The more David prayed, the more irritated he became at Valerie’s absence from Salvation is Free Church.
It was a toss-up between whether he felt responsible for chasing her away or judgmental that she was so shallow that she would allow his comments to cause her to flee. But in the back of his mind, God’s voice urged him to keep praying.
The few times he had stopped by The Stallings Group, Valerie was unavailable, either at lunch or in a meeting—always too busy to spare him a minute.
Knowing how far she was taking this thing, David wouldn’t put it past her to walk in a different mall since he had failed to catch her at the St. Louis Outlet Mall.
The week before the family was scheduled to fly out to Aruba, David played his last hand and visited Valerie’s mother.
He secretly hoped Valerie would be there.
Of course, her car wasn’t. David petitioned God before he got out, “Lord, in the name of Jesus, my mouth got me in this mess, search my heart and guide my words. You know how much I love Valerie. Please let her mother be an ally to influence Valerie to talk it out with me. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Taking the box of chocolates he’d purchased earlier off the seat, David jogged up the steps. His heart pounded as he rang the doorbell.
“Who is it?” Helen’s warm voice asked from the other side.
“It’s David Andersen.”
When there was no immediate response, David’s heart dropped as the seconds ticked off.
Refusing to plead his case outside on the porch, David pivoted on his heel and stormed down the steps to his vehicle.
He was already behind the wheel when Helen opened her door. With a phone in one hand, she waved him back with the other.
Encouraged, David got out and took the stairs two at a time. She had finished her call by the time he reached her.
Helen welcomed him with a smile and hug. David brushed a kiss on her cheek, then handed over the box of chocolates.
“What a surprise—sort of. Why thank you, baby. I’ll take your coat.”
“Mrs. Hart, I’m sure you know why I’m here.”
“I sure don’t know why it took you this long to come,” she fussed, ushering him into her kitchen.
“Have a seat at the table.” It sounded more like an order than an offer. He watched as Helen rummaged through the refrigerator.
“Ah, ma’am, if you’re looking to fix me something to eat, that’s okay. I’m not hungry.”
Helen straightened and slowly faced him, then planted a fist on her hip. “Nobody comes into my house without me feeding them. Got it?” She looked offended.
Rubbing his stomach, David nodded. “As a matter of fact, I think I have an air pocket right here.” He patted his abs and grinned like an obedient child.
“That’s more like it. I have chicken salad.” She beamed as she began to prepare him a sandwich. David watched, biding his time, but Helen broke the silence.
“You know I had to get the okay from Valerie before I invited you inside.”
“I was hoping she hadn’t turned you against me, too,” David said hopefully.
“Oh, she didn’t. I’ve always liked you.” Next she pulled a large knife from the drawer and returned to the table. David watched her every movement.
“I don’t entertain men in my home when I’m by myself.”
She sliced through the sandwich with ease, which made David think she knew how to use the knife to slice more than food.
That air pocket in his stomach suddenly evaporated. His ego was deflated; his honor tainted. “I would never touch a woman—any woman. I’m sorry I hurt Valerie and left a less-than-favorable impression on you.”
“I know, baby. The Holy Ghost let me know you’re a good man, even if Valerie told me not to open the door for you.”
That stung. David cringed. “I see.”
“She’s on her way to ask that you leave or put you out.” Helen winked. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her.” Helen hummed as she put plastic wrap over her bowl and placed it back into the refrigerator.
With renewed hope and a slight hunger pain, David relaxed. As Helen joined him with her own plate of chicken salad and crackers, she asked him to bless their food. David did.
The sandwich was just as good as it looked. Between bites, David tried to plead his case. “Mrs. Hart, I really do love Valerie.”
Helen rocked her head from side-to-side as if she was considering his statement. “My baby is a sensitive soul. At her last birthday, which was days before Valentine’s Day, she thought love had passed her by.”
“She’s gorgeous. I’m blessed that no other man snagged her.”
“There are many gorgeous single women.” Helen dabbed her mouth. “All my daughter wanted was for a man to see what God sees—her heart. She thought you were that man.”
“I am.” David was about to pound his fist on the table when Helen lifted an I-dare-you brow, causing him to gently rest it in place.
“Then you’re going to have to prove it when she gets here.” Helen smiled.
He planned on doing just that. David smirked and went through the motions of engaging in meaningful conversation as he devoured his sandwich.
Without him asking for seconds, Helen made him another one. She threw in chips on the side this time.
After an hour had passed, they both accepted the fact that Valerie wasn’t coming.
When Helen stifled a yawn, David took that as his cue to leave. He stood.
“Well, I’d better go. I had hoped to convince you and Valerie to come to Aruba for the wedding.”
She got to her feet and waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll be there.” She gave him a hug, his coat, then escorted him to the door, softly praying.
There was only one Hart that David was after and she wasn’t a senior citizen.
If something didn’t give soon, his options would be to move on or become a stalker. “What a choice.” He said through gritted teeth, then drove away.