Читать книгу Delilah - Shelia M. Goss - Страница 20

Samson felt bad about how things played out with Delilah. She claimed to love him, and his male ego ate it up, but he knew it was wrong. He had no business sleeping with Delilah. He knew God was not pleased with his behavior. Samson headed straight to church after he left his parents’ house. Elaine’s car was the only one in the parking lot, and he assumed she was in her office.

He kneeled down before the altar. “Father God, please hear your servant’s prayer. I have been obedient to you in so many areas of my life, but lately I’ve succumbed to the desires of the flesh. I know you’re not pleased with my actions, and the video was a wake-up call. Lord, forgive me for the sins I’ve committed against you and against the woman that you’ve blessed me with.

“Delilah has a good heart, but her affections are directed in the wrong place. I pray that she gets peace of mind and that she realizes her worth. Only you can change her mind and heart. With you all things are possible.

“Lord, please remove the yoke from around my neck. Free me from my carnal desires. Forgive me, Father, and guide my steps so that I won’t be a hindrance to anyone trying to serve you.”

Samson finished praying and stood up. He turned around and came face-to-face with William Trusts. “What are you doing here?”

“If the man of God won’t come to you, you have to go to the man of God, right?” William, wearing a red pin-striped suit and matching hat, sat down on the closest pew, his cane in hand.

Samson remained standing. “Let me get my bottle of holy oil. Better yet, let me get the whole box.”

William leaned on his cane as his sinister laugh filled the sanctuary. “You got jokes I see.”

“If you’re here about the land, forget it.”

William tapped his cane on the floor. “No, we have another matter to settle. I understand you’ve been getting a little cozy with one of my employees.”

“I don’t entertain rumors.”

“Must be some truth to it because you never asked me which employee.” William leaned back on the pew.

“William, you have one minute before I forget I’m a pastor and kick your butt out of my church.”

Getting straight to the point, William said, “What would your fiancée think about you messing around with Delilah Baker?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, so you can get out of here with your threats.”

William stood up. “Oh, I’m going, but know this: I’ll give you until the end of the month to sell me the property. If not, I’m taking it.”

William picked up his cane and tipped out of the sanctuary. Samson fell back down on his knees to repent of the sinful thoughts that filled his mind about William. After praying, he got up and headed to his office. Elaine was on the phone when he entered the office. “Hold on, that’s the pastor now.” She looked up at him. “Julia’s on the phone for you.”

“I’ll pick it up at my desk,” Samson said as he rushed to his desk. “Hi, beautiful,” he greeted Julia after picking up the phone.

“I stopped by this morning, but I guess I missed you,” she said.

“I had some last-minute errands to run,” Samson responded.

“Are you nervous about Saturday?” she asked.

“Is fat meat greasy?”

They both laughed. After going over wedding details, they got off the phone. Samson called Elaine on the intercom. “When Deacon Thompson gets here, I would like for you to hold all my calls unless it’s my parents or Julia, please.”

“Will do,” she responded.

Samson turned on his computer and checked his e-mails. Sometimes some of the members would send prayer requests via e-mail, and he didn’t want to miss any. He made a mental note of the prayer requests and kneeled down at his desk and prayed for his church members. He had just gotten off his knees when someone knocked at the door.

“Come in,” Samson yelled.

Deacon Calvin Thompson entered, standing more than six feet tall and wearing a custom-made suit. They greeted each other with a brotherly hug.

“So what can I do for you, Pastor?” Calvin asked.

“Calvin, you’re probably one of my best friends.” Calvin was not only one of Samson’s best friends, he also was the church’s attorney.

“You’ve helped me out of plenty of messes,” he said.

“This time it looks like I need you to get me out of a mess.”

Calvin leaned forward in his chair. “Is William Trusts badgering you again? If so, I’ll get my people on it.”

“William is persistent. He’s not going to give up until he gets the church property.”

“As the church attorney, I’ve checked into it, and he has no legal claim unless the church decides to sell it to him.”

“That’s good to know. I’ve prayed and prayed about it. I don’t think we should give up the land. I think Peaceful Rest will grow, and we’ll need that land to build a new sanctuary twice as big as the one we have here.”

“Some people think we should sell it, but I trust your judgment.”

“I appreciate that, man.”

“Let me deal with Trusts,” Calvin said.

“I wish that were all there was to it. I don’t even know how to say this.” Samson walked to the window and stared outside. “Have you ever had to get yourself out of a compromising position?”

Calvin laughed. “You’re talking to a lawyer. If there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Samson turned around and sat back down behind his desk. “I can trust you, right?”

“I wouldn’t be the best man in your wedding if you couldn’t,” Calvin responded.

Samson leaned his head back and let out a few deep breaths. “I have a situation. I thought I could handle it, but it’s not going away.”

“Samson, whatever you need me to do, I got it covered.” Calvin sat up straight in his chair.

“What I tell you must not be repeated. I mean it. Don’t even tell your wife.”

“I’ll treat it as attorney-client privilege.”

Samson sighed with relief. “It’s Delilah Baker.” Samson went on to tell Calvin about his encounters with Delilah. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders when he confessed.

“Women like Delilah are plentiful. She won’t go through with her threats. If she were going to tell Julia anything, she would have done it a long time ago.”

“I need you to make sure she doesn’t get anywhere near Julia before the wedding.” Samson was relieved that Calvin didn’t seem to judge him.

“Consider it already done.”

Calvin exited Samson’s office, leaving Samson alone with his thoughts. He had no idea of Calvin’s plans, but he hoped whatever they were, they would convince Delilah to back off with her threats.

Samson leaned back in his chair. What was he thinking? Calvin was no match for Delilah. Sending someone over to clean up his mess would set her off.

Samson dialed Calvin’s number. “Don’t confront Delilah. Just have my back if something goes down.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Samson responded as he twirled his chair around to face the window. Samson hung up the phone and dropped his head as he prayed for another solution.