by Pat Simmons
He didn’t blink when a group of women tried to get his attention. Too bad it wasn’t a real dinner date with a man who wanted to be with her versus a church member looking out for a hungry sister in Christ. Pampering was pampering. Who cared if it was platonic?
Valerie’s heart warmed when she saw place settings for two. Everything was arranged as if they were about to partake of a gourmet meal. Once she was seated, David took his.
He reached out for her hand and bowed his head. “Lord, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the offerings before us. Please sanctify it from all impurities. Bless every household represented tonight and my lovely helper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Valerie repeated, enjoying the sound of his voice when he prayed. David took his time releasing her hand then nodded toward the pizza.
“Ladies first.”
Valerie lifted a brow. “You’ve been warned. Sausage and bacon are my favorites. You can have the other toppings.”
David’s hearty laugh seemed to rumble in his throat before he released it.
Nathan approached their table. Although he looked worn out, he gave her a tender smile. “Thanks for helping us, Sister Valerie. No telling how much work we’d have gotten out of this dude without you around.”
Despite David’s snarl at his brother, she could tell they had a close relationship.
“So are you going to share?” Nathan flopped in a chair and reached for the other box.
“Make yours to go,” David ordered.
After a brief staring duel, his big brother conceded to whatever power play was going on. Grabbing a paper plate, Nathan helped himself. Seemingly satisfied with his portion, he grinned. “Good night, Sister Valerie.” Without another word to his brother, Nathan strolled away.
“You’ll have to excuse him. No home training,” David explained.
Laughing, Valerie shook her head. After a few bites, she dabbed her mouth. “You really didn’t have to do this.”
David gulped from his soda, then swallowed. “It was the least I could do to make up for the jerk who didn’t ask you out tonight.”
Valerie was awed that David seemed to take the offense personally. Her heart fluttered under his chivalry.
After they both seemed to have had more than enough pizza, David pushed back from the table. “So tell me about Sister Valerie Hart.” Folding his arms, David relaxed as if he had all night to listen to her life story instead of minutes before her mother would call it a night and be ready to go.
“Well, I’m single, never been married, and no children.” She briefly thought about Joy. Evidently, she, Christian, and the girls had already left. “I’m a creative manager at The Stallings Group—”
David’s jaw dropped. “Stop. Get out of here. We’ve used your company for a few years to assist some of our clients. Same church, and now a business connection. What a small world.” He appeared eager to find more common ground.
As he listed client names, Valerie recognized each one and their products. The Stallings Group had video recorded some of their product demonstrations for infomercials and store monitors. After stabbing her fork into her salad, Valerie crunched on her lettuce thoughtfully. She wasn’t even hungry, but it gave her something to do other than stare. “So what exactly does your company do?”
“My brothers and I started Andersen Investors & Consultants, LLC. Initially, we focused on inventors before we branched out to consulting work for small business expansions. We enjoy taking a concept and making it a reality. One such product was the Security Dog. It looks like a harmless toy, but if a doorbell rings or knocks, it triggers the ferocious barking dog audio. Then if the door is forcibly opened, the sensor automatically dials 9-1-1.”
Valerie grinned, remembering the skit her company had used to promote the Security Dog. “That was really neat and inexpensive. I thought about getting one, but never got around to it.”
“Do you live alone?”
Although David came across as a genuinely honest man, she wasn’t accustomed to giving that level of information out to a stranger. She hesitated, then eventually nodded.
“Then I’ll bring you one to church on Sunday—no charge.”
“Thank you. Pizza and the Security Dog. It’s been an interesting Valentine’s Day.” She paused. “Speaking of…why are you here tonight instead of taking a lovely lady out to dinner? I can’t believe a sister at Salvation is Free Church hasn’t caught your eye.”
Shifting in his seat, David cleared his throat. “Believe me; I have no complaints about sitting here with the lovely Sister Valerie Hart and eating pizza.”
His statement seemed to empower her. Lifting her can of soda, Valerie offered a toast. “And what could top that?”
David winked, then excused himself. The man had a serious swagger going on as he strolled to the goodies table.
Picking up a long-stemmed chocolate rose, he walked back and handed it to her.
“I know it’s tacky and cheap—and trust me, I’m anything but that—but I don’t want you to not have a flower for Valentine’s Day.”
“Ahhh.” Accepting it, she sniffed the rose as if it were real. “Thank you.”
Minutes later, her mother ambled toward her, signaling she was ready to leave. Valerie masked her disappointment with a smile. “Sure, Mom.” David didn’t hide his regret. “Let me grab my jacket, and I’ll escort you to your car.”
While David was gone, her mother leaned into her and whispered, “I hope they have this next year. I’ve made some new friends, and these men won’t let us do anything, including walking to our car alone. Plus, I think he likes you.”
I wish. But something told Valerie that not just any kind of woman could capture David Andersen’s heart. “Mom, we attend the same church.”
“Even better!” Helen beamed.
Valerie was not about to get her hopes up. She doubted that after tonight, David would look her way again.
There were enough sisters at SFC to make sure that happened. So her Cinderella night had come to a close.
Chapter 6
David scrutinized his reflection in the mirror Sunday morning. His barber had given him a precision haircut and lined his goatee. Grinning from ear to ear, he still couldn’t believe how he lucked out with Valerie on Friday night.
How ironic that he broke his own first date rule on Valentine’s Day with a chance meeting.
Hopefully after morning worship, she would join him for dinner—her choice—even if it was pizza again. David paused in his reminiscing to perfect the knot in his necktie. Satisfied with the outcome, he resumed his musing.
Valerie didn’t turn up her nose when he recruited her to serve, even though she wasn’t dressed for the part in her heels and off-white dress. Despite putting her on the spot, the sister gave her all-in-all, as if she had been on board from the beginning—until she went missing. Still, it was hard not to recognize her selfless spirit, which to him was priceless.
Her eyes were bright all evening except when he made the initial introduction of Christian and Joy. A wounded expression flashed across her face like lightning, then disappeared. Before he could ask what was wrong, Valerie vanished to change her shoes. Her legs looked great in them, to him, while she worked the room.
Honestly, he was surprised she lasted that long in those heels. David snickered. He even slowed his pace to accommodate her fashion statement—gorgeous.
After slipping on his black suit jacket, David nodded his approval. With his Bible in hand, he left and detoured by the Andersen warehouse where it took longer than expected to find an audio Security Dog in the product vault.
Once his mission was accomplished, David drove to Salvation is Free Church and parked in his familiar spot. He reached in the backseat for the box and his Bible. As David strolled to the entrance, he greeted everyone in his path with “Praise the Lord” and “Good morning”.
David planned to invite himself to where Valerie sat, but she was nowhere in sight. His heart sa
nk from disappointment, but he wasn’t discouraged. Maybe she was running late. Since the sermon hadn’t begun, he claimed a random spot, so he would have a bird’s-eye view for when she did arrive.
In the pew, David knelt and gave God thanks for allowing him to come into His sanctuary and for his chance meeting on Valentine’s Day. By the time praise and worship had concluded, Valerie still was a no-show.
What could have possibly happened between Friday and Sunday to make her miss church? David wondered, concerned. Moving to the section where his family, including the newly-engaged couple, was camped out, David tried to get his mind off the reason for Valerie’s absence. Unfortunately, the more he attempted to zero in on the message, the more the devil taunted him to search for her.
“Hallelujah!” Someone shouted near his ear, causing him to snap to attention like a naughty student or soldier. David blinked and stared at the pulpit.
“Valentine’s Day might be over,” Pastor Peyton said, “but God expects us to still love our neighbor, brothers, sisters, children, wives… The Bible says in John 15:13: ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Love is the reason God ransomed Himself on the cross. Love is what kept Jesus there. Put someone else’s needs before yours today. Make a sacrifice of love…”
Pastor Peyton preached until he shamed David into rebuking his wayward thoughts. He couldn’t continue coming to church and having thoughts of Valerie distract him.
Pastor Peyton barely took a breath as he ended his sermon and extended the altar call. “This is the part of the service where the message never changes or expires, and that’s God would love to save you. Jesus is on call 24/7 to minister to your battle wounds from the enemy. Won’t you come today? Switch sides. Repent, which means to confess your sins to God. There is no burden too heavy for Him to take from you.”
He motioned for the congregation to stand. “Peter says in Acts 2:38 to be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of your sins. Acts 4:12 states salvation is only in Jesus’ name.” A few started to make their way to the altar. The pastor bobbed his head. “That’s right, come on. We have ministers ready to baptize you and workers ready to pray for you that God would fill you with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Salvation is free, but to live sanctified will cost you something.”
Bowing his head, David focused on praying for the sick, the hurting, the lost, and others. It was by the grace of God that he was saved today, considering he didn’t always want God directing his path years earlier.
As the choir began to sing, “Somebody Prayed for Me,” God’s supernatural presence filled the sanctuary. The Spirit began to propel folks to the altar. David opened his eyes to see Christian had his arms stretched out worshipping God and his fiancée, Joy, was rejoicing.
David clapped his hands in praise as others hurried to the altar. The Power stirred until the baptismal candidates who had changed into white garments reappeared.
With a voice of authority, one of the ministers in the pool shouted, “Our dear brothers and sisters, upon the confession of your faith and the confidence that we have in the blessed Word of God, concerning His death, burial, and grand resurrection, we now indeed baptize you all in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. And God will fill you with the Holy Ghost. The evidence will come speaking in other tongues of a heavenly language.”
The congregation went wild after each candidate’s cleansing—submerged under water and pulled to the surface—until a second wave of anointing descended upon all in the sanctuary.
“I know there’s nothing like a Holy Ghost party because a Holy Ghost party don’t stop,” Pastor Peyton said, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “But let’s prepare to give God our tithes, offerings, and then I’ll give the benediction.”
Once they were dismissed, David’s family filed out of the pew. The saints around them were kissing, hugging, and shaking hands. Everyone was recharged. David was glad he hadn’t missed the spiritual depth of the service.
“Is anyone coming over to the house for dinner?” Dorcas, his mother, asked her sons, looking hopefully. As empty-nesters, it was no secret she and his father, Kenneth, welcomed company anytime—scheduled or unannounced. That’s why they eagerly embraced their ready-made grandchildren-to-be from Joy.
“Is there enough for six?” Christian teased and hugged their mother.
“I already have chocolate pudding made for those babies. You bring them on.” Dorcas winked at Joy, then she turned to her other sons.
At the very moment that David was about to commit, he saw a woman who appeared to be Valerie, leaving the balcony. “Ah, I’ll have to pass this time.” David kissed his mother’s cheek, nodded at the others, and hurried in that direction, not allowing anybody to detain him.
“Valerie?” he called when he was close enough not to shout.
As she turned around, her eyes darted from person to person until they met his. Closing the distance, David towered over her and grinned. “Hi.”
“Brother David.” She returned his smile as if she was breathless. “Praise the Lord! Wasn’t it a wonderful service? I feel spiritually rejuvenated.”
“Yeah.” He chuckled, fascinated by her smile. “Me, too.” He soaked in her beauty as he was jostled closer to her. Valerie looked as pretty as ever in a gold coatdress. Instead of her hair flowing, she had it pinned up, showcasing her facial features, including his favorite—the beauty mole above her shapely lips. Aware of the bottleneck forming because people, like them, were standing in the pathway to the door, David nudged her near a corner.
“I missed seeing you in your usual seat today,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Really?” Valerie seemed surprised.
“Umm-hmm.” He nodded and handed her the box.
Frowning, she accepted it. “What is it?”
“A Security Dog. I told you on Friday I wanted you to have one.”
“Oh.” She blushed. “I really wasn’t holding you to that, but thank you.” Valerie gave him a smile that glowed, fading out their background.
“If you don’t have any plans for the afternoon, I would like to take you out to dinner.”
Instead of her eyes dancing with excitement, Valerie’s lips were forming the perfect “o.” He knew she wasn’t about to turn him down. People didn’t usually turn down a free meal, a woman especially.
She shrugged and gave him a cute pout that he wanted to match with his bigger one. “It’s my day to visit Sister Edith.”
“Your day?”
“I’m on the sick and shut-in committee. Twice a month, I make house calls to the saints after service and share the Sunday message,” she explained, fumbling with her coat.
David took it from her. “Turn around,” he softly ordered as he helped guide her arms through the sleeves. Her hair smelled fresh. He stopped himself from taking a deeper whiff.
Clearing his mind, David waited until she faced him again. “Which Sister Edith are you going to see?” He had forgotten about the low-key ministries at SFC.
“Smith… Sister Edith Smith.”
“Yes, that Sister Edith.” David snickered. He and his brothers had known her since they were children. Whenever one of them was sick, his mother would call Sister Edie Smith to galvanize the prayer warriors. The elderly woman had been active in the prayer band for many years. “I haven’t seen her in a long time. Do you mind if I tag along?”
Valerie paused in slipping on her gloves. She searched his face with an expression that read, “Really?” Then her warm smile enchanted him. “I think Sister Edith would welcome the company.”
What about you? David wanted to ask as he escorted her out the door.
Chapter 7
Valerie didn’t know what to make of David inviting himself to tag along with her.
Visiting the sick and shut-in was definitely a saved-to-serve ministry that didn’t attract a lot of volunteers.
She didn’t want to read mor
e into his actions than what he stated. After all, Friday night had been pretty much platonic with the pizza.
Valerie smiled as she chalked up the chocolate rose he gave her the night of the dinner as was his way of amusing her and the Security Dog… She figured he was simply concerned about her safety.
However, she did notice that he called her Valerie instead of Sister Valerie as if they were old acquaintances—more than brother and sister in Christ. None of that translated into “I’m interested in you.”
“The Spirit was high today,” David said, opening the door for her.
Once in the parking lot, he slowed his stride to complement her pace.
She nodded. “God knows I needed to hear that message.”
“Is everything okay? I noticed you weren’t in your regular seat today.”
He touched her arm, causing her to stop in the middle of the aisle to block traffic. His concern was evident from his frown. “Is there anything I need to pray for?”
Her heart fluttered. He knew where she normally sat?
What was her mother’s adage? “When it comes to me, don’t let your mind play tricks on you. You’ll think there are mutual feelings, only to find out too late it was just a mirage on your part.”
Of course Valerie wished she had taken heed in the few bad relationships she had recovered from before surrendering her life to Christ, but the rules still applied.
There were almost three sisters to every brother at Salvation is Free Church.
Sisters acted as if they were contestants in a church-sponsored beauty pageant and every eligible brother, which were few considering either they were married, engaged, or some sister already had her handprints on him, were the judges where their decisions were final.
Valerie didn’t enter those contests. Her heart desired a man who loved Jesus. That was the prerequisite to him loving her.
As David waited for her answer, Valerie wished she could confess that she wanted what every woman wanted—to be loved—to have a special someone in her life.
