Chapter Nine
Angel hummed and then sang the chorus of one of her favorite songs. “I need more, more, more, Jesus more of you. I need so much more, Jesus more, more, more.” She didn’t dare sing in front of others, but in the car she felt free to sing and worship.
After leaving the Cades’ home yesterday, she had stopped to visit with Grams. The entire time she had wanted to lean across Grams’s shoulder, like she did when she was a little girl, but she couldn’t. Even after losing her granddad, Angel wasn’t prepared to see Grams struggling. She’d gone home feeling the weight of change.
Then there was Wes Cade. She would have never made that connection. He was kind to her in spite of her awkward interruption of his family’s Sunday afternoon. She could relate to the tension on his face as he observed his grandfather’s confusion. Angel wasn’t so sure she wanted Wes’s offer to help, though. She had decided she wanted to continue to find out what she could about her mother, but without telling her family. This was something she needed to do, even if it meant she had to face the man who could have been responsible.
Angel put on her turn signal as she approached her exit. It was Monday, and bills still needed to be paid. When she first joined the Bible study, Candace taught about the importance of keeping on your garment of praise. Angel felt the heaviness lift as she continued to sing along with JoAnn Rosario. “Fill me like an empty cup, and when it seems I have had enough, I still need more, more, more.”
By the time she arrived in the parking lot of Lenora’s Bridal Boutique, her anxiety had lost the battle and she felt energized despite her lack of sleep. She parked her car and headed toward the boutique’s door. Lenora had recently changed the window to display formal wear. It’s that time of the year again. Just as she anticipated, when Angel walked through the entrance, several young women were waiting for a consultation with a member of Lenora Freeman’s staff. Some were there to be fitted for a wedding gown, but the high-pitched chatter indicated that most were looking for a prom gown.
Angel squeezed her way through the teenagers to find the queen of the shop. Lenora Freeman was well known as the first lady of Victory Gospel Church, but she was also a popular wedding planner and bridal shop owner. Lenora needed a videographer on her staff. Thanks to Candace’s swift introduction, Angel no longer worried about her next video production. This time of year, wedding season was in full swing.
Angel walked toward the dressing area in the back and found Lenora talking to a teary-eyed young woman. Angel was surprised at how down to earth Lenora could be, despite the fact that she was the most elegant woman she had ever met. Always dressed in an impeccable skirt suit or pantsuit, her makeup flawless, the woman handled her business, her brides, and her role as a first lady with perfection.
Lenora rubbed the shoulders of the young woman, who was now visibly crying. “Honey, you want this to be your day. Make sure this is the dress for you, and not what your family wants you to wear. Now, do you think you found the dress you wanted today?”
The young woman nodded. “Yes, I really liked the first one.”
“Then that’s your dress, honey. Let me talk to your mother.”
Angel smiled at the sternness of Lenora’s words but the soft passion in her eyes. She knew Lenora was for the bride, and she would make sure her bride felt secure about her day.
Lenora looked over and spotted her. “Oh, Angel. I’m glad you were able to come. Florence, take care of my little bride here. Make sure she gets the dress she wants. If the mother has questions, she can see me. Angel, let’s go to my office.”
Angel took long strides to keep up with Lenora, who, with the stilettos she was wearing, had to be nearly six feet in height. All business, Lenora closed the door and reached out her arms. “How are you doing?”
Angel accepted the hug. “I’m doing okay. Thank you for asking.”
“Bless your heart. You know, I would have understood if you couldn’t make it. How’s your grandmother doing? Pastor and I are both praying for her.”
“She’s stable. I appreciate the prayers, Mrs. Freeman—”
“Uh-uh.” The woman cut Angel off with her finger. “When are you going to learn? Call me Lenora.”
Angel grinned. “Lenora. My grandmother has some rehabilitation to go through. The stroke has affected her right side a bit, and she is understandably frustrated.”
“I can imagine. Ms. Fredricka is a ball of fire, even at her age. We are praying for a full recovery. Your grandmother has been such a blessing to so many people.” Lenora walked over behind her desk. “Look, I don’t want to hold you. I know you need to get back to the hospital. I just want to go over the wedding details for this weekend.”
Angel took the seat across from Lenora’s desk, which was filled with neatly stacked and organized catalogs. Lenora quickly flipped through her appointment book, which occupied the middle of the desk. From where she sat, Angel could see the perfect handwriting. Angel wished she could say her desk looked like this, but instead it was full of sticky notes, scribbled-in notebooks, and DVD cases.
“Now, I have scheduled a couple more weddings for the summer, and they all indicated they would love a videographer. I will check with you about those before you leave.”
Angel responded, “Sounds good. So the couple this week is Tommy and Sharise?”
“Yes, they both like the package where you interview them individually before and after the wedding. If you can arrive a bit early, they also want you to interview some of the guests as they arrive and then again at the reception. By the way, Brad took some great shots. Aren’t they a beautiful couple?” Lenora passed an envelope to her.
Angel took the envelope and slid out a few photos. Tom, the groom, was slender, tall, and reminded her of the actor Morris Chestnut. The bride was simply stunning. Sharise was equally as tall and had long, flowing hair. “These are beautiful. You indicated last week that they want to do some footage in another location.”
“Yes. They are college sweethearts, so they are interested in doing a shoot at UNC Charlotte. They want footage of the places where they first met. Will you be okay with meeting them on the campus Thursday?”
“Yes, that’s fine.” It would be a busy week, but Angel looked forward to filming the couple. Her mind whirled like a movie projector as she began thinking of how the final production would come together. It felt good to focus on work.
“Okay, now, here are the names of weddings I have coming up. Let me know if you are able to add these to your calendar. They all loved your portfolio.”
Angel reached over and took the list from Lenora. There were about five couples listed, but one couple leapt off the page.
“Angel, is something wrong?”
She had sucked in a breath sharply, but she didn’t realize how her reaction appeared to Lenora. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Lenora eyed her. A knock on the door saved Angel from having to explain. Not that she even knew what to say. She folded the list and stuffed the paper into the side pocket of her bag.
A woman burst into the office. “Mrs. Freeman, I need to have a word with you.”
Lenora lifted a well-groomed arched eyebrow at the woman. “Excuse me. I have someone in my office right now. Can you please wait outside? I will be with you shortly.”
“Yes, but—” The woman stopped and stared at Angel. She was petite, probably just a few inches shorter than Angel. Her blond hair was pulled back, showing off intense blue eyes. The woman stepped back and placed her hand on her chest. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Angel stood from her chair. “It’s okay. Lenora, I will meet with Tommy and Sharise on Thursday and will see you on Saturday, before the ceremony begins.”
Lenora had a smile on her face, but her eyes displayed displeasure as she focused first on the woman who had burst in and then on Angel. “Okay. Thank you for stopping by, and tell your grandmother we are praying for her.”
Angel turned to walk out of the office, but the woman remained standing at the door, still staring at her. This woman clearly has some issues. “Excuse me. I need to get by.”
“Yes, of course.” The strange woman stepped to the side.
Angel slid by her and out the door. As she turned the corner, she looked back to find that the woman continued to stare at her. Angel felt sorry that Lenora had to deal with the creepy woman. Angel couldn’t leave fast enough. All she wanted was to breathe fresh air.