by Pat Simmons
Nathan, who was at the head of the table, looked up from some documents he was studying. “What’s going on?”
When David’s phone alerted him of a text, he held up a finger as he read the message. St. Louis Outlet Mall at 6:00 p.m. V
His brothers gave him a knowing look. “Valerie,” they mumbled in unison.
“Yep.” David grinned. “Come on. Let’s get this done so I can get home. I can’t leave a lovely lady waiting.”
Nathan grunted. “Humph. You were willing to hold out and keep her waiting until after Valentine’s Day, so what’s the rush now?”
“You know the reasons,” David stated.
“It will serve you right if it ends up that she’s not attracted to you in the way you’re hoping for.” Christian lifted a brow.
“If God can bring us together on the very day that I’ve been avoiding romance for years, then I think this is going to work out just fine.” David slapped his hand on the table. “Come on. I’ve got to meet Valerie at the mall.”
“Oh, so you’re taking her shopping already? Don’t be a fool bro…” Nathan began, but David cut him off.
“Been there and definitely done that. That’s not going to happen this time.” David felt rather smug as he forced his brothers to get down to business.
Chapter 9
For the remainder of the day, Valerie’s heart fluttered every time she glanced at the vase with an explosion of God’s handiwork.
The display really was too big for her desk, but Valerie rather enjoyed the inconvenience.
For some reason, sharing pizza and visiting the shut-in together didn’t have as much mental staying power as having him send her flowers. She had planned to ask him his intentions when they spoke earlier.
That was until one of her editors shouted profanity and stormed out of the studio in the middle of a taping. Valerie had no choice but to end the call with David and investigate the cause of his outburst.
The culprit turned out to be a malfunctioning piece of equipment that would definitely set them back in production.
Valerie did her best to concentrate on a client’s request for several product demonstrations at an upcoming trade show.
But without warning, praise would drop into her heart, and she thanked God for sending David to cheer her up on Valentine’s Day.
She was becoming giddy, hoping that he would show up at the mall. Thoughts of David and his flowers continued to distract her until it was time to go home.
Finding a big box, she placed the vase of flowers inside and carried them home to enjoy.
Less than half an hour later, Valerie’s ring tone played as she stepped into her apartment. Within minutes, Helen continued raving about the festivities at last Friday’s dinner. “I’ve been telling all the ladies at church—”
“Mom, I need to change so I can do my mall walk,” Valerie interrupted.
“I don’t like you going alone. It gets dark sooner in the winter months.”
Sighing, Valerie rolled her eyes at her mother’s signature complaint.
“The parking lot is well-lit. Plus, the guy from my church, David—the one that I helped at the Valentine’s Day dinner—will be walking, too.”
“He was very handsome…”
“Yes, he is,” she agreed. “And he sent flowers to my job.”
“Finally, my baby daughter will be getting hitched soon!” The hopeless romantic could be unstoppable when she got something in her head.
“Mom, aren’t you the one who is always telling me not to overthink a man’s intentions?” Valerie teased as she contemplated whether the vase would look better on her glass kitchen table or the glass coffee table.
“We never know what God has in mind for us.”
“True.” Valerie strolled into her bedroom after resting the vase in the living room.
She struggled to remove her clothes, pinching the phone between her ear and shoulder. “Hold on, Mom. I’m putting you on speaker.”
In her closet, Valerie swiped her pink fitness shirt and pants off the hanger.
Although she had been healthy all her life, all her workout clothes were pink as a way of showing solidarity with sisters who were affected by breast cancer. Sitting on her bed, Valerie stepped into her athletic shoes, then laced them up. They chatted a few more minutes. “I’ll talk to you when I return.”
“Of course you will, because if you don’t, I’ll call you.”
They laughed together, then ended the call. Valerie quickly brushed her hair into a ponytail, then slipped a pink and white cap on her head. Next, she scrutinized her figure.
Valerie wasn’t overly endowed with sista hips nor did she have enough to fill a Victoria’s Secret D-cup bra, but she was satisfied with her figure.
The walks were strictly for exercise and to release stress. As Valerie scanned her face, she debated whether to refresh her makeup in case David did show up.
Nah. Removing her cap, Valerie washed her face, removing remnants of her makeup so her pores wouldn’t clog when she perspired.
She dabbed on a little moisturizer and applied lip gloss. Putting her cap back on, she adjusted it to her liking, then grabbed her keys.
“Lord, I do want a companion and husband, but I’m not going to change myself to get one.” What she wanted was a man who could match her spiritual commitment and give her his heart.
She was almost out the door when Brittany called. Her friend had been missing in action since Friday, but that was typical Brittany.
“Girl, girl, girl, let me tell you about my Valentine’s weekend getaway with Greg.”
Valerie smirked. “I thought you mentioned a dinner…so does this mean you and this guy might have something going on?”
“Ah, no. Greg made it clear it was a one-night—or should I say weekend—fling.”
One-night stands were never Valerie’s cup of tea. “You deserve better, Brittany. Can we talk about it when I get back from the mall? I’ve got to tell you about my Valentine’s Day.” She stepped into the elevator.
Brittany made a sucking sound with her teeth. “I already know how yours turned out with your mother.”
Valerie bit her bottom lip in amusement. “You have no idea.”
“Yeah, right. Hey, you want some company?”
“I’m hoping to have some,” Valerie said as she walked out her building’s side door, then jogged across the pathway to her car, giving her friend a mini recap of her Valentine’s Day.
“Maybe you’ll have better luck with your church boy than I had with my boy toy.”
Valerie got behind the wheel and started her car. She laughed and shook her head. “I’m living on blessings because sooner or later, luck runs out. Talk to you soon.”
***
David never understood how walking a mall could be any form of real exercise. The only workout he could imagine was window shopping to entice a woman to shop until she dropped.
His preference was either a fitness center or a jogging trail. Maybe that was the reason why there were more men than ladies at his gym.
Behind the wheel of his SUV, David thought about his attraction to Valerie. It almost seemed foolish now to have used Valentine’s Day as a roadblock or stumbling block.
He was ready to accelerate the getting to know you phase with Valerie, but he had to hold back. He had been burnt before, so since Friday, it had become a tug-of-war between his common sense and his heart.
Cruising on the interstate, David was confident he had left his West County home in plenty of time to make it to the St. Louis Outlet Mall in North County before Valerie. However, thanks to an unexpected traffic jam, David was now twenty minutes behind when he parked near Bed, Bath & Beyond and jogged to the entrance.
David debated whether it would look out of place for a healthy, in-shape young male to be taking a brisk walk around the one-and-a-half mile long shopping mall along with senior citizens.
I’m here. Sorry I’m late. Traffic. Where are you? As he hit send, D
avid spied Valerie heading his way. He grinned as she waved at him, and without missing a beat, Valerie sped right past him, huffing and puffing. Her ponytail through her cap bounced in rhythm. He hadn’t realized her hair was so long.
In place of the gorgeous and classy Sister Valerie Hart was a woman who was just as pretty and comfortable in casual attire. Easily catching up with her, David matched her pace. “Praise the Lord, my sister.”
“Hi, David.” Valerie huffed. “Hallelujah. He is good.” She smiled, magnifying her beauty mole.
Valerie’s walking trail was hurrying past the edge of businesses without taking a moment to look into the window. The handful of shoppers in the mall stepped out of their path.
“You know if this was a date and you were late, I wouldn’t go out with you again.” Valerie’s statement came out of nowhere.
“It’s a good thing this isn’t a date,” he joked, somehow respecting that she wasn’t going to overlook his tardiness. When Valerie didn’t smile or respond, David changed the subject. “So how many laps around this place do you walk?”
“Four.”
“What number are we on now?”
“I’m on two. You, Brother David, have just begun,” she said matter-of-factly.
They completed their laps in record time. To David’s surprise, he had worked up a sweat. After the fourth lap, Valerie slowed her pace and walked inside the ice rink the St. Louis Blues used for hockey practice.
The only people on the ice looked as if they were playing around. Valerie picked a spot on the bleachers and patted the space next to her.
“Is this where you cool down… literally?”
Valerie removed her cap. She was beautifully flushed. “I never thought of it that way.” She paused. “It’s a treat when someone is on the ice, mastering the impossible because God makes it possible.”
There was a depth to this woman. He liked that, but there was so much to know about her. “What you do with your free time?”
“I’m single, so I try to make sure there is no free time, which means I stay busy with church and other activities.” Although her pouty lips were a natural temptation, her beauty mole accented her features. David didn’t realize he was smiling until she called him on it.
“What?” She smiled back.
David snapped out of his trance and shrugged. “Nothing.”
She seemed to accept his weak explanation. “The flowers are very beautiful.”
“And so are you.”
Blushing, Valerie looked away before facing him again. “Do you think our meeting at the banquet center on Valentine’s Day was a coincidence? I mean we go to the same church and have never seen each other.”
“That’s not exactly true. I’ve definitely noticed you before Friday night.” He refrained from disclosing why he hadn’t approached her before then. David doubted she would understand his reasoning. “I hope it was God’s timing, because I couldn’t have planned it any better to meet you.”
“That’s sweet.”
He stared into her eyes until she looked away. “So you scolded me earlier that if we were on a date and I was late…”
“And you said…” she repeated his words verbatim.
David was impressed that she remembered, but embarrassed that he had been so cocky. “Allow me to rephrase my earlier statement. I would never ask a lady out without picking her up at her doorstep, so this couldn’t be a date.”
Valerie smirked. “Interesting, but I’m the type of lady that likes to meet a guy at a designated place for a first date.”
David grunted. “Why go out with that man if you don’t trust him?”
Valerie didn’t seem to have a ready answer as she stood. “That’s a good question. C’mon. Let’s head to the food court. Maybe I can come up with an answer after some brain food.”
Chapter 10
Why go out with a man if you don’t trust him in the first place?
Good question, and as they strolled to the food court, Valerie was still trying to come up with an answer.
They chose Panda Express. She was surprised that David liked the string beans and chicken dish like her. While he paid, Valerie roamed the mass of tables and randomly picked a spot.
David’s question generated one from her. Could she trust him not to hurt her?
She continued searching for a convincing answer until David turned from the counter and headed in her direction with a food tray. He sat, and she helped him divide their orders.
Across the table, David took her hands. After a slight squeeze, he began to pray.
“Father, in the name of Jesus, this moment is about so much more than food. I thank You for this fellowship. I ask that You bless my sister in Christ and remember my family and others as well. I ask that You bless and sanctify our food from all impurities and guide us to be a blessing to those who are hungry. We ask this is the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”
“Amen,” Valerie said almost breathless in a daze. It was as if David’s brief prayer transported her to a place of utopia where she didn’t want to leave.
“If you don’t have plans tomorrow after work, how about dinner?”
His determination was flattering. “Is this a date?” Was she flirting? Valerie lifted a brow.
“Do you want it to be one?” David lowered his voice and flirted back. He stopped eating as he awaited her response.
Of course, I want it to be. You’re handsome, attentive, and a man after God’s own heart. Valerie’s desire was to be that woman after God’s own heart. And since His work came first, Valerie had to honor her church commitments. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to decline.”
Are you crazy? He may never ask you again, her mind chastened her. Church will always be there, but this man may not.
Be faithful in a few things and I will reward with many, the Lord spoke Matthew 25:21, as her heart battled against her mind.
“Is it because you don’t trust me?” His expression was a blank stare.
She had no quick answer. Only time would tell. But didn’t she tell herself that she wasn’t going to turn down another dinner date? “I have a sisterhood meeting at church. Because it’s only held once a month, I can’t miss it. Sorry.”
David whistled and rubbed his jaw. “I see you’re a busy lady, but you must have some free time this week. Tomorrow is out because of Bible class, Thursday?”
“I usually walk the mall on Mondays and Thursdays.”
“Friday is…” He leaned forward as if he waited for her to fill in the blank.
“Youth services at our church.” She lifted a brow in censure. He should have known that as a member.
“Right.” David felt chastened. “I previously had commitments on Fridays for a while. When I did have free again, I forgot about youth service, so what’s on your Saturday schedule?”
“Spending time with my mom.” Valerie twisted her lips. Had she gotten so busy that when the opportunity presented itself to go out on a date, she had no free time? “I can skip my walk on Thursday for our dinner.”
Nodding, David picked up his fork and resumed eating.
Congratulations to me for running him away, she thought.
“I would be honored to have the opportunity to take you out on Thursday. How about a movie on Saturday—matinee or late showing? You pick, and I won’t be upset if you fall asleep on me.”
He grinned. “Plus, could you save me a seat on Sunday at church?”
Valerie blinked. He was negotiating her free time as if they had just closed a deal of sorts. In her head, she was doing a happy dance, a victory shout, and a Hallelujah praise.
Lord, thank You for giving him a determined mind. “I would like that.”
They chatted long after their food was gone—or rather David prompted her to talk about herself—work, family and her salvation experience.
Valerie was impressed that he never interrupted, but genuinely seem to hang on her every word.
When David said his good night at
her car door, Valerie smiled and didn’t stop until she had reached home. There was no doubt in her mind that David was pursuing her.
Could this mean I’m finally off the market? she wondered before calling Brittany back on her Bluetooth.
“Val, I know you have a lot of confidence in Christian men, but as the saying goes in Missouri, “Show me. Men work hard to get one thing. After that, they move on.”
“My confidence is in God, and I have this feeling that God will show me.” Brittany was hurt and Valerie knew that, but she prayed her friend would see that men in Christ could and did abstain from sex.
Their conversation ended moments later with Brittany stating she still wasn’t convinced.
Chapter 11
Wednesday morning, Valerie was humming as she applied her makeup when David called. She answered, “This is a surprise,” instead of a standard greeting.
“Then I’ll pat myself on the back, because according to my mother, women love surprises.” David paused, then lowered his voice, “I hope you don’t mind…”
Valerie puckered her lips for a dab of lip gloss. “Of course I don’t.”
“Good because if I can’t see you every day then I want to at least hear your voice.”
His admission warmed her heart, but she hated to kill the feel good his call had created. Valerie had a major project going on and had to hurry. “David, that’s so sweet of you to say. I’m sorry I can’t chat, but I need to get to work.”
“I’ll see you tonight then at Bible class.”
“Yes, definitely.” She grinned.
David was making it too easy to fall for him. After ending the call, she rushed into the kitchen and grabbed her lunch.
For some unknown reason, she thought about David’s comment that he liked meatloaf.
Opening the freezer, she reached for the container with the meatloaf and placed it on the counter to defrost. Without another delay, she was out the door.
Seconds after Valerie stepped foot into The Stallings Group, she didn’t have any time to daydream about David.