The Pastor's Heart (11 page)

“That was t
he most romantic thing a man had ever done for me.  I was actually floored.”  Sinclair couldn’t stop smiling just thinking about what Kingston did for her.  “I just don’t want to get my heart broken again.”  Sinclair said as she got up and started walking.

“Sinclair, wait
,” Robyn said running to catch up to her.

“No one wants to get hurt
.  But did you know that you hurt yourself when you carry that fear around with you.  You can’t carry old baggage into new relationships?”  Sinclair was running scared and Robyn knew it.  Whenever Sinclair got scared she always ran.  “Did you know that Sinclair?”

“
Robyn, he told me he is falling in love with me.”  Sinclair babbled on.

“
He is not falling in love with you; he is in love with you. He invited you to The Gala which is a black tie affair to meet his parents and friends too.  Hint.  Hint.  That man is in love with you.”  Robyn concluded as they started walking again toward a handbag store.  “And by the sign of you getting nervous, you are falling for him.  Shoot, I see the smile that crosses your face when you talk about him, your eyes light up and your dimples start jumping around.”

“I don’t know.  I don’t know,” Sinclair through her hands in front of
her face.

“You
don’t know what? How to let someone take care of you and relax for a change?  Or how to receive love when it’s given to you with no strings attached. Here’s another one.  You don’t know how not to be scared.  You need to stop this madness.  If he didn’t see you in his future there’d be no way he would bring you among his peers.”

“
Robyn you have been married for years so you wouldn’t understand?” Sinclair shook her head.

“Just because I’m married doesn’t mean I don’t understand fear.  I was scared as heck when I met Desmond.  But I got over my fear and saw him for him
and not anyone else.  See this is the crap I hate.  We as women say we want a good man but when one comes along we don’t know how to act.  We are so used to getting dogged out by the no good men, that when the good one comes along we go running with our tails between our legs.  I love you like a sister.  Let that man love you.”

“
Robyn I’m sorry.  I guess you’re right, I am scared.”  Sinclair admitted “I am so used to doing things for myself that I find it hard to let Kingston help me.  I mean honestly juggling as much as I do it is a lot.  It is extremely hard but it needs to be done and here comes Kingston telling me to sit down and put my feet up while he does everything.  I mean I have been independent since I was a kid.  It’s something that I just do and now to back off is a lot, especially when that is all I know.”

“You grew up far too early and now God has blessed you with a wonderful godly
man to help you.  Take this for whatever and wherever it goes but don’t you push that man out of your life.  He just might be the best thing that ever happened to you.  As a matter of fact, I know he is because I have never seen you so happy.”

“
Robyn, I...” Sinclair began but Robyn cut her off.

“I know.  I
know.  I know I’m right. It was you who told me not to let Desmond slip through my fingers. Now three years later we’re still together happily married and soon to be parents.”   Robyn slipped in fast.

Sinclair turned and looked at
Robyn, “Oh my God I’m going to be an auntie!” Sinclair exclaimed while she rubbed Robyn’s small belly. “That explains that crazy smoothie you had and going into the baby store. I knew little Omar couldn’t fit into any of those clothes.”

“Now, get it to
gether because you have the Gala to go to in a few days.  You two will be the hottest couple in the room.  Stop fighting love and let God show you how to love.” Robyn said as she cried because the hormones had already kicked in early in her pregnancy.

********************

It had been such a busy week at the agency that Sinclairhad barely had enough time to get her hair and nails done.  Lucky for her the nail technician was able to squeeze her in at the last minute.

“Dang n
ot again!” Sinclair said out loud as her bell rang.   She walked over and buzzed the bell knowing who it was already.  A few minutes later she unlocked her door to find Kingston looking like he stepped off the pages of a classy men’s magazine.  Sinclair was at a loss for words that all she could do was smile. 

“You look exceptionally dashing.  You are wear
ing the heck out of that tuxedo.” Sinclair said as she checked out Kingston who was wearing a black and white tuxedo with a satin lapel and matching bow tie.  “There is nothing sexier than a man wearing a suit and you are definitely wearing that suit.”

“Thank yo
u.”  Kingston said while he kissed Sinclair.   “Nice blue and white robe, now take it off and get dressed please.”

“I’m sorry
Kingston, as usual I’m running late,” Sinclair said as she walked Kingston over to the sofa where he took a seat.

“Sinclair
don’t worry about it.  Just go get ready so we can hit the highway.”  Kingston said as he picked up a magazine.  “You don’t have any open paint in your room, do you?”

Kingston had remembered on their first date that Sinclair tripped over an open container of paint w
hile getting ready causing them to miss their dinner reservations.

“
Funny.” Sinclair smiled at Kingston.  “And no, I didn’t even attempt to open any paint this time.”

“Good.”  Kingston crossed his legs and started thumbing through the magazine.

“Okay I’ll be ready in like twenty minutes.  I promise,” she said running into her bedroom to finish getting ready.

Sinclair had ne
ver been to a gala in her life.  She didn’t know what to expect or how to act or even if she should breathe a certain way.  Good thing she and Robyn had spoken moments before Kingston arrived.  Robyn was able to help calm her nerves.  She didn’t know what she was more afraid of, the gala itself or meeting Kingston’s parents.  Either way she still had butterflies in her stomach that she hoped would soon go away.  Twenty five minutes later, Sinclair did a once over in the mirror and then she emerged from her bedroom to find Kingston opening a box of Fig Newton cookies.

“I’m ready.”  Sinclair announced as Kingston
’s Newton’s popped open and flew everywhere upon seeing her.

His eyes ran from her head to
her feet and back again before he even spoke.  “You look amazing!”

Sinclair wore a purple pleated A-
line type gown that accentuated her full figure.  The gown was adored with gold beads at the neck and waist.  She wore her curly hair pinned into a nice bun with a few strands hanging down. 

“Thank you.  Here let me help you pick up your cookies.”  Sinclair offered
, but Kingston stopped her.             

“No, that’s okay, I
have them,” he said as he picked up all his cookies while trying to pay attention to what he was doing and not to Sinclair.

“
Okay.  I’m going to get my purse off my bed.” Sinclair said as she disappeared in her bedroom for a few seconds.

Kingston stopped just before they were about to leave. 
“Before we leave I want to tell you something, Sinclair.  First, I want to thank you for coming with me tonight.  We are going to have fun and my parents will love you, trust me and one last thing.” 

“
Secondly, we’ve been dating now for four and a half months and you are always late.  I started telling you we have to be places an hour earlier than normal because I know you will be late and that will actually make us on time.” 

Surprised, Sinclair just shook her head.

  “You are going to be the belle of the ball.”  Kingston told a lovely Sinclair

“But we haven’t even gotten there yet,” Sinclair reminded him.

“But you are my Belle,” Kingston said as he pulled Sinclair into a loving embrace and kiss before leaving for the Ball.  “Now let’s go before I lose my religion with you wearing that dress.”

An hour and a half later Kingston and Sinclair had finally arrived at the hotel in Virginia.  Kingston pulled up to the valet and walked around to get Sinclair but the other valet had already opened her door for her.

Noticing fear on Sinclair’s face Kingston said ,“Stop worrying.”

“I’m not worrying,” Sinclair lied.  “I’m fine.”

“You sure are fine.  Now shake it off and let’s go have some fun.”  Kingston said as he draped Sinclair’s arm around his and started walking towards the hotel’s entrance.

The grand ballroom was decorated with crystal chandeliers hanging from the twenty feet ceilings throughout the massive room.  Crystal vases with red roses sat atop the silver and black linens
on the many tables.  A red carpeted picture taking stand was set up by the entrance for everyone wishing to have their picture taken. Waiters strolled around a huge ice sculpture offering guests light snacks and drinks.  The room was so crowded that Kingston and Sinclair had to stay close to each other as not to be separated.

The two walked into the lavish hotel and stop
ped in to check in at the desk when someone called Kingston’s name. 

“
Pastor Kingston Carter, how the heck are you?” the tall thin dark complexion gentlemen said as he shook Kingston’s hand.”

“Joe Hollenbeck, it’s great to see you man.”  Kingston said.  “How is your lovely wife?”

“She’s great. She’s around here somewhere.”  The tall man replied.

“Joe, I woul
d like you to meet my companion, Sinclair Madison,” Kingston introduced the two.

“Nice to meet you,” Sinclair said and smiled.

“Same here.  So Sinclair, what line of work are you in?” The tall man asked her.

“I’m run a non-profit agency called Aged Out Foster Care in DC.  I help former foster care kids transition to independent living
as adults.”  Sinclair replied as Kingston winked at her.

“Wow, that’s great.  Kingston, she is not only beautiful but she is smart as well.  How much are you paying her to be with you
tonight?” Joe joked, turning to Kingston.

“Always the man with jokes
, Joe.”  Kingston said while holding onto Sinclair.

“
But really Sinclair, Pastor Carter is a good man, he just needs a little fine tuning every now and then but he is a good man.”  Joe added, patting Kingston on the shoulder.

“Well, it was good seeing you but we have to go and find my pa
rents.  We’ll catch up more later,” Kingston said as everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

“Look, I see my parents over there by the doorway,” Kingston said as he took Sinclair by the hand and slowly walked
across the crowded room. Half way he stopped and turned to her.  “Just be yourself and you will be fine.”

“Mom, Dad.”  Kingston said as they approached his parents
. Turning to Sinclair he made the introductions.  “This is Sinclair Madison, the woman who stole my heart.”  Kingston said while smiling at Sinclair.

Clean shaven
Calvin wore a handsome black and white tailored tuxedo while his mother Louise wore a beautiful emerald green gown with small sequins on it.  To make her look complete she had added her matching clutch purse.

“So you are the lovely young lady who has my son
smitten these days?” The older woman with salt and pepper hair asked of Sinclair while they shook hands.

“I guess so Mrs. Carter because he certainly has me smitten as
well,” Sinclair replied with a smile.

“None of that
here dear. You have done my husband and me, a great service by finally taking our son off the bachelor list away from these vultures, so Miss Louise will do just fine.”  Louise said while smiling at her and Kingston.

Sinclair turned to look at Kingston but he wouldn’t even look at her because he was too embarrassed to even reply.

“Nice to meet you Sinclair, I’m Pastor Calvin Carter but you can call me Pastor Calvin.  And like my beautiful wife said, we are extremely happy that you have taken our son off the bachelor list,” the tall thin framed man said.

“Sincl
air, I just love that gown of yours, it’s so beautiful.”  Louise complimented Sinclair while looking at the gown.

“Thank you.  I
love your gown more than my own.  That emerald green really goes well with your complexion and those sequins are stunning, I really love that.”  Sinclair said as she admired Louise’s dress.

“Where do you shop?” The two sai
d simultaneously.  They shared a laugh as Louise led her away from the men so they could talk.

“We will be back
in a few minutes.”  Louise said as they took off in the opposite direction.

Kingston stood with his father looking in the direction where the two went.  “She will be fine.  You know your mother has to check her out.  You’re lucky your sister couldn’t come
and then you’d really have a reason to be afraid.  Because if both of them were together interrogating Sinclair that could be really rough.”