Valerie shivered as she heard her name called from the lips of an unrecognizable deep voice. When she came face-to-face with the owner, she could only stare as she studied him.
Was it his clear brown eyes…no, it was the silky black goatee that encased a smile that could probably melt every piece of chocolate in the room, or maybe it was his build that had her mesmerized.
One thing was for sure, Valerie was scared to blink or she would miss something. Good-looking was an understatement.
He knew her name, so how could she not know this man? The question must have blanketed her face, because he introduced himself without her asking.
“I’m Brother David Andersen. I attend SFC—Salvation is Free Church.” He extended his hand for a shake.
Valerie nodded, but didn’t remember seeing him. He was not a man any woman would soon forget.
Breathe, she coaxed herself. Exhale. Speak. “Oh, praise the Lord.” Suddenly, she remembered she was not alone. “This is my mother, Mrs. Hart.”
Not only did David shake her mother’s hand, but gave her a slight kiss on the cheek. Valerie wanted to stomp her ankle boots in protest that she didn’t get one. The usher held out the chair for Helen who continued to blush at all the attention. “Praise the Lord, young man.”
“Are you a widow or do you have children, Sister Valerie?”
Uh-oh, I’m about to get busted and asked to leave. Was she being screened to see if she was legit? Valerie scanned the decorated ballroom. All the women present were in situations she really didn’t want to experience.
“Neither,” Valerie whispered nervously as David pulled out her chair. She remained standing as she explained, “My mother is a widow. She was excited about the invitation, but refused to come by herself.”
David had the oddest expression. Was it a look of relief or amusement? “I don’t want to take anybody’s spot.” She paused and chuckled. “If left up to me, I’d be at home eating Imo’s pizza and topping it off with a Vess cream soda.” That earned her a smile, so she relaxed a little. “If your staff needs any help in the kitchen or serving, I volunteer.”
A grin spread across David’s face. “Come to think of it, we are short-staffed, and I could use the help.”
Turning to her mother, Valerie tried to get her attention. “I’m going to help…”
Helen, who had struck up a conversation with a lady at a table behind her, waved her off.
Shrugging, Valerie faced David who was watching her so intently that it was a little unsettling.
“Ah. Okay. Show me what I can do.”
“Right this way.” With a slight touch to her elbow, David guided her toward the kitchen. “I’m surprised you’re not enjoying dinner out with an admirer.”
Men just didn’t know the long sufferings of women who waited to be asked out, only to go with a girlfriend or alone.
“No admirers. Otherwise, he would have asked me out. Since my father passed, my mother and I usually go out to dinner.”
David gave her a warm smile as he opened the door to the kitchen and almost collided with another man who was working up a sweat. David laughed.
Watching the other man scowl, she didn’t see what was so funny.
“This is my oldest brother, Nathan, Valerie.”
She noted that David had dropped the church salutation sister and his brother’s eyes seemed to sparkle with merriment.
Valerie couldn’t help but wonder if this was where all the handsome men were on Valentine’s Day. She didn’t have time for her mind to drift.
“She attends to SFC with us, and don’t get any ideas and try to steal her. Valerie offered to help me.” David’s boastful statement made his brother wiggle a brow before resuming his duty.
“Actually, I can help wherever I’m needed. It doesn’t matter to me,” she spoke up.
“It matters to me,” David said and continued inside the kitchen. Behind closed doors, the scene was pure mayhem with more than one man trying to delegate and no one seemed to listen. But somehow, on the other side of the wall, it came together in the ballroom.
“Here, put on this apron,” David said as he scanned her shoes and frowned. “Are you going to be able to do much walking in those heels?”
“I’m a woman.” Valerie chuckled. “We can jump rope in stilettos.” He didn’t look convinced. “Besides, I always bring flats along when I’m in heels.”
“You can sit down any time you get tired. How about you follow me? I’ll carry the salad platter and you distribute them.”
“Sure. This is really a nice thing to do for the ladies. The smiles on their faces are priceless,” she said as David seemed to slow his steps to match hers.
Although she felt she was hindering his progress, she appreciated his thoughtfulness.
“So how long have you been attending SFC?” David asked, multitasking between smiling and doting on guests. Yet, somehow, he made her feel like he was interested in what she was saying.
“Almost four years.”
“Four years,” David repeated, then whistled. “And I’m just now seeing you.” He shook his head.
“I’m not surprised we’ve never crossed paths. The congregation is a couple thousand members strong. Plus, I moved from section to section for a while until I found a comfortable spot.”
She chuckled. “I know that sounds silly, considering all the seats are made the same.”
“Not at all.” He stopped and gave her what was becoming a signature smile. He was so good-looking; Valerie couldn’t help but be attracted to him, just like every other woman in the room. Although David didn’t have on a ring, it didn’t mean he wasn’t married. “You’d be surprised at what you may find from changing up a routine.”
Valerie guessed he was right. After about four trips to the kitchen, Valerie concluded David Andersen was a natural charmer. He had a ready smile to flash and an endless supply of compliments to dish out. “Wait.” She rested her hand on his arm. His muscles seemed to flex. David stopped in the middle of what he was doing and gave her his full attention.
“What’s wrong?” His genuine look of alarm was comical.
“I’m going to concede to foot comfort and go change my—”
Something behind her snagged his attention and he grinned, which caused Valerie to look over her shoulder. Heading their way was a young couple and three little girls. “Uncle David! Uncle David!”
The older girl—who couldn’t have been more than ten years old—hurried to him and wrapped her arms around his waist as he rested his empty platter on an unoccupied table. He returned the affection. The two smaller girls vied for attention, and David didn’t disappoint. Each one received a loving squeeze, topped off with noisy kisses to their cheeks.
“Stop it,” the little girls pleaded, giggling.
Valerie couldn’t help but fade into the background and mentally record the tender moment. What she wouldn’t give to have an affectionate man like that. She wanted to be privy to the details of his significant other.
“Hey, what are you two doing here?” David asked the man as they slapped hands in a shake. The two were about the same build and height. He made the introductions, letting her know that he hadn’t forgotten her. “Valerie, this is my other brother, Christian… and Joy Knight.”
“We came to help.” Christian tilted his head. “Actually, it was Joy’s idea once I told her what you and Nathan were up to tonight.”
David squinted. “I thought you had…” He cleared his throat. “Other plans.”
“You mean like…propose?” Christian grinned and lifted the woman’s hand.
Whoa. Valerie had never seen a diamond so big up close on a woman’s finger. “Wow, it’s beautiful.”
Joy glowed. “Thank you.” Christian hugged her and kissed her black hair, which complemented her dark eyes.
The two made a stunning couple. Valerie watched the interaction between them, trying to mask her longing.
At least David’s brother was doing the right thing by marrying the mother of his children.
“Congratulations.” David pumped his brother’s hand again, then hugged Joy and the girls once more. “But that doesn’t explain why you’re all here. Where’s Shane?”
“With my neighbor. Since Christian couldn’t talk me out of it, he thought it would be a good idea to include the girls.” Joy paused.
“I’m sorry, Valerie. This is my niece Bethani, her sister, Darla, and my daughter, Jada. Shane is my nephew. I know it seems odd that I would rather be here than at a romantic dinner, but I’m a baby saint in the Lord, and I’ve really learned how to serve God’s people by watching my brand-new fiancé.” She reached for his hand.
“Uncle David is going to be my real uncle now.” Bethani grinned with worshipping eyes.
It started to slowly sink in that Christian didn’t father any of Joy’s children. Wow. That was mind-boggling.
She didn’t have one child, yet she couldn’t attract a man. Feeling a pity party about to consume her, Valerie excused herself. “I’d better go change my shoes,” she mumbled, escaping the family gathering.
Her heart began to sink as she wondered how many other women had become engaged this evening.
What happened, God? Did You forget about me? I love You, try to walk upright before You, and have no baggage, yet a woman with four children beats me to a husband. What’s the logic in that? It’s just not fair!
I know the thoughts I have for you, God whispered words she had read in Jeremiah 29:11.
Then God, please let me in on it. Give me hope to hold out until the end. She blinked back her blurred vision before she got to her mother, who paid her little mind as Valerie grabbed a bag that contained her shoes from under the table.
Before any questions were asked, Valerie hurried to the ladies’ room. She not only had to change her shoes, but her attitude and when she was finished, she’d probably need to repair her makeup.