re driving me totally berserk?”
He’d planned on waiting, but guessed like his Pappaw always said, no time like the present. “I do love you. And I want more than anything to marry you, but there’s something standing in the way.”
“What? What is it?”
He looked down then right back at her. “Definitely not that I prefer men.”
“Then what?”
“That you aren’t saved.”
Sammi Dan couldn’t believe her ears.
What did he say?
She wasn’t saved?
His declaration replayed in her mind. Yes, that’s exactly what he said. Saved! How could she get that straight? He wanted her to join his church? Except he didn’t have one.
“So what you’re telling me is that I need to be saved before we can get to know each other better?”
He laughed.
Why would he do that? Her face warmed then burned. She only wanted to understand, and he was laughing at her. “Don’t do that. I did not say anything funny.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right. It’s just that.… You make it sound so trivial, but that isn’t what I’m saying at all.”
“Enlighten me, please!”
“Samantha, according to scripture, to my beliefs and understanding of how God wants things, you need to be saved before we can get married. Christians are not to unequally yoke themselves.”
Yoked? Yams a gumption! Yoked! The man was right back to it. Said it again! Men! Except he wasn’t all men. For a fact, she’d never encountered any male before in her whole life who compared.
Her Gij…her own personal George Herman Walter Johnson, baseball phenomenon who drove her crazy beyond belief.
“Now wait. Let me get this straight. Okay. So even if I do get saved, then what? We can’t… you know, like.…” She splayed her hands out. He loitered so far out there, so far beyond exasperation.
“What?”
“We still can’t try each other on until we’re married, correct?”
“That’s absolutely right. See? You do understand.”
“But what if we don’t fit?” Her cheeks still burned. Why was he doing this to her?
“We will. That doesn’t concern me in the least. The good Lord made us that way, and with each day’s passing, I’m more convinced that He made you—formed you in your mother’s womb—just for me.”
She hung her head and shook it side to side. “Well, I never...that is such the height of –”
“And vice versa, of course. He created me for you, too.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yes, I do. The Bible says so. He’s been watching over us both until this time, and now that He’s brought us together –”
“The Bible says God created Sammi Dan for George Herman. No. I don’t think so.” She marched to the door, grabbed the handle, then turned back and faced him. “If there is a God out there somewhere, I do not think He’s been watching over me, and you can’t say He has. That’s just wrong!”
Tears welled again, and the room spun a bit. She tried to blink them away, but that only caused them to run down her face. How could he be so, so, ridiculous? What she needed was to get away from the religious idiot. She swiped her cheeks.
Then there he was. Beside her. Wrapping his arms around her. “Sweetheart, yes. He is. I promise.”
She let him hold her. It felt so good, so safe, but he couldn’t make that promise. She closed her eyes and breathed out all her air. His arms were so strong around her. But she couldn’t play his little game.
“I do love you, Samantha Danielle, and so does God.”
She pushed him back and practically screamed, “What about Fred? What about my two-timing mother? How could God allow that? How could He do such a terrible thing to an innocent little eight-year-old girl if He loved me so much?”
“The Lord didn’t do that. Your mother did. And Fred. They made choices, bad ones for sure. Selfish ones just like my mother. We all have choices to make, Samantha. God wasn’t responsible for your mother leaving you and your dad. That’s on her.”
“But couldn’t He have stopped her? Why didn’t He stop them?”
“Free will. He gives us all the right to make our own decisions, whether right or wrong. Some are big mistakes. But even then, He will use every choice to our good if we only let Him, love Him.”
First flailing at him, she sh
ook her head and opened the door. “You can’t have it both ways, big boy. Either God is in control and watching over us, or we’re doing all this to our own selves.”
He held out his arms. “Come here. Give me a good night hug, and one, short, poor-baby kiss, and we’ll talk about this tomorrow.”
“No. I don’t want to. I’m going to bed.” She stepped into the hall and hurried to her room. He best not follow. With her heart pounding, she swiped the key card as though a bad man stalked her.
Rushing inside, she slammed the door behind her then whirled and locked every lock. Oh, how she wanted to slap his face! So bad that her hand stung just thinking about it. If only she could smack that holy nonsense out, he’d be about perfect.
Why would he say such a thing?
How could he love her when he didn’t even know her? When he found out how many boys—and men—she’d tried on for size, he wouldn’t want any part of her. He couldn’t possibly love her then.
Gij wanted to follow her, but what could he say? He retreated to the far side of the bed and fell to his knees. For the longest, he waited on the Lord. Slowly it came to him, what he needed to do, then a peace settled over his heart.
Thank you, Father. Draw her, make this her time.
He found his cell and thumbed out, I love you, Sweetie. Breakfast?
For too long nothing, then finally it notified him with its not-too-loud electronic doorbell. He slid it open. Maybe. I Love you too, big dummy. Where?
Lobby? 8?
9.
K. He set the cell on the dresser then retrieved his laptop. He had some bills to pay.
Sammi Dan put her phone back in her purse and flopped on the bed. Why did it have to be so hard? Why was Gij doing this to her?
No way could she ever believe that a loving God existed out there, up there, wherever. Maybe to maintain her sanity what she needed to do was just treat this whole thing like a roller coaster ride.
Enjoy the thrill while it lasted, then go on to the next. She hated that analogy though. She didn’t want the tilt-a-whirl. She wanted her Gij. And his money if being perfectly honest. Well, it was nice, but not what she wanted most, not at all.
Him, the man, but without all his religion. That’s what she wanted more than anything. Why couldn’t he just forget that Bible stuff and let her fix him up? If he wasn’t gay, he had to want her, too.
Even before he said anything about that time at the hangar, she could tell he was about to lose it.
How in the world had he been able to resist so long?
Someone banged on the door. He wouldn’t dare. Sammi Dan’s heart leapt, but it was only April. She’d forgotten all about her producer sharing the room. She tried not to sound disappointed, didn’t want to have to explain anything.
“Hey, girlfriend, where you been?”
“I had a late supper date.”
“Really, who?”
“Tyler White. You’ve met him. Fox’s sound tech and statistician. We’ve gone out a time or two before.”
“Serious?”
“Oh, I don’t know. He did cough up some pretty good news though.”
Sammi Dan sat up. “Really? So what gives?”
“Fox Southwest is in negotiations with Yancy to have us—me and KBTL’s hottest sports reporter—to do mid-game interviews for them. Do you know what that can to do our audience?”
“Triple it?”
April slipped out of her shoes, unbuttoned her slacks, and laughed. “Try quad-trillion it!”
“You’re right.” Wow, that could be a huge break. “Wonder how much they’re willing to pay? Joe and Yancy thought they were being so smart to shove that contract in my face with a twenty-five percent increase.”
“Jerks didn’t even give me that.”
“And before I knew about what Gij had gone and done. Somebody had to be watching out for me when those jokers put it on a three-month probationary period.”
“At least you got a raise.”
But Sammi Dan didn’t hear April. Her own words replayed too loud in her head, as though someone, something shouted inside her brain over and over. Someone had to be watching out for her. Someone had to be watching out.
Someone. Could it be Gij was right?
Was God really watching out for her?
Had He been all along?
CHAPTER
fourtEEN
“Hey, Sam.” A hand shook her shoulder. “Don’t you have a breakfast date?”
Sammi Dan forced an eye open. “Yeah, what time is it?”
“Eight-fifteen.”
“Uggh.” She flopped her head into her pillow. “What’s with him anyway? Who wants to eat in the middle of the night?”
“Coffee’s on, and I’m gone, so this is it.”
Sammi Dan balanced her head propped up on her elbow. A fuzzy April stood by the door waving.
“You awake?”
“Yes, go on. I’m up. And thanks.”
“You’re welcome. See you at two in the press room.”
“Yeah, see you then.”
With a whole six minutes to spare, she straightened her blouse and grabbed her purse. Then just as her hand touched the door knob, her cell pinged a text notification. She pulled it out. Maybe Gij needed to change something. If he tried to give her more time at this late date, she’d be telling him a thing or three.
Sliding the phone open, she read the screen on the way to the elevator. Thank you for your payment, Samantha. We’re pleased to inform you that your credit limit has been increased to fifteen thousand dollars. We appreciate your business.
The doors parted, she entered and hit the lobby button. Wow, they must have heard about her raise. Or maybe… She punched up the company, clicked to her account, then checked her balance. Before the mirrored elevator reached the bottom floor, she held her cell closer and squinted. Was she reading it right? A zero balance?
What had he done?
Her cheeks burned white hot by the time the door opened. She marched across the lobby and spotted him in an overstuffed chair reading a newspaper. Closing the distance, she cleared her throat. He looked up then stood smiling like nothing was wrong. Even her breath blew hot. She shook her head, certain steam had to be coming out her ears.
“George Herman Walter Johnson.” She gritted her teeth and leaned in and made herself whisper. “I’ll have you know I am not for sale.”
He smiled that infectious grin. “Wow, you’re four name mad? And I thought you’d be a happy camper this morning. Get up on the wrong side of bed or what?”
She balled both fists to keep from slapping that grin across the room. “My Visa had at least a six thousand dollar balance, and now it’s zero, zilch, nada, paid in full. Where do you get off? I only meant for you to pay my minimum balance. I know I didn’t have that much money.”
Still grinning, he shrugged. “Actually, it was a little over seven, but who’s counting?”
“Gij. Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
“I hate the blood suckers, and well –”
“Well what? You knew that is not what I intended. If you wanted to help me, why couldn’t you just pay the monthly bill? That’s what I expected. That’s what I wanted you to do when I asked for help. I can afford to pay my own bills! I got a raise, remember?”
He looked around then nodded toward the lobby’s front door. “According to the travel secretary, there’s a great bistro not too far from here.” He slipped his hand over hers. “Come on. You’ll still have breakfast with me, right?”
She didn’t answer but strolled out with him and remained silent all the way to the place. Once through the little eatery’s buffet and seated in a far corner, she leaned in. “Okay, so what’s the deal if you aren’t trying to buy my affections. Why did you pay off my credit card?”
“You’re kidding, right? First, you might as well know now, especially if paying off your Visa got you this upset. I paid off all your debt, Samantha Danielle.”
Chili cheese tater t
ots. It couldn’t be. She hadn’t heard him right. All her debt? No way. “No you did not.”
“Yes, I never meant to anger you, but I sure did. All of it.”
She stared at her plate trying to take it in. “Even my student loans? That was like a zillion dollars. Are you a raving Collin Street fruitcake?”
“No, and it wasn’t that much. Besides, only paying the minimums every month, you never get the principle paid off. I hated that they were bleeding you like that. It’s called usury. Don’t be mad, I was happy to do it.”
“Gij.” She let a heavy sigh loose. What good did it do to fight with him? “Okay. Fine. I mean if that’s what you want to do, but write it all down and set me up some kind of payment plan or something. Otherwise, I can’t let you do this.”
“But it’s already done. You didn’t complain when I bought you those earrings, and where’s your necklace, anyway? And what about all those outfits that you look fabulous in? All that’s a-okay, but paying off your bills isn’t?”
She slipped her hand under her blouse, retrieved the emerald pendant, and pulled it out onto her blouse. “No. It’s different.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. Those are gifts. But my bills are my debt. I’m responsible for them, not you. It’s like you’re trying to buy me or something.”
“Why do you keep saying that? I don’t have to buy you. Look, you don’t owe me a dime. And hopefully, real quick, everything I own will be half yours anyway.” He pushed back from the table, looked at the ceiling, then closed his eyes. He came back level with a huge smile. “Seems to me you’re the fruitcake, girlfriend.”
She put her fists on her hips. “You are curly-fry crazy. Let me get this straight. You’re planning on marrying me—oh yeah, after I’m saved—and you don’t want a pre-nup? Gij, what if it doesn’t work out like you hope?”
“Hey, once we jump the broom, that’s it. I’ll never let you go. I’m a one-and-done kind of guy. Why would I even think about a pre-nuptial? That’d be like giving up before we even started.”
