Speechless. That’s what David’s statement had left her—tongue-tied.
Although Valerie was flattered, impressed, and overjoyed, she wasn’t about to throw caution to the wind and go with the flow.
Blame her hesitation on the handsome baits the devil positioned inside the church to lure unsuspecting women. The devil had lured her enough when she wasn’t walking with Christ.
Now, walking next to David as he escorted her to her car, Valerie had yet to say a word.
At the bumper of her Ford Focus, David reached for her hands. He bowed his head and said a prayer so soft and so brief she missed it by the time she closed her eyes.
“Call me when you get home,” he said, opening her car door. Valerie nodded. “Okay.”
She turned and got inside.
When she was safely in her apartment, Valerie kicked off her shoes. Before she could pull her smartphone out her purse, it played her Peanuts ringtone.
She suspected it was David and answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Have you made it home yet?”
“Yes.” She smiled. His concern for her was starting to win her over.
“I’m serious about your safety, Valerie. Call me next time, please.”
He said it so sweetly that it softened the blow of his chastisement. “If you had given me thirty more seconds, I would have.”
“Sorry. Well, I look forward to our dinner tomorrow night, the Lord’s will.”
Closing her eyes, Valerie allowed his baritone voice to lull her into a comfort zone, then they disconnected. She didn’t trust her mind.
After she prepared for bed, Valerie went through her normal routine of saying her nighttime prayers, thanking and praising the Lord just for who He was and what He had done.
Next, she ran down her list of shut-ins, elderly, homeless, jobless, and sexual immortality that included child abuse and homosexuality. She prayed for those who were sick and those looking for the right mate.
The petitions continued. She called out the names of those who had requested prayer, then Valerie was finished, but she added her own personal request, “Jesus, I thank You for all the blessings I see and those that are foggy. Help me not to make You ashamed in my relationship with David.
“I know I complained that love has kept me waiting, but I’m in shock at David’s revelation that I’m the one. Help me to process fact from fiction and stay in Your will. If there are any blemishes in his armor, please magnify them for me. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Even as she prayed, her rebellious mind was shouting, “You know it’s God’s will.”
Valerie climbed in bed and snuggled under the covers. “Only time will tell.” With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Valerie woke before her alarm. She was refreshed with praise in her heart. “Lord, I surrender my free will to You today. Walk before me and remind me to bless others along the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
She was about to jump in the shower when David called.
“I’m heading into the office early to get some things done before I take this lovely lady out tonight.” He paused. “A real man wants to pick up his lady. I need your address. That’s the way Dorcas Andersen reared me…”
His lady? David was starting to convince her that he was serious. She shivered. The hesitation she felt in her spirit like she did the night before had dissipated, so she gave David her address and said she would meet him in the lobby. “Where are we going, by the way?”
“Don’t you like surprises?”
If David only knew. You are a surprise, Valerie thought, but didn’t voice. “Sometimes.” They agreed on six o’clock.
In record time, she showered, dressed, and ate a bowl of oatmeal. As she was draining her pineapple juice, she called her mother. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetie. How did Bible class go with David?”
“It was interesting.” Valerie didn’t have a lot of time to chitchat, so she got to the point. “Is there such a thing as a perfect man—money, looks, salvation?”
“It’s not about perfect people when it comes to a relationship. It’s about a perfect fit to your personality and temperament.”
“Hmm.” Valerie never looked at it that way.
“David seemed nice enough to me last week, but then again, I wasn’t trying to size him up for my daughter until now. For him to forgo Valentine’s Day to serve others says a lot about his character.”
“You’re right.” Valerie nodded and quickly straightened up her kitchen. “It’s suspect that out of all the sisters at SFC, he chose me. Why me? Did you ever wonder that with Daddy?”
Her mother laughed. “No, chile. Your father was the right fit for me. There was no need to question it. Love isn’t a two-way street, but an intersection. You have to yield and give the other the right of way…”
“Thanks, Mom. I have to go before I’m late. Love you. Bye.” Gathering her things, Valerie left her apartment.
Throughout the workday, David texted her with clues about their dinner date. One of her coworkers had seen her smiling and pestered Valerie for the scoop. After that, whenever her phone chirped to alert Valerie of a new text, Casey Wright eagerly waited for an update.
The young mother of two small boys amused her and despite a recent divorce, Casey had a positive outlook on life and believed in second chances at love. If only Valerie could convince her friend about second chances with God.
We will keep the fires burning, was David’s third text. Valerie frowned while Casey turned it into a game of charades.
“And you’re sure he doesn’t mean a sexy night between the sheets?”
Folding her arms, Valerie eyed her coworker as if she were crazy. Had she not lived a Christian example before everyone at her job?
Did they think all her commitments would go out the window because of a man? “If he does, it won’t be with me, and the pastor will know about it. There are people, including me, who give their all and all to live for Jesus.”
“Humph.” Casey lifted a brow. “Let me know how that works for you,” she said sarcastically. “If he looks the way you described him, then I don’t know if even God could hold me back.”
“Oh, He could, but that doesn’t mean He would.” Valerie recalled her pastor’s recent Bible class lesson. “It’s all about your will or God’s. We get to pick and choose.”
Even though David didn’t text any further clues, Valerie’s excitement continued to build.
By the time she got home after work and showered, Valerie had changed her outfit twice.
Laughing at her indecisiveness as if it was her first sweet sixteen date, Valerie opted for fun and relaxing: a long black skirt and a flirty leopard-print blouse.
As for her shoes, David’s first text had read, Wear the highest heels you want, you will still leave me breathless.
What did he mean? She wondered. Although Valerie dressed to impress, Mr. Andersen wouldn’t see any heels on her that night. She slipped into flats.
His second text was the most mysterious: Let’s compare notes.
Taking a deep breath, Valerie scrutinized her appearance. She had ten minutes before David would arrive.
She called the security gate and gave his name so that he could gain access to the complex.
Valerie’s phone rang seconds before her apartment intercom buzzed. She checked the I.D. “Hi Mom, hold on.”
She then tapped on the ON switch, which activated the monitor at the front entrance. David’s face came into view.
His white smile was unmatched. “Good evening, Mr. Andersen.” She smiled back.
“Hi.”
Giggling, Valerie buzzed him into the lobby. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Well, it appears your date is there,” her mother said, reminding Valerie she had overheard their brief interaction. “Let that young man woo you, honey.”
“I’ll try.” They said their goodbyes and Valerie took a deep breath. She hurried and grabbed her cape, and purse.
After one final inspection in the mirror, Valerie walked out her apartment to the elevator, which seemed to be waiting for her touch to open.
Her heart pounded with nervousness and excitement as she rode the two floors down. When the doors opened, she searched the lobby as she stepped out. She almost stumbled as David came into view.
A man never looked so good in black—turtleneck, coat, and slacks.
It seemed to enhance his features, especially his silky black goatee.
As David walked closer, his eyes seemed to dance as he scanned her attire. He smirked. “No stilettos?”
Valerie shook her head. She had forgotten how much taller he was than her when she was without her heels.
“Sister Hart, you make a brother want to kidnap you.” David’s nostrils flared.
Valerie grinned. “Should I remind you that I have a work night curfew?”
“You’ll never have to remind me of anything concerning you. I’m a man who knows how to take care of his Hart.”
He winked and then escorted her out the door.