Redeeming Heart (22 page)

Landon could wait until the children had cake
and ice cream, then he would bring out the duffle bags he brought
from St. Louis. Rossi, Levi, his wife and Octavia had packed them
almost to the maximum weight with toys.

When the time came, he gathered all the
children around and began to dispense the many gifts he had brought
from St. Louis. The children screamed with delight at the toy
trucks, Legos, dolls and stuffed animals.

“I have plenty for my little cousins,” he
told Garrett when Garrett’s two sons got in line and expected a toy
too. “Rossi and Octavia made sure of it.”

Garrett gave him a strange look. “You
mentioned her name last night—a couple of times—but I was too tired
to ask about her. Aunt Lydia raved to Mom about how sweet and
pretty she is, so…” Garrett nudged his shoulder.

He wasn’t offended by what his cousin was
implying. His grandfather was also concerned that Landon not stain
Octavia with his sins. “If you’re asking me if there is any lust in
my bones toward her, the answer is no—I don’t plan to sleep with
another woman unless she’s my wife.”

“Good answer.” Garrett nodded. “So, is she
the one?”

“Yes…only if I have time to give her the
attention she deserves.” Landon never thought he would be in a
position not to woo a woman, but he was now and he didn’t know how
to deal with it.

Garrett looked as if he was about to say
something, but Landon cut him off when his eldest daughter, Alyssa,
holding one of the African-American dolls that was in the toys he
brought, gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek for no reason. “Wow,”
he whispered. Before he returned to St. Louis, his children would
have him wrapped about their fingers.

Caught up in an awe moment, Landon didn’t
realize Garrett was grinning at him. “What, man? This is blowing my
mind.”

“Children will do that. Before your
daughter—
” Garrett emphasized the word— “interrupted us, and
they do that all the time…” Garrett’s oldest son appeared as if to
prove it.

Landon watched as Garrett patiently showed
Garrison how to operate the game, then the boy went back to play
with the others. He snickered and turned his attention back to
Landon. “Explain to me how a woman could be ‘the one’ and you not
go after her?”

The room reminded him of Christmas with all
the toys and discarded wrappings. He fanned his hand in the air.
“Look around you. Most of the children here are mine. Not one child
and one child’s mother to deal with, but four children and three
mothers. What woman would want to be a part of this kind of
drama?”

“Maybe, you should ask her and find out,
because it sounds like she is the one that you’re about to let get
away.” Garrett got to his feet when he saw that his son had pushed
his little brother out the way. “Just remember, Octavia has seen
you at your worse—no home, job and food and she’s still there.
Sounds like a strong black godly woman and that is something every
black man needs. I’ve got mine and God knows, she’s not going
anywhere until He calls her home.”

Landon exhaled. Garrett was right. Landon
couldn’t let Octavia get away, especially to the likes of
characters like James. Although family and his children surrounded
him, Landon felt incomplete without Octavia sharing in this moment
with him. After a few minutes of thinking things through, Landon
came to a decision. If he could be a father of four, then he could
be a husband to one woman.

Late Sunday night, Landon boarded the plane at Logan
Airport, feeling like…a dad. The gathering had given him insight to
each of his children’s unique personality. Alyssa had created a
lasting memory. His little girl had asked Reba and her stepdad if
she could go to the airport to see her “extra” daddy—as she had
called him a couple of times at the party—home.

Strapped in his seatbelt, Landon closed his
eyes. He never had felt so loved and sad to leave. If left up to
him, Landon would move back to Boston in a heartbeat. As his plane
soared into the sky, his thoughts changed to what was awaiting him
in St. Louis.

Octavia
. He wanted her, and whatever
he had to do or say to make it permanent, he was willing to do it.
After all, wouldn’t his children want him to be happy?

The pilot touched down in St. Louis exactly
two hours later—a smooth ride with no delays. He mingled with the
other travelers as they exited the terminal.

His nostrils flared at the sight of Octavia.
Had she come to the airport to welcome him? That was so much like
her, he thought, but as he walked closer, Landon saw her waving
goodbye to her sister. The joke was on him. Her life didn’t revolve
around him.

Olivia was sweet, but Octavia definitely was
the beauty. Walking quietly behind her, Landon whispered in her
ear, “Hello, pretty lady.”

She whirled around as he opened his arms.
When she flew into them, he kissed her, then squeezed her close.
She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. Only when he
needed to breathe did he loosen his hold, but not his contact as he
wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her toward baggage
claim with him.

She smiled and squeezed his waist. “So how
was daddy duty?”

“Uh-uh.” He shook his head. “I want to talk
about us. Timing is everything. I’m glad you were here, even if it
was to see Olivia off. I’ve made some decisions, and I want to talk
to you about them.”

“Tonight?” She cast him a suspicious
look.

“Tomorrow,” he stated and guided her
downstairs where his bag was spinning on the carousel. He linked
his fingers through hers as he reached down and retrieved it.

“Since I’m here, I can give you a ride home,”
she offered.

“It’s late and I’m out of your way. I’ll
catch the Metrolink and then the bus.” When it appeared she was
about to protest, he kissed her. “Baby, don’t argue with me,” he
whispered against her lips. He proceeded to escort her to her car,
then he waited until she was off. Twirling around, he jogged up the
stairs to the Metrolink train platform. He smiled to himself as he
took a seat. “Nope, I’m not going to let another man have you.”

***

Don’t think I didn’t see that! Sweet dreams.

Octavia read her sister’s text the next
morning and grinned. After returning from the airport the night
before, Landon had given her something sweet to dream about. The
look in his eyes and the kiss on her lips made it impossible not
to. As she sauntered into the office for the Monday morning
meeting, her colleagues thought her glow came from her recent
milestone.

“A million dollars didn’t buy that glow.
Hmm-mm,” Terri teased and lifted her brow.

“You know money can’t buy you happiness,”
Octavia said in a sing-song tone and put away her purse to prepare
for the meeting. Terri went through her spiel and advised her
agents of new listings. When the meeting concluded, Octavia thought
about Landon and wondered how he was doing on his first day of
regular employment. She prayed God’s continued favor over his
life.

A few hours later, Octavia was following up
on leads when she felt a presence. Looking up from her desk,
Octavia blinked as “wow” echoed around in her mouth before it
escaped and vibrated through the air. She had seen Landon in a
shirt and tie when he worked at Rossi’s, but the man before her was
wearing a suit. If it weren’t tailor made, it was a close fit.
“What are you doing here?”

“Can I take you to lunch?” His eyes
sparkled.

“Yes.”

Gathering her purse, she waved at Terri. Once
they were outside, she saw Rossi’s company car and questioned
him.

Landon shrugged. “He thought I should drive
to the new job the first week. After that, I’ll bus it until I can
save for a car.” Helping her inside, he drove the short distant to
a picnic area near the zoo in Forest Park. They settled on a bench
at a table and he gave her one of the foam containers that held
their lunch.

“So how is your first day?” Octavia was
excited for him and eager to hear the details.

“You know how it is to be the new kid on the
block—new faces and names. People knew of me from my contributions
on some outsourced campaigns.”

He grinned. “We’re in a tech-savvy world with
tech issues. My boss told me to take a couple of hours for lunch
while they work on resolving them.” He paused. “I couldn’t think of
any other person I would rather spend my lunch with.”

Lowering her eyes, she blushed. “That’s
sweet.”

He gently engulfed her hands in his, then
bowed his head to say grace. “Jesus, I didn’t realize I could love
You as much as I do at this moment, because truly you have blessed
me. Thank you for the love of a good woman, even if she has never
said it…”

Octavia sucked in her breath.

“Lord, I see that my life is bigger than me
and that everything I have is because You gave it to me…Please
bless and sanctify our lives as You do this food and remove all
impurities from our lives and in this food. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.”

As Octavia listened to his prayer, she teared
at his earnest petition before God. She quickly covered her face
with her hands or Landon would make good on his threat to kiss her
if she cried. No, she wanted to cherish this moment together and
linger in the spiritual realm.

Taking a deep breath, she stood and put
distance between them. She needed a praise moment to speak with God
and worship Him for Landon’s redemption. As she prayed, God
communicated with her through heavenly tongues, and soon, she felt
Landon’s presence. It was surreal as they continued to pray and
worship God together.

Once they were composed, Landon guided her
back to her table. Before they even touched their food, he got on
one knee.

“Octavia, I have only my love and
faithfulness at this time. My pockets aren’t filled with money and
I’m eying an old clunker to get around in, yet with everything
within me, I want you. Marry me and be the mother of my
children.”

As she looked into his not-quite
hazel-colored eyes, she felt each sincere declaration. It was clear
that he loved her. The confusion came when he said, “mother of my
children.” That could be interpreted so many ways, but she didn’t
ask him to break it down.

“I’ve lost everything to find you.” He used
his thumb to wipe at her eyes. “I believe God had this appointed
time for our paths to cross. Otherwise, I might have hurt you and I
repent even at that thought.”

She reached out and massaged his smooth jaw.
A light breeze circled around them and stirred his cologne, which
she inhaled deeply. She remained speechless as he poured out his
soul.

“When I was in Boston, I thought I had a
readymade family, but my cousin, Garrett—praise God, he forgave
me—reminded me that I’m a readymade father. Can you hang in there
with me and be a stepmother to my children and a wife to me?”

His puppy dog eyes tugged at her heart, but
she had to be frank now that it was her turn to speak. “No and
yes.”

Landon’s eyes widened. “Huh?”

Pulling his face closer to hers, Octavia
wanted to make sure he understood her position. “I don’t know how
to be a stepmother, and I don’t want to learn. I’d love to be a
mother to your children and ours, then yes…” Before Octavia could
blink, Landon leaped up and took her with him. He hugged her as if
she was a lifeline. “I’ll marry you,” she was able to finish
through their moment of celebration.

Taking a seat on the bench again, Landon
pulled her close. He hugged her; peppered kisses on her cheeks,
mouth and hair; then hugged her again. “I can’t afford a ring until
the end of the month. My children wiped me out.” He grinned.

Marry this man, and you’ll struggle from
day one.
The thought came from nowhere and it frightened
her.

Without knowing it, she had taken the devil’s
bait as all the excitement seemed to seep out of her. “Can you
afford me?” She patted her chest. “A wife?”

He gave her the oddest expression before
answering. “Although it may take a while before I bounce back
financially, you will never go hungry. It may not be at a five-star
restaurant, but you’ll never go without. I asked you to marry me
because I couldn’t wait any longer. I’ve figured out my priorities.
You’ll always come first—always, until death we do part.”

“I believe you.” She smiled then reached for
the deli sandwich he’d brought her. Their emotional charge had left
her hungry. Before her first bite, she had a message for the devil.
Satan, I rebuke you! My marriage will work.

“What was I thinking?” Landon shook his head until
his eyes fluttered open. Landon groaned as if he was coming out of
a morning hangover. He should have never proposed to Octavia. He
wasn’t ready.

“I don’t know, man, but you were sure
mumbling in your sleep about it,” Grady said, startling Landon.
Sometimes he forgot he had a roommate.

Pulling back his covers, Grady stared at
Landon. “Do you want to talk about it, because when I move at the
end of the month, you might not have a roomie cool like me?” He
displayed a boyish grin.

“I’m right behind you in another month.”
Landon sat up and threw a pillow at Grady.

When Landon first arrived at Mac’s Place, he
wasn’t too keen on sharing a room, and to top it off, with a young
man who was reading his Bible. But God… He had strategically placed
people in his life for his own good. Since his turnaround, he and
Grady had bonded over the Bible.

“Just don’t forget about us little
people.”

“Never again.” Landon stood, slapped Grady’s
hand for a shake, then gathered his things for a shower. “Oh, and
I’ll make sure you get an invite to the wedding,” he said casually
as he walked out the door. Grinning, he counted as he waited for
the news to sink in.