Redeeming Heart (23 page)

“What?” Grady jumped to his feet, then pumped
his hand. “Oh, no, you’re getting cold feet already?” He bowed over
laughing.

Shaking his head, Landon said, “No regrets on
asking, only how I did it. It was on impulse—no ring—at a picnic
bench.” He cringed. “It was a sorry excuse for a proposal. I should
have had a ring and made it special because she’s special,” he
chided himself as he continued on to the showers.

Landon made a resolve. He didn’t care if he
had to work three jobs and postpone a trip to Boston. He was
determined to go over the top to pamper Octavia with what she
deserved. The standoff with James flashed in his mind as he
scrubbed. Landon snarled thinking about it. He would make sure that
Octavia would never regret choosing him over that dude.

***

Two weeks and counting. Octavia frowned. She had
been an engaged woman for fourteen days, and since then her fiancé
had been a no-show. Well, not exactly a no-show, but working. To
make up for his absence, he sent her texts, which made her heart
flutter. Sometimes the weekends were all they had, and even that
was limited because of house showings. Not this weekend, Octavia
thought, smiling. They had cleared Friday evening for dinner and
Saturday morning for bunch. She couldn’t wait.

Octavia had been home barely an hour when he
called. “Hey, babe.’ Landon sounded exhausted. “I love you.”

“I love you and I miss you, too,” she cooed
as she searched her closet for something to wear.

“You have no idea how much…” He paused. “I’m
really sorry, but can you hold all that love you have for me until
tomorrow? When I see you, I want to look presentable and right, not
like I’m broke-down tired.”

Her heart sunk in disappointment. Tonight was
supposed to be the highlight of her day, but she couldn’t fault
Landon for working hard at two jobs. His pride this time was
misplaced. She offered to pick him up, but Landon would rather
catch the bus and have her meet him places than have her pick him
up from Mac’s Place. He said it was a man thing, so she respected
his wish.

“Okay. I’m going to get some rest, and I’ll
see you in the morning.”

“Wait!” Octavia yelled. “Where?”

“See you tomorrow.”
Click.

Placing her black dress back on the hanger,
Octavia stepped out of the closet and took a cleansing breath. She
was tired, too, but the thought of seeing Landon gave her energy.
She headed toward her kitchen for a snack before going to bed. Now
Saturday morning would have to be the highlight of her day.

The next morning, Octavia was dressed by
ninety-thirty. She wore fall shades of brown and green. She always
received compliments on any shades of red, but rust seemed to
accent her unusual blondish-brown hair. She admired her flirty
appearance and hoped Landon would too, if he would only call or
text her back. She had no idea where to meet him. Finally, at five
minutes before ten, he sent her a text.
Open the door and follow
the path.

Huh? Her subdivision wasn’t on a bus route.
Peeping outside her front window, there was indeed a trail of red
roses that began at her front door. She frowned as she grabbed her
keys and locked her door. It was unusual to see many of her
neighbors standing on their porches this early and looking toward
her house as if they had a heads-up on something. Some were
grinning, others waving—she even got a couple thumbs-ups. The cool
October morning was a welcome respite from the lingering summer
heat, but there was a slight chill, and she thought about going
back inside for a sweater, but curiosity had her follow the path
until she turned the corner, and that’s when she froze and
gasped.

Her eyes blurred at the sight of the longest
stretch Hummer limo she had ever seen. There was a photographer and
another with a video camera pointing in her direction. The door
opened, and Landon stepped out dressed in a tuxedo. Her mouth
dropped. He was a prince magnified. In synchronized actions, he
knelt as he opened his hand to display a ring box. A gentle wind
seemed to nudge her forward until she towered over him. “You
already proposed to me,” she said in awe. It was nothing on this
scale, but it was her moment to cherish forever.

“But not the right way, baby.” He shook his
head. “You’re a jewel, and I promise you, I’ll treat you as my
queen until the day I die.”

As if cued, four women spilled out of the
limo and fitted her head with a tiara, then wrapped a silk shawl
the same color green as her skirt, as if he knew her wardrobe,
around her shoulders. She remembered him asking her long ago about
her favorite colors.
Landon remembered
. His baritone voice
began the words to “My Destiny” as the ladies backed him with up
the chorus. The dam of her emotions spilled, and she cried
unchecked as Landon stood, pulled her closer, then slipped a
beautiful ring on her finger. She didn’t care if there weren’t any
diamonds, she thought until something winked at her. There was at
least one.

Instead of kissing her, Landon wiped at her
tears as he continued to serenade her. The moment was surreal as
her neighbors crowded around them.

Octavia’s head was spinning by the time
Landon finished the last note solo. She opened her mouth, but words
couldn’t describe what she was feeling. As Landon waited for her
response, she placed her hands on the side of his face and
whispered her love before she sealed it with a kiss.

Her stomach growled, killing the moment. She
blushed and looked away. “You did promise me breakfast, and I
haven’t eaten.”

That seemed to cue two servers to step out of
the limo. “What else is in there, a house?” She walked closer to
peep inside to find—her dad and his wife? Olivia was inside along
with Rossi, his cousin and wife and Terri sitting at small
makeshift tables.

“Congratulations,” they screamed as if she
hadn’t already been engaged for almost a month.

Landon helped her inside and took the seat
next to her.

“This is so romantic,” Octavia lowered her
voice. “But this cost a lot of money. How did you pay for all
this?”

Placing his arm around her shoulder, he
grinned. “I’m an account rep, babe. When I mentioned to my client
Dingo Limo Service that I wanted to impress my fiancée with a
proper proposal, they offered their services and asked if it could
be taped for a commercial, so we had our moment on our own reality
show. Another client offered the tux.”

“And the ring?”

“That I worked every muscle in my body to
buy.” He looked into her eyes.

“Please let your clients know I was wowed,”
she said.

He winked, then smirked. “I think as soon as
they see the video, they’ll know.”

Suddenly, she playfully punched him in the
arm. “Why didn’t you tell me you could sing like that?”

“I once was a choir boy, remember?” He
chuckled.

So with all her questions answered, Octavia
cuddled closer as two waiters served them fruit, juice and mini
waffles. She never would have thought a man with so little could
give her so much. Landon Thomas was rich in his love

A month later, Octavia accompanied Landon on a
weekend trip to Boston. Olivia tagged along to act as their
chaperon to enforce the “let your good be not evil spoken of”
clause when it came to dating and a Christian woman’s reputation.
Once their plane landed, the Miller and Thomas families enforced
their own rules with bedroom assignments at his grandfather’s house
instead of at the hotel where Landon had originally booked their
stay.

His grandparents entertained her and Olivia
with stories and baby pictures and so much food. It was a relaxing
night, which Octavia appreciated because she didn’t know what the
next day would bring.

Saturday morning, Octavia woke to the aroma
of biscuits, eggs and sausage. She and Olivia quickly showered and
dressed and then greeted everyone in the kitchen as Landon was
coming through the door with a single flower.

His demonstration of love received
ooh
s and
ahh
s from his family. Once everyone had
stuffed themselves, Landon was ready to see his children. Octavia
did her best not to display her apprehension about seeing Landon’s
exes again.

Their first stop was at the Kees: Reba,
Martin and Alyssa. His daughter was glad to see him as she hugged
and kissed him.

“You remember, Miss Octavia,” he asked
Alyssa. “Well, I’m going to marry her,” Landon said with pride and
love in his eyes. The child’s parents clapped and offered
congratulations. “Are you going to be my extra mommy?” Alyssa asked
her.

Huh? Stepmother she expected, but extra
mommy? Once Landon explained to her where the term originated from,
she smiled. “Yes, I will.”

That earned Octavia a hug. “If it’s okay with
you—” she glanced at Reba—“we would love for her to be in our
wedding. You and your husband are invited to come as well.”

Alyssa grinned and jumped on one foot. “Can
I, Mommy?”

“Of course,” her parents answered in
unison.

The child gave her and Landon a group hug and
kiss.

Octavia enjoyed the visit and the pleasant
conversation. She felt relaxed and encouraged that Reba would guide
her in her parenting skills with Alyssa. When she, Olivia and
Landon left, mother and daughter seemed disappointed.

The next couple of stops proved to be more
challenging. Unlike her first visit, Landon’s other daughter,
Cherie, greeted him with a hug with little coaxing. Not only was
she a little suspect of Octavia, but so was her mother—the same
woman who refused her in her house the first time.

“Is that the crazy one?” Olivia asked under
her breath.

Octavia nudged her to be discreet. “There’s
one crazier than her,” she mumbled. “So let’s pray.” And all three
did as they entered Kim’s house. Octavia could feel the presence of
demonic influences around them.

Octavia called on the name of Jesus so the
demons would tremble and flee. While Landon was distracted with
Cherie, Octavia tried to get to know the child’s mother. It didn’t
help that Landon introduced her as his fiancée, which seemed to put
Kim on the defense.

“This is a nice place,” Octavia complimented
as she scanned the living room and the other she could see.

Kim shrugged. “It’ll do. It’s the best my
money can buy. Maybe, now that Landon is paying his share again,
Cherie and I might move.”

Octavia tried to engage Kim in movies,
hobbies, fashion, but the woman’s one word and brief answers
suggested she didn’t want to be bothered. Octavia watched as Landon
said his goodbye to Cherie at least three times. It was apparent he
didn’t want to leave. At the door, Landon gave Cherie one more kiss
and faced her mother. “I would like for my daughter to be in my
wedding.

“Humph, I’m not coming to St. Louis,” Kim
snapped.

“I’ll come and get Cherie,” Landon said in an
even tone as if he were trying to hold it together. Octavia didn’t
know if she should reach for his hand as a sign of moral support,
or if the gesture would set Kim off, so she and Olivia remained
quiet and praying.

“You pay for everything, and I’ll think about
it.”

After saying their goodbyes, Octavia listened
to Landon’s heavy footsteps from the door to the car. She exchanged
glances with Olivia before reading Landon’s body language—he was
tense. After they were strapped in and ready to drive away, Landon
took a deep breath before starting the ignition. “That woman is
going…” He gritted his teeth. “She’s going to push the wrong
button, and I’ll—”

“And you’ll what?” she said softly. Octavia
reached over and linked her fingers through his. “Cherie’s mother
will be in our lives permanently. You and I will pray that God will
intervene and soften her heart. It might take a while or it may
come instantly, but we’re a praying team.”

“You’re right, babe.” He glanced at her, then
squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips where his mustache
tickled her skin.

She spoke positive words and quoted a few
scripture verses to comfort his spirit. Soon, he shared some of the
funny things Cherie asked him. The mood was jovial as they parked
in front of the last residence about thirty minutes later. After
this stop, he promised to take her and Olivia sightseeing. What a
difference a trip made.

“Yay, yay,” Olivia said as if she was a kid
herself.

It was déjà vu for Octavia when Brittani
opened the door. The woman still wore the same attitude, but on a
different day. Octavia summed her up in one word: bitter. The boys,
on the other hand, weren’t shy about seeing their father and were
ready to go outside and play, so that’s what they did as she,
Olivia and Brittani stood on the porch and watched for about twenty
minutes or so. Brittani wasn’t pleased that Octavia was engaged to
Landon and she wasn’t happy that Octavia had brought her sister.
Brittani was just plain “not happy.”

Brittani wore an engagement ring, but that
didn’t seem to keep the contempt from her eyes. “Landon, do you
mind if we speak in private?” she asked.

Not only did Landon seem annoyed by the
interruption, but the twins made their displeasure known.

“We can watch the boys,” Octavia offered.

“You do that.” Brittani jutted her chin and
went inside the house as Landon followed. Octavia learned “private”
to Brittani meant “behind her back instead of in front of her face”
as her voice was anything but a hush. “She’d better not mistreat my
boys when they come to visit.”

“Both crazies are tied in first place,”
Olivia mouth and giggled.

“Watch it, Brittani,” She overheard Landon
say in a low, but stern voice. “For the sake of our sons, I want us
to have a working relationship, but we’d better set the ground
rules now. Octavia doesn’t deserve your meanness. If you would take
the time to get to know her, I think you’d like her, but I don’t
care, because I love her. Don’t you ever—I mean ever—disrespect us
again. Did I say ever?”