place.”
JT wanted to yell, “Thank you, Jesus,” but instead he said, “I’d love to, and I’m truly grateful just to have the opportunity.”
“Wonderful. I know today is already Wednesday, but if you could fly out on Saturday evening I would certainly appreciate it. The service isn’t until four P.M. on Sunday, but I’m sure you’ll want to rest in a hotel overnight and not have to worry about flying in on the day of.”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Great. Our members are going to be pleasantly surprised when they learn that Pastor Black’s son-in-law will be delivering the message. They love him here in Dallas the same as everyone else does throughout the country, so your visiting here will be a real treat.”
JT was so ecstatic, he could barely sit still. “I can’t wait. Also, if you don’t mind, can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“I can only imagine how busy your schedule is, but at some point maybe this year or next year, do you think you might have time to come speak at my church? I mean, it’s nothing like yours, and we only have about five thousand members, but I know having you here would help our ministry tremendously.”
“I would be happy to. You’re doing me a huge favor, and I’ve always been a big believer in the idea that one good turn really does deserve another.”
“Thank you so much for agreeing. When my father-in-law came to speak, it drew in more people than I’d ever seen here, and I know your presence will do the same.”
“Also, young man, I must say how proud I am of you in terms of all the obstacles you’ve had to overcome. Losing your mother, not knowing your father, being tossed from one foster home to the next. Your letter was both saddening and powerful, and it was very brave of you to share it.”
“Thank you, Pastor,” he said, smiling, and was glad he’d exaggerated just about everything he’d written.
“No. Thank you. Because your story will be a blessing and an inspiration to everyone.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Okay, well, I’d better get going so my wife and I can get some dinner, but I’ll have my executive assistant call yours first thing in the morning. That way, she can find out your airline and hotel preferences and get your reservations made. Oh, and by the way, I guess I forgot to mention your honorarium,” he said, but JT certainly hadn’t.
“Oh, that’s no problem at all.”
“Will twenty-five thousand, first-class airfare for you and your wife, and accommodations at a five-star hotel be sufficient?”
JT wanted to burst out laughing. God was so good. “It’s more than sufficient, and thank you for being so generous.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
“Also, just so you know, my wife has a women’s event here at our church on Saturday evening that she has to attend, so unfortunately, she won’t be able to travel out with me.”
“Oh, I’m really sorry to hear that. But I certainly understand.”
“Well, again, Pastor, thank you so much for everything.”
“Of course, and please call if you have any questions.”
“I will, and you have a good evening.”
“You, too.”
JT wanted to jump for joy, sing a song, and cut a jig. He was actually going to be ministering to the people of Vineyard Christian Center. It was a dream come true, and now he was even happier than he had been about including those recommendation letters from Curtis. They were doing wonders for him, and he was delighted to no end.
He picked up the phone and called Janet into his office.
“So, what’s the deal?” she asked, smiling.
“Pastor Braeden has asked me to come speak this weekend.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, the minister they’d invited has become ill and had to cancel.”
“How wonderful…not that he’s sick, but I mean, how wonderful this is for you.”
“I know. Vineyard is one of the largest churches in the country, so I’m really going to have to be on top of my game. Which is why, instead of flying in on Saturday evening, the way Pastor Braeden suggested, I’d rather go early on Friday morning. That way, I’ll be able to rest up some and then spend all day Saturday writing my sermon and doing a few dry runs with it.”
“I don’t blame you. This is going to be huge for you.”
“No doubt, so I certainly want to make a good impression.”
“So, are they going to contact me about your arrangements?”
“Yes, he said his assistant will call you in the morning. Also, unfortunately, Alicia won’t be able to go with me.”
“Oh no. Why not?”
“She has some sort of family get-together she and her stepmother have been planning for the last couple of months,” he said, telling Janet a different lie than what he’d told Pastor Braeden, since Janet knew the entire church calendar without looking at it, meaning she’d clearly know there was no women’s event taking place on Saturday evening or any other day this month.
“Wow, that’s too bad.”
“I know, but hopefully this won’t be the last time I’ll get to go there.”
“No, I’m sure it won’t be.”
“And hey, I know I say this a lot, Janet, but thanks again for all your hard work.”
“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.”
JT watched her leave and then thought about the real reason he wanted to arrive on Friday and also why he didn’t want Alicia traveling with him: He’d finally be able to see Veda again. He would fly her out from Minneapolis, and they’d be able to spend most of Friday and all of Saturday holed up in his hotel room. It would be a weekend to remember, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.
Chapter 37
Hey, baby, what’s up?” JT said, sounding the same as always and like the loving, loyal, and faithful husband he’d always pretended to be.
“Hi, honey. Just sitting at my computer. What’s up with you?”
“Well, actually a whole lot. You know Pastor Braeden in Dallas?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I just hung up with him, and he wants me to come speak at his church this Sunday.”
Alicia feigned how elated she was. “Oh my goodness. Really? That’s wonderful.”
“I know. It’s the best news ever, and it’s still very hard for me to believe.”
“What made him call you?”
“Not long ago, I asked Janet to compile a listing of churches and then send out a letter of introduction, along with some other information about my experience. I also included a line saying if they ever needed a speaker, I would love to be considered.”
“What a great idea.”
“I guess it was.”
“So, when do we leave?”
“Well, baby, you see, that’s the thing. I would love, love, love for you to go, but since this is the largest church I’ve ever spoken at outside of the Chicago area, I’m really going to have to do more studying, praying, and writing than ever before. I’m going to have to come up with an unforgettable message and practice my delivery over and over again.”
Alicia shook her head, wondering if he honestly thought she was that stupid. “You’re right. You really do need to spend all day Saturday without any interruption, so you can meditate and concentrate in peace.”
“So, you’re not upset?”
“Of course not. It’s no different than when I’m writing, and I sometimes slip away to one of the university libraries with my netbook. Sometimes you just need that kind of quietness.”
“I’m really glad you understand because I was really worried about that.”
“Please. I grew up with a pastor, remember? So, I know how important it is to have many hours of alone time.”
“What would I do without you?” he said.
“I don’t know, but the good news is that you won’t ever have to find out because we’re always going to be together. You are the love of my life, JT, and I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you, too. And I’m so glad to have you as my wife. Anyway, I really need to get going, but I wanted to call you as soon as possible to tell you about Dallas.”
“Oh, that’s right, you have that publicity meeting you were telling me about this morning.”
“Yep. I’m meeting my rep at his office in about forty-five minutes. But what about you? Are you coming to Bible study?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll just see you later this evening.”
“All right. Talk to you then.”
