Page 6 of When Love Takes Root

Even Ms. Daphne laughed.

Skye hugged her little Bible tight. “Psalm 91:11,” she whispered. “‘For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.’ I asked God to send you lots of angels, Mama. A whole bunch.”

The sound that left me was a half-laugh, half-sob as I scooped her up into my arms. “Amen,” I whispered against her curls. “A whole bunch, baby girl.”

Jamal smiled before reaching for the first gift. “Celestial Crowns Hair Haven is finally getting the purple lighting you’ve been talking about.” He held up the rendering.

My mouth fell open. “You were listening?”

His voice dropped. “Always, Mama.” He grinned. “And since the Plant Doctor’s been talking about that rare, variegated snake plant for months, . . . it’s already been delivered.”

I gasped. “You found one?”

“I listen.” The room laughed softly as I wiped my eyes. “And because your books are multiplying faster than rabbits, I bought you two sturdy bookshelves.

I laughed.

“You’re still talking about my Trap Dollar shelf?”

“It was leaning like it had given up on life and your paperbacks.”

The shop howled.

Finally, he held up an envelope. “One more thing. Next weekend. Houston. That R&B concert you’ve been talking about. Just the two of us.”

The room filled with oohs.

Ms. Daphne threw both hands in the air. “Lord, I have seen what You’ve done for others.”

Ms. Brenda closed her eyes. “Do it again, Father.”

Jamal laughed. “Y’all gon’ get me in trouble with y’all husbands.”

Fifteen years later, he was still finding new ways to choose me.

The envelope stayed in my hand while I stared at it. A concert. A night in Houston. A dress. His hand at the small of my back. Fifteen years in, and he still found new ways to choose me.

Jamal grinned. “And don’t worry about the kids. Leilani and Onyx got it. I’ve already arranged backup.” My heart softened. “See? I make sure my woman’s village stays tight. I thought of everything.”

I shook my head as tears slipped down my cheeks. “God definitely knew what He was doing,” I whispered. Jamal stepped close and kissed my lips, my cheek, then my forehead. “Jamal.”

He looked at me like there wasn’t a room full of women watching.

“I like loving you in front of witnesses, but I like loving you in private even more, baby.”

The shop squealed.

Zuri made a dramatic gagging noise. Kayden looked toward the ceiling like he was asking the Lord for teenage endurance. Maya smiled. JJ shook his head.

Jamal kissed my knuckles and slipped the card into my palm.

“I know better than to let you read it now,” he teased. “You’ll have mascara all over this shop.” He turned toward the room. “Y’all mind if we pray right quick?”

Ms. Daphne lowered her magazine.

“Baby, this your wife’s place. Wherever she is, the Lord got room to show up.”

We joined hands near the front desk. Skye leaned against my leg while Zuri squeezed in beside Kayden. Jamal reached for my hand, his callused palm settling around mine.