The Power of Prayer

by Lorana Hoopes

  As I reached for the phone in my purse beside me, two men exited the coffee shop. The broad shoulders and chin length hair grabbed my attention and my breath caught in my throat. It couldn’t be.

  Forgetting the phone, I craned my head to follow the man as he walked to the cars in the parking lot. He had the same gait, the same grace, but what on earth would he be doing in my town?

  A horn blared behind me, returning my attention to the line I was in. The car ahead had moved, and I inched mine up to fill the empty space. I glanced back for the man, but he had disappeared into a car, and I had no idea which one.

  Frustration roared again, and I pounded the steering wheel with open palms. I couldn’t lose him again.

  The line moved again, and I forked over my money, no longer caring about the steaming chai tea I placed in the cup holder before exiting the drive-thru and returning to work.

  “You’re late,” Tina hissed as I approached the desk.

  I slapped my forehead. I had forgotten to text Tina and ask her to cover. “I know; have they started?”

  A smile broke out on Tina’s face. “No, I told them your appointment ran late, but they’re waiting for you.”

  “Thank you,” I mouthed and turned to the hallways that led to the conference room.

  “Wait, don’t take your drink.”

  I had forgotten the tea was even in my hand. “Here, it’s a chai tea. Enjoy.”

  Tina blinked in surprise, but took the outstretched cup, and I continued to the board room.

  The other members of the small team were already inside. Issuing a quick apology, I pulled out the open chair and sat down. The stiff back made it impossible to get comfortable. Discreetly, I tried to adjust and switch positions.

  Jeff, the man heading the team, began speaking, but his words flew by my ears. My thoughts were still on the man at the coffee shop.

  There was a chance that it hadn’t been JD. After all, the country was huge and last I knew he was in New York, but if it had been him. . . If it had, I had to find a way to run across him again, but how?

  “Does that work for you, Callie?”

  The sound of my name cut through my interior monologue, and my face heated as I realized I had not been listening. “I’m so sorry; I was distracted. Can you repeat?”

  Jeff sighed. He had never been a fan of mine, probably because I had once beaten him at a case and then rubbed it in his face – I should apologize for that. He had fought to keep me off this case but hadn’t won. “I asked if you could handle researching previous precedent.”

  “Yes,” I nodded, determined to keep my mind on the discussion for the rest of the meeting. “I can handle the research.”

  “Perfect.” Jeff turned his attention from me and continued detailing his plan. To keep my mind focused, I retrieved a pen and a small notepad from my bag and took notes on the rest of the meeting.

  “Thank you for covering,” I whispered to Tina at the end of the day. Tina was busy putting the work in neat little stacks for the next day, which was one reason I loved having her as an assistant.

  I’m not sure Tina had always been so organized, but when she had first started working for me, I had insisted that everything always be in neat piles. It was the only way I could work, and Tina had promptly conformed without complaint.

  “You’re welcome.” Tina placed the last paper and then neatened the pile before looking up. “Thanks for the tea. What happened by the way?”

  “I think I ran into my past.”

  Tina’s face clouded over and she crossed her arms. If this was the face she used on her children, I could see why they behaved so well the few times they had been in the office. “Don’t tell me it was Daniel.”

  “No.” I stole a furtive glance to the left and right to make sure no office gossip lingered nearby. “I think I saw JD.”

  Tina squealed and then clapped a hand to her mouth as I shushed her. “Sorry,” she said softly. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m not. I just saw him for a moment while I was waiting in line at the drive-thru – what a dumb idea that was – but that build is hard to forget.” My face warmed at the thought of JD’s muscular frame and the solidness of his chest. “Now, I just have to find a way to find him again.”

  “Do you know what he does? Maybe we could check out some of the similar companies and see if he is doing work for them here.”

  I mentally kicked myself for my previous self-absorbed attitude. “I don’t,” I sighed. “All I ever knew was that he owned a business.” Why hadn’t I asked him more questions about himself?

  Tina’s eyes held the same question, but she was nice enough not to voice it out loud. “Let’s pray then that God finds a way for you to meet. After all, if it is JD, the Lord brought him here.”

  Tina had the knack for always finding the positive. Though I was growing daily, I was still floundering in some areas and seeing the silver lining was one of them, but Tina and my mother seemed to have it down. I hoped one day it would become second nature for me as well.

  After another secretive glance – praying at work wasn’t forbidden, but it could cause problems – we whispered a prayer and then walked out of the building together. I waved goodbye as we separated at the parking lot. Tonight was my mother’s night off from the inn, so she was making dinner at home. Though not a bad cook myself, I still loved my mother’s cooking. It reminded me of a simpler time in life.

  My mother’s old Ford Taurus was in the driveway of the small yellow house when I pulled up. An old tattered rope swing still hung lopsided from a branch of the sole tree in the front yard. I remembered always begging my mother to go outside and swing on that swing. I hadn’t known it then, but I realized now it had been my coping mechanism after my parents split. On the swing, I could pretend to fly to another world where daddies never left and mommies never cried.

  I parked the car and stepped out. The grass covering the rest of the yard was a faded yellow and crunchy under my feet as I walked up to the front door. I’d have to remind my mother to water the yard or see if I could afford to hire someone to do it all the time.

  Twisting the front handle of the faded white front door, I stepped inside. The smell of Mexican seasonings flew through the air, mingling with the sound of meat browning in a skillet. That meant burritos or tacos, my favorites.

  I closed the door behind me and crossed through the living room to the bright airy kitchen. Mother had decorated it a few years ago in a country type flavor with blue gingham prints and pale yellow cupboards. I was more a fan of contemporary style with dark cabinets and lighter countertops, but my mother had been insistent.

  “Hey honey, how was work?” My mother turned from the stove at the sound of my footsteps. The house was so old that many of the floorboards creaked. It was impossible to sneak up on someone. I had found that out the one time I had tried to sneak out to a party in High school. My mother had been up before I even hit the front door, and I had been grounded for two weeks after. I hated the floor back then, but now it brought comfort.

  “It was okay. I have a new research project on my plate that is going to mean some late nights of work.” I situated myself in one of the barstools, leaning back as far as I could to stretch my ever-increasing belly. People did not think about pregnant women when they made straight-backed chairs.

  A line of worry etched across her face. “Are you sure you want to keep doing this job? Those long hours can be hard when you’re pregnant, and they’ll be impossible once she comes.”

  “I know Mom, but I’m not sure what else to do yet. I might as well stay as long as I can because the money’s good and will sure help out when Hope comes.” My mother’s worry had been the same one running circles through my mind. The late nights were taking a toll on my health, and I knew I couldn’t continue them much longer, but not many companies were looking to hire a woman five months pregnant. Still, I kept my ears open and perused the ads daily on my break. I’d definitely have to find another job once
Hope arrived, though I would definitely miss Tina.

  The worry didn’t fade completely from my mother’s face, but she nodded and turned back to stir the meat.

  I traced my finger across the ecru bar counter. “Mom, do you believe in coincidences?”

  “What do you mean, honey?” With the meat at the temperature she wanted, my mother lowered the flame and turned to the bar where a cutting board held a few tomatoes and some lettuce. She picked up the knife and began slicing the ripe red fruit.

  “This afternoon I could have sworn a man I met while I was in the Caribbean was at the coffee shop.” I smiled, remembering the waterfall and the van ride that had allowed me to jostle against him, and a tingle ran down my spine.

  “I take it you liked him.”

  I sighed. “I did, but I didn’t realize it back then. Then Daniel called, and I was so confused that I took him back. JD, that was his name, left, and I thought I’d never see him again. But a few months ago, I found a travel book he had given me the day he left and inside was a picture of us and a note; then the other night when I was reading, I ran across a verse that reminded me of him. And today, I could have sworn he was at Cup O’ Joe.”

  “Did you talk to him?” Mother chopped the tomato slices into squares, scraped them into a bowl, and grabbed the head of lettuce.

  “No, I was in the drive thru lane, and he was getting in his car. There wasn’t time.” I dropped my head into my hands, all my confidence from my earlier talk with Tina fading.

  “Well, I don’t believe in coincidence,” my mother smiled. “See, God knew us before we were born and had a plan for us, so I tend to think that God has a hand in everything that happens in our life, including things we might see as coincidences.”

  “That’s basically what Tina said – that God brought him here, so maybe we are destined to meet again.”

  She smiled back at me. “What do you think Callie?”

  “I think I’m going to continue to pray about it and ask God’s wisdom.” A wistful smile crossed my face, “but I have to say, I don’t think I’d mind if JD were in my life.”

  As my mother chopped the lettuce, I regaled her with stories of the few days I had spent with JD. With every detail I remembered, I felt more and more sure that my mother was right – I had met JD for a reason.

  Chapter 16

  Sunday morning, I woke up with butterflies zooming around in my stomach. Last month, I had decided to get involved at church, and this morning I was going to be singing on stage with the choir. A part of me was excited because I had always loved singing, but another part of me was still worried about what people might say. No one had said anything out loud to me, but a few people hadn’t been able to keep their eyes from wandering to my left hand in search of a ring as my belly began to show. Mother and I had agreed to tell people as they asked instead of making a blanket announcement. As this would be my first time on the stage, I hoped to be a blessing and not a distraction.

  The baby turned, sending a fluttering sensation through me. Lately, Hope seemed to read my moods and react to them. Placing a hand on my belly, I rubbed in a slow circle to soothe her. “I know girl, but I think it will be okay.” Turning my face heavenward, I whispered a soft prayer. Peace flowed over me and the fluttering in my stomach calmed as well.

  Across town, JD was meeting Scott at Cup O’Joe.

  “Did you pick a place you’d like to try out?” JD picked up one coffee and handed it to Scott before grabbing the next one.

  Scott shrugged, “Yeah, I mean I don’t know much about it, but according to all the events its website listed, Mesquite View sounds interesting enough to visit and it’s right down the road.”

  JD nodded and took a sip of his coffee. The hot liquid was perfect, one sugar and just a hint of cream. “Well, let’s give it a shot. I’ve often found that a church either feels right or not quite your style.”

  The coffee shop was mostly empty, so they had their choice of table. Scott picked one by the door and JD followed him. The unease radiated off Scott in the way he never set his drink down and took a sip every few seconds. JD wanted to allay his fears, but he knew that sometimes it was best just to be quiet and let God work.

  However, when Scott finished his drink first and began turning the cup in slow circles on the table, JD decided his energy would be better spent in moving.

  “Is the church close enough to walk?” JD downed another sip, but he still had half a cup of coffee remaining. Sine he couldn’t stomach the thought of throwing away perfectly good coffee and he was pretty sure the church would have a trash, if not some other place along the way, he decided to take the rest of his drink with him.

  “I think so.” Scott pulled out his phone and swiped the screen. He tapped a few times and pulled up a map. “Yes, it looks like it’s right around the corner.”

  “Wonderful,” JD said, holding the door open for Scott as he threw his empty cup away. “Let’s walk.”

  The wind whipped leaves around them as soon as they stepped out of the wind block the restaurant had offered, and JD pulled his coat tighter around himself.

  How different Texas was from New York. Fewer people crowded the streets and the sun appeared closer and warmer, even in the dead of winter. Small mesquite trees lined the sidewalk, but there weren’t tall buildings obscuring his view as they strolled. JD took a breath and realized even the air smelled different.

  As they turned the corner, a large brick building came into view. The church along with its front and back parking lot covered a quarter of a block. Three large crosses sat atop the middle roof. “It’s a pretty big place,” JD said as they crossed the crowded parking lot. A few people milled around the front entrance conversing with each other and greeting people that approached.

  An older gentleman with a bald pate but a white fluffy beard and mustache trundled their direction. He was dressed in a black suit coat, pants, and a blue tie. JD hoped they wouldn’t be too underdressed in their dress slacks and button down shirts. “Welcome,” he said and handed them a program.

  Another man opened the door for them, younger and with a full head of hair. JD was relieved to see he wasn’t wearing a suit coat, though he did still have on a tie. “The sanctuary is ahead, and the bathrooms are around that corner. Have a great morning.”

  JD nodded back, and he and Scott filed into the large sanctuary. A stage with a piano, guitars, and a drum set adorning it stretched across the front of the room and a large cross stood on the left side. White screens behind the stage and on either side flashed announcements. Instead of pews, rows of padded chairs filled the room, separated into three sections. JD led the way to an empty row on the right side and sat down. Scott followed, though his gaze was flicking from one item to the next in the large room.

  JD opened the pamphlet and began reading the offerings. “Look, Scott, this place has Bible studies and a great men’s group. That’s one thing you want to look for in a church, because you need to find a place to get connected. They also have a worship team if you sing or play an instrument and a prayer team if you want to join.”

  As if on cue, people began filing onto the stage. JD hadn’t noticed the rows of risers in the back, but they drew his attention as the people filed onto them. It was a large choir as the top row soon filled, then the middle row, then the bottom row began filling. At the very end of the line of people currently taking the stage was a woman with long dark hair that rippled like moonlight on the ocean.

  JD’s heart stopped and his breath caught. He remembered that hair, how it had smelled of flowers and vanilla and how he had longed to run his fingers through it. He blinked his eyes. Surely, it wasn’t her though as the Callie he had met didn’t seem like the type to be singing in the choir on Sundays. As she stepped on the riser and began to turn, he leaned forward in his seat.

  “What’s wrong?” Scott asked beside him.

  His change in posture must have caught the man’s attention. JD held his finger up. He just needed ano
ther minute. The woman turned and JD’s heart shattered. He fell back against the chair back feeling as if he’d just gotten punched in the gut.

  “Are you okay?”

  Scott needed an explanation, but JD didn’t have the words yet. He couldn’t even make his mind grasp the image he was seeing; how could he explain it? He had been so sure.

  The worship team had taken the stage some time in his shock, and the music began. Though it was like looking at a car crash, JD couldn’t keep his eyes from returning to the woman on the bottom row.

  He couldn’t see the color of her eyes from here, but he knew they were green, deep like an emerald but with flecks of gold in them. They were emblazoned in his memory both from their short time together and from the countless times he had stared at the picture. She smiled and the dimple on each side of her mouth became visible. The sight both elated JD and broke his heart even further, if that was possible. He wanted to know what had happened to her, where this change had come from. He couldn’t imagine that the man he had met on the last day he had seen her had inspired this change in her. The look of apprehension had been visible in her eyes even then when that arrogant man had pulled her close, staking his claim, but clearly something had happened.

  Though he was no expert, the hang of her maxi dress on her otherwise thin frame displayed a protruding baby bump. Had she known back then that she was pregnant? He thought back to the double tequila he had served her the first night and the drinks she must have consumed the second night to have been so bold. She must not have. She had her faults, but she was so logical that he couldn’t imagine her playing Russian Roulette with her baby’s fate.

  Did it happen after then? He didn’t want to imagine her sharing a bed with the man who had broken her heart and upended her life, but he knew she must have. He wished he could gauge how far along she was until he realized it didn’t matter. Whether she was one week or thirty-eight, she was clearly now attached to another man and therefore off the market.