Free A House Divided by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page B

Love you.”
    “Love you, Daddy.”

Chapter 13
    C urtis jotted down a few notes relating to the sermon he was writing but glanced over at his phone when it rang. It was another blocked phone call. There was no doubt that it was the same person who’d called earlier, and these calls were beginning to unnerve him. Still he answered.
    “Hello?”
    No response.
    “Hello…who is this?”
    There were still no words from the other party.
    “I really wish you’d stop calling me.”
    Finally, Curtis heard a click, and he laid his phone down.
    This was only the second call, but it worried him. So much so that he unlocked the right drawer of his desk and pulled out that threatening letter he’d received. He read it again, still not wanting to believe anyone would dredge up such old news. Yes, he’d been wrong—dead wrong—about the way he’d handled a couple of situations in the past, but he had repented and was now a good man. He was a faithful man of God, he was faithful to his wife, and he was dedicated to his children and the members of his church. So why wasn’t that enough for everyone? God had certainly forgiven him, so why couldn’t folks worry about themselves and just leave him and his family alone? Curtis blew a sigh of frustration, folded the letter back up, and slipped it inside the envelope. If only he’d thought twice about doing what he’d done so many years ago, he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone finding out about it now. But it was too late for regrets, because the deed had been done and someone was planning to use it against him. Well, actually, there were multiple deeds, but the one outlined in that letter would become the news of the century if this mystery person followed through on his or her promise to go public. He would likely lose his ministry over this one, and there would be nothing he could do about it.
    Curtis placed the envelope back in the drawer and locked it. He wasn’t sure what to think or how he was going to sleep at night, but for now, he would pray and try his best to keep his faith strong. He would ask God to soften this person’s heart before they told things that Curtis wanted no one to know about. Obviously, those who’d been involved knew the full story, but Curtis hadn’t heard from them.
    Curtis leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, but then his phone rang. This time it was his office line, and he knew it was Lana.
    “Yes.”
    “Pastor, your two o’clock appointment is here.”
    “Give me five minutes.”
    “Of course.”
    Curtis tidied up his desk a bit, said a prayer, asking God to clear his mind of his own problems so he could focus on the couple he was about to meet with. When he finished, Lana knocked on his door.
    “Come in.”
    “Hello, Pastor,” the caramel-skinned, muscular man said. “I’m Dillon Tate, and this is my fiancée, Melissa Warren.” Melissa was nearly the same height as Dillon, who was about six feet tall, and she’d been blessed with the looks of a supermodel. They each looked to be no more than in their mid- to late twenties, though.
    Curtis shook their hands. “It’s very nice to see you both. I remember meeting you a few months ago after service, and I’m glad you decided to come in for counseling.”
    “Thank you for seeing us,” Melissa said.
    Curtis walked around to the other side of his desk. “Please have a seat.”
    They both sat down, and Melissa set her handbag at her side in the chair. She was just that small. Not too small, but it was obvious that she watched what she ate and worked out pretty regularly.
    “So,” Curtis said, leaning back and clasping his hands together. “Lana tells me that you’re wedding is scheduled for August?”
    “Yes,” Dillon said.
    “That’s seven months from now, so I’m glad you came in early.”
    Melissa crossed her legs. “We really wanted to get started with our sessions before we continue on with the rest of the planning.”
    “Understandable. Well, what I