by Pat Simmons
Unsure of how to address Gabrielle’s brother Philip, Cameron decided he couldn’t go wrong with the formal route. After all, in academia, he was addressed as Dr. Jamieson. Otherwise, he was comfortable with being called Cameron.
“Evangelist Dupree, do you mind blessing our meal?” he asked politely.
It was an honor usually reserved for Cameron’s father, who understood and graciously acquiesced. Surprisingly, the blessing was short and to the point, not a sermonette. For that, Cameron was grateful. In unison, they all echoed, “In the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
Although there wasn’t a shortage of seats, the children preferred eating on the staircase, with the older children babysitting the younger ones.
Every time Cameron tried to coax Gabrielle to the side, one of the Jamieson wives grabbed her. The conversation bouncing off the walls consisted of a potpourri of subjects. When Cameron was finally about to pull Gabrielle from the clutches of the women, Philip stirred from his corner seat and headed toward the table for seconds.
“Thank you for the refreshments,” he cordially said in a deep tone. “Do you have a few minutes for us to talk?”
“As long as it’s not another sermon, sure,” Cameron joked, as he led them to a nook off the kitchen. Initiating their talk, he addressed Philip, “You really work up a sweat out there without trying. Your message was so simplistic, yet the people responded as if their lightbulbs had just clicked on.”
Philip nodded. “For some, it did. Jesus is deeply profound, yet the Bible says He saves us through the foolishness of preaching.” He chuckled. “Who can figure out the mind of God?”
“If people read their Bibles, God will open their understanding,” Cameron argued good-naturedly.
“Then perhaps you’re familiar with Romans 10:12–15: ‘For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’”
Cameron quietly considered Philip’s explanation. Although he had a rebuttal lined up, Philip changed the subject.
“How long have you known my sister?” he asked casually, as though he were Gabrielle’s father. Cameron guessed the two of them were about the same age.
Smiling, Cameron recalled the moment he laid eyes on Gabrielle. “We met at my cousin and Talise’s renewal of vows ceremony in the spring.”
“My sister is exceptional; she’s not to be toyed with. I’m not saying you would harm her intentionally, but you need to know that she has a special place in my heart and God’s. I love her and will protect her no matter how far away I am. However, make no mistake about this also. My sister is very capable of taking care of herself.”
“Don’t I know it,” Cameron mumbled, recalling the Mace incident. Cameron wasn’t offended by the older brother’s protective stance.
Reaching inside his shirt front pocket, Philip pulled out his business card and handed it to Cameron. “I’m on call 24/7 for the Lord. In case you need clarification on anything we’ve discussed—about the Scriptures or my sister.” He grinned with the same contagious smile as Gabrielle.
Cameron had the gist about the sixty-six books in the Bible. He already knew the major Scriptures, so there was nothing new Philip could bring to the table that his cousins hadn’t previously attempted. Out of politeness, he accepted the card but doubted he would ever use it.
Gabrielle felt his presence before she heard Cameron’s voice saying, “Excuse me, ladies. I believe you have someone who belongs to me.”
Without protest, the women relinquished her, as if Cameron was the Big Bad Wolf. Stretching out his hand, Gabrielle accepted it without hesitation. She had wanted a moment alone with him. The two stepped outside onto the patio.
She shivered. Once again, he had succeeded in making her feel like they were the only ones in a room full of people—family, at that.
“Cold?” he asked.
“No.”
In spite of her response, he put his arms around her. “I’ve got you, babe. And I’ve been waiting to hear something from you.”
Before she confessed her feelings, Gabrielle had something else on her mind. She gazed into his eyes. “I belong to you, really? I belong to Jesus. He purchased my freedom with His blood.”
“Why do our conversations always have to revert to biblical thoughts?”
“Because I’m programmed like that. But, with you in love with me …” When Gabrielle’s eyes misted, she hesitated to continue and bowed her head.
Cameron captured her chin and lifted her face to meet his stare. His touch and expression were so tender. “But what, babe?”
“You were right about giving me so freely of yourself. But when it comes to any discussion of Jesus, you continue to cut me off. More than once, I wondered what you were thinking when Philip preached.” She paused again. “So … what were you thinking this evening?”
“Things have changed between us.” He lowered his voice, considering that the commotion around them meant someone might overhear. “You know that.”
When she nodded, his smile was breathtaking. Tapping his temple, Cameron explained, “Inside of me is a man nobody knows. I barely recognize that part of me myself, but I know that I want to share him with you.”
“What happens when I get inside but can’t find my way out of your maze?” she whispered, still waiting for him to answer her question.
Reaching down for her hands, Cameron squeezed them. “Gabrielle Dupree, I have this feeling you’re on a search-and-rescue mission. The crazy thing about it is you’re my only way out.”
“But will I get lost in the process?”
“We can find our way together,” he said, gazing into her eyes.
Once she blinked, Gabrielle persisted for an answer. “What did you think of the sermon Philip preached?”
“He’s the best I’ve heard yet, and the message was stirring.” Cameron must have read the expression on her face because he lowered his voice again. “I will always tell you the truth and that is the truth. So am I in or out of the doghouse?”
Unable to hold back her feelings any longer, she laughed and gave him a tight squeeze. Seizing the opportunity, he trapped her in a long embrace. Finally, he rested his chin on the top of her head.
When they separated, Gabrielle walked ahead of him. Back inside the house, they headed for the living room where there was a bevy of activity. She noticed Philip dozing in a large chair, despite the boisterous conversations.
“We’d better go before Philip asks for a pillow and blanket,” she whispered.
“Okay. I guess I need to put my folks out anyway.”
They engaged in a longer embrace before Gabrielle announced it was time to leave. Cameron made good on his threat and cleared his house of all Jamiesons too.
A few hours later, Gabrielle lay awake stretched out on her sofa. Replaying Cameron’s words in her mind, she conjured up Scriptures for and against Cameron. Then she chided herself, knowing what she was getting into after the first, second, and third date with him. Then too, at every step of the way, Gabrielle had second-guessed God when He reminded her that He could keep her from falling. She had to trust the Lord.
Philip’s light snoring caused her to chuckle. After they had returned to her apartment, Gabrielle hoped to get Philip’s take on Cameron, but he looked wiped out.
Another time, she thought. Rolling over, she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a soft whisper was uttered from Philip’s lips. “Who knows the mind of God? It’s up to us to trust Him.”
His words caused her to smile. He must have read her mind. “Thank you, brother,” she whispered back.
“It’s evangelist to y
ou.”
Chuckling, Gabrielle snuggled under the covers and drifted off to sleep.
On Saturday afternoon, Cameron returned to the tent revival without any prompting. Her heart warmed at the sight of him. Once again, he forced her family to move down and make room for him. Talise and Eva also returned.
Settling into the seat next to her, Cameron winked. She smiled and relaxed into him, as he stretched his arm over the back of her chair. For some reason, she was in a touchy-feely mood after their talk the previous night. Her wayward thoughts dissipated as Philip’s electrifying sermon from Psalm 94:11—“The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile”—stirred her spirit.
Glancing at Cameron, who seemed more relaxed too, disappointment began to resurface. Not one “Amen” spilled from his mouth, nor did he offer one clap. But she had to stop judging him on what she saw or didn’t see. God knew all things. The crowd was larger than the night before. It truly was a revival in the neighborhood.
The weekend sped by. On Sunday afternoon, the church that sponsored Philip’s trip provided a celebration dinner for him. Then it was time for Gabrielle’s family to leave. She bid Dashan and Drexel goodbye and they drove back to their respective homes. Now, at the airport, she and her parents had a few more minutes for goodbyes before they went through the checkpoint.
“Of all my children, I never worried about you making a bad choice in a mate. Maybe because you were always so choosy. Cameron has a great family. They’re all fire and water baptized. He’s connected to them, but I saw a slight disconnect when we spoke about God. What’s his story?” her father asked.
“That’s a six-hundred-page novel. There’s so much about Cameron that’s right, but a few things are making me proceed with caution.”
“Honey, your mind might be confused, but your heart has left you way behind,” Veronica told her daughter, as they hugged. “So now you’re in the middle of the test. Study God’s Word, so you’ll pass. Failing is not an option.”
Chapter Thirty
I am so jealous!” Denise practically shouted into the phone. After Gabrielle gave her a recap of the weekend happenings, she was beside herself. “You’re spending more time with the Jamiesons than I am.”
Gabrielle laughed, twisting the strand of pearls around her neck. She imagined her friend’s fake pout.
Sitting in her office, waiting for an important call, she responded, “Well, don’t be jealous. Philip was in town, and it was all about the souls.”
Hoping to calm Denise down a bit, she explained everything. “I invited Talise, and the rest of the family decided to come along too. Then Talise and her sister-in-law, Eva, came back the next day. I have to tell you, when I saw Cameron walk in, I could barely believe my eyes. Since I’ve lived here, he’s never made that much effort to come to a service with me.”
“Hmm, so was his presence the proof you need to stop fighting your feelings? There are only so many men in the world. If you keep turning them down, you’re going to run out of candidates. In my opinion, Cameron is the most qualified to give you your heart’s desires.”
“Sounds like nepotism to me,” Gabrielle teased, relishing in how Cameron felt about her, but still withholding those words he wanted to hear.
“Listen, I’m not as spiritually connected as you …” Denise always began serious conversations this way. She was referring to Gabrielle having an edge over her with a preacher in the family. “But I believe in my heart that my cousin is a good guy,” she stated emphatically.
Giggling, Gabrielle had to put an end to her friend’s pleading. “Your cousin told me that he loves me.”
“What?” Denise whooped and screamed in Gabrielle’s ear. “You had me go through all that when evidently things seem to be under control.”
“I wouldn’t go that far and say everything’s under control. However, it does change the dynamic of our relationship. But even for those three little words, I won’t let my heart compromise. I want a godly man.”
“Girl, please. Cameron is as saintly as you’ll get. We all have a few vices.”
Listening to Denise made Gabrielle recall one of her pet peeves: making excuses for bad behavior and wrong choices. Maybe that’s why she was emotionally tortured when it came to Cameron.
“Some vices can’t be overlooked. For example, what if I become sick after I’m married? There will be nothing more romantic and comforting than to hear my husband pray for me.” She sighed. “That is making love.”
“Yeah, well, we definitely have to get you hitched soon—if you think laying hands on the sick is making love.”
“Love is more than sex, Denise. If I’ve submitted to my husband, then he’d better have a hotline to God and know how to handle me with tenderness.”
“Girl, you really are a dreamer.”
“I’m a romantic. In hindsight, maybe I should have never gone to din—”
“No, honey, I don’t think Cameron would have let you walk away. I—and your friend Talise—had his back. So you were cornered, sister. He loves you and you might as well ’fess up your feelings. Everything will work out,” Denise said.
Since Cameron and Denise have discovered they were cousins, Gabrielle was frustrated that it was harder to engage in an impartial conversation about the man. Still, she had concerns and planned on venting them, even if Denise did view her issues with Cameron as trivial.
“I’m forcing myself to pay closer attention to detail. Don’t you think it’s odd that everyone in his family—brothers, cousins, and parents—are passionate Christians, yet he acts as if he’s numb to hearing God’s Word preached?”
“Did you not say Cameron came both evenings?” Denise pressed on.
“Yes, and he sat through the whole time without mumbling an Amen or—”
“Hold up. You don’t even sound like my friend. Remember the woman who is known for giving people the benefit of the doubt? Yet somehow doubt is running the show when it comes to you and Cameron. Stop looking for things to be wrong,” Denise admonished her.
That statement about giving people the benefit of the doubt knocked the wind out of Gabrielle’s argument, shutting her mouth. She had no further comeback. The line was silent.
Denise sensed that she’d probably given Gabrielle enough tongue-lashing. “In the end, you know, I’m always on your side,” she uttered in a softened tone.
Clearing her throat, Denise then changed the subject. “Now what I was really calling for, before you distracted me, was to give you news about a Jamieson family reunion. My family and I have really been digging into old records online, the censuses, and the Jamieson message boards.” Excitedly, she proclaimed, “And, I’ve found the perfect place!”
“Where?” Gabrielle asked, trying to shake off the hurt feelings. What Denise had said about her character was true. Up until she met Cameron, she did give people the benefit of the doubt. She had always searched for the best in others.
“It’s our namesake, called the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sis has been reading up on it. We’re wondering if we may be distantly related to the original owner,” Denise said with triumph.
Recovered from her brief pity-party moment, Gabrielle sat straighter. “Wow. You have been working. Do you really think that the name Jemison could be connected to your Jamieson name?”
“Well, it’s not unusual to have different spellings for one name. I found Jamieson without the ‘e’ and Jemison with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘a.’ Now, get this.” Denise picked up speed. “From what Cameron shared with me, Elaine, our great-forgot-her-number-grandmother, was the slaveholder’s daughter. Paki—with the same-forgotten-number-grandfather—wasn’t enslaved for long. I guess Elaine made sure of that. When they escaped her father’s plantation, it was a Robert Jamieson who helped them along the way.”
“Okay …” Gabrielle stuttered, totally confused. However, the last thing she wanted to do was downplay her friend’s commitment to the project.
�
�Well, the nice Robert Jamieson is somehow related to this dude in Alabama who happened to be one of the largest slaveholders in the state. The mansion even has remains of slave quarters on the property.”
Gabrielle shivered at the sufferings of people based on their skin color. It was one thing to study the atrocities of civilizations occurring thousands of years ago. But slave mentality still existed almost one hundred and fifty years after the Emancipation Proclamation and less than fifty years after the Civil Rights Movement. When Gabrielle thought about such disturbing times so close to home, she prayed for Jesus to return soon.
Denise finished talking and waited for her to respond.
Gabrielle exhaled. “Wow. Look at you, Detective Denise.”
“I want you to come too.”
She choked. “Me? I’m not family. I just know too many of you all.”
“Don’t go there. Who knows, you could be a Jamieson if you stop playing hard to get.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last part.” She was not about to return to that topic. “When are you planning this big event?” Gabrielle held her breath. Maybe it would be while she was out of the country on business or something.
“Labor Day weekend.”
“Like Labor Day two months from now? Why so soon?”
“We have a brother and sister who are already gone. Why wait and possibly lose another loved one? It won’t be anything fancy. Plus, I’m a little curious to see if the White side of the Jamiesons will show up.”
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
“Umm-hmm. That sounds too close to a no to me.”
Gabrielle hurried off the phone before Denise could further pressure her to commit. A few minutes later, Cameron sent a text: Missing you and still loving you. Cam.
Fortunately, she didn’t have time to think about it. At the last minute, Gabrielle had been added to a conference call, which lasted more than two hours. Where her morning had been a lull, her afternoon was a storm of activity with rumors of a new product launch.