Love, Honor, and Betray by Roby, Lawson (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

“No, no. You’re fine. I was just reviewing a few items, so have a seat.”

Anise removed her brown, elbow-length leather gloves and then her camel-colored, burnt-wool swing coat with three-quartersleeves. “It’s really cold out there.”

“I know. Supposed to get down into the single digits before the night is over.”

“Well, I’m ready for spring. It’s only February, but I’m praying for May already.”

They both laughed.

“I think we all are,” Curtis agreed.

Anise pulled a file from her briefcase, but Curtis said, “I know we need to discuss a list of to-do items for the ribbon-cuttingceremony and all the other grand opening activities you’re planning, but if you’re okay with it, I want to discuss somethingelse with you.”

“Definitely. Go ahead.”

“Well, I don’t know how much your mom has told you, but Charlotte and I haven’t been doing too well.”

“Yeah, Mom kind of filled me in the other day, and I really don’t know what to say about my cousin.”

“Neither do I, really, but this whole disagreement is taking a major toll on our marriage. It’s affecting every aspect ofour lives.”

“I’m sure it is,” she said. “But as much as I hate telling you this, I don’t see Charlotte budging on this. Charlotte hasalways wanted what she wants when she wants it, and that’s just the way it is.”

“Don’t I know it. But I still never expected her to act so cruelly toward Curtina. Not when she brought a child into our homethat wasn’t mine.”

“Charlotte is the queen of hypocrisy, though, and you can’t win with someone like that.”

“Well, somethin’s gotta give because we can’t go on like this forever.”

“No, I don’t see where you can. And for whatever it’s worth, Curtis, you’re a wonderful man. Yes, you made some mistakes inthe past, but how many of us haven’t? So regardless of what happens, I hope you won’t forget that. I also hope you won’t stopbeing a good father to Curtina, the same as you’ve always been to Matthew and Alicia.”

Curtis nodded but thought back to the time he’d learned Matthew wasn’t his son. For a while this was what everyone else hadbelieved, too, until another DNA test had been administered, proving he was. Curtis had been devastated by the news and hadstopped by Anise’s house for comfort and encouragement. But then, they’d spontaneously shared a kiss, which had caught themboth off guard, and thankfully, they had been saved by Anise’s doorbell. Her best friend had come for a visit, and while Curtishad left in a hurry, he’d often wondered how far he and Anise might have gone. He hadn’t thought about this in years, though,so he was a little bothered by the fact that he was thinking of it now. He didn’t like it, because, slowly but surely, hisold desires and his attraction to other women were trying to ambush his psyche. He was now having to battle some very lustfuldemons, those he’d thought he was rid of, and he was worried.

“So, tell me,” Curtis said. “How are things with that guy…what’s his name? William, right?” He knew he shouldn’t have caredone way or the other, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from asking.

“It’s not the greatest, and to be honest, we barely even talk on the phone anymore. He just wasn’t my type, and I think hecould tell I wasn’t as interested in him as he wanted me to be.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. You’re too good of a person not to be in a happy relationship,” Curtis said and then looked overat his cell phone when he heard it ringing. Charlotte was finally calling him back. “Hey,” he said.

“Hey. Can we talk tonight after you finish up with Bible study?”

“So you’re not coming, I take it?”

“No. But I really don’t want to take a chance on Matthew overhearing our conversation, so I’ll just come there when I thinkBible study is over with. I’ll just wait in your office for you, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine.”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

Curtis hung up, a little shocked by the calm in Charlotte’s voice. She sounded pleasant and not angry, the way she had beenfor days now. Maybe Curtis’s prayers had been answered. Either that or her calm nature was the beginning of a new storm.

Chapter 17

You taught a wonderful lesson, Pastor,” Mother Johnson, one of the appointed mothers of the church, said to Curtis.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mother.”

“Even at seventy-eight and with all that I’ve learned from the Bible over the years, I still always learn something new becauseof you.”

“Now, that’s what I call a real compliment,” Curtis said, smiling and hugging her.

“It’s the truth. Now, you take care, son, and God willing, I’ll see you on Sunday.”

Mother Johnson walked away and Curtis shook the hands of more parishioners. Then Elder Jamison walked over.

“Well, Pastor, I’m going to head home, but I’ll see you on Sunday morning here at church and then that evening at my house…youknow…when your Colts take a beatdown from those Saints.”

“Yeah, right. I see you got jokes just like Matthew does,” he said, and they both laughed.

“Matthew is a smart kid, and like me he knows a winning team when he sees one.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

Elder Jamison left the sanctuary, and Curtis shook a few more hands. But as he prepared to head up to his study, a tall, shapelywoman with beautiful, wavy brown hair walked up to him and gave him an envelope. “I really enjoyed the lesson, Pastor.”

“I’m glad.”

The woman smiled and left as quickly as she’d approached him. He wondered what she’d given him, but from time to time, someof the members would bless him with a love offering or submit a special prayer request, so he knew it was one or the other.

Finally, Curtis greeted the last member and went up to his office. As promised, Charlotte was sitting in front of his desk,waiting for him.

“Hey,” he said, walking in. “Why don’t you come over here?”

“All right,” she said.

When she sat down on the sofa, she turned her body toward him,