The only other person she had confided in was one of the ministers at the church and that was just in passing conversation.
“So,” D’Cerner said after she finished. “What do you think?”
“Now, you know Daddy knows what He’s doing. It sounds like you and Cal haven’t figured it out yet.”
“But Angie, he agreed that when we met we would discuss what we heard, but now he’s refusing to talk about it. He acts like there’s nothing to discuss.”
“Dee, what did you have on when you met him? Never mind. If you had worn a burlap sack, it wouldn’t have made any difference. The boy is scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“I look in the mirror all the time, but I don’t see what other people see.”
“Well now, let me explain it to you. He took one look at you and got scared he would fall into sin.”
“It takes two for that.” D’Cerner smiled. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“But he does. That’s why he got away from you. Give him time to get to know you. It will work out. After the wedding, your testimony will be a blessing for a lot people.”
“Angie, there may not be a wedding if we can’t even talk to each other.”
“But what did Daddy say? ‘You can do this.’ I knew something was up when I heard that, I just didn’t know what.”
“Okay, okay. I hear you, Daddy. I guess I was too upset to hear Him, so He spoke to you instead. Thanks, Angie. Look, it’s getting late so you’d better get off the phone so you can get some sleep. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Let me know what’s going on with you two.”
“I’ll keep you posted. Love you. Have a blessed time of rest today.”
Chapter Eleven
After D’Cerner finished talking to Angela, she brooded for half an hour and then decided to call her pastor. “I hope he’s not busy,” she thought as she dialed the number. “I really need to get a male’s perspective on this situation.”
“Hello,” a warm husky voice responded.
“Pastor Gibson, how are you today?” D’Cerner smiled at the phone, warming to his comforting voice.
“Hey, young lady. I’m fine, how are you?”
“I’m blessed. Do you have a few minutes? I really need to talk to you.
“Well, I was about to go get some lunch. Why don’t you join me.”
“Great! Did you want to pick me up or shall I meet you somewhere?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. What’s best for you?”
“I have some errands to run later, so maybe I’d better drive. Where were you going?”
“Chi Woo’s. Do you know where that is?”
“Yes, I can be there in twenty minutes. See you then.”
D’Cerner hung up the phone and ran into her bedroom to change clothes. In the time it took her to decide what to wear, her mood changed, from enthusiasm to wariness. A thought flitted across her mind about her constant mood swings, but she decided that it was nothing. She put on a deep purple pantsuit and pinned her hair up in a French twist. After slipping into a comfortable pair of pumps, she grabbed her purse off her dresser and her coat out of the closet, set the house alarm and left. While she was driving, the furrow between her eyes that had begun earlier, deepened and she had trouble concentrating on where she was going. “Focus,” she told herself. “This is not the end of the world. Worry changes absolutely nothing.” During the short drive, she tried to think positive thoughts—about her latest book, her upcoming trips, but nothing alleviated her propensity to worry.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Pastor Gibson was waiting for her. Bernard Gibson’s entire demeanor and carriage spoke well of him. His somewhat portly stature invited one to trust, as did his ever-present smile. After they greeted each other with hugs, they ordered coffee and the house special, almond chicken. While they
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