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“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Shayla said, grabbing ahold of Faith’s hand. “We’re about to go outside and eat all the food my family has lovingly prepared. We have steaks and shrimp and hotdogs and potato salad.” Shayla made a goofy face and rubbed her tummy.
Micah winked at her. “Don’t forget about the grilled corn and the buffalo chicken wings. And dad’s famous cinnamon apple pie.”
Faith let out a groan. “Now I’m really starting to get hungry.”
“Then let’s head outside and forget about all this drama with Pamela,” Micah suggested. “You handled yourself very well.”
He ushered her toward the hallway, then followed behind her as they headed outdoors. Once they were outside the smell of food being cooked on the grill assailed his senses.
“Hey! What took you guys so long? We decided to start without you,” Parker called out. “Hot dogs and burger are done. Come and get ‘em while they’re hot.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Micah said, heading toward the grill where he took a plate and then brought it over to Faith.
“Thanks. This looks delicious,” she said, taking the plate from him.
“Where’s my plate since you’re being so chivalrous?” Shayla asked, placing her hands on her hips.
“You’re not a guest,” Jude said, ruffling Shayla’s hair. “Faith is. Your brother was raised with manners.”
“Daddy!” she said with a squeal. “How many times have I told you not to do that to my hair?”
“I’m sorry, Shay. I still think of you as my little girl,” Jude said.
Shayla threw herself against her father’s chest. “I’ll always be your little girl. Always and forever.”
Micah couldn’t help but notice Faith’s expression as she gazed at his father and Shayla. She had a wistful expression on her face. He imagined she was thinking of her own father and missing him. Suddenly, he was gripped with a desire to fill Faith’s world with love and support. From the sounds of it, she really was alone in the world, with the exception of Pamela’s family. He sucked his teeth. If Pamela was any example, the rest of her family probably hadn’t given Faith much support and love over the years.
He knew he was getting ahead of himself. At the moment he and Faith were merely friends and members of the same choir. They hadn’t even gone out on a real date yet. His Pops had always told him he would know when he met the one. Micah had always scoffed at his father for being a romantic soul. He hadn’t believed it for a minute. But he did now. Because the feelings Faith was stirring up inside of him were far from ordinary. For a man who had dated dozens of women and never found love in a single relationship, these feelings were awe inspiring.
He didn’t know what to do with all of these emotions bouncing around inside of him. Should he tell someone? Shout if from the rooftops? Play it cool as he usually did in relationships?
Micah felt clueless. All he knew at the moment was that he was falling for Faith. And even though it scared him to death, he knew he couldn’t walk away from something so extraordinary.
**
As the afternoon sun dipped down below the horizon, Micah walked Faith to her car and told her he’d see her bright and early tomorrow at church service. When he walked back into the house, Shayla was waiting for him by the door. He knew his sister well enough to know she had something she needed to get off her chest.
“Hey, Micah.” Shayla tugged at his arm. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“If this is about Rafferty, don’t say a word. It’s between the two of us. We’ll work it out.” Honestly, Micah wasn’t sure they would, but he needed to stay positive.
Shayla scoffed. “I wasn’t going to add fuel to the fire, but let me tell you, that woman sure knows how to twist him around.”
Micah gritted his teeth. “She sure does. In the end she’s going to hurt him. I’ve known that for some time.”
Shayla sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Rafferty doesn’t deserve that.”
“He deserves the best.” Micah tweaked her nose. “Someone like you.”
Shayla dipped her head down. He wasn’t sure but he thought she might be hiding a sheen of tears in her eyes.
When she raised her head up, he could see traces of moisture in her eyes but she’d collected herself. He knew it was killing her to see Rafferty engaged to Pamela. And it must hurt even more seeing him with someone so calculating and manipulative.
“Micah, I couldn’t help but notice you vibing with Faith.”
He nodded. “Yeah, we get along great. She’s pretty fantastic.”
“I don’t want her to get hurt.”
