When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) Page 13

  “Mmmm hmmm.”

  A few feet down the pew, Summer leaned up just a bit trying not to look too obvious. She shot them an annoyed look. Sitting back, she flipped over the church program and scribbled, look what the cat dragged in. Nudging Nick, she passed him the program.

  Glancing down the aisle, he gave Kevin the What’s up head nod before winking at Starr. He was tickled pink from the way she blushed in embarrassment giving away their reason for being late for Sunday morning service.

  Taking the pen from his wife’s hand, he scribbled underneath her note, Mind your business, then handed her back the piece of paper. His broad shoulders slightly shook from silently laughing. In a huff, Summer sucked her teeth and shifted her position on the pew so her back was partially facing him. Get on my nerves.

  ♥♥♥

  Joan loved cooking Sunday dinner for her new family. Who would have ever thought being Nick Stiles’ housekeeper for years would be such a blessing? Certainly not Joan. It was a blessing which brought her more happiness than she had ever known. She had pretty much resigned herself to the notion that she would never have a family. Never have anyone to really call her own. But all that changed a few years ago when Summer’s pregnancy shook up Nick’s life and hers right along with it.

  After the birth of NJ, Summer pleaded with Nick to reconcile with his estranged father. Henry was all too happy to have another chance at being a father and a grandfather. Determined to be the best grandpop, Henry practically became a permanent fixture in his son and daughter-in-law’s home. Naturally, he and Joan became familiar with one another.

  Initially, Joan brushed off Henry’s flirting as just being friendly. No way would he, a judge, be interested in a lowly housekeeper. To her amazement, he was very much interested. He told her he liked her spunk. One date led to another and before long, he proposed, she accepted, and now they were a happily married couple.

  Closing the oven and standing up from basting the delicious, smelling roasting chicken, her eyes glanced around the warmly decorated kitchen. It definitely had the feel of a grandmother’s kitchen with its bright yellow walls, grapevine borders and antique hutch that perfectly matched the walnut cabinetry. The hutch stored a beautiful set of pink glass dishes her grandmother bought during the depression when folks couldn’t afford to buy china but wanted something nice to use for special occasions. Another nostalgic touch Joan added to her favorite room in the house was a modern sink that had the appearance of an old-fashioned pump sink.

  Ava and Summer sat at the large, round country table positioned in the room’s center. Ava prepared the cucumbers, red onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes for a garden salad. While Summer busied herself with the task of shredding cheese for baked macaroni and cheese. At the counter, Starr stood stirring sugar into a freshly brewed pitcher of iced tea.

  Hovering over the young women like a momma chick, Joan’s heart filled with so much love. She loved each of them as if they were her own daughters. Since she couldn’t have children of her own, she claimed Summer, Ava and Starr as her children. Although Nick worked her nerves, she loved him like a son prior to becoming his stepmother. Kevin wasn’t left out of the bunch. She loved him too, and constantly fussed at him about his frisky ways with women as any caring mother would.

  And her grandbabies! Lawd, she just loved herself some NJ and Autumn something fierce. She and Henry along with Nita and James spoiled those babies something terrible. Yes, they did. Didn’t care what Nick nor Summer had to say about it. After all that’s what grandparents were for.

  Shifting her gaze between the three young women she tried to decipher which one it was. You see, the other night she had a dream about fish; a whole bunch of little fish swimming everywhere. A strange dream it was. The little fish were in the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bathtub, washing machine and toilet. Wherever there was a source of water in the house, the fish magically appeared.

  Slowly nodding her head, somebody’s pregnant or is about to get pregnant. Lawd, I hope it ain’t that Summer. NJ and Autumn are a handful as it is.

  “Why she looking at us like that?” Ava whispered.

  “What’s that Miss Growny?” Moving over to the pantry Joan removed flour, shortening and baking powder from the shelf. “Girl, get to that refrigerator and get me some milk.”

  Ava got up, taking the long way around to the fridge. She knew Momma Joan was quick with a dishtowel. One good flick of the wrist and you’d have a welt for days.

  “Just ‘cause I’m old, don’t think I can’t hears ya.” The older woman chuckled, setting down the ingredients for her melt-in-your mouth biscuits, on the counter.

  “Momma Joan, you got some good ears.” Ava commented sliding the milk on the counter praying Momma Joan wouldn’t get her.

  “No, she doesn’t. You just can’t whisper worth nothing.” Summer teased.

  Starr laughed. “Summer, you ain’t right.”

  “She sure ain’t. And that Ava ain’t no better. The both of them ‘bout to make me take a switch or this here dishrag to their behinds for sassing me.”

  “You know we’re just playing, Momma Joan.” Ava said, affectionately kissing the older woman on the cheek.

  Joan smiled warmly at the younger woman. “Baby, I know y’all just messing.” Reaching inside the cabinet, she took a bowl down and placed it on the counter. “Starr, leave that tea alone. Ya been stirring it forever.” Pointing to the cabinet near the stove, “Go over yonder and get my biscuit pan.”

  Obediently, Starr went to retrieve the pan. On her way back to the counter, she shot her friends a look as they sat snickering at her. Humph, I’m not telling them nothing now since they want to cackle like a bunch of hyenas.

  “Come on, chile, ya moving too slow! Get the lead out!” Joan fussed.

  Instead of shooting another scathing glare, Starr smirked at the snickering hens. Yeah, she was moving slow, but loved every bit of the reason why. Early this morning she was awakened by Kevin suckling the nipple of her left breast. Of course, he hadn’t stopped there. After he took his time suckling, kissing and nibbling every inch of her, bringing her body fully alive, he gently flipped her over on her stomach. Her center began to pulsate as she relived him pulling her up on her knees in a kneeling position just before he entered her slowly. Just thinking about it made her tingle as a smile spread across her lips.

  Ava kicked Summer under the table. The dreamy dazed look followed by the smile that boasted pure ecstasy, made their mouths drop open as they gawked at one another. They didn’t even have to ask, they knew. Starr had gotten her swerve on! And what a swerve it must have been! No wonder she and Kevin came schlepping into church all late.

  “Starr, sweetie, just don’t stand there. Bring me my pan so I can show you how to make these here biscuits.” Joan shook her head. Chile is somewhere in outer space. I guess that’s what good lovin’ will do to ya.

  “I’m sorry, Momma Joan.” Starr passed her the pan. “Here you go.”

  As soon as the pan was in the older woman’s hand, Starr started to the table. Her mind wasn’t on learning how to fix biscuits. She was reminiscing about her early morning tryst.

  Before she could move two paces, Joan reached out and grabbed her hand. “I said get over here so I can show you how to make these biscuits. You know that man of yours loves my biscuits. I’m gonna show ya how to make them for him just like Momma Joan’s.”

  Blushing from Momma Joan’s statement, she followed her like a small child to the ingredients on the counter. Every time someone mentioned Kevin being her man, it gave her a warm rush all over. He was her man. And it felt so darn good.

  After being with Kevin all night, Starr decided to follow her heart. She was letting go of her past and moving on. He was a good man and did not deserve to be compared to those other jackasses she’d been involved with. No, she would not let ancient hurts and disappointments come into play ruining their relationship. A clean fresh start, that’s what we’re going to have. I want this so bad and
I’m not going to let anything mess this up for me.

  “Now you just can’t throw all this in the bowl together.” Joan’s motherly voice pulled Starr from her quiet thoughts. “You have to do it like this.” Joan went on to instruct as she showed Starr how to combine the flour, baking soda, salt, shortening, and milk into a perfect mixture of dough.

  As Joan watched over Starr, Summer wanted to know as she munched on some of the cheese she’d just shredded, “Momma Joan, why were you looking at us all weird a few minutes ago?”

  Seeing that the younger woman was doing just fine, she left her to take a seat at the table. Ava and Summer eyes were glued to hers as they waited in anticipation of some great news. Joan had to swallow back a giggle. Lawd, I don’t know which one is the nosiest. ‘Bout ready to snatch the words clean out my mouth.

  Nonchalantly Joan shrugged a shoulder. “Not much, just had me a dream the other night.”

  This little tidbit of information made Starr stop her task to turn around and face the others. She had to give her full attention to the details of this dream. Whenever Momma Joan dreamed something, ninety percent of the time it came true. It was downright spooky how accurate her dreams were.

  “What you dream about?” Starr questioned almost in a whisper.

  “Baby, I dreamt about fish.” Waving her arms in the air with dramatic flair, “A whole bunch of ‘em too! They were everywhere I’m telling you. All in my sinks, the bathtub, washing machine and even in the toilet.”

  The older woman’s excitement dwindled. She eyed each of the childbearing aged women. Lifting a brow and in a conspirator low tone, she asked, “Y’all do know what this means? Right?”

  Throwing up her hands as if surrendering, Ava yelled, “It’s not me! I’m not doing a thing.” Shaking her head she swore, “I’m like a nun! Ain’t had none, ain’t seen none!”

  Summer didn’t mumble a word, just looked around the room from Joan, then to her friends. Wasn’t any need for her to get all dramatic like crazy Ava. At the rate she and Nick were going, she was liable to pop up pregnant at anytime.

  Any other time she would have laughed at Ava’s little off Broadway production. But Starr was too busy bracing her weight against the counter as she became dizzy and swayed. She and Kevin hadn’t used protection last night or earlier this morning. What if... No, she wasn’t going to think it. She didn’t want to get her hopes up. Although she and Kevin joked about having kids, they never had a serious conversation on the subject. What if he really didn’t want kids? Or what if he thought she was trying to trap him? Then what? Letting out a deep breath, I need to talk to Kevin…tonight. This was no way to start a relationship. She’d have to let him know the next time they needed to be more careful, especially if he didn’t want children right now...or ever.

  “You all right, baby?” Momma Joan inquired, her wise eyes penetrating into Starr.

  “I’m fine. Just thinking about how your dreams are always so on point.” She answered slightly shifting from foot to foot as her gaze bounced between each person in the room. Three pair of eyes gazed back. She knew what each of them was thinking. Breaking the awkwardness of the moment and getting the attention off her, she blurted out, “Everybody knows it’s Summer.” Starr nervously giggled and threw over her shoulder as she put the pan of biscuits in the oven, “Y’all know she’s as fertile as a kitty cat.”

  As melodies of laughter filtered around the room, the delicious aroma of roasting chicken tickled Kevin’s nose as entered the kitchen.

  None of the women was aware of his presence until they heard his deep baritone voice. “Who’s more fertile than a kitty cat?”

  The moment the question left his lips, Starr turned to acknowledge his presence. The second their eyes connected her stomach did a series of flip-flops. He was standing in the doorway, his hands in the pockets of well fitting jeans, gazing at her with the sexiest grin.

  She was grateful the all-wise Momma Joan came to the rescue. After just thinking about all the ways he pleasured her, she couldn’t stand to have him looking at her like that in front of everyone. It was downright scandalous. If he kept it up, she just might have to cut dinner short. “Boy, get your tail out my kitchen before I take a stick to ya!”

  Backing up from harm’s way, Kevin chuckled. “Don’t shoot the messenger. Pop Henry sent me in here to check on dinner. Says he’s starving and you haven’t fed him since Friday.”

  Joan laughed. She loved that man of hers. “You tell that ‘ole fool of mine to stop telling them lies. Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes. Don’t take long for the macaroni and cheese to bake.”

  Kevin chuckled again. Momma Joan was a mess. “All right, I’ll tell pops what you said.”

  Making sure he wasn’t in hearing distance, the older woman predicted, “Yes, lawdy I need a stick for that one. A switch won’t due. He’s a big man.” Winking at Starr, nodding her head towards the other room, she teased, “Baby, I hope you can handle that there man. If you can’t, just come to Momma Joan. I’ll tell you what to do with ‘em.”

  The younger women gasped in surprise at the older woman’s wanton words. One of them shrieked, “Momma Joan!”

  “Momma Joan my foot! As you young folks say, ‘You better recognize!’ Why you think that old man in yonder ain’t had nothing to eat since Friday? He ain’t need no food when he had me.”

  Starr, Ava, and Summer fell out laughing at Momma Joan as she sashayed across the floor swaying her round hips from side to side.

  Chapter 23

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  Starr had become extremely quiet once they returned to her house. Usually as they watched a movie, the couple snuggled on the sofa. But tonight, Starr seemed content with sitting at the other end.

  She bit the inside of her mouth. Why did she have to let it show something was bothering her? Why did she have to wear her feelings on her sleeves for all to see? The entire time they were at the elder Stiles’ home for dinner, she had told herself repeatedly she would have this conversation with him. But now she was suddenly apprehensive, afraid of what he might think or do.

  Her mind was scrambling with her thoughts. She couldn’t figure out what she wanted to say now that Kevin had scooted next to her and started to play with the soft curls at the nape of her neck. The seductive caress had her wanting to straddle his lap.

  Still caressing, he used his opposite hand to lift Starr’s chin. She didn’t resist when he gently guided her face to meet his gaze. “You gonna talk to me or what?”

  Concern fell over Kevin when she eased away for his touch. Standing to claim the nervous energy running through her, she smoothed non-existent wrinkles from the front of her skirt as she began to pace.

  Watching her pace, concern gave way to dread. How had she found out? He thought he had hid it out of her view. The first thing he had planned on doing once he made it home was to get rid of it. Anger set his jaw tight. He was going to choke the life out of that trifling Trina.

  After he and Starr finished making love Kevin did like he had done every Sunday morning for years. Opening the front door, he stepped on the front porch inhaling the crisp morning air as he bent down picking up the Sunday Inquirer. Thoughts of the sleeping woman he left in bed fizzled. To his horror as he lifted the paper from the cement floor a familiar pair of red, lacey thongs twirled to the ground from the early morning breeze. Confusion, then anger marred his handsome features. “What the hell...” he hissed under his breath.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  Startled by the soft, feminine voice behind him, he nearly tumbled off the top step of the porch. With a deft flick of his slipper-shod foot, he kicked the offensive fabric to the step below out of view.

  Recovering quickly, he turned flashing a sheepish grin as held up his reason for leaving her warm, nude body. “Had to get my Sunday morning paper.”

  Leaning against the doorway in his dress shirt from last night, she was a beautiful sight. So what, her hair was a c
omplete mess; and strands were going every which way, but the right way. His stomach tied into knots when she smiled demurely, running her fingers through the mussed curls on her head. “Come on. I’m ready to take my shower.”

  Kevin let out a deep, nervous breath. He was thankful Starr’s invitation was offered thrown over her shoulder as she made her way back up the stairs. The second she was out of sight gave him the opportunity to discreetly kick the thong under a nearby shrub before dashing off after her.

  Now he wasn’t so sure he had been discreet enough. What if she had seen the offensive scrap of fabric on their way out this morning to church? If she had seen what he had attempted to hide, would she understand? He couldn’t be a hundred percent certain. She had years of hurt and mistrust bottled up inside.

  During their many late night phone conversations she revealed how growing up her father had been in and out of the picture. It killed him to hear the pain and sadness in her voice as she shared the most intimate details of how her father always made promises to stay with his wife and daughters. But every time he came back with promises of being a better husband and father, he ended up leaving and breaking their hearts.

  One evening Starr revealed old hurts that had been buried deep within her soul for years. After she had unloaded some serious stuff, she was an emotional mess. Kevin found himself on his cell phone soothing her while she shed uncontrollable tears as he drove over to her place. Once he was on her front door step, in a tender voice, he pleaded, “Open the door, baby.” The moment she opened the door, he swooped in and picked her up in strong arms. Closing the door, he leaned against it for support as she clung to him purging her battered soul.

  He had rushed to her in the middle of the night after her quiet sniffles had become gut-wrenching sobs as she told him of her mother’s depression. The poor woman had been so depressed; she attempted to drown her sorrows in a bottle of wine and sleeping pills. He could literally hear her body shaking over the phone when she hissed, “I hate him for doing that to my mother...to me and Karen.” She had just graduated from high school and was excited about going off college. Fear and worry kept her from leaving home. That fall, she enrolled in La Salle University’s nursing program instead of going off to Howard University.