Love Led By the Spirit (Restore My Soul Book 3)

by Pat Simmons

  They’re beautiful. Thank you. Love you back. Your Jesetta, she texted him.

  Her morning was filled with employee introductions, then she settled in her office with a binder that gave a history of the company, which was formed less than fifty years earlier. Jet was impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of two professional pool players and Billiard Hall of Famers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart. What a legacy to be credited with a concept that would be copied in Canada, Japan, and she learned, even China.

  During her interview, her new boss said franchise operators were the driving force behind the popularity of pool leagues. Rossi and Levi would also leave a legacy for generations to come, thanks to God’s intervention. She could imagine their real estate and development company expanding from the bi-state to regional offices. Yes, she saw great things for the Tolliver cousins.

  Mark had said knowing the mechanics of pool wasn’t a perquisite for the position, but the more she read about the 8-Ball and 9-Ball team formats, the more her interest piqued, especially after seeing that APA’s spokesperson was a female professional pool player, Jeanette Lee, nicknamed the Black Widow.

  By the end of the day, Jet was convinced she had made a good career move. When she arrived home, she was surprised to see Rossi perched on her porch with a picnic basket and a bouquet of balloons.

  He stood and graced her with a smile. “Tired?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, then accepted his kiss, this time on her cheek. “Want to come in?”

  “I’ll wait out here, then we can pick a spot across the street.” He pointed to the park. “It’s a nice day.”

  She shrugged. “Okay. Let me change.” The heels came off after she stepped into her house. Within minutes, she swapped her suit for jeans and a dressy short sleeve top. When she reappeared, Rossi linked his fingers through hers.

  They stretched out a checked blanket near the walkway bridge in the park, which boasted colorful foliage in the spring and summer. They barely had opened their basket when a dirty man approached them for spare change.

  Jet had to hold her breath, so as not to lose her appetite before taking the first bite. How Rossi could stomach the odor was beyond her.

  “Would you prefer a couple of dollars or a hot meal?” Rossi asked the man.

  His uncombed wooly natural hair was gray by default with dust and dirt. The tears in his jeans weren’t reflective of the latest fashion trend. He looked from Rossi to her.

  “Hungry,” he said with a bowed head.

  Without hesitation, Rossi reached for one of the two large dinners. He handed the beggar one. “Eat, brother.” He passed him utensils and one of two bottles of water. “Mind if I pray for you?”

  The man took the food and hurried away. “Nah, I’m good. Thanks.”

  Jet waited for Rossi to be outraged because she certainly was. “That was rude.” She huffed. “You’re better than me, because if I was going to give up a meal, he was going to have to listen to me pray, and who knows, I could have become long winded. Didn’t that bother you?”

  “The only thing that bothered me was him interrupting my time with you.” His words were just as tender as the look he was giving her. “I’ll grab something to eat on the way home.”

  “No, we’ll share.” She shut down his protest with a look that said, “Don’t even try it.” “So come on and give thanks for God to bless our food.”

  Wrapping his hands around hers, he bowed his head and prayed. “Lord, thank You for the food we are about to receive and even the meal that got away. Please bless it, sanctify it, and help us to remember those who are hungry. In Jesus’ name.”

  As they said “Amen,” in unison, Rossi brought her hands to his lips.

  “I love you,” he whispered in a husky voice that made her eyes water from the tenderness she could feel from his declaration.

  “I know, and I love you back.”

  He smirked. “I know.”

  Ignoring him, Jet began to portion out the chicken carbona pasta. She wondered if God had multiplied it like the fish and the loaves because there was plenty of food, and she gave Rossi most of the serving.

  “Tell me about your first day.” He stretched out his long legs and gave her his full attention while she gave him a recap.

  “I thought about you and Levi today when I read how two pool players built the business. My company oversees almost three hundred leagues, thanks to the hard work from franchisees.”

  “Impressive. Sounds like a great opportunity for someone who wants to start a business. Speaking of business—my personal one, I’m getting married as soon as the woman dining with me says yes.”

  She grinned. “I want a real proposal.”

  “Who says it wasn’t real?”

  She jutted her chin and said nothing.

  “Now that you’re working full-time again, I hope you’ll have energy for mid-week services, including youth night. I think we’ll go shoot pool in honor of my almost fiancée’s new gig.”

  ***

  Saturday morning, Rossi’s plans to spend the entire day with Jet were dashed, but it was a good thing. He was pleasantly surprised that she was out shopping with Karyn for Dori’s school clothes and supplies. “Can you pencil me in for a dinner date this evening?”

  “How about I cook you dinner? I’ve decided on making the lower level a home theater, and I might get a pool table,” she said excitedly.

  Rossi took a deep breath. Friendship with Jet was easy. The courtship would be challenging because of his strong attraction to her. As Christians, they would have to use much restraint with their affections. “I’d rather take you out to a nice romantic dinner.”

  “Come on. Let me cook for you,” she whined, and Rossi chuckled. “Seriously, you surprised me for breakfast at your parents’ house. I can cook, you know.” Her voice was defiant.

  “I’m well aware of my almost fiancée’s culinary skills, but I still have to decline.” He braced for her comeback, and she unfortunately didn’t disappoint.

  “What’s your problem?” She sounded beyond irked.

  “Trust me.” He softened his tone to calm her down. “If you want romance, then let me take the lead. Agreed?”

  Hmphed. “You can pick me up at six-thirty.” When she disconnected, Rossi chuckled and shook his head. Being a Christian couple with Jesetta Hutchens was going to be challenging. He was beginning to see how his father landed in the doghouse with his mother when he tried to be thoughtful or something and his father’s timing was off.

  He stayed busy while Jet was out shopping. He even paid Levi a visit for a few hours until it was time to get ready for his date.

  Soon, he parked in front of her house and hiked the steps two and three at a time to her door. He rang the bell and waited. She opened seconds later and under the guise of not being ready, Jet opened the front door and disappeared inside, clearly inviting him to follow. Refusing to cross the threshold, Rossi waited on the porch. Five minutes later, she reappeared.

  Rossi swallowed. His knees wobbled until he stood straight. The stunning beauty before him had his mind jumbled. He didn’t know whether to whistle or speak. Finally, he released, “Wow.” He stepped closer—his mistake. Her perfume was teasing. “I am one blessed man.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips before escorting her down the steps.

  She blushed as he whisked her away to Elaia Restaurant on Tower Grove, not far from Forest Park. The atmosphere was a mixture of casual and chic and came highly recommended by Levi.

  Once they ordered appetizers, the staff faded into the background. Reaching across the table, Rossi gathered Jet’s hands in his. He admired the precision of the shape of her nails and wondered if this was Dori’s handiwork. “You look beautiful. You can make a man lose his appetite.”

  She leaned across the table. “Not if you taste my pasta. I’m an excellent cook.”

  “I don’t doubt that, but I don’t want you to cook for me until after we’re married.”

  Jet gave him a
side eye. “What is this really about, because if I invite you one more time for a free meal and you turn me down…?”

  “Don’t challenge me, Jesetta. We both may lose.”

  As she tried to pull back, he tightened his hold to trap her long fingers, but measured his strength so not to hurt her. Gazing into her eyes, he was drawn into the brown hue.

  “How is a woman wanting to cook for her man a bad thing?” She frowned.

  Looking at her, Rossi wondered if this was how King David was smitten with one glance at Bathsheba. Jet was a tease, and he doubted she was trying.

  “First off, I’m a minister ordained by God, then by man. I’m in the spotlight at all times like a politician. My shameful behavior in front of my employees was a bad example of acting Christ-like. We have to walk a fine line when it comes to dating the Bible way. I won’t skip a beat on the romance.”

  “What are you saying?” She paused as their server placed their plates before them, asked if they need anything else, and disappeared.

  “Our affections aren’t for public display.”

  “I invited you to my house for dinner, and there would be no prying eyes.”

  “Or private display. Baby—” he lowered his voice and prayed for her to understand—“a lot of sins are committed behind closed doors. Even if our intentions are pure, Romans 14:16 says not to let our good be evil spoken of.”

  Leaning back in her chair, Jet’s eyes wandered as if she was giving some thought to what he was saying. Their dishes arrived before they had finished with the appetizers. She nodded her thanks and bowed her head for him to pray. Once their Amens mingled, Jet picked up their conversation before taking the first bite of food. “We’re both practicing Christians and filled with the Holy Ghost.”

  “And trapped in a sinful body, so I want us to be a team. Let’s shame the devil, not God in our love.” He held his breath, watching her, praying that she understood.

  “Only because I love you, Rossi Tolliver IV—or should I call you Minister Tolliver from now on?”

  “Whatever your heart calls me, I’ll answer.”

  Picking up her fork, Jet began to sample her dish, so Rossi followed with his meal. Minutes later, she asked, “Do you like being a minister?”

  It wasn’t the first time he had been asked that. “It’s not so much that I like the title, more so, I like pleasing God.”

  She nodded, then took a sip from her glass. “What about being a pastor?”

  He sighed and wiped his mouth. “That’s up to the Lord. If He’s not promoting, I’m not trying to climb a corporate—church—ladder. As a youth minister, my focus is on the teens and young adults that are dealing with issues. Counseling that small segment of the church keeps me busy.”

  “I remember one teenager text you as you were dropping me off at the hotel.”

  “Yes, and I get those calls from time to time. A pastor would get more. His responsibility is unlimited. Pastor Brown is our regular Bible teacher, Sunday preacher, counselor, public speaker, worship director, prayer warrior, mentor, leadership trainer, and fundraiser.”

  Jet exhaled. “That sounds stressful.”

  “That’s why it’s important that preachers are called by God because He is the One who will give us strength. Some pastors walk away from their congregation because of their criticism, rejection, and betrayal. I was surprised to read that a majority of pastors consider leaving the ministry because of problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors. That makes me wonder if God called them.”

  Resting her fork, Jet reached across the table. “I don’t want to add to your stress level. If you say we’re on public display while dating, I’ll do my best to support you.”

  Rossi choked back his emotions. “This is why you are the perfect woman for me.”

  She blushed. “You’re going to have to show me how this Christian romance works.”

  “It will be my pleasure.”

  ***

  “Can we talk?” Nalani’s call came as a surprise to Rossi the following Monday as he prepared for a meeting in a few hours.

  “Always. Is everything okay?”

  “How about lunch or dinner?” she asked after a brief silence.

  Rossi shook his head before answering. “I’m in a relationship with Jesetta. I don’t want her or anyone else to misunderstand seeing me with another woman I once dated. Is there something we can discuss over the phone or at church?”

  “Why Jet, not me?” Nalani’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  Her wounded heart was evident. Rossi wished he could play dumb, but he couldn’t. He formed his words carefully. He and Nalani were friends and in-laws. “When we dated, I went into it wondering if you were the one. I was open to finding love—”

  “Did you give us a chance?”

  “Did we give us a chance? I believe so, I walked into our relationship with an expectant heart. But our hearts never connected.”

  She sighed. “Rossi, you’re honest and a good minister. I don’t want to see Jet bring you down, instead of building you up. It’s not like she’s a people person.”

  Nalani had no idea how much Jet had been by his side. Jet loved and respected him, and he her. “I wouldn’t say that. You only know her post Diane’s death. I knew her before when she was vibrant and glowed with life.” He paused. “Levi and Karyn have resolved their issues with her.”

  Clearing her throat, Nalani’s voice grew stronger. “I’m not there yet. First, she messed with my sister and now…”

  “Now what?” Rossi prompted her to finish.

  “Never mind.” She disconnected without saying goodbye.

  Chapter 24

  With little effort, Jet could seduce any man for the fun of it. Of course, that was before she surrendered to Christ’s will for her life. Since she and Rossi were both practicing Christians, and he was stronger than her, surely they could contain their emotions, right?

  It saddened her that they wouldn’t be able to share an intimate dinner, watch a scary or romantic movie together, or play a silly board game in the privacy of her home. She wanted them to experience so much as they grew as a couple, and they didn’t always have to go out to date.

  The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, God whispered. Read Galatians 5:17.

  Reaching in her desk drawer, Jet pulled out her tablet and tapped in the scripture and meditated on it before she had to go into a meeting. Shaking her head after reading the verse a couple of times, Jet realized it was foolish thinking that she was in control of the seduction game she played with her dates. It was her flesh in control of her, putting her in situations that could have resulted in diseases or pregnancies. “Thank you, Jesus, for Your spirit.”

  Minutes later, her phone rang. She smiled when she recognized Layla’s number. “Hey, girlfriend. How’s my Holy Ghost–filled sister?” Her friend had returned to Nashville unfulfilled about receiving the water baptism in Jesus’ name. She had wanted it all.

  Layla’s hunger for spiritual strength caused her to increase her prayer life until God filled her with tongues of fire. She had been so happy, she couldn’t sleep, which meant she woke Jet. Together they had a praise party over the phone until Jet realized the time and had to go to sleep for work. That had been a few days ago. Now, they spoke every day.

  “Hey, I need some dating ideas,” Jet said, having explained to Layla her and Rossi’s restrictions on dating.

  “Movie marathon, dinner, picnic, bike riding, shopping…”

  “Basically, we’ve done all of the above.”

  “What about a couples’ painting party. They’re popular now.”

  Jet grinned. “Sounds like Rossi and I are about to paint the town.”

  ***

  What did Rossi know about painting, except to plaster colors on a wall? The painting party was Jesetta’s idea. He worked with architects on designs, contractors on projects, and paint
ers on color selection, but when it came to a canvas, he did better with a number two pencil. He could sketch for days, although it had been a while. But who was he to deny his lady a date night at Painting with a Twist art studio?

  “This should be interesting,” he mumbled as he parked in front of Jet’s house. She was dolled up in an oversized gray shirt, black pants, and cute cap to mimic an artist. “You look pretty.”

  “And you look seriously handsome.” She grinned. “Come on. This should be exciting. Next time, we should invite Octavia and Landon.”

  Next time? he repeated to himself. He hoped this wouldn’t be a routine date. Left up to him, they would have gone rock climbing. In the end, he didn’t care as long as they were together.

  When they arrived at the Creve Coeur art studio, Rossi didn’t know what to expect as they strolled through the lobby, admiring artwork. They were led to a large classroom where at least a dozen easels were set up. Three couples had already picked their spots.

  “Sit anywhere you’d like,” their art instructor advised.

  Looping her arm through his, Jet leaned into him. “Let’s surprise each other.”

  Her brown eyes were captivating. He didn’t respond right away until she bumped him with her hip, then took her place at the easel facing him. As the room filled up, couples introduced themselves until Annie Mims, their instructor, asked for their attention. “Welcome, everyone. Since this is a date night for most of you, I thought creating a romantic scene would put you in the mood.” She wiggled her brows.

  A few men replied, “That’s what I’m talking about,” “Alright now,” or “Yes.”

  Rossi didn’t need any artificial sparks. Jesetta did that all herself when she walked into a room, smiled, laughed, or concentrated on the message whenever the Word was preached. All he needed was to woo her to say yes, then it was on.

  “Hey,” Jet said, peeping over her canvas, “Annie said to pull out your brushes.”

  He complied, but soon the soft background music inspired him to paint another image his mind was seeing rather than following the example that had been provided—two empty chairs on a beach with a soft moon in the night sky. He started forming Jet’s lips as the focal point. He manipulated the brush to curl her lips like when she smiled. Her cheekbones came next. He switched to a smaller brush to form them with a gentle hand. Once he added her long lashes to her seductive brown eyes, it was as if her face came alive and blinked back at him. He smirked.