Read Online Seasoned with Grace by Nigeria Lockley - Free Book Online

little extra arch to her back.
    Smiling, Brother Horace removed his hard hat, giving Grace a direct view of his sumptuous brown eyes. “With a body like that, someone should be watching you.”
    â€œBrother Horace.” Grace lightly slapped him on the chest, fabricating a look of innocence. “Are you being fresh?”
    â€œYes, I am. I’m saved, not dead. I know a good-looking woman when I see one.”
    â€œWow.”
    â€œDon’t act so shocked. I know you know you’re one of God’s greatest endeavors,” he said, licking his lips. “I’d like to see more of you, Grace.”
    â€œYeah, I’ll see you on Wednesday at the pantry.”
    While his directness and confidence aroused the butterflies in Grace’s stomach, there were two big warning signs that flashed before her eyes. One, his bank account was way too low, so there’d be no romantic getaways to Golden Bay beach in Malta and no suites at the Mandarin Oriental. And then there was the whole “man of God” thing. She’d already experimented with romance in the church. It was the greatest romance she’d ever known and the worst heartbreak she’d ever felt. If Grace had been allowed to continue dating her then boyfriend, David, if their relationship hadn’t ended because he was forced to put his career in the ministry before his feelings for her, she wouldn’t be so full of distress right now, she thought. Loving a man of God wasn’t a roller-coaster ride that she was about to step willingly onto again.
    â€œI have to go, Horace. I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch before you stopped me.” She walked away without saying good-bye and refused to look back, even though she could feel his eyes locked on her every move.
    Grace scuttled her way up the next three blocks to the restaurant, then plopped into the seat across from Junell at their table on the sidewalk.
    â€œWhy are you out of breath? Paparazzi or crazed fan?” Junell asked, pushing a glass of water at Grace.
    Grace took a gulp of the water and fanned her cheeks a little before she began speaking. “It was neither. I’m so glad to see you, Junie.”
    â€œI’m glad to be seen. I hope you don’t mind eating alfresco. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to eat alfresco, and with this gorgeous weather, it works out perfectly. Sixty degrees is the perfect temperature for September. I’m so over summer. I ordered you a shrimp po’boy, and I ordered the pulled pork for me. Is that okay?”
    â€œA shrimp po’boy? Do you know how many calories that is? And you ordered pulled pork?”
    â€œYou’re not working now, so why are you counting calories? You could use a little meat on those bones,” Junell said, reaching over the table and pinching Grace’s slender and toned triceps.
    â€œGirl, who am I fooling? I’m not working right now, or anytime soon. I suppose I can indulge a little.” Grace smiled widely at Junell’s round face. There was a certain warmth that Junell emanated. “Now, I have an excuse. Unemployment will make you consume carbs in mass quantities, but when did you start eating pork? Or are you still in character?”
    â€œSince I found out I was pregnant. We tried to keep it under wraps until I hit the three-month mark, which is today. Grace, can you believe it? I’m pregnant!” Junell raised her arms in the air, doing a double fist pump.
    Grace didn’t move. Her heart prompted her to celebrate, to get ready to throw a baby shower that rivaled Kim Kardashian’s baby shower. Meanwhile, her mind told her, Don’t you move! Don’t you even crack a smile for her. You have no reason to be happy. She’s having a baby not you.
    â€œAw . . . G, I’m sorry.” Junell rubbed the back of Grace’s hand. “It’s not too late for you to have children. Just because you had an