Redeeming Heart (17 page)

For a quick minute, Octavia’s fearlessness
reminded him of Garrett’s wife, Shari. Before the woman married his
cousin, she wasn’t fooled by his church-mimicking antics. Shari had
rebuked those devils right out of him for bringing a false prophet
to the hospital to minister to his grandfather after a heart
attack, which he had indirectly caused.

Looking back, Landon accepted he was on his
way to hell with no regrets. Jesus’ grace, which persuaded him to
repent, was invaluable.

Once his group cleared security and were
situated at their gate, Landon observed Octavia as she chatted with
Karyn about clothes, hair and other female topics that lost
Landon’s attention.

Rossi and Levi suggested they take a walk
around the terminal to kill time. Dori jumped up. “Can I go with
you, daddy?”

Levi smiled and reached for her hand, but
Landon hadn’t stirred. He was fine right where he was, sitting
across from Octavia, but not wanting to come across as a sick
puppy, he stood. As he trailed the cousins, Landon overheard
Octavia telling Karyn, “Hopefully, I can do some shopping with you,
but I plan to stay close to Landon, in case he needs me.”

Landon hid his smile. The woman gave him a
level of strength that couldn’t be measured. It was a spiritual
boost that only his heart could feel. Once they boarded their
flight, Landon gave Octavia the window seat. As their plane took
off, Landon closed his eyes, praying for mercy from those he’d
wronged. He had tested the mothers of his children beyond what was
humanly possible.

They will never forgive you
…the devil
taunted him.

As Landon rebuked the devil, Octavia squeezed
his hand, then she whispered, “It’s going to be all right.”

Landon’s spirit stilled. She was that in tune
with him. Opening his eyes, Landon faced her and linked his fingers
through hers. “In Jesus’ name. I accept that.”

That gave him peace to doze until they
arrived at Logan Airport. Landon stirred and was surprised to find
he had a grip on Octavia’s hand. When he met her eyes, she was
smiling.

“It’s going to be okay.”

Landon took a deep breath and looked around
as passengers began to gather their belongings. “I have faith in
God and hope in God, but that’s where it ends.” Landon shrugged.
“My family may forgive me, but a scorned woman will be out for
blood.”

“No woman deserves what you did, so I’ll be
praying that the Lord Jesus gives you a double dose of grace,” she
didn’t try to sugarcoat it.

They got off the plane and made a pit stop to
the restrooms. When everyone was ready, Landon led the way to the
baggage area. As he exited the terminal, Landon stumbled, but
recovered when he caught sight of a small welcoming crew. Some held
balloons and signs:
Welcome home.

Landon had to will his feet to keep moving as
his heart pounded. He did a quick head count as his grandfather
stretched out his arms. The welcoming gesture was enough to make a
grown man cry, but Landon didn’t as he loosened his hand from
Octavia’s and walked into the embrace as if he was a boy again.
Once Landon had reached puberty, he insisted on handshakes as the
norm, but not today. His pride was gone. “Grandpa.”

One by one, his greeters bestowed him with
hugs and kisses. Landon was living in the moment until he realized
the attention was no longer on him. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said,
making introductions.

“Octavia, Rossi, Levi, Karyn and Dori, this
is my grandpa Moses, my grandmother Queen, my mother, father and
one of my two sisters.”

His grandfather stepped up and gave Rossi a
hearty pat on the back. “I’ve heard good things about you. Thanks
for being instrumental in my grandson’s life.”

Rossi squeezed his shoulder. “He’s like a
brother to me.”

Landon had to ask, “Do the others know I’m
here?”

His mother didn’t make eye contact with him
as she answered, “Yes… it’s too soon. They want nothing to do with
you. Sorry, son.”

Nodding, Landon accepted their rejection. He
would need a triple dose of God’s grace.

Once everyone retrieved their luggage and
secured a rental SUV, Landon gave them his parents’ address. The
plan was for Rossi and the others to check in at the hotel then
come to his parents’ house for refreshments.

Settling into the backseat of his father’s
car, Landon thanked his parents for coming. Although they had
spoken since he returned to God, they held back, expecting that the
old Landon would probably surface. His sister, Zion, was snuggled
next to him with her hands linked in his. No one would ever guess
by her display of affection that she was five years older than
him.

“You’re our son,” his father stated while his
mother nodded. “We still love.”

“Your grandfather has called a family meeting
in a few hours and advised everyone to be there,” his mother told
him.

The family meeting, aka Miller tribunal, was
usually called when there was bad news to deliver. Landon
swallowed. He was it. “I expected as much. Rossi and the others
will want to be there.”

“Of course.” His mother nodded, then angled
her body to face him in the back. “Son, I’m glad you’re here and
you’ve repented, but this hasn’t been easy for any of us. The
Miller name is tainted at church, your cousin’s ex-fiancée made
sure of that before and after she had the twins. Even though she no
longer attends our church, the gossip resurfaces every now and
then.” His mother had aged in the past few years from his ordeal.
Although he was fair-skinned like his father, he received his
“pretty-boy” features from his mother: long lashes, wavy hair and
high cheek bones.

“The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy…”
his father mumbled.

“Well, I’m glad Satan didn’t destroy you,”
his mother said. “I’m praying that Brittani will come back to God
before the devil causes her to die in her sins.”

“I don’t need to tell you that being a father
is a privilege. Children have short memories. They take their
fathers at face value, willing to remember the good while
forgetting the bad. You can still have a place in their life,” his
father stated as they pulled up in front of their Roxbury home. For
once, Landon didn’t question his father’s counsel, but accepted
it.

As they waited for the others to arrive,
Landon was the center of attention, but not as the boastful man he
once was as he shamefully disclosed all the misfortune that befell
him. There were a few sniffs. He decided to wait to tell more once
the others arrived. Some would be glad to see him, but probably
only because they wanted to hear what lie he would spin this time.
He sighed. His reputation truly preceded him.

“Even though I disowned you, I never wanted
you to be homeless.” His father choked back his emotions.

“Have you reconsidered moving back here?
You’ll have a place to stay until you get back on your feet,” his
grandfather said, then offered his home.

He wasn’t ready for a big move just yet.
“Thanks, but I have a place to stay at the men’s transitional
shelter. I’m working at Walgreens in the evenings and at Rossi’s
office during the day to earn enough money for three months’ rent.
Octavia is going to help me find a one bedroom or a studio. Rossi
keeps me busy with real projects for his firm in between
assignments while I wait for something full time.”

“Do you need help?” his sister asked.

Landon smiled and pulled his sister into a
hug. “I got it.”

Soon, his grandfather led them in prayer.
Landon had always taken moments like this for granted. He was
always a spectator when the family prayed. Now his spirit rejoiced
as he lifted his voice in praise and petitions. Before long, God
filled the room and began to speak to them, filling their mouths
with His heavenly tongues.

When the final Amen was whispered, everyone
was wiping their eyes, including Landon.

“Well,” his mother said, smiling, “I feel
better. I’d better warm up the food before more family and your
guests arrive.”

His grandfather held him back while the
others went into the kitchen to help. “I’m not one to mince words.
I know Jesus has redeemed you, but the devil doesn’t like to let go
and give back, so I have to ask about Octavia. She’s very pretty.
Are you using her, and I’m saying this delicately?”

“No, sir. I’m not.” Landon felt so good to
confess that. “I love her.”

“I see. You’re going to have to work extra
hard for her.” Moses gave him a stern look.

“I know.”

“Good. Remember, second chances are never
promised or guaranteed.”

Landon’s family was nothing like Octavia had
expected. From the moment she and Rossi’s family entered the house
to a crowded room of at least thirty-plus onlookers, they were
received with pleasant greetings and a couple of hugs

She came prepared for chaos, but the
atmosphere was jovial. Many seemed genuinely glad to see Landon—or
perhaps they wanted to see evidence of his tattered life. Before
long, they had an impromptu church service with testimonies of
God’s goodness and songs of praise.

Octavia said, “I know we’ve all shared
testimonies, but there is one more thing I would like to say.”
Landon’s grandfather consented, so Octavia proceeded while Landon
eyed her with a curious expression. Octavia began to perspire as a
hush swept through the room. “Thank you everyone for a warm
reception
.
”
Deep breath,
she coaxed herself. “I don’t
know the Landon Thomas that lived here, but I do know the one who
lives in St. Louis. He’s a good man who has allowed God’s Word to
take root in his heart. You may not recognize the new man, but I
can’t see any remnants of what he says he used to be. Please pray
for him.”

A few mumbled, “Amen.”

His grandfather quickly filled the lull.
“Minister Tolliver, do you mind sharing a scripture.”

“Of course.” Rossi cleared his throat and
stood. “God has laid it on my heart to remind us of Christ’s love
for the church in Colossians 1:13–14: ‘
For He rescued us from
the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His
beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of
sins.’
I can’t leave here today without commenting on the
reception you all have given Landon who has become like a brother
to me.” He paused and looked at his cousin. “Sorry, Levi.”

“No harm done.” Levi smirked as everyone
laughed.

“We were all born and shaped in sin, but
Jesus rescued us. When we live in darkness, Jesus is the light to
rescue us…” Rossi said, summing up his sermon minutes after he
began. “Landon’s in God’s hands in St. Louis. You all have my word
that we’ll have his back and the assurance that God will supply his
every need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

“Amen,” some mumbled; others shouted and
clapped.

As Octavia and the others prepared to leave,
Landon grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side.

“Thank you for all the things you said about
me, especially the part about me being a good man.” He bowed his
head, then looked at her again. “I’ve never been a good man, and to
hear someone say I am…you make me want to live up to your and God’s
expectations.”

“Landon, have you forgotten the scripture
about being tried by fire?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten. It’s in 1 Peter 1,
and I’ve been singed.”

She couldn’t resist reaching up and touching
his jaw to see if it was as smooth as it looked. Landon captured
her hand with his. “I have no right to say this, but I love you,
Octavia Winston.”

The soulful gaze in Landon’s eyes made
Octavia want to cry. His profession tempted her to make a similar
declaration, but not yet. She couldn’t, and Landon seemed to
understand it.

“I guess I’d better let you go. I’m bracing
for drama when I meet with the mothers of my children tomorrow. I’m
having second thoughts about you coming.”

Too bad,
she thought as she planted a
fist on her hip. “Dear Landon Thomas, this is why Minister Rossi,
Levi and Karyn, and I came. Those mothers especially need to see
you’ve changed if you want to have a relationship with your
children.” She paused. “Do you want a relationship?” She searched
his eyes, looking for the truth.

“Yes, I do.”

She exhaled. Whether he knew it or not, his
answer was the best way to show her his capability to love her.
“Good night.” When she turned around, Octavia hadn’t realized she
and Landon had been the center of attention. She blushed.

“We’ll be here tomorrow afternoon, bro, to
pick you up. Tomorrow is your test,” Rossi said as everyone was
going out the door.

“Please come early enough for breakfast or
brunch,” Mrs. Thomas said.

Rossi graciously declined. “Some devils are
bound by fasting and praying, so another time?”

“Of course!” Landon’s mother said, and his
father suggested they all fast and pray the next day.

The family members who were still there
nodded. “Consider it done.” Their willingness to fast impressed
Octavia. When it came to walking as a Christian, her pastor taught
her that fasting and prayer worked together for their good.

Back in the rental SUV, Octavia retreated to
her own thoughts, which was a rewind of how Landon looked at her
when he said he loved her. His words were so heartfelt that they
over-powered her senses. In the back of her mind, a tiny voice
questioned if he had ever told another woman that.

No, she didn’t want doubt to creep in. If he
had, then that had been the “old” Landon. Still, her parents didn’t
rear foolish women. She lived in the Show-Me-State of Missouri, and
she was forming a list when they made it back to St. Louis for him
to show her.