“Okay now back to this land you were telling me about. Can you tell me exactly where in DC this property is?” Kingston asked as he popped a newton into his mouth.
“The area is close to the Metro as well as being a both a residential and business neighborhood. The location is perfect because not only do you get the resident’s business but the professional businesses as well. Most working people love to shop during their lunch hour because that’s less shopping they have to do after work. The property is located at 12179 Reutuf Street near Wealth Ave.” The man explained with great detail.
“Hmm. Sounds like just what I’m looking for. Is there anything on the land right now?” Kingston knew inviting Chad Dunbar to meet with him was a good idea.
“Right now the property is empty but the owner is very eager to sell for the right price so now will be the perfect time to put in a bid.” The man said as he smoothed his hand over his slicked back hair again.
“Mr. Dunbar if you could just get me the numbers on this property that would be great. I can then present it to the rest of my business associates and see where it takes us.” Kingston stood as the man grabbed his hat and they walked to the door.
“I will get you those numbers, Mr. Carter. I’ll see you soon. Oh and congrats on that lovely woman you have.”
“Thank you and thanks for coming. Enjoy the rest of your day.” Kingston said while leading the man out of his office.
********************
Sinclair could not believe her luck. She had left the office an hour early and yet she was still in DC.
Sinclair sat in her SUV behind a white mini-van filled with little kids jumping around as they sat in the snarled traffic.
“Crap!!!” She shouted before picking up her cell and dialing Kingston’s number on her cell phone.
“Hey beautiful where are you?” Kingston answered on the first ring.
“Still in DC, I had to go pick up my car and now I’m stuck in traffic. The president and his wife must be going out tonight too.” Sinclair said while sitting in traffic and upset.
“No worries, just get here in one piece,” Kingston replied as he prepared things in his kitchen.
“I’m sorry. I really did try to get there on time.” She said feeling really bad that she was late yet again for their date.
“Don’t worry about it; Mr. President isn’t the only one who wants to spend quality time with this special lady. Just get here safely.” He said so lovingly that Sinclair had to smile.
“Okay. Then I’ll see you soon.” Sinclair said just as the traffic finally started to move.
After an hour long delay Sinclair finally made it to Kingston’s house. Rain started to pour just as she rang his bell, thankfully he answered rather quickly.
“Hurry and come inside,” Kingston said as he pulled Sinclair inside his house and into his arms. Before she could even say a word he gave her a very passionate kiss, leaving her breathless.
“Wow!! What was that for?” Sinclair asked while Kingston still held her in his arms.”
“For the Figs and lunch yesterday,” he said as he winked at her and started walking toward the kitchen.
“Hmm, I’d love to see what I’d get if I sent you a three course meal.” Sinclair teased him as she put her purse down on a nearby table by the door and followed Kingston.
Kingston stopped in his tracks causing Sinclair to bump into him. He looked Sinclair directly into her eyes. “Well we will just have to see now won’t we?” Kingston asked with a wicked smile.
They entered the kitchen to find the stove and countertops filled with various and bowls and cooking utensils everywhere.
“What are you making?” Sinclair quizzed Kingston.
“We’re making Hawaiian Chicken and sautéed Vegetables over a bed of wild rice.” He explained as he reached behind Sinclair and tied an apron on her. Seeing the scared look in her eyes he tried to calm her. “You’ll be fine, we’re doing this together.” He added as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
In a childlike voice Sinclair replied, “But I didn’t bring my fire extinguisher.”
“We won’t need it. Now let’s begin, I am starving.” He said as he went to the refrigerator and retrieved a large covered bowl.
He placed the covered bowl in front of Sinclair. “This, my sweet, is chicken that I marinated last night. All you have to do to this is add the pieces of chicken to this glass pan.”
“Okay,” Sinclair said in a shaky voice as she followed the instructions Kingston gave her.
“Now that you have done that, we are going to pour the remaining marinade all over the chicken.” He instructed her as he stood close to her making sure she was okay.
“Why are we pouring the sauce on it when it already is covered in it?” She questioned him as she poured the sauce all over the chicken.
“Because it will cook in its own juices giving it a better flavor,” he answered while letting Sinclair taste it off the spoon.
“That’s good.” She told him as she tasted it from his finger.
“And it will only get better once we cut up the vegetables and add them to it.” He explained as he handed her a pepper to cut while he cut up an onion. “We will let that bake for about forty minutes to an hour.”
“Now what are we going to do?” She asked as she looked at him in inquisitively.
“You are going to put your feet up and enjoy this white chocolate I brought for you,” Kingston said while escorting Sinclair into the adjacent family room. “I’m going to make my secret drink while you relax for few minutes.”
“I want to help.” She said eagerly.
“No, no. I want you to taste it first and then see if you can figure out what I put in it. Part of learning how to cook is to recognize the different flavors and see if they blend well.” Kingston said as he hovered in secrecy at the counter periodically going back to the refrigerator. “Now just enjoy that chocolate and relax for a few minutes.”
“Fine!” Sinclair pouted.
“So how was your day Miss Madison?” He asked while preparing his special drink with his back towards Sinclair.
“So non-eventful and that worked for me. I actually closed the agency early today so I could pick up my car from the shop.” She answered while indulging in the chocolate.
“What was wrong with your SUV? Was it the radiator like you thought?” Kingston asked remembering Sinclair trying to fix her smoking car on the highway.
“Yes, the mechanic said something about bad wires or something.” Sinclair said shrugging because she was just happy she didn’t need to use a rental anymore.
“Well my meeting yesterday went just as well. With my dad deciding to open a new store hopefully that meeting will give us the perfect location.”
Sinclair thought this would be a perfect time to tell Kingston about Mr. Dunbar but she didn’t want to rain on his parade so she kept silent about it.
“Stop! Don’t move another muscle. I see you trying to sneak over here.” Kingston said waving his wooden spoon at Sinclair.
“I just wanted to hug you to congratulate you,” she lied through her teeth as she tried to inch her way closer to Kingston. The fact of the matter was that she was trying to get close to him to see what he was putting in the drink.
“I don’t know who you are trying to fool Miss Madison?” He said waving his spoon at Sinclair. “I know you were trying to see what I’m doing over here but it’s not going to happen. So you can go back over there and put those pretty little feet back on the ottoman and relax. After I am done with this then we can work on the vegetables and rice.”
“Why didn’t you just make that before I got here?” Sinclair huffed as she sat back on the sofa and put her feet up as instructed by Kingston.
“Since it was already late I took the liberty of getting my guest room ready for you to spend the night. Especially with this nasty weather I figured it would not be a good idea for you to drive back home.” He explained as he chopped something and pu
t in the large glass pitcher.
“You think you are so smart Mr. Carter?” She said sarcastically, yet playfully.
“As a matter of fact I do think I am smart. Smart enough to get and keep you aren’t I?’ Kingston replied with a wicked smile and even Sinclair had to laugh.
“Touché.” Sinclair replied because he did ask her out a few months ago and ever since then they had been inseparable.
There was no denying that the two were in love even if Sinclair didn’t believe it herself. She was very skeptical of falling in love but yet and still Kingston made her heart skip a beat whenever she was with him or even talked to him.
“Since we both have a free day off tomorrow if you like we can lounge around the house and watch movies all day.” Kingston added while Sinclair nodded her head in agreement. “Now since you’re staying, why you don’t you pull your car into my garage while I finish making this.”
“Come here,” she said to Kingston softly. “No more tricks I promise.” Sinclair crossed her fingers to Kingston.
Kingston had reluctantly made his way to a standing Sinclair.
Sinclair hugged Kingston and kissed him on the check. “That’s for knowing what I need even if I don’t know that I need it myself.”
“Well you are very welcome. You knew I needed those Figs yesterday and I know when you need to relax and unwind. We are a team and we look out for each other, that’s how a real relationship works. We take care of each other just like vessel I told you about before,” Kingston explained while still holding her in his arms.
“Let me go move my car, I’ll be right back,” Sinclair said as she slid out Kingston’s arms.
When Sinclair and Kingston finished eating dinner they snuggled together on the couch. They cuddled in the family room while sipping on Kingston’s secret punch.
“This is perfect.” Sinclair said while relaxing in Kingston’s muscular arms.
“My secret drink or our perfect dinner we made together? Or us cuddling together?” He asked as pouring rain pounded the house.
“Sinclair turned and looked in Kingston’s gray eyes. “All of the above,” she replied while inching closer to Kingston. “You’re keeping me nice and warm especially with this crazy rain.”
“Well I’m doing my best. I don’t know about you but it seems like it rains every other week. Not just grab your umbrella rain but hurricane rain in the summer time.” Kingston said while holding Sinclair in his arms.
“I am so over this rain it’s not even funny. I think maybe Mother Nature got Washington DC mixed up with Washington State where it rains all the time.” Sinclair joked as she lay staring at the ceiling fan.
“I agree, this is perfect.” Kingston said sipping on this drink. “So can you figure out what I put in my drink?”
“Not exactly sure but I think I taste lemon and…” Sinclair said as she sipped her drink again. “Maybe sugar or something sweet. Not lemonade but something else.”
“You are close but I am going to make you figure this out and we have all night long.” Kingston explained.
“Whatever you put in here it takes delicious and at least I know I’m close so I will figure it out.” Sinclair said as she placed her glass on the coffee table.
“You know I was talking to my parents about you,” Kingston said as he placed his glass on the table next to Sinclair’s.
“I hope you didn’t tell them that I can’t cook,” Sinclair laughed.
“I actually told them that you put a master chef to shame.” Seeing Sinclair’s confused look. “I am speaking it into existent. The only way to believe that you are something is to breathe life into it. You will not only learn how to cook but you will be great at it too. You will be a great cook and you will be cooking for me while I put my feet up.” Kingston responded as they both laughed.
“Okay. Whatever you say Pastor Carter,” Sinclair winked at Kingston.
“Anyway getting back to what I was trying to tell you. I told my parents about your agency and what you do. They would like to donate some items to help you.” Kingston went on as he sat back on the sofa. “They weren’t sure what you needed so they asked me to ask you. I told them you would welcome any donations and that it didn’t matter what they were because you need donations period.”
A surprised Sinclair hugged Kingston. “Oh my God! That’s great. I could really use the help. My supplies are running low right about now.”
“So what do you need?” Kingston asked Sinclair.”
“Let me see.” Sinclair said as she got up to grab her cell phone to look for her list.
“Wait; let me get some paper and a pen so I won’t forget anything.” Kingston began as he started searching for the items in the counter draws. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Are you sure because, it’s a lot?” Sinclair replied with uncertainty in her voice.
“Yes I’m sure, now let’s go.” Kingston said while waiting for Sinclair to begin.
Reading for her notes in her cell phone Sinclair began. “I need tooth brushes and toothpaste. Feminine hygiene products, deodorants and backpacks. I also need bottled water and….” Just then thunder roared so loudly it caused Sinclair to jump spilling their drinks all over the paper Kingston was writing on.
“I am so sorry!” Sinclair apologized as she tried to clean up the mess. Kingston got up to get a dish towel.
“It’s okay, but are you okay?” Kingston asked as he went to help her. “What was all that jumping about?” He asked as they finished cleaning the mess.
Sinclair was not prepared to deal with this question in the least but she knew she had to tell him but it was now or never Sinclair thought. “This is embarrassing, but it is what it is. When you were a kid did you ever get scared of something?”
“Of course I did,” he quickly replied without giving thought to her question.
She continued her question. “And what did you do about it?”
“I ran to my mother and father…” he answered just as he realized where Sinclair was going with her question.
“I am so sorry Sinclair, I just realized you didn’t have anyone to run to since it seems lightning and thunder scares you.” Kingston concluded. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Let me tell you a secret, I hate roller coasters with a passion. They scare the living mess out of me but I have to suck it up and go on those rides with Jamison’s kids because I don’t want them to think Uncle Kingston is a punk,” Kingston said to Sinclair who had a weird look on her face.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Sinclair was in between pinching Kingston and hitting him just to knock some sense into him.
“No, but I knew it would make you laugh. But really any time you have a fear or anything that you find hard to do, just give it to God and let Him handle it. Then sit back and watch everything will be fine. Now when you give it to Him, make sure you let go because it you don’t He won’t be able to do what He needs to and you will still be struggling to get over that issue. You have to totally let go and let God. You have to trust that God knows better than we do because when we go thinking that we can do a better job than God that’s when we make more of a mess than we started with. So remember to let go and let God.” Kingston said as he brushed Sinclair’s curly hair as she leaned on his shoulders.
“You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better Kingston. I’m glad that you’re in my life and I really appreciate you.”
“Well I love having you in my life as well. You are a very special woman and you know I love to see you smile. I will do anything in this world to bring a smile to your beautiful face because you know I love your smile. And yes I would make a fool out of myself any day of the week just for you.” Kingston went on as he held Sinclair.
“That’s so sweet of you but you are a nut job for telling me to suck it up, you know that Pastor Carter?” Sinclair just shook her head because he was right, she had to overcome her fears.
“I may be a nut job but if we’re dating
what does that make you? Now remember, the company that you keep is a reflection of you.” Kingston asked with his voice filled with curiosity.
“That makes me….”Sinclair began as she wriggled her way out of Kingston’s arms. “That makes me want to go find what you put in that drink you made.” Sinclair said as she bolted for the refrigerator to see what he put in the secret drink.
SHE FLIPS
Sinclair could not believe her eyes, it clearly must be a mistake because there was no other way of explaining what she was reading. But the more she read the more enraged she became. Her head started throbbing with pain. She had to get to the bottom of this because she knew for sure it had to be a mistake.
She drove as fast as she could over the streets of DC straight to Kingston’s house in Bethesda. She didn’t even know how she managed to get to Bethesda in less than twenty minutes over the rain slicked roads but she did.
Kingston would always leave his front door unlocked whenever he expected her so she barged into his living room. Kingston sat in his living room on his red sofa while going over documents that were displayed on his coffee table between himself and another gentleman. He was so engulfed in their conversation that he did not even hear Sinclair walk in.
“What the heck is this, Kingston?” Sinclair demanded while shoving the paper in his face.
A surprised Kingston jumped to his feet seeing the rage in Sinclair’s eyes.
“What?” Kingston asked, looking at a crazed Sinclair.
“Don’t act like you don’t know!” Sinclair asked, realizing who the person was seated beside in the room with him.
Turning to the man, “And you Dunbar, you low life piece of crap!” Sinclair yelled toward him.
“You know him?” Kingston asked bewildered pointing to Mr. Dunbar who had moved away from the two and closer to the piano. “What is going on here?”
“This is the thorn in my side that came and offered me five hundred thousand dollars to buy me out of my business.” Sinclair said turning towards Mr. Dunbar who was now on the other side of the room.
The Pastor's Heart Page 9