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

Grace’s mind. The church was no longer just synonymous with pain in her head; it was now synonymous with a feeling that she could not yet name. Her attraction to Horace felt more magnetic than just a sexual response, and that was unusual.
    â€œThere’s no ‘Girl, you just don’t know’ to go with this story. His name is Horace, and if I had to guess what the name Horace means, I’d say it means hot, handsome, and flirtatious.”
    â€œHorace means timekeeper.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    Junell pointed at her tummy. “I’ve already begun the hunt for a great baby name. I’m not doing any of the out-of-this-world celebrity baby names, and I’m not doing the ghetto throw together of any combination of letters to make up a unique-sounding name, like Junell. Enough about me. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about the baby. We have another six months to discuss all that, God mommy. What I want to know is, why am I just now hearing about him?”
    Trying to drag this out for as long as she possibly could, Grace took a heaping bite of her po’boy and stuffed into her mouth a little shrimp that had fallen onto her plate. She had not mentioned meeting Horace, because she didn’t feel like there was anything to tell about the six-four hulk of a man whom she’d met on a food pantry line. She would not have mentioned his name if she hadn’t bumped into him during her walk over here. Or would she?
    â€œStop holding out.” Junell tapped the tabletop, demanding more info. “You already know how simple Michael likes to keep things, not to mention he’s away on business again. In the beginning it seemed like a wise choice to get married to an international real-estate magnate, but now . . .” She tsk-tsked, shaking her head from side to side. “Now I have to live vicariously through you. Spill the beans on this brother. Is he a minister? A deacon? Be careful. Those deacons are a little shady sometimes.”
    â€œThanks for the info, but I don’t have to worry, and you shouldn’t get too worked up about Horace. It’s a dead-end relationship.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œFirst of all, he’s no minister. I met him at the food ministry program.”
    â€œOh, my gosh, that’s so sweet,” Junell said between bites of her sandwich. “He likes to help out.”
    â€œNo. He was there for the help. I served him dinner the night we met. I must be getting desperate.” Grace shook her head in disbelief at her own words. She was attracted to a man who could not afford to feed himself.
    â€œSo, what’s the problem?” Junell asked, smiling innocently.
    â€œWhat’s the problem? Those hormones must be in flux already and messing with your good sense. He came on to me while I was serving him food. He can’t afford to feed himself. Where would our first date be? The pantry?”
    Junell gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh . . . this is so cool. It’s a role reversal. You absolutely have to go out with him. You two are like Ruth and Boaz. Only you’re Boaz. You have the ability to provide for him. To take care of him, encourage him, make sure he gets what he needs.”
    â€œAre you telling me to be a sugar mama?”
    â€œNo, just go home and read the Book of Ruth. And you’ll see. Maybe God will work this thing out for you sooner than you think.”
    â€œWhy can’t I just get a man who has it together already and is established? A man like . . .”
    â€œLike Ethan,” Junell said, finishing Grace’s sentence. “Honey, I think that ship may have sailed already. Why don’t you give Horace a chance to dock his boat? You’ve been with worse.”

Chapter 10
    The bobbing treetops and wind-driven leaves helped Grace relax into her stance. Yoga was her first line of defense when she felt like things were getting out of control.