Redeeming Heart (16 page)

“Landon’s coming back to life. He’s been an
asset to my company the short time he’s been here, and he’s picked
up a few contracts. He’s saving up his money to buy a plane ticket
back home.”

Octavia’s heart tumbled as she stuttered,
“Home? He’s leaving?”

“Only for a few days. He’s heading to Boston
to right the wrong. It’s going to take more than one visit for
that, so I’m going with him for moral support.”

“I’m going,” she spoke, then covered her
mouth. “Sorry. I said that without thinking.”

“Out of the heart, the mouth speaks. It’s all
right if you want to come, too. My cousin Levi is tagging along
because his wife and little girl want to shop.” Rossi chuckled.
“But we’re going as united prayer warriors on Landon’s behalf.” He
paused. “Why don’t you come up to my office in the morning? I know
he would love to see you.”

“I want to see him, too,” she softly
admitted.

When she finished the call, Octavia didn’t
move from her window side chair. What was wrong with her? Didn’t
she get offended at James’s invitation to accompany him on an
out-of- town trip? Yet, she invited herself for another man.

She ran her fingers through her curls. “Lord,
I’m confused. James is a nice man, but he’s not for me. All these
years, I’ve prayed for a man who knows Your goodness and mercy.”
Landon had abused the Lord’s goodness and mercy. “Why do I feel
drawn to this man?”

The questions were endless, yet God had not
answered. Octavia stood. She had never been in love before or
uttered those words to a man, so why did her heart feel as if it
was breaking?

As she was about to warm up leftovers for
dinner, God’s presence seemed to fill the room and Octavia
shivered.

Landon is a benefactor of My love and
mercy. Consider the Pharisee and tax collector. I look for humility
in a person’s heart. He was My lost sheep that has been found.
The voice of God faded as she digested every word.

She stewed on the revelation as she prepared
a salad to go with her leftovers. She and Landon had both started
on the same road of salvation, then they took separate paths. Fear
and trembling kept Octavia and Olivia within God’s boundaries for
His protection; they thought that if they did sin, they may not be
able to make it back. Landon had been fearless and tested God. “He
knows more about His grace and mercy than I do,” Octavia concluded.
“Yes, Lord, You have redeemed him.”

The next morning, Octavia dressed
meticulously. It had nothing to do with the seminar she had that
night or the afternoon networking event, courtesy of a friend of a
friend of James’s. She was going to see Landon—something she should
have done weeks ago. It took the Lord to give her a better
understanding about Landon. Minutes after crossing over the
Mississippi River from Missouri to Illinois, she followed the signs
to downtown East St. Louis, an eyesore for so long, but the
Tolliver cousins were making their mark on the historic city.

She parked in the complex, then gathered her
purse and nerves. After taking a deep breath, she got out and
walked toward the building, wondering what type of reception she
would get from Landon. Would he be surprised after she basically
wrote him off the night after he poured out his heart to her?

Octavia greeted Rossi’s receptionist before
he motioned her into his office. “He’s working on a campaign,” he
said in a hushed tone.

So Rossi hadn’t told Landon she was coming.
He escorted her down the short hall and pointed to the last door.
Before he turned around, he patted Octavia on the shoulder.
“Reconciliation takes time, whether it’s with God or man. Remember
that, sis.”

“Right.” Octavia measured her steps. Although
the door was cracked, she tapped softly before peeping inside. When
Landon glanced up, his eyes brightened. The tension she imagined
would be between them wasn’t there. Landon didn’t hide his
happiness at seeing her.

“Hi,” she said shyly. “Can I come in?”

“Of course.” He stood. His work space wasn’t
big enough for two people. “Octavia—”

“No.” She swallowed. “Landon, let me get this
out of the way. I’m sorry I judged you. Although I don’t like what
you did, I’m glad you’re trying to fix things.”

He smiled and stepped aside so she could have
his seat. That’s when she noticed the files on his desk.

“You have no reason to apologize. After all
the things I’ve done in my past, I’m surprised anyone wants to have
anything to do with me. I took God for granted, yet He still loves
me.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it.

“I can’t stay long, and you look busy, but I
know you’re going home to try and sort things out. I want to go
with you—and Minister Rossi and his family. I’m in your corner.”
She stood and looked into his soulful eyes of disbelief.

He wrapped her in his arms and rested his
chin on the top of her head. She melted against his chest. It must
have dawned on him what he just did, and he stepped back. “Sorry. I
just choked. You don’t have to go.”

“I know, but I feel my heart should be with
you.”

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Landon
looked away. His eyes appeared glazed over. He clenched his jaw,
then he looked at her again; sadness coated his hazel eyes. “I took
a part-time job at Walgreens while I wait on something permanent to
catch up on my child support payments. A long way from corporate
American, huh? I can barely afford to go, and I can’t afford to fly
you.”

There was no value that could be placed on
the contentment she felt at the moment. Octavia reached for his
hands. “I know what you have and what you don’t. I can pay my own
way. There are two sides to Landon Thomas. Your family has seen the
ugly side, but I have witnessed the redeemed. I want to be there
when you testify. Plus, I’ll ask around and see if there are any
programs to help fathers with child support.”

He swallowed. “I don’t deserve…I can’t even
find words to describe how I feel.”

“You will.” She glanced at the time. “I’d
better go.”

He linked his fingers through hers before
bringing her hand to his lips where he brushed a soft kiss on it.
As in slow motion, a tingle started at her fingers and flowed
through her body. She stared into his eyes.

“I’ll walk you to the elevator.” He broke the
spell, but kept their hands connected.

When they opened the door and stepped into
the hall, Rossi and his cousin were nearby, acting as if they were
preoccupied.

Landon cleared his throat and chuckled. “She
forgave me.” He grinned as the two gave him a high-five as they
passed by.

“But you’re not out of the woods, yet,”
Octavia told him as she pushed the elevator button. “Only time will
tell if forgiveness is enough.” The doors opened and Octavia
stepped in and waved goodbye.

***

Landon exhaled when the doors closed. Yes,
forgiveness takes time, but at least Octavia was speaking to him
again. Grinning, Landon twirled around and was met with stare downs
from Rossi and his cousin. Neither had moved from their spots.
“What?” Landon asked. Where were their smiles and high fives?

“My wife likes Octavia. I wouldn’t think
about messing her over, if I were you.” Levi cracked his knuckles.
“She served jail time.”

Rossi shoved his cousin. “Would you cut it
out?”

Landon would have laughed at the joke, but
rethought it as he nodded and returned to his workspace, aka cubby
hole, aka storage room. Levi’s wife owned Crowning Glory. Karyn was
the sweetest little thing with smiles for everyone. He grunted.
There’s no way she would survive in jail.

The scent of Octavia’s perfume lingered in
the doorway. “I don’t care how long or how hard I have to work,
I’ll earn her love,” he mumbled, thinking about Esau and Jacob once
again and Jacob’s love for Rachel. Just like Jacob had tricked Esau
out of something precious, Jacob had the tables turned on him when
he met Rachel, and Jacob was deceived when he married the wrong
sister. Yet, Jacob made the best out of a bad deal and so would
Landon.

Whatever he had to do, he was ready and
willing. The other women in his life had seen dollar signs; he had
seen bed partners. At the time, it had been an even exchange.
Things were different, though, with Octavia—different from day one.
She seemed to see something different in him, and he sure saw
something different in her.

He yawned and rubbed his hand over his face.
He hadn’t worked multiple jobs since he was a junior in high school
and was saving money to buy his first car. Funny how the very thing
he turned his nose up at was now his saving grace: Walgreens at
night and Rossi’s company in the mornings.

“God, help me. I just need one good job, even
if it’s half of what I used to bring home.”

My grace is sufficient for you. My
strength is made perfect in your weakness,
God said, whispering
2 Corinthians 12:9.

“I guess that means no.” Landon got back to
work

One look into Landon’s handsome face made Octavia’s
heart soar. She was still humming and downright giddy by the time
she arrived at the office.

Terri squinted as Octavia sat at her desk.
“You look happy.”

“I am. Everything seems all right in my
world.” She grinned. “I stopped by Rossi’s office and checked on
Landon.” She rocked back in her chair and waited for her friend’s
response.

“Not him again.” Terri groaned and rolled her
eyes. “Please tell me he’s not the reason you broke it off with
James and turned down a weekend getaway?”

“He’s not,” she defended. “Actually, there’s
no comparison. Every man who looks good to you isn’t always good
for you. James wasn’t a good fit for me.” She patted her chest.

“I can’t see how a homeless man can be your
custom fit. He’s using you to move in with you. It’s part of his
charm, and you’re gullible enough to let him do it.” Terri slapped
her hand over her mouth and slowly removed it. She cringed. “Sorry.
I didn’t like the way that came out.”

“Me either.” Octavia lifted an eyebrow. “I’m
a Christian, rooting for the underdog. Landon is trying to salvage
his relationship with his family in Boston. He’s flying home next
week, and I’m tagging along for support.”

Terri’s eyes bucked before her mouth dropped
open, but the words seemed to be on a five-second delay. “Hold up.
You’re going out of town with a man who probably doesn’t have
enough money for a Greyhound ticket, yet you turned down an
all-expense paid trip to an island?”

“Terri, if you want us to remain friends,
then I suggest you stop acting as if you know what’s better for
me.”

Stepping back, Terri shook her head. Clearly,
she was surprised by Octavia’s sharp tongue. “I’m not a praying
woman, but I’m not about to let a man bring my friend down!” She
twirled around and stormed away.

I guess that’s one way to get someone on
their knees
. Taking a deep breath to regroup, Octavia turned on
her laptop and logged into Marisnet.com to search for new listings.
Despite acting as if it was business as usual, Terri’s words stung.
Octavia was beginning to make exceptions when it came to men. She
dated James, even though he wasn’t what she wanted, and now Landon
didn’t have the kind of stability in his life she needed from a
man.

***

Holding down two jobs, even if they were considered
part-time, was taking a toll on Landon. He wasn’t a teenager
anymore. His body and roommate reminded him of that when he fell
into his bed at Mac’s Place. However, Octavia knew how to give him
a boost in the mornings. He smiled every time he strolled into
Rossi’s office and there was a card from Octavia waiting for him.
It was day four, and she had yet to disappoint him. Thanking Rossi
for his mail, he proceeded to his work space to rip it open
. Let
the redeemed of the Lord say so. Be encouraged.

Landon had no right to be in love with her,
but he was.

Things were beginning to fall into place when
Southwest Airlines had one of their twenty-four-hour specials a
week later on payday. Landon gave Rossi the money to book his
flight along with Octavia’s. “I can’t let her pay for her ticket. I
don’t care if she’s coming of her own volition.”

Rossi smirked. “I respect that. I’m glad
Karyn is coming, so there will be no evil spoken of against Octavia
for traveling out of town with single men. We’re there for you,
brother,” he said, then booked everyone’s tickets. “We’re all set.
There’s no turning back now. You ready?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to face
this army,” Landon answered honestly as he walked out the door to
catch the bus for his night gig.

“I’m nervous,” Octavia whispered as she stood next
to Landon at Lambert Airport, waiting for security personnel to
check their IDs. Landon squeezed her hand, and she responded with a
smile. If he stared long enough, Landon was sure he would see a
glimpse of her love for him. At the moment, he was searching for
it.

Although it was rather early, Octavia was
alert. She smelled like peaches, and her attire was casual. Not one
curl of her blondish brown hair was out of place until he tugged at
a strand. “I know why I’m nervous, but why are you?” He lowered his
voice to shut out everyone around them and focus on her.

She jutted her chin and Landon smirked,
bracing for a snappy response. “I don’t want anybody to mess with
you.” She lifted a brow in a sign of defiance.

“Thank you.” Her honesty humbled him.
“Believe me, I can take whatever they dish out. I’m sure they have
questioned my DNA to the family, so I have to earn their
trust.”

“You earned mine.” She stepped to the podium
and handed the TSA worker her ticket and driver’s license.