“You idiot!” Christian paced David’s living room floor. “Do you know how hard it is to find a good woman who loves God? That alone puts Valerie in a different league from Karla and the other selfish chicks that you unfortunately became their prey.”
David’s day had gone from the anticipation of professing his love, to the disaster of watching Valerie walk out of the restaurant without a backward glance. Stubborn, he had let her leave mad while he ate his meal and took hers to go.
“Your wounded pride got the best of you. You need to win her back” Nathan said from his perch on the sofa with one ankle resting on his knee. His older brother’s look was too relaxed, compared to David’s mental chaos caused by his bad judgment.
“If she’ll let you,” Christian added with a smirk.
“True, since she isn’t answering my calls,” David stated dryly. “Personally, I thought I was complimenting her after I told her I loved her.”
“See, that’s where you went wrong.” Nathan used their father’s authoritative voice. “It’s part of the blue book code of dating.”
“Huh?” David and Christian gave him bewildered looks.
“Whatever.” Nathan acted as if both should have known what he what talking about. “You don’t bear your soul too soon. Well actually, it’s not something you should ever share—maybe not even on your death bed.”
“Man, how would you know?” Christian eyed their oldest brother. “You haven’t been in a serious relationship in a while.”
Nathan shrugged with a snicker. “As far as you two knuckleheads may know.” He left them hanging. His stare seemed to dare them to pry into his implied covert affairs. “Okay, what’s your game plan? Crawling back on all fours or moving on?” he taunted.
David rested his head on the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. “There has to be a plan C or D.” He racked his brain. He really wanted this relationship, really wanted her.
“If you can’t get past security at her apartment complex,” Christian paused, “my guess is you should corner her at church tomorrow night. Surely, you two wouldn’t cause a scene in God’s house.”
“Probably not.” But David wasn’t so sure. The misunderstanding and the hurt he caused crushed him.
She was the most genuine and sweetest woman he had dated in a long time. He couldn’t lose a good thing now. “I’ll need help from both of you, though.”
Unfortunately, Valerie was a no show at their midweek Bible class.
That was a fact because he had dispatched Christian and Nathan to be posted at the church’s side entrances while he waited at the main one.
Before the night was over, David had to contend with his brothers’ backlash for missing most of Bible class because of his foolishness. Once it concluded, only Joy sympathized with his plight.
Bethani gave him a hug as if knowing he needed it. “I love you, Uncle David.” Her adoring gaze backed up her declaration before she made a dash to join her friends.
David sighed. He looked to Joy. “I’m sure Christian told you what happened. Did you and my brother ever have any misunderstandings like this?”
“Nope, I wouldn’t be that stupid,” Christian answered, coming to Joy’s side.
Joy tilted her head toward his brother. “I agree with him. Our relationship was built on honesty from day one. I had nothing to hide. My life with the children was an open book. Christian just had to convince me that I mattered to him, but that was what won me over—his honesty.”
“That’s what you think,” David griped, crossing his arms and eying Christian. “Because of you, Miss Knight, almost eighty families got curb service with their turkey dinners, so you would be on Christian’s drop off route.”
Giggling, Joy snuggled closer to his brother. “He told me. Wasn’t that sweet of him?”
The couple exchanged a knowing glance, which reminded David of what he was missing with Valerie.
“Excuse me,” David interrupted their private moment in a public place.
“I’m in the middle of a dilemma. You’ll be on a love boat or beach soon,” David paused and frowned at Christian, “I was asking your fiancée about what she thinks I should do.”
“Well…” Joy shrugged. “Weddings are a great place to fall in love. You might want to make sure she comes.”
“We’re already in love.” David twisted his mouth in frustration as he slipped his hands into his pants pockets.
He was still confused about why his woman could be upset with him when he honestly thought he was giving her a high compliment.
“But you couldn’t tell, considering we haven’t spoken since the showdown at the restaurant more than a month ago. Besides, I can’t wait any longer to reconcile this. I’ve held back long enough.”
“Yeah and V-Day was the beginning of your sorrows,” Christian reminded him as Bethani returned to their side.
When he turned to leave, Bethani stopped him. “Uncle David, prayer changes things.”
He smiled at his soon-to-be niece. “Yes, it does.” David reflected on the problem–solving, age-old adage. Bethani was wise beyond her years. “Thanks.”
Giving her a wink, he continued out the sanctuary. Jesus, I admit that my words came out wrong, but I need you to intervene on my behalf because I believe You are concerned about every detail of my life. Please guide me.
The tongue is a powerful member of the body. If you restrain it, then you will obtain wisdom, Jesus spoke through the breeze, reminding David to read James 3:8 as he crossed the lot to his car.
Once he was behind the wheel of his SUV, he phoned Valerie and got her voicemail again. He huffed as he pulled out of the lot. “Yep, prayer does change things.” But this thing was time sensitive. He wanted Valerie back in his life now.