A Baby for Christmas (Love at The Crossroads) Read Online Free PDF Page A

dimple was there and so were her sultry eyes, but peeping out from the happiness in her eyes, there was a hint of sadness. Dinner would patch up things.  Digging in his pockets, he pulled out the folded pieces of papers. “From your boys.”
    The way Solae accepted them was almost in reverence as if they were priceless. “Please tell them thank you.”
    “The flowers are from me.”
    “And thank you.” She disappeared in the kitchen then returned with her purse.
    With her hand secured in his, he locked the front door for her and then helped her in his car. Solae’s chosen topic of conversation was Candace and Royce’s wedding.
    They laughed, recalling some of the minor mishaps. “I like heels on women, but some shoes are ridiculously tall.”
    “That’s one pitfall of stilettoes. You want to take them off not long after putting them on. No way can a woman wear those high heels all night long,” Solae explained. “But not being able to find them when you’re ready to leave was the highlight of the moment.” Next, she commented on Candace’s and Lindsay’s dresses.
    “I thought you were gorgeous.”
    She blushed. “Do you think you’ll ever get married again?” Solae asked out of nowhere.
    “Is this a trick question?” He squirmed behind the wheel.
    “No, an honest one.” She shrugged and looked away as if it was no big deal.
     
    When he took too long to answer, Solae changed the subject and he exhaled.  He thought he was ready, but then he had doubts, so he decided there wasn’t a rush to make that type of commitment again.
    Soon, they arrived at a popular soul food place in Mid-town. After he parked, they walked hand in hand into the small establishment that was only meant to serve maybe fifty people at a time. The hostess led them to a booth then placed menus before them.
    “I’ll have whatever you’re having. Maybe a double portion.” Hershel winked and closed the menu.
    “I should order a plain salad.” She chuckled, but when their server appeared, besides their soda orders, Solae asked for oven-baked chicken, mac-n-cheese, greens, pickled beets, and a chunk of cornbread.
    The waitress brought their water and disappeared again. Usually chatty, Solae was quiet as he observed her under hooded lashes. When she began to fumble with her hands, Hershel easily stilled them with one of his hands.
    “Baby, what’s wrong? What was going on with you at the wedding?”
    Solae scanned the restaurant before staring at him. She jutted her chin, apparently about to give him a taste of her sass. “I was having doubts about where our relationship is headed.”
    Okay. Breathe in, breathe out. Solae wasn’t going to let the subject rest. “Where do you want it to go?”
    The darts she fired at him indicated that was the wrong answer. Taking a deep breath, Solae seemed to calm down. “This isn’t a pop quiz, Captain Kavanaugh.”
    Hershel watched several emotions play across her face. He recognized a few: faith, hope, love…and fear, hurt, and surrender. The last three expressions confused him.
    “Babe, you know I’m committed to our relationship. I want no other woman in my life but you.” His heart pounded, because judging from her expression, that wasn’t the right answer either. “Solae, what do you want me to say?”
    “What’s in your heart—please.”
    When her eyes teared up, he panicked. He had somehow hurt her and he was clueless how.  “I love you and I want us—you to be happy.”
    She didn’t hide her frustration as she gritted her teeth. Leaning across the table, she squinted. “Where do you see us six months from now at Christmas, or a year from now in the spring?”
    “Together.”
    Solae snapped and pushed back, slapping her hands on the table. “Don’t be so sure. Not only do I know Jesus holds my future, I feel like you’re holding onto it, too. ” She gritted her teeth as if she was restraining herself from saying more.
    “What are you saying?”
    “That I’m no