Jezebel (17 page)

Traynor smiled. “I do love you.”

“And I you,” she responded, removing her robe. “Right now, I need some loving before we go shopping for our new house.”

She would give him what he needed and then Traynor would give her what she wanted.

They left the house two hours later.

“Jessie Belle, I don't know if we can afford this,” Traynor whispered as they strolled through a six-bedroom house with a large gourmet kitchen, a media room, seven fireplaces, an Olympic-sized pool and a Jacuzzi.

Running her fingers across the delicate detailing of the custom cabinets in the kitchen, she responded, “We can afford it if the church is paying for it.”

“Jessie Belle…”

Okay, he was starting to get on her last nerve.

Turning around to face him, Jessie Belle stated, “Traynor, the church is raking in thousands every single Sunday. The pews are filled and our members are generous. We can afford anything we want.”

“You really like this house?” Traynor asked.

Jessie Belle nodded. “I love it. This house is perfect for us.”

He turned to the real estate agent and said, “My wife has made a decision.”

His words bothered Jessie Belle some, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. She wanted to relish her triumph.

She had found her dream house.

J
essie Belle lost her father the day after Valentine's Day. Her mother had taken his passing well, but it was evident that she missed him dearly. Jessie Belle convinced her to sell the old house and move into one of the newly built apartment complexes right outside of Mayville. The house and the land were just too much for her aging mother to take care of on her own.

The weeks flew by, the months merging one into another. Without any real awareness, Jessie Belle found that it was April.

Traynor rushed into the house asking, “Whose car is that in the driveway?”

Jessie Belle met him in the foyer wearing a big grin. “It's
mine
. I bought it today.”

He swallowed hard. “You did what?”

“I bought a new car,” Jessie Belle said calmly. “My birthday is in two weeks and I've always wanted a Mercedes. I was thinking about getting one for you, too. I know how much you love that Cadillac, but honey…it's time for a change. We've got this big beautiful house—our cars need to match.”

Traynor couldn't believe that Jessie Belle had gone out and purchased a car without consulting him. “These cars are not that old. But besides that, I thought it was understood that we'd discuss any large purchases from now on.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” she wanted to know. “It's not like we can't afford it. You don't have to worry, Traynor. I used some of the money I got from Papa's insurance for the down payment. He left that money for me to do whatever I wanted with it.”

Traynor tried to contain his anger. “I suppose you think the church should make the payments on this, too.”

“What's wrong with that?” Jessie Belle asked. “There are church members buying cars for their pastors all the time.”

“Those are gifts from the church body, Jessie Belle,” he pointed out. “You went out and bought this car yourself.”

“So what? It doesn't matter. We have to have a car to drive around town and to the church.”

“There was nothing wrong with the other car.”

“Traynor, I am the first lady. I should drive a car befitting the wife of a prominent pastor. How will people believe that they can ask God for anything and receive it if they don't see it happening in front of their faces?”

Jessie Belle walked over to where Traynor was standing. “Honey, God
wants
to bless us. What's wrong with that? You need to stop feeling guilty for reaping the benefits of what you've been sowing.”

“Why are you being so materialistic?” he asked. “Are you trying to impress other people? You're certainly not doing this for God.”

“I'm gonna pretend you didn't just say that to me, Traynor.”

“No, I'd really like an answer, Jessie Belle.”

“I like nice things and I think we deserve them. The Cadillac was showing its age.”

“But you didn't decide this until Sara Hamilton got a new Mercedes. Jessie Belle, we can't keep up with the Hamiltons. I don't care about storing up earthly treasures. My focus is living my life according to God's Word and I thought you felt the same way.”

“I've heard enough of your insults tonight, Traynor. I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth.”

Jessie Belle rushed off to her bedroom, praying that Traynor wouldn't follow her. She was furious with him and if he kept after her—she feared saying something she could never apologize for.

Traynor was flabbergasted.

Jessie Belle was upset with him, but this time, she was definitely the one in the wrong. He should've been consulted before she went out and bought the car. Traynor didn't ask much from his wife.

“God, how do I get her to understand?” he whispered.

He couldn't figure out what was going on with Jessie Belle, but Traynor could feel in his spirit that she wasn't being completely straight with him. Clothes were still mysteriously appearing in her closet. Even Holt seemed to have new clothes he'd never seen before. Traynor even noticed a couple of pieces of jewelry. He hated going behind her back, but he needed to be sure.

Traynor checked their bank accounts and all moneys were accounted for less the ten thousand she put down on the Mercedes. Jessie Belle had told him that her father's insurance company paid out twenty thousand dollars. He never saw the check but saw no reason to doubt her.

Traynor checked their credit card balances, too, and found nothing out of the ordinary. He briefly wondered if Jessie Belle had gotten her own credit card, but no statements had come to the house.

He couldn't just accuse her outright of any wrongdoing without proof.

Maybe it's me,
he reasoned.

But his gut instincts told him it was Jessie Belle.

Traynor rationalized that it was just one of Satan's tricks. He was not going to give in to his suspicions this time around. He would have to have solid proof before confronting Jessie Belle.

Jessie Belle was wrong in the way she treated Traynor the night before and she knew it.

Although she'd told him not to talk to her, it bothered Jessie Belle when he came to bed without so much as one word to her.

He was still angry.

In all the years of their marriage, Jessie Belle couldn't recall when she'd really seen Traynor furious with her. He was always so calm and even-tempered.

She'd overplayed her hand this time.

Jessie Belle tossed and turned most of the night. She couldn't stand the fact that Traynor was so angry with her.

When the clock struck six thirty a.m., Jessie Belle was up and on her way down to the kitchen.

She walked in and turned on the radio.

Humming to the music, Jessie Belle pulled out the ingredients necessary to make a healthy and delicious breakfast for Traynor. As she cooked, she listened to John Overton, a pastor they knew from the Atlanta area. His radio show was broadcast in over sixty cities.

“What makes you feel anxious? What do you worry about? Finances? Conflict with friends or family? Is it worrying whether you're going to make it to work on time? Perhaps it's your family or your health—anxiety seems to be everywhere these days….”

Jessie Belle removed the sausages from the stove and paused. John Overton's radio show was a very popular broadcast and she could understand why. He was a very gifted speaker and his tone soothing. She was enjoying his words of hope and listened to him practically every morning.

She was seated at the breakfast table, deep in thought, when Traynor came downstairs.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

No response.

“Jessie Belle…,” Traynor prompted.

“Huh?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, honey…I didn't hear you come down.”

“I can see that. What were you thinking about?” Traynor sat down at the table.

Pouring him a cup of orange juice, Jessie Belle answered, “I was listening to John Overton on the radio talking about his ministry, and I got to thinking—my Traynor would be good at something like that.”

“Jessie Belle, sweetheart…”

“Honey, I know you're still upset with me, but I need you to just hear me out, please,” she said, rising to her feet.

Jessie Belle walked across the room to where the toaster sat, and dropped in two slices of bread. “I really think you should have your own radio show. Just imagine how many people you'll be able to reach. People who won't walk into a church or can't because of illness or a disability.”

“I'd never thought about that,” Traynor confessed.

When the bread was toasted, she placed the slices on a small plate and strolled back over to the table, setting it down in front of Traynor. “Well, think about it now. This is something that's so perfect for you.”

Jessie Belle sat down at the table. “Traynor, I owe you an apology. I was wrong for buying the Mercedes without consulting you. I couldn't sleep last night because it bothered me that you were angry with me.”

He smiled. “I can never stay angry with you, sweetheart.”

“I really am sorry, Traynor.”

He kissed her. “Just promise me that you won't go making any other large purchases like that without discussing it with me first.”

“I promise. Now back to this radio show. Honey, I think you should talk to the owner. Pitch him the idea of giving you a show.”

“You really think I should do it?”

Jessie Belle took a small sip of her hot tea. “Yeah, I do. Traynor, you'd be so great on the radio. You could call it
Pearls of Wisdom
or
Wisdom from the Heart
or even
Daily Inspiration by Pastor Traynor Deveraux
.”

He laughed. “You got this all figured out, don't you?”

“I try to think out everything.” She stuck a forkful of scrambled eggs in her mouth.

Jessie Belle and Traynor discussed her ideas for the show as they finished their breakfast.

Traynor left for the church around nine thirty.

As soon as he walked out the door, Jessie Belle made a phone call.

“This is Jessie Belle Deveraux—Pastor Traynor Deveraux's wife. I'd like to set up a meeting with Elton Newman, please. We have an idea for a show.”

Jessie Belle dressed with care.

She wanted to look alluring and sexy, but didn't want to overdo it. She didn't want to give Elton Newman the wrong idea.

Two hours later, Jessie Belle pulled into the parking lot of the radio station. She was early for her appointment.

She glanced around the reception area, noting the outdated wallpaper and the boring color scheme. Jessie Belle had expected better.

They could definitely use the help of an interior decorator.

“Mr. Newman will see you now,” the bubbly receptionist told her.

Jessie Belle rose to her feet and followed the woman to the administrative offices located in the back of the station.

“Mrs. Deveraux,” Elton greeted her, holding on to her hand a little longer than necessary. “It's very nice to meet you. I met your husband a couple of months ago at a charity function.”

“Yes, he told me,” Jessie Belle replied.

Elton pulled out a chair for her.

Jessie Belle sat down, crossing her legs. “I'm thankful you were able to take some time to talk to me. I know how busy you must be.”

“I was intrigued. We've never had a Christian talk show before.”

“Have you ever heard my husband preach?”

“Can't say I have,” Elton responded. “I have heard that he's a good speaker, though. A lot of people compare him to Martin Luther King Jr.”

Jessie Belle smiled. “Traynor moves you to tears. He lives what he preaches about and when he gives a sermon—it's like he's having a one-on-one conversation with you.”

“You're extremely proud of your husband, I see. And your unquestionable faith in him is admirable.”

She met his gaze. “You must agree, or we wouldn't be having this meeting.”

Elton broke into a grin. “Would you like something to drink?”

Jessie Belle shook her head no. “I'm fine, thank you.”

“I hope you don't mind, but I ordered some lunch for us. I wasn't sure how long our meeting would take.”

He was eyeing her like a piece of meat and Jessie Belle didn't like it, but this was for Traynor. She would do whatever she needed to do to help her husband. Pasting on a smile, Jessie Belle stated, “I'm starved.”

He grinned and settled back against the cushions of his chair. “So you enjoy being the first lady of New Salem Baptist Church?”

“Of course I do,” she responded. “My father was a pastor—it's the only life that I've ever known.”

“I find that a little hard to believe. I can read people, Jessie Belle. You are an extremely beautiful woman and you know how to use that beauty.”

“I go after what I want,” Jessie Belle responded. “And I see nothing wrong with that.”

Elton leered at her. “It works for me.”