Free Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray Page A

plummet in sheets, making him want to remember again. “There’s nothing more to tell, Pops.” Then, after a moment of silence, he said, “Natasia’s in town.” Reverend Bush frowned and Hosea repeated her name, this time slowly to bring her back to his father’s memory.
    “What’s she doing in New York?”
    “Getting ready to go to L.A. She’ll be working as a producer for Bring It On. ”
    Reverend Bush’s eyebrows rose. “You hired her?”
    “Not me. The network. I told you we wanted to build the show’s news element, and there’s no one better than Natasia.”
    Reverend Bush sat, thoughtful. “Does Jasmine know?”
    “Of course.”
    “Not that Natasia’s going to be on the show…does Jasmine know? About your past relationship?”
    “Like I said, of course. I don’t have any secrets from my wife.” Hosea leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees. “Jasmine knows everything, Pops. And she knows the most important thing—that I love her.”
    Reverend Bush clasped his hands as if he were about to pray. “I don’t think working with Natasia is a good idea.”
    Hosea frowned.
    Reverend Bush continued. “Marriage is difficult enough. Don’t bring unnecessary complications to the table.”
    “Natasia’s not a complication. She’s one of the best producers in the business.”
    “She’s not the only one.”
    “True, but if the network wants her, why should I make it an issue? She knows that whatever we had was over long ago. She knows that all that’s left between us is strictly business.” He paused. “And she knows that I’m married and I love my wife.”
    “Seems like she knows a lot.”
    “I told her all of this.”
    “Seems even more interesting that you had to have that kind of conversation.”
    The images came, floated through his mind. Natasia at Tavern on the Green. Her hands on his. Her lips professing that she would always love him.
    Hosea said, “Yeah, we talked. I wanted to make sure she understood.”
    “I know how much you loved Natasia.”
    “Key word—loved. But I was able to walk away when God told me to.” Hosea relaxed in his seat. “Pops, you’re making something out of nothing.”
    “It has to mean something. If not, you wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
    “I only mentioned it because…” He wondered why he’d brought up Natasia’s name. Wondered why he thought of her so much these days. “I only mentioned her because I tell you everything. I got this, Pops.”
    Reverend Bush nodded. “Then, if you say you’ve got it, that’s all I need. You know how I am. We talk once, then I’m done. After that all I do is pray.”
    Hosea smiled. “That’s all I need.”
    “Just remember, son, there’s a reason why your mother named you Hosea. She knew when you were still in her womb that you would hear the voice of God.”
    He smiled. It had been over ten years since his mother had passed, and finally, he’d found a way to have joy whenever she was mentioned.
    “I hear Him, Pops. All the time.”
    “Just make sure that you listen. Especially in situations like this. Especially with your marriage.”
    “Always do.”
    “And know that you can always come to me.”
    “That I know.”
    The two men hugged as if all was okay. And inside, Hosea prayed that all he’d told his father was true.

THIRTEEN
    “Y A WANNA WALK OUT TOGETHER ?”
    Hosea glanced up and tried not to smile. But he couldn’t help it. Every time he looked at Natasia, memories stretched his lips into a grin.
    “Yeah.” He stood. “I’m ready to get going. I’m sure Jasmine has a ton of things for me to do before we get on the plane in the morning.”
    Natasia nodded. “I’ve gotta pack myself. Can’t say that I’ll be sorry leaving the Ritz. Not that I don’t love that place, but even the best hotels get old after a week. It’ll be great to have an apartment in Los Angeles.” She paused, looked at him. “I just wish I was going to be staying at the Fairmont with you. Are you