“Come on, you’ve seen the commercial, you know the rules,” she baited.
“You can’t be serious.” Micah, still laughing, leaned against the counter.
“I told you, I owe you one.”
Micah enjoyed the commercial in question, but he didn’t want to look like an idiot, racing to lick all the crème from a cookie in front of the woman he was trying to impress. Then Pamela touched his hand.
“Please.” Her voice was as soft as her touch, and Micah knew he would try his hardest to walk on water if she made the request.
He threw his hand in the air. “All right, all right.”
Pamela counted down. “On your mark, get set, go!”
It was a sight to behold, two adults licking the crème from cookies like crazed maniacs. Goo-goo eyes were replaced by intense stares and aggressive grunts.
“Ah-ha!” Micah roared when he finished first and slamdumped his clean cookie into the milk. Pamela talked him into a rematch, and the madness started all over again.
“I can’t believe I let you sucker me into this foolishness,” Micah said after winning for the third time.
“Foolishness? That was fun, and you know it.” Pamela finished her milk. “I didn’t sucker you into anything.”
Micah stepped closer to her and used his thumb to wipe the milk that settled in the corner of her mouth. “Yes, you did sucker me. You know I can’t refuse that smile of yours.”
Micah was too close to her. He smelled too good; his touch too soothing. “We’d better get going.” Pamela was still smiling, but distracted her thoughts by cleaning up the mess they’d made.
“Do you want to grab a bite before heading out?” Micah asked, also feeling the need to leave the confines of her town house and get into a public place.
“I’m sure my mother has prepared dinner.”
“Good, I could use a home-cooked meal. That is, if your parents don’t mind me joining you.” He assisted with her coat.
“My parents don’t mind. In fact, they expect it.”
“Micah!” Matthew must have been sitting by the front window of his grandparents’ home, because Micah barely had a chance to shut off the engine before Matthew came running from the house to the SUV.
“Hey, little buddy.” Micah stooped, and Matthew jumped onto his shoulders. Pamela remained in the vehicle, and her parents watched from the porch as Micah ran around the front yard with Matthew on his shoulders. He then dropped Matthew on the ground and tickled him.
“I missed you, Micah,” Matthew said between giggles.
“I missed you too, but I bet you had fun with your grandparents.”
“I did, but I still missed playing with you.” Matthew giggled when he saw Micah prepare his hand to tickle him again.
“Did anyone miss me?” Pamela’s voice startled both of them. Matthew and Micah were so caught up in their play, they’d forgotten all about her.
“Hi, Mommy.” Matthew gave her a quick hug, then turned his attention right back to Micah.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart; I forgot to open the door for you.” Micah couldn’t believe he’d left her sitting inside the vehicle while he played like a child on the front lawn with Matthew.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs.” Micah waved and her parents excitedly waved back from the porch.
“Come on inside, dinner is almost ready,” Pamela’s mother called.
Matthew looked up at his mother’s eyes, then placed his little hand into hers. Pamela could tell by the smile on her son’s face he was about to say something to embarrass her.
“Mommy, he called you sweetheart. Did you get married yet? Can he live with us now?” Matthew questioned.
She was right, Matthew embarrassed her, then Micah did the same.
“Matthew, don’t worry, when I marry your mother, you will be right there and so will your grandparents,” Micah replied.
“Okay,” Matthew giggled and ran inside.
Thoughts thronged Pamela’s mind as she walked into her parents’ home. Micah just said he’s going to marry her. He couldn’t have been serious. Did she want to marry him? Was he the one? She didn’t have any answers.
“Pam, come in here and help me set the table,” her mother called from the kitchen.
Pamela wondered since when did her mother set the table? Aside from holidays, she hadn’t set the table in all the eighteen years Pamela lived at home.
“Son, have a seat.” Pamela’s father invited Micah to the sage-colored couch.
Son? Pamela looked at her father strangely. He’d never addressed her late husband as son.
“Thanks, Mr. Jacobs.” Micah was barely seated on the couch before Matthew jumped in his lap.
“Son, please call me Henry.”
“And feel free to call me Dorothy,” Pamela’s mother added from the kitchen archway.
“How about Mr. Henry?” Micah considered it disrespectful to refer to his elders by first name.
Henry nodded and smiled, appreciating the respect Micah afforded him. “Tell me about yourself. Every time I ask Pam about you, she starts giggling and can’t get any words out that I can understand.” Henry shook his head, and Micah grinned.
“Sir, I’m originally from Chicago. I’m an only child. I’ve worked for the local cable company for almost two years. I have my own car, and I’m saving for a house. I am saved and love Jesus. I don’t have a criminal record, and I have good credit.”
“Son, you’ve just about covered everything. No wonder my baby girl likes you so much.” Micah joined in with Henry’s laughter.
“I like him too, Grandpa.” Matthew added his two cents.
“I know you like him,” Henry said to his grandson. He looked over at Micah. “You’re all he’s talked about since he got here on Friday. ‘Micah’s going to show me how to ride a bike‘Micah said he’s going to play baseball with me.‘Micah pulled my teeth.’” Henry shook his head again. “That boy is crazy about you.”
Micah squeezed Matthew and rubbed his head. “I’m crazy about you too, little buddy.”
Henry watched the play between the two. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were Matthew’s biological father. The two of you blend well. And anyone who makes my daughter and grandson this happy is all right with me.”
While setting the dining room table, Pamela tried to suppress the excitement she felt bubbling deep down inside of her. Micah was such a good fit for her and her family. Matthew loved him, and today it was apparent her parents approved of him. They wouldn’t oppose their union at all. But did she approve of him? It was still early in the relationship, but in a short period of time, Micah made her feel special and made her enjoy life again. She felt free to be herself around him, like today. From the second she saw the cookie commercial, she’d wanted to try it, but was too embarrassed to tell anyone about her desire to act like a kid. With Micah she wasn’t embarrassed at all. She actually looked forward to their next antic.
“You really like him, don’t you?” her mother asked, noticing Pamela’s smile.
“A little bit.” Pamela tried to be modest.
“By that smile, I’d say it’s more than a little bit.”
Pamela didn’t even know she was smiling. “Mama, Micah is a wonderful man, and I enjoy the time we spend together and our talks. Matthew loves him. But I’m not sure if he’s the one.”
Her mother finished buttering the hot rolls before responding. “What is it you’re not sure about? Are you saying you don’t have feelings for him?”
“Yes, I do have feelings for him, strong feelings. I just want to be careful. I’ve been down this road before and still have the scars to prove it.” Pamela continued filling serving bowls with greens, cornbread dressing, and candied yams.
Dorothy placed the platter containing baked turkey wings in the center of the table. “Pam, this road may look the same to you, but trust me, it’s not. Micah is a saved man, and he loves God more than he loves himself. God sent Micah into your life; Marlon just dropped in. Mi
cah is here by divine appointment. Don’t forget, your son prayed and asked God to send someone for you, and He sent Micah. A good man is a gift. Baby, don’t give your gift back.”
“I hear you, Mama, I just want to be sure. I have Matthew to think about.”
Dorothy removed her apron and placed her arm around her daughter. “Matthew is going to be fine. He’s already talking about how great it’s going to be having a dad around the house. You need to start thinking about how good it’s going to be having a good-looking man around.”
Pamela smiled, knowing her mother was right. Micah Stevenson was her gift. He was what she’d prayed for and hoped for. During dinner she sat next to him and found she gave him more attention than she gave her food. She noticed things about him that she hadn’t before. Like the way he held his glass tilted just slightly when he drank and how many times he chewed his food before swallowing.
“Mommy, did you sign me up for baseball?” Matthew’s question broke her concentration.
“Matthew, it’s not time yet. We still have a few weeks,” Pamela replied.
“Oh.” Matthew then turned to Micah. “Are you going to coach my team like you coach the team at church?”
“If I can work it into my schedule, I will,” Micah answered before helping himself to another serving of collard greens. Matthew saw how much Micah enjoyed his vegetables, so he asked for a second serving like Micah. “Ms. Dorothy, you sure can cook.”
“Thank you, Micah.” Dorothy then smiled at her daughter. “Pam can cook as well as I can, if not better.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Micah answered before filling his mouth with yams.
“Pam, you haven’t made this man any of your meatloaf or peach cobbler?” her father asked.
“No, Daddy, I haven’t.” Her father was full of surprises today. He hadn’t cared if Marlon ate or not.
“Micah, you’ve got to try her meatloaf and peach cobbler. The fried chicken is good too, but the meatloaf and cobbler are her specialties,” Henry said.
Micah smiled at Pamela. “I love meatloaf and peach cobbler among other things. You know what they say: the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
“I’d better start cooking then,” Pam responded, and then quickly turned her attention back to her food, trying hard not to answer the urge to run into the kitchen and start kneading flour and Crisco.
Once they were back at the town house, Micah carried a sleeping Matthew inside and tucked him into bed. Pamela had given her son a bath and put on his pajamas before leaving her parents’ home.
“I’ve enjoyed our time together this weekend,” Pamela said while walking Micah to the door.
“Me too. I didn’t laugh this much as a kid. Pamela Roberts, you’re good for me. I hope you feel the same.” The softness of his eyes showed his vulnerability, almost as if he were pleading with her.
Pamela swallowed hard. “Yes, Micah, I do feel the same,” she answered softly.
“You don’t have to cook your way into my heart; you’re already in there.” Micah stepped closer to her and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Can I kiss you?”
Pamela nodded, then closed her eyes. Micah’s lips brushed her cheek ever so slightly. The kiss was sweet, but she was a little disappointed. She wanted to know what his lips felt like against hers. She’d have to wait for the proper time to find out. Pamela didn’t wipe her face until the next morning.
Chapter 5
Micah couldn’t remember Monday mornings ever feeling this good. He felt surprisingly well rested, considering he’d gotten only five hours of sleep. His jubilation was the result of hearing Pamela’s voice first thing this morning after his devotional time. They only exchanged a few words, but that was enough to bring an abundance of sunshine into his life and brighten the still-dark morning sky. By early afternoon, Micah was climbing telephone poles to a rhythm no one but him could hear, because the music was in his heart. Life was good, his spirit was free, and his heart was occupied by the woman whom he believed to be his future wife.
Micah grinned constantly while he reminisced about the tons of fun they shared over the weekend and their good night kiss. Micah acknowledged only to himself that he wanted to kiss her lips, but his uncle and AC had warned him against that. “Tongue action will lead to hip action,” is what Pastor Jackson told him after Micah shared his interest in Pamela. Micah was content to wait. When he gave himself to a woman, he wanted it to be on his wedding night anyway.
Micah doubted if Pamela really understood how deep in his heart she had settled. Micah himself didn’t understand how she’d gotten there so fast. He didn’t have an explanation. It was like she belonged there; like she was the missing part of his life. Pamela had a way of releasing his playful side, something he’d never been able to do. With her, Micah could reveal his silly side and not feel ashamed or immature. What could he say about Matthew? He was an added bonus. As he had tucked Matthew into bed the night before, he felt like a father. Micah liked that. The thought of fatherhood brought his savings account to mind.
In six months, he’d have enough saved for a good down payment on a house. Another first. Having grown up in apartments on the south side of Chicago, he hadn’t experienced living in a single-family home. Six months was also enough time to build a solid relationship with Pamela, or at least he hoped. Pulling into a customer’s driveway, Micah made a mental note to ask Pamela what size house she wanted, just in case.
“Jessica, I can’t believe you’re still mad about yesterday,” Pamela said when she entered Jessica’s office. Jessica hadn’t spoken two words to her all morning. Pamela even caught her rolling her eyes in her direction during the weekly office meeting. The silent treatment was expected, but Pamela considered the eye action a bit much.
“You know you were wrong for implying I’m attracted to Anthony Combs.” Jessica rolled her eyes yet again and smacked her lips.
“By your juvenile behavior, I’d say I was right on the money.” Pamela leaned against Jessica’s desk and helped herself to some peppermint candy. “I don’t know why you won’t admit it. Anthony Combs is a good catch. He has a job, owns a home, a decent car, and he takes very good care of his mother. That’s always a good indication of how well a man will treat his wife. In my opinion, the only thing wrong with him are those bright shiny suits he insists on wearing.” Pamela plopped into one of the chairs reserved for clients.
“Girl, yesterday looking at him reminded me of that disco ball in Saturday Night Fever.” Pamela laughed, then stood and imitated John Travolta’s dance steps.
Jessica laughed too, but she still didn’t agree with Pamela. “Since you want to have confession, when are you going to confess you’re in love with Micah?” It was Jessica’s turn to watch Pamela squirm.
“Wh-what are you talking about? I like Micah a lot, but—”
“But nothing. I’ve been watching you. You’ve been humming and smiling all morning.”
Jessica was right. Pamela felt extra good today, especially after starting her day with Micah’s voice on the other end of the phone. He’d called just to say he was thinking about her and to wish her a blessed day.
And a blessed day it was. Everything was going well for Pamela today. Matthew didn’t protest when she dragged him out of bed. Traffic was light and all of the documents had come in for the escrows scheduled to close in the next few days. Everything was going well, and Micah Stevenson was a big part of the peace she felt. Yes, she did care about him; she might even love him, but it was too early to expose her heart to the possibility.
“Jess, I do care about him, but I think it’s a little too soon to call it love. We’ve only been dating a little over a month.” Pamela treated herself to a piece of chocolate this time around.
“If my memory is correct, two days after you met Marlon Roberts, you swore you were in love,” Jessica reminded her.
“My point exactly,” Pamela said, balling up the foil candy wrapper and tossing it into the trash.
“I made the mistake of moving too fast before. I’m not falling into that trap again.”
“This is different. Marlon was the devil in disguise; Micah is a man of God,” Jessica explained.
“You sound like my mother,” Pamela said rising to leave.
“You should listen to your mother this time.”
“I know Micah has been sent to me by God,” Pamela admitted with a smile. “But I’m not going to rush getting emotionally attached. I have a son to consider.”
“If my godson had his way, you would have married Micah on Christmas Eve.”
“True, that’s why I’m the parent. Now you should listen to me. Admit that you like Anthony Saturday Night Fever Combs and give the man a call.” Pamela had to run out of the office to keep from being hit by the box of paper clips Jessica tossed.
Two days later, Pamela was the middle of clearing a paper jam in the printer when her office telephone rang. She answered on the third ring. The voice on the other end caused her cheeks to warm. “Hello, Micah, how was your day?”
“Perfect now that I’ve heard your voice again.” Pamela giggled at his reply, and he continued. “How about dinner at the Chinese buffet in San Leandro?”
“Micah, you know we can’t go out tonight.” It was Wednesday, Bible Study night. “By the time I make it across town and pick up Matthew and feed him dinner, I’ll barely make it to church on time.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going to pick Matthew up for you, and we’ll meet you at the restaurant. I’ll even help him with his homework. This way you can enjoy your dinner without feeling rushed. What do you say?”
Following Micah’s offer of assistance, Pamela was glad she’d added his name to the list of adults allowed to pick Matthew up from the after school care program. Today her work ran behind schedule. Not having to rush in commute traffic would truly be a blessing. She wondered how Micah knew his help was needed, but didn’t ask.
“Micah, you’re a godsend. Thank you so much. I owe you one.”
“Don’t worry about it. Watching you relax and enjoy yourself is payment enough.”
Right Package, Wrong Baggage Page 4
