The Power of Prayer Read online

  A young woman in a black skirt and starched white shirt greeted us and led us to the farthest booth. There weren’t many other patrons in the restaurant, but the booth blocked out most of what little noise there was. It was almost like being in our own private world.

  JD reached for my hand again as soon as we sat down, but I didn’t mind. My hands felt empty now if they weren’t touching his.

  “I have so much I want to ask you,” JD said. “Tell me what happened since you left the Caribbean.”

  I took a deep breath. “That’s quite a story, but I’ll try. When Daniel and I returned from the trip, I started to see parts of his personality I didn’t like.” My face clouded as I remembered the ultimatum he had issued. “When he found out I was pregnant, he said he didn’t want the responsibility of being a parent. He wanted to be free to do what he wanted, so he forced me to choose between him and the baby. I chose the baby.”

  “He didn’t want to raise his own child?”

  A heat seared across my face, and I dropped my eyes. I hadn’t wanted to tell him so soon, but it was the perfect opportunity. “It’s not his, but he didn’t even know that, and he didn’t want to raise the child. I knew I couldn’t stay with someone like that.” I bit my lip, hoping that the admission of my philandering behavior wouldn’t scare him away. I looked up through lowered lids, but JD’s face was passive. His hand still caressed mine though.

  “The baby’s not Daniel’s?”

  Though I had known he would ask the question, the actual words coming out of his mouth speared my heart. “I had a bad night shortly after Daniel left me. I drank too much with a friend and ended up in the apartment of a guy I met that night. I’ve never done anything like that before, and I promise it will never happen again.” The words spilled out in a rush; I was so afraid that he would get angry and leave before I had a chance to explain.

  “Callie, I’m not here to judge you. I’ve done some things I’m not proud of in my life too.”

  I wondered what he had done, but he didn’t elaborate.

  “What matters to me is the father. Does he want the baby? Will he come back in our lives?”

  I shook my head slowly. He wasn’t angry? I should have known; he was so different. Wait, did he say ‘our’ lives? “I don’t think so. I told him about the baby as soon as I knew, and he was not pleased. He signed away his parental rights, so even if he tries to come back, he has no standing.”

  He nodded, and just like that the discussion was over. I stared at him, my affection deepening.

  The waitress appeared with a tray of freshly baked bread and I snatched one before it even had time to cool. I had been so nervous about meeting JD that I hadn’t eaten much all day, and my stomach was definitely protesting now.

  Across the table, JD’s lips pulled into a bemused smile. “Are you going to save some room for dinner?”

  A tingling swept up the back of my neck and across my face. I swallowed the bite in my mouth and put the rest of the bread down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t eat well today, and I’m eating for two now.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I find it endearing.” His voice was soft; his eyes steady on my face.

  Though I knew he was sincere, I wasn’t used to someone looking at me the way JD was now. My eyes dropped to the table top and the remainder of the bread I hadn’t shoved in my mouth.

  “I’ve told you my story. Now tell me more about you. We never talked about what you did while we were in the Caribbean.”

  JD took a sip of his water glass, “I manage my dad’s companies because my dad had a heart attack a few years ago, and he decided to retire to Florida with my mom. We run a few Christian publishing companies. In fact, you should write about your story. I bet it would make a great book.”

  The thought of sharing my story with complete strangers mortified me. I was still embarrassed by my choices and often felt people were looking at me wondering where my ring was, but the verse about being a prophet pushed to the front of my mind. Could that have been the verse’s cryptic meaning? Using my own mistakes to help others from making the same ones? “I’ll think about it.” I smiled. “So what were you doing in the Caribbean? You said you go there every year.”

  The waitress interrupted the conversation to take our order, and then JD continued. “I do. I take brochures and books about Jesus that we’ve printed that year and distribute them down there. My dad used to do that every year when I was a kid and so I sort of grew up there. Remember Sammy who braided your hair?”

  I nodded. What I remembered more than Sammy was the tingle I had felt at JD’s touch and the beginning sparks of attraction.

  “Well, he also owns the bar I was working in the night we met, and he helps run a local church there that distributes our materials. I guess it’s kind of like missionary work, except I only stay there for a couple of weeks. I give him the books and he gives them out to the people.”

  “Wow, that’s nice of your company. So are you opening a publishing branch here?”

  He chuckled. It was a deep, lovely sound, coupled with an even lovelier smile. “No, I’m starting a pregnancy crisis center here.”

  My eyebrows drew together, creating a stream of wrinkles across my forehead and nose. “What does that have to do with publishing?”

  “Nothing,” JD laughed, “but the need for one’s been weighing on my heart, and my father always taught me to listen to my heart’s desire because it’s from God when it’s also based on principles from His word. So, here I am looking into a place to open up a clinic to help pregnant women make the same decision you did.”

  My eyes widened and I leaned forward, “Sandra will be so excited. She’s been praying for a local clinic, and I want to help your clinic. Whatever you need. Well, whatever you need that I can do with a baby on the way.”

  “I think you look even more beautiful with a baby on the way. The glow suits you. While you were stunning then, you don’t even look like the same woman I met in the Caribbean.”

  “I’m not.” My gaze dropped to our entwined hands and then back up at him through lowered lids. “You were right. Having a relationship with God changes you.”

  Before JD could reply, the waitress returned with our plates, setting down a delectable chicken alfredo in front of me and a large plate of lasagna in front of JD. My mouth watered as the aroma wafted up to my nose.

  This time, I joined JD when he prayed over dinner. When the prayer ended, I filled my fork with pasta. The creamy alfredo sauce flowed like honey down my throat and before I knew it, my plate was empty. As JD still had half of his lasagna, I reached my fork onto his plate and scooped up a bite.

  “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

  “Helping you out.” I smiled and brought the forkful to my mouth. Though I wasn’t the biggest lasagna fan, it too was delicious.

  JD shook his head, a smile playing at his lips. As I watched him finish eating, I pictured my life with him. An image of the two of us in the kitchen cooking while a small child played at our feet filled my mind. He turned to kiss me before I leaned down to scoop up the child.

  “What are you thinking?” JD asked.

  His voice shattered my daydream, and a blush spread across my cheeks. I didn’t want to tell him about the daydream, not yet at least, not until I knew for sure how he felt. “Nothing,” I said. “I just can’t remember when I had a nicer dinner.”

  “Me either.”

  “What does the JD stand for?” Though I hadn’t been curious when we met, I had often wondered over the last few months when I thought about him. This time the question jumped out before I could stop it.

  He smiled at the odd request, “Jonathon Daniel.”

  I blinked at him, sure that I had heard him wrong.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Do you remember the day back in the Caribbean when I told you I prayed?” He nodded, and I continued, “Well, I prayed for God to send Daniel back to me. It appears He answered my prayer, only wit
h a different Daniel than I thought.”

  “I told you He works in mysterious ways,” JD said. His broad smile perfectly matched the feeling coursing through my body.”

  He finished his plate, and when the bill came, JD picked up the tab. I tried to protest, but he reminded me that I would be taking a pay cut, at least for a while when I went on maternity leave.

  The cold hit again as soon as we stepped outside, and I shivered. The sun had set while we ate and the temperature had cooled even more. JD wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. I basked in the warmth and security he offered.

  He allowed the car to idle a minute, letting the heater warm up. “Shall I take you back to the inn?”

  I wanted to say no. I wanted him to come home with me so I could stay wrapped in his arms. An unnatural fear that this was all a dream and I would lose him again had settled on my shoulders, and I longed for his reassurance. “I suppose that would be best,” I said instead. I knew he wouldn’t have come even if I asked. “I do have work tomorrow, but will you come over after I get off?”

  “I’d love to,” he said, and the fear abated. I nestled down in the seat, letting my mind wander again as we drove off.

  The inn was close, and too soon, we had arrived. Before my hand touched the handle, he was out of his side of the car and opening my door. I had never felt more like a princess. His warm hand enveloped mine, pulling me up from the car and to his chest.

  His arms wound around my waist, and as if on instinct, my arms encircled his neck.

  JD’s eyes were bright, full of emotion and unsaid words. My lips parted, and my face turned up to his. An invisible current seemed to run between us, pushing his face closer to mine until our lips met. As the kiss deepened, my hands tightened around his neck, and his arms pressed me tighter against him. I felt molded to his body, a perfect fit.

  Though desire was running rampant through my body and it would have been easy to get back in the car and head to my place, I forced myself to sever the kiss. This time was going to be different, but I couldn’t help feeling pleased that he was just as breathless as I was.

  “Good idea,” he said, shaking his head. “I could lose myself with you.” He placed a final soft kiss on my lips and then headed to his own car.

  I took those words to bed that night. We both had agreed to wait on an intimate relationship, but I couldn’t keep my mind from wandering. Clad in my favorite oversized t-shirt, I curled up in bed, imagining JD beside me. I had never felt sexier or more desired. My hand absently rubbed my belly, and Hope moved against it.

  “I don’t want to jinx it, little one, but I think he could be ‘the one.’”

  Chapter 18

  JD woke before the alarm the next morning, a smile still on his face. He had slept better last night than he had in ages, and he had Callie to thank for that.

  He was whistling as he met Scott for coffee that morning. After their lunch on Sunday, they had agreed to meet once a week for coffee. Scott hadn’t said he was ready to accept Jesus, but JD was pleased that he seemed willing to meet and discuss it.

  “Well, someone looks like the cat who ate the canary,” Scott said as JD slid in the chair across from him.

  JD tried to contain the grin on his face, but it was impossible. “You would be too if you’d had the night I did.”

  Scott’s eyes widened under raised eyebrows. “I didn’t think that fit in your philosophy.”

  “No, not that,” JD laughed, shaking his head, “though it was the first time in a long time that it was hard to control that urge. No, I ran into Callie.”

  “The pregnant woman from church?” Scott’s face twisted with confusion. “I guess I’m not seeing why that’s a good thing.”

  “Because,” JD said, wiggling his eyebrows, “she’s not with the guy anymore.”

  “Ah, now I see. Good for you, man, that’s great.” Though Scott’s words were positive, there was a wistfulness in his tone.

  “Spill it,” JD said. He didn’t know Scott well, but he could tell something was troubling him.

  Scott shrugged. “It’s the anniversary of my divorce. I guess it always gets me down a bit. I thought we’d be together forever, you know?”

  JD did know. Too many marriages ended in divorce these days, and no one ever came out unscathed. When he married, he hoped his wife would be as committed as he was to making the marriage work, no matter what came their way. An image of Callie walking down the aisle toward him filled his vision, and though he wanted to see it, he pushed it away to focus on Scott.

  “Anyway, just ignore me. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

  JD doubted that, but he hoped that the more Scott came to church with him, the more God would fill the hole in his heart until the woman God had in mind for him came along. He made a promise to keep up his coffee meetings with Scott no matter how busy he got.

  JD spent the rest of his day buying office furniture, painting, and getting the electricity and plumbing turned on and switched over to his name. It was tedious work, and he couldn’t wait to get a staff hired that could help him.

  All of that could wait though, because he had a movie date planned with Callie. He stopped at a local florist for a bouquet of flowers on the way to her house. Bypassing the traditional roses, he asked the woman to make up something special. What she handed him was a veritable feast for the eyes. Roses of several different colors, some blue flower he didn’t recognize, a few carnations, and sprigs of baby’s breath filled the purple tissue paper. It was perfect, original and special just like Callie.

  I bustled around the apartment as quickly as I could given my size; no one had told me how much harder everyday tasks would be when my stomach grew. JD would be here any minute and while I normally kept the place neat, I had been too tired lately to clean when I got off work. Because of that, there were a few papers lying about and several dishes in the sink.

  As I put the last dish in the dishwasher, the doorbell rang. Perfect timing. A glance in the hallway mirror as I passed it reassured me, and I threw the door open with a smile.

  JD stood on the other side with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I had ever seen.

  “For the prettiest woman I know,” he said, holding them out.

  “Oh, JD, they’re beautiful. Come in.” Taking the flowers, I ushered him inside. “Let me just put them in some water.”

  He followed me into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as I pulled out a vase and filled it with water. Though I tried to keep my focus on the task, my treacherous eyes kept darting to the left to admire the way JD’s jeans hugged his form and how the hunter green of his shirt made his eyes a darker shade of green, like a forest at dusk. I didn’t think I would ever tire of looking in those eyes.

  “There all done.” I pushed the flowers into the middle of the bar, a kind of buffer to quell the tension stirring inside me.

  “Good, let’s watch a movie. Did you pick one out?”

  “I wasn’t sure what you liked to watch, so I picked a few. I have a few romantic comedies and an action movie.” I led him back to the living room and motioned to the movies spread out on the coffee table.

  “You have The Princess Bride? I love this movie.” The smile on his face brought out his boyish charm and I laughed.

  “Me too. I used to watch it all the time in High School. And then I found the book.” The book had become a favorite of mine, and I was a die-hard fan of the movie and could quote nearly every line, but he didn’t need to know that.

  After inserting the movie, I joined him on the couch. He opened up his arm, and I accepted the invitation, nestling myself in the crook. His hand began to trace slow circles on my shoulder, sending tingles all the way down to my toes. Snuggling closer, I laid my hand against his chest. The urge to unbutton his shirt and feel his chiseled chest first hand flitted through my body, but I pushed it aside. No matter how hard it was, I was going to do this relationship God’s way. Besides, there was a comfort in just being hel
d and inhaling the masculine scent that JD exuded. It had been months since I’d had that.

  I turned my face to look up at him. His skin was still the same bronze color I remembered, but a light stubble dotted his face this time that hadn’t been there before. He caught me looking at him and lifted my chin before lowering his lips to mine. Heat flooded through me, and my heart thudded in my chest. This time he was the one to pull back, and though I didn’t want the kiss to end, I was grateful he had done it. All of my plans to go slow seemed to fly from my mind when he kissed me.

  He smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face. I could get used to his touch and the way he looked at me, like I was the most valuable item in the world. Daniel had never looked at me like that. He had desired me sure, but not with the same respect that JD did. I understood now what Sandra had meant when she said a Godfearing man wouldn’t want to do anything to cause you to sin. I could tell that JD desired me in the same way Daniel had, but he was going to do it right, as God had intended. I just hoped I would be able to remain as strong.

  Chapter 19

  JD’s fingers touched the black velvet box in his pocket. He had picked it up on his way to meeting Scott for coffee, and he’d been unable to keep his fingers from touching it.

  “Okay, what’s going on, man?” Scott snapped his fingers in front of JD’s face. “You haven’t heard one word I said.”

  JD blinked, bringing his focus back to the present. He wanted to tell Scott his news; heck he wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but he also knew Scott was battling a feeling of loneliness, and he didn’t want to rub it in.

  “Spill it.” Scott leaned back and crossed his arms.

  JD withdrew his hand from his pocket and held out the black box. “Before you say anything, I know it’s fast, but I’ve known I loved Callie for months, and I don’t want to take the chance of losing her again.”