by Pat Simmons
His grandfather had told him not to beat himself up. That was easier said than done. Landon had no felt shame in messing around with his cousin’s fiancée at the time. He and Brittani had gambled and lost—Garrett wouldn’t forgive her or him. Brittani getting married was for the best if the man would accept another man’s children—his boys. Landon frowned. Of all the good male role models in his life, why did he have to be the bad apple in the bunch? He looked up in the sky. “God, was my redemption even worth it?” He sighed.
No soul is wasted, God spoke.
Chapter 19
How does a woman purge another man from her heart? A few days later, Octavia thought she had the answer. Whether it was a wise choice or not, remained to be seen. After taking a deep, cleansing breath, she made the call. “Were you busy?”
James chuckled. “Octavia,” he cooed right away. “I told you that if you called, I would answer. So, does this mean you can pencil me in for dinner, say Friday night?”
At least it sounded like a sultry coo to her. Octavia could use the flattery right now to jumpstart her heart. “I have my praise dance rehearsal from six to eight. You can come…” Octavia paused, thinking about the last man who watched the group’s routine, even though she had to drag Landon against his will, but that had been God’s will toward his restoration. “We can eat after that.”
“Two hours…hmm. How about we also catch a movie or go to the museum on Saturday, then dinner, and maybe a brunch and play on Sunday?”
She was amused he could piece together an agenda like that off the top of his head while dodging her question. “I have a house showing on Saturday afternoon,” she countered. Was she negotiating a contract or setting up a date? And with someone whose commitment to Christ was suspect.
“It sounds like you work too hard. I can help ease your burden by introducing you to people with more buying power; that way you and I can have more time.”
“That would be nice, but until then, I have commitments to my existing clients.” Like the Colemans—they had accepted the disappointing news about the house and agreed to keep searching. Octavia was determined to find them something in their price range. “A movie sounds good.” She was also resolved to getting out more in hopes that God had a man with her name stamped on his head like an item marked sold. Lord, help me to stay in Your will.
“Good luck.” James grunted. “Terri told me most of your clientele are low-wage earners and take up a lot of your time and hand holding, but I would like to have that honor of holding your hand before the weekend is over.”
She tried to conjure up the image of strolling through a park, holding hands and exploring a new relationship. When Landon’s face materialized, she shut that image down. She cleared her throat. “I’m open for anything after church on Sunday. You’re welcome to attend. My group will be the praise dancers during morning worship. Will you come?”
“Sure.” He didn’t sound upbeat. As a matter of fact, she heard an underlining tinge of annoyance.
“James, this is my personal invitation to Jesus the Great Shepherd Church for you to accept or decline. Be upfront with me.”
“I am. Shall I pick you up?” Instead of giving him her home address, she gave him the church’s. “Octavia, this can work between us, but it’s going to take some compromising on both our parts to get to know each other. Agreed?”
“Yes.” When they ended the call, Octavia exhaled. Before the weekend was over, she would find out how much compromising James was talking about. “Okay, I did it,” she said as if Terri was in the car with her.
Landon hadn’t been too happy about going to church either, but look what God had done, so there was hope for James.
The next morning, Octavia worked from home since she was attending an afternoon fundraiser sponsored by a group of ladies she had met through Frank Lindell. She schmoozed and exchanged business cards with female movers and shakers of Fortune 500 companies, plus doctors and lawyers. After a few hours, Octavia said her goodbyes. Not only was the event a success, but the affair raised tens of thousands of dollars for a village in Central America, and it gave Octavia ideas about spearheading a fundraiser for homeless families in America.
On her way home, a man whose side profile resembled Landon caught Octavia’s attention, but he was thicker and not as good-looking. That sighting sparked musings of what might have developed between them. She realized her physical attraction to Landon after she came face-to-face with the cleaned-up version at the mixer with Rossi, and Octavia had taken a second and a third glance.
She compared Landon to James. In the looks department, Landon had the edge. When it came to their wardrobe, James won hands down, because he had the means. Octavia sighed. She had to divert her mind away from Landon, which in turn made her think of the women he’d wronged and the babies he’d deserted. She shivered at his recklessness. Besides, he no longer needed her. He was in good hands with the Lord and with Rossi.
As she drove into her driveway, Octavia waved at her elderly neighbor before her sister’s ring tone distracted her. She hurried and parked in the garage, then answered. “Hey, stranger. So you remembered you had a sister?” she joked, getting out and walking through the door to her kitchen. She punched in the code to deactivate her home security alarm and rested her purse and keys on the counter.
“Sorry. The internship got crazy, then I had to scramble to replace a class that was dropped…” Olivia seemed to clock a thousand words per minute without taking a breath. “So what’s going on with you?”
“How much time do you have?” Kicking off her shoes, Octavia padded across her hardwood floor to her bedroom. Her pantyhose were the first thing that came off. “Well, I’m going on a date,” she said without much fanfare
Olivia screamed. “Yes! Landon…?”
When had her sister become a supporter for Landon? Too bad, because she was about to switch sides. “Ahh, it’s with a guy named James Kennedy. He’s an attorney, good-looking and…” she scrambled to find another adjective to describe him.
“Oh no. Landon’s out of the picture so soon?” She sounded as if she was pouting, then recovered with a huff. “What happened?”
“Well, if you had returned my messages, you would have known what I found out about Mr. Landon Thomas.”
“I knew it. He had a Coming to America thing going on. What’s wrong with him being an heir to royalty?” Olivia shouted as if she was on a game show.
Octavia sighed. “No,” she said solemnly as she recounted word for word what Landon had revealed. Reliving the moment had her heart aching, but it was a relief for Octavia to unload the burden that she held bottled. Yet, it was still exhausting. “Terri has been hounding me about going out with James. I’m not a fan of B.Y.O.B., but who knows…” She shrugged.
“Oh, no, don’t try that ‘bring your own beau’ to church stuff,” her sister fussed, then she softened her voice. “You cared for Landon. You admired him, looking past his present circumstances—no home, no job, no shower—most women would have dismissed him, but you respected him.”
“Do you have to remember everything I say?” Octavia rolled her eyes. “Forget all that. He preys on women, church included! I was probably his next victim!” She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs.
“I heard you say that he preyed—past tense—and repented—present tense, but for the record, I want to back slap him.” She paused. “We’ve never strayed like that since God saved us, but instead of rejoicing with him, you walked away. Most people have a big dark secret. I hope I never have to share one with you.”
When Olivia paused, Octavia jumped in. “Is there a deep dark secret you want to tell me?” she pried. “Besides, you’ve never met Landon, yet you’re on his side.”
“I’m on the Lord’s side,” Olivia corrected. “Landon will have to depend on God to give him grace to reap what he sowed. Now back to Jimmy.”
“James,” Octavia corrected.
“Unless Jesus says he’s the work in
progress for you, don’t force it. Good-looking men have approached you before and there’s a reason they didn’t make the cut. Your heart will know if James is the one.”
Octavia chuckled. “Listen to my baby sister giving me love advice. Hope I don’t have to give it back to you when you’re confused about a guy.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Olivia laughed and so did Octavia.
As if the two were brainstorming a business concept, they went over the pros and cons of going out with James. “I say give Jimmy three dates to determine if he wants you and God as a package deal,” Olivia proposed.
Octavia agreed and overlooked her sister giving James a nickname.
Friday afternoon, Octavia hurried home from the office to shower and change into something flirty. She chose a sleeveless flowing mid-calf dress and heeled scandals. Once the rehearsal was over, she and James would enjoy a late dinner.
When she arrived at church, there was no sign of James or an unrecognizable car in the parking lot. She waited in the foyer for a few minutes, peeking out the door. Finally, she headed to the women’s lounge where her friends were probably changing.
“’Bout time you got here,” Kai said, hugging Octavia.
“Don’t mind her,” Deb teased. “You know patience isn’t Kai’s strong point.”
“I know.” Octavia grinned, then kicked off her shoes and slipped on socks. Once all three were in their practice clothes and prayed that God would be pleased, they headed to the dimmed sanctuary. Someone in the technical booth flashed on the spotlight.
Octavia did a sweep and didn’t see anyone sitting in the audience. Okay, he’ll be here, she coaxed herself, rather than becoming annoyed that James wasn’t there. “This is not about him,” she mumbled to herself and focused on her task at hand.
After they finished the second routine, she spied a solo occupant in the back row. Relaxed, she waved and he waved back. James was late, but he had come. The only other person who had watched her practice was Landon, and that was by default.
She blinked the memories away to perform the third and final number until Deb stopped mid-step and complained, “We’re off. I think we should go through it one more time.”
Once they were satisfied that the routine was perfect, Octavia beat them to the dressing room to change. “I have someone I want you to meet.” She couldn’t wait to introduce James to Deb and Kai and get their take. His appearance had sparked a level of anticipation, and she was excited to be swept off her feet.
“I thought I saw you wave at someone.” Deb lifted a brow as Octavia checked her appearance. Unfortunately, when she returned to the auditorium, it was empty. Frowning, she led them to the foyer.
“Maybe he’s in the men’s room,” Deb said as her husband pulled up to the entrance and waved before stepping out the car for his wife. “I’ll meet him next time.”
“Me too,” Kai added. “I’ve got plans.” She grinned and hurried out the door.
Octavia lingered in the hall, waiting. When the men’s restroom door opened, Brother Michaels strolled out. “Is anyone else inside?” she asked.
“Nope. Just me.”
“Thanks.” So where was he? She backtracked to the entrance, wondering if he was waiting in his car, which would not make a good impression on her. When she opened the door, James was walking toward her with a swagger a woman couldn’t help but admire. Any attitude she had with his disappearing act vanished as she beheld the fine specimen of God’s handiwork. She had been crazy not to call him.
“Hi, beautiful.” James smiled. As he stepped closer, his sex appeal was definitely overpowering, but she wouldn’t let that distract her. “What are you doing out here? I thought you’d wait for me in the sanctuary.”
“I’m just getting here.” He handed her a long-stemmed rose.
Her mouth formed an “o” as she accepted his token. Someone had definitely waved at her. It wasn’t uncommon for church members who were there for meetings to pop in the sanctuary for a prayer, listen to a choir rehearsal or watch a praise team practice. Octavia was disappointed, knowing that it wasn’t James.
“I had hoped you could have watched me rehearse.” She wanted to pout, but didn’t.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.” He winked then steered her elbow toward a silver Benz.
Octavia gently shook her elbow free. “I’ll drive.”
“Let me pamper you,” he offered, dropping his voice.
Was she being petty to think that he missed that opportunity by being a no-show at her practice? Plus, she took the possibility of date rape seriously. “You can pamper me once we get to our destination.” She smiled to ease the blow to his pride when disappointment flashed on his face. “Where are we going?”
“Longhorn Steakhouse?” He waited for her approval.
“Then I guess I’ll see you there.”
James fell in step with her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Half an hour later, they had arrived and were shown to a booth. James was all smiles and compliments—so many that Octavia blushed more than once.
Their waitress introduced herself and advised them of the special. James ordered white wine with his lamb chops while she chose a crab dish and water.
James frowned. “If you don’t want a glass of wine, would you prefer a margarita?”
“Water is fine. If I want anything stronger, I’ll order a Sprite.”
“Very well.” The woman gathered their menus and left.
“You don’t drink?” James leaned closer. “Not even a little?” He used his thumb and a finger as a demonstration. “Jesus drank wine.”
Octavia refrained from rolling her eyes. She would be a rich woman if she passed the collection plate every time someone said that to her. “I appreciate a man who knows his Bible. I’m sure you know the scriptures that warn against being drunk. Since I don’t know my tolerance level, I’m good with following Christ’s examples with living holy—”
“Whoa.” He held up his hands. “I didn’t mean to offend you, and if drinking around you does that, then I’ll order water, too.”
She smiled. “Thank you, but the only way I will learn the real you is to know about the convictions you live by.” She rested an elbow on the table so she could cradle her chin in her hand.
Chuckling, James relaxed in his seat. “My convictions are simple: be positive, treat people fairly and go after what I want.” He wiggled his brow, then linked his hands together.
“What about God and church?”
“I believe in God, and I have nothing against church unless the preaching goes over an hour and a half.” He paused. “Tell me about Miss Octavia Winston.”
“I love God and want Him to lead my thoughts and actions throughout my life.”
“But does that mean you can’t have a life outside of church?” he asked.
“I’m not married, which means I stay busy with church and work.” She shrugged.
He leaned closer and whispered, “I can’t believe a man hasn’t asked you.”
“I didn’t say that.” Her puppy love in high school didn’t count and her first boyfriend in college had retracted the proposal seconds after uttering it, stating he was teasing. “I haven’t met the right one to say yes.”
James sat straighter. “That’s about to change.”
Octavia didn’t want to encourage James, but her spirit shouted, Then show me.
***
Sunday after church, Landon offered to treat Rossi to a buffet with money in his wallet.
“And I’m man enough to let you,” Rossi joked. Once they were in Rossi’s SUV, he gave a side glance. “You all right, bro? That was a powerful sermon today.”
Landon was taking one day at a time. He had lost so much that he was learning to appreciate what little he had gained. He didn’t know if he would ever be on top again. That would be Jesus’ call.
“Yeah.” Landon nodded. “My soul needed to be reminded to press toward the mark, but sometimes it�
��s hard not to look back, especially when a child’s mother is holding my grandparents’ visitation rights to my children hostage. I’m going to have to make a trip home.”
“When?”
“Soon. Brittani is getting married, and there’s rumor that the fiancée will adopt the twins. I need to save a little more money first.”
“I can lend you airfare,” Rossi stated as if it were nothing.
Smiling, Landon shook his head as he watched the passing scenery. “You’ve done enough for me, man. My grandfather offered, too, but I can do this.”
“Well, whenever you go, I’m going with you.”
Landon whipped his head around and stared at Rossi. “You’re what? You don’t have to do that?”
“That’s what friends are for. If you kicked up as much dirt back home as you say, you’re going to need a friend. Just let me know when.”
“I don’t deserve this kind of friendship.” Landon choked, then swallowed.
“We have no idea what we deserve, but God gives it to us fairly anyway. He is no respecter of persons. Remember Matthew 5:45. Hey, did you get a chance to see Octavia practice?”
“Yep.” His heart pounded. “She has a way of stirring my soul just watching her move to the music that worshiped God. Of course, I sneaked out before she knew it was me. It was perfect timing because the bus was coming as soon as I made it to the corner.” He missed her—no, he was falling for her. Could this be love, this soon? Was this the reason why he felt he was dying a slow agonizing death each day that went by with seeing her?
Bowing his head, Landon rubbed his forehead and exhaled.
Rossi frowned. “You all right?”
“Probably not. I think I’m in love with Octavia.” He swallowed hard labeling his emotions. “And there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. What kind of man tells a woman he loves her, but has nothing to offer to win her affections?”
“As, a friend,” Rossi paused and checked the rearview mirror before making a turn, “man up, bro. Stop your woe is me and go after your woman, but I stand by what I say about hurting her. Don’t do it.”