A Preacher's Passion Read Online Free PDF

home and tried to figure out why the news she’d heard recently bothered her so, and which part was the more worrisome: that Robin Cook had spent the past eighteen months in prison, or that she had just got out?

7
Love Struck
    Hope Taylor and Stacy Gray stood outside their church, Kingdom Citizens’ Christian Center, watching the masses enter. The September weather was gorgeous—sun shining, birds singing—and the people milling around were as beautiful as the day.
    “That boy looks just like his father,” Stacy said, as she watched Kelvin mosey slowly toward the church’s entrance along with a couple of his college buddies, wearing baggy jeans and a big UCLA pullover. A gaggle of girls followed closely behind.
    “Sure does,” Hope agreed. “Doesn’t seem like he shares his father’s enthusiasm for church though. With that scowl on his face, you’d think he was attending a funeral instead of a Sunday service.”
    Stacy laughed. “What kid likes to go to church these days?”
    Both Hope and Stacy watched Kelvin’s frown turn into a smile as he noticed another group of girls crossing the street. One of them, pretty and petite, signaled for him to call her. Kelvin bobbed his head discreetly before heading into the church.
    “Well, looks like church just got a little better for Pastor’s son,” Stacy said with a smile.
    Hope nodded, but was distracted by the sight of her handsome husband, Cy Taylor, entering the church with one of the ministers. Love-filled eyes watched as he laughed at something the other man said. Hope turned and saw Stacy wearing a similar love-struck look as she eyed her boyfriend of almost two years, Darius Crenshaw. The smile disappeared when Bo Jenkins, Darius’s business manager, walked over and spoke to him.
    “Guess it’s time to head inside,” Hope said, waving at a few members as she talked.
    Stacy didn’t hear Hope. She was too busy shooting daggers into Bo’s back.
    “It doesn’t look like you’re feeling too much love for Bo,” Hope said.
    “None at all,” Stacy admitted, crossing her arms in the process.
    “Anything you want to talk about?” Hope asked.
    “He’s just in the way, that’s all. Barely gives Darius room to breathe.”
    “He handles Darius’s business, Stacy. Of course they’re close.” Hope didn’t know whether to share just how close. She’d never forgotten what her cousin Frieda told her—about seeing Bo and Darius bumping booties in the guest room at a house party. But when it came to significant others, sharing information and/or advice could get tricky. Sometimes, women preferred not to know, or at least to act as if they didn’t know. “Something’s working,” she said, choosing the good cop tactic. “Darius beat out Shabach at last year’s Stellar Awards. And look at him now, at the top of the charts.”
    “He’d be there anyway,” Stacy snapped back. “Probably farther if it weren’t for Bo. I know we’d be farther along in our relationship…maybe even married.” Her eyes narrowed as she continued. “Yeah, Bo sometimes acts like Darius’s woman instead of his manager. But I’m the one holding that title. And if he don’t know…he’s getting ready to recognize.”
    “Don’t do anything crazy, girl. God don’t like ugly.”
    “Neither do I. That’s why I can’t stand Bo’s tore up behind.”
    Hope laughed.
    “You know,” Stacy continued, “there are some skank haters in the church who’ve been spreading the rumor that Darius is gay. But that’s just jealousy talking.” She looked at Hope with a sly smile and lowered her voice. “I can assure you that Darius is one hundred percent masculine prime beef.”
    Bo knows all about Darius’s “beef,” Hope thought. “Hmm,” is all she said.
    “I know, Ms. Christian. I’m not supposed to be doing the thing before I get the ring. But the end justifies the means, right? I will be Mrs. Darius Crenshaw, Hope. I’m going to snag KCCC’s most eligible