Page 123 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
I hold her tighter and it takes me a minute to find my voice. “I’ve missed you too, kid. I’m sorry it took me so long, but there was something I had to do.”
She leans back and looks at me with her big, blue, watery eyes. “It’s otay, Faif said you wuved me and dat you’d tum back.”
Of course she said that. I swallow thickly. “I love all of you and I promise I’m back for good.”
She smiles and hugs me again, and that’s when I notice the room has fallen completely silent. I look around to see everyone staring at us. So much for going unnoticed.
Joshua smiles and nods, surprise clearly evident in his expression but so is his approval.
“Walker.” Evans waves me over to their pew and everyone slides over to make room for me. I walk over with Ruthie in my arms and take a seat next to him.
Faith’s mom and Katelyn wave at me from the other end of the bench but her papa gives me the whole ‘I’m watching you’ signal again. I wish that he were as forgiving as his son and granddaughter are.
Everyone else acknowledges me with a nod, except for Grace, who leans over and places her hand on my leg. “I’m so proud of you, Cade.” Her praise makes the whole situation more awkward, but I nod, not wanting to be a complete dick.
“I’m so proud of you too, look at you all grown up, you’re such a big boy now.”
I glare over at Evans’ stupid smirk. “Shut up.”
He chuckles and before he can say anything else Joshua begins speaking again. “All right, today we have a special performance for our grand opening. As many of you know my daughter will be opening a preschool in the fall here, but she also plans to run a music program for the youth. I was told very sternly by her not to call it a choir, or she said no one would join.” Everyone chuckles. “So she, and her boy Christopher, are going to show you what exactly she has in mind for it. They have been working hard at this performance for the past week and I know, since this is coming from my daughter, that it will blow all of us away.”
Isn’t that the truth.
My heart begins to pound wildly in anticipation as he calls their names. When they walk out, my gaze immediately falls on the girl I have been aching for, over the last two weeks, and all the oxygen leaves my body in one single release.
She’s as beautiful as always, wearing a simple white sundress with dark brown cowgirl boots and her long, red hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. It takes every bit of willpower I possess to not walk up there and carry her ass out of here with me. As she walks over to the lady at the piano and whispers something, I glance at the kid and bite back a smirk at how nervous he looks. Faith takes her spot next to him and grabs his hand.
They look out over the crowd but never focus on one person, which is probably a good thing, because I don’t want her to see me in the middle of singing and have it throw her off. I guess I should have thought about that—hopefully she doesn’t spot me until after they’re done.
The piano starts playing and I immediately recognize the melody of “Lean on Me”. When the kid starts the first chorus, I stiffen and am completely dumbstruck. What the…
Sometimes in our lives
we all have pain
we all have sorrow
but if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow.
“Holy shi…crap, the kid is incredible,” Evans leans over and whispers in shock, clearly as surprised as I am. I nod, speechless. Red said he was really good, but I didn’t think this good. Faith’s soft voice joins in now, and together, the two of them are a powerhouse.
Lean on me!
When you’re not strong
and I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
for it won’t take long
till I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on
Christopher fades out now, leaving the next chorus all to Red, and like always, her voice hits me like a punch to the gut and turns my dick painfully hard. Which is completely awkward considering I’m sitting in church.
Please
Swallow your pride
if I have things
you need to borrow
for no one can fill
those of your needs
that you won’t let show
Christopher joins back in again and they pick up rhythm.
So just call on me brother
when you need a hand
we all need somebody to lean on!
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
we all need somebody to lean on
Everyone begins clapping in sync to the tempo, and they both smile, looking more relaxed, their hands joined and voices mingling in harmony.
I have to admit, this is hands down the best version I’ve ever heard of this song, and by the looks on everyone’s faces, and the way they are joining in, I’d say they agree. Faith’s going to get a big group if this is what they can expect, and I’m damn proud to say that the two people on stage are mine… I hope.
That thought brings on a quick hard dose of doubt. I hope to hell she lets me take her from here after this, and accepts what I have to offer her. Thankfully I don’t get much time to think about it, because the song finishes and everyone gives a standing ovation. The small building erupts in applause and whistles. Red launches herself excitedly at Christopher, and he catches her with a laugh, looking damn proud of himself—as he should be.
“Dey was amazing, wewn’t dey, big guy.”
I don’t take my eyes off of them as I reply. “Yeah, kid, they were incredible.”
Christopher is still hugging Faith when he looks over at our pew and spots me. His smiling expression completely transforms to one of shock.
I hold his gaze and try to gauge what his reaction is going to be. He must stiffen because Red lets go and backs up to speak to him. He lifts his arm and points at me. She turns around and her beautiful emerald eyes collide with mine. The first reaction to cross her face is one of utter shock. A myriad of other emotions are soon to follow, and it scares the shit out of me that I have no idea what her reaction to me is going to be.
