He picked up the phone and called Janet into his office.

“So, what’s the deal?” she asked, smiling.

“Pastor Braeden has asked me to come speak this weekend.”

“So soon?”

“Yes, the minister they’d invited has become ill and had to cancel.”

“How wonderful…not that he’s sick, but I mean, how wonderful this is for you.”

“I know. Vineyard is one of the largest churches in the country, so I’m really going to have to be on top of my game. Which is why, instead of flying in on Saturday evening, the way Pastor Braeden suggested, I’d rather go early on Friday morning. That way, I’ll be able to rest up some and then spend all day Saturday writing my sermon and doing a few dry runs with it.”

“I don’t blame you. This is going to be huge for you.”

“No doubt, so I certainly want to make a good impression.”

“So, are they going to contact me about your arrangements?”

“Yes, he said his assistant will call you in the morning. Also, unfortunately, Alicia won’t be able to go with me.”

“Oh no. Why not?”

“She has some sort of family get-together she and her stepmother have been planning for the last couple of months,” he said, telling Janet a different lie than what he’d told Pastor Braeden, since Janet knew the entire church calendar without looking at it, meaning she’d clearly know there was no women’s event taking place on Saturday evening or any other day this month.

“Wow, that’s too bad.”

“I know, but hopefully this won’t be the last time I’ll get to go there.”

“No, I’m sure it won’t be.”

“And hey, I know I say this a lot, Janet, but thanks again for all your hard work.”

“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.”

JT watched her leave and then thought about the real reason he wanted to arrive on Friday and also why he didn’t want Alicia traveling with him: He’d finally be able to see Veda again. He would fly her out from Minneapolis, and they’d be able to spend most of Friday and all of Saturday holed up in his hotel room. It would be a weekend to remember, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.

Chapter 37

Hey, baby, what’s up?” JT said, sounding the same as always and like the loving, loyal, and faithful husband he’d always pretended to be.

“Hi, honey. Just sitting at my computer. What’s up with you?”

“Well, actually a whole lot. You know Pastor Braeden in Dallas?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I just hung up with him, and he wants me to come speak at his church this Sunday.”

Alicia feigned how elated she was. “Oh my goodness. Really? That’s wonderful.”

“I know. It’s the best news ever, and it’s still very hard for me to believe.”

“What made him call you?”

“Not long ago, I asked Janet to compile a listing of churches and then send out a letter of introduction, along with some other information about my experience. I also included a line saying if they ever needed a speaker, I would love to be considered.”

“What a great idea.”

“I guess it was.”

“So, when do we leave?”

“Well, baby, you see, that’s the thing. I would love, love, love for you to go, but since this is the largest church I’ve ever spoken at outside of the Chicago area, I’m really going to have to do more studying, praying, and writing than ever before. I’m going to have to come up with an unforgettable message and practice my delivery over and over again.”

Alicia shook her head, wondering if he honestly thought she was that stupid. “You’re right. You really do need to spend all day Saturday without any interruption, so you can meditate and concentrate in peace.”

“So, you’re not upset?”

“Of course not. It’s no different than when I’m writing, and I sometimes slip away to one of the university libraries with my netbook. Sometimes you just need that kind of quietness.”

“I’m really glad you understand because I was really worried about that.”

“Please. I grew up with a pastor, remember? So, I know how important it is to have many hours of alone time.”

“What would I do without you?” he said.

“I don’t know, but the good news is that you won’t ever have to find out because we’re always going to be together. You are the love of my life, JT, and I’m so proud of you.”

“I love you, too. And I’m so glad to have you as my wife. Anyway, I really need to get going, but I wanted to call you as soon as possible to tell you about Dallas.”

“Oh, that’s right, you have that publicity meeting you were telling me about this morning.”

“Yep. I’m meeting my rep at his office in about forty-five minutes. But what about you? Are you coming to Bible study?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll just see you later this evening.”

“All right. Talk to you then.”

“Bye, baby.”

Alicia felt like patting herself on the back, what with how talented an actress she’d become. Here it had been a full week since Levi had told her about JT and Carmen, but she’d continued holding her own. She hadn’t acted even the slightest bit upset and had gone out of her way to be the same trusting and caring wife he thought she was. JT didn’t have a clue, and Alicia was planning to keep it that way.

Then there was Carmen, who thought she was as slick as could be, but in reality, she was just as oblivious. She had no idea Alicia was on to her, but it was probably because Alicia called her every single morning to see how she was doing and ask her if she needed anything, and over the last seven days, she’d even gone by to see her on three different occasions. Obviously not when JT was there, but earlier in the day so there was no way she would run into him-because make no mistake about it, Alicia was now fully aware of every time he visited that tramp.

This whole monitoring, acting, and planning thing, though, couldn’t have come at a worse time because just one week ago she’d flown to the Big Apple, her auction had taken place, and all six editors had made very sizable offers. It had been an exciting time, but Alicia hadn’t been nearly as enthused as she would have been, not after having found out about JT and Carmen the day before. But this week, she was feeling a lot better and was very thankful to have chosen an editor who seemed extremely passionate about her work and one who sounded as though she had exceptional character and notable integrity. If that wasn’t enough, when Alicia had met her, the chemistry between them had been immediate and Joan had told Alicia that there were very few editors she knew who were more talented, personable, and completely on top of things. It also hadn’t hurt that Joan was able to negotiate a two-book deal totaling a million dollars, something that was almost unheard of anymore for debut novelists-something Alicia knew probably wouldn’t have happened had it not been for the kind of promotion and publicity interviews they were sure they’d be able to secure for her because of her father. Joan had already talked about this very thing, well before even submitting Alicia’s manuscript to anyone, so it just went to show how right she’d been. It showed how blessed Alicia was to have Joan as well as her newfound editor.

As soon as JT walked inside Carmen’s apartment, she met him at the door, kissed him, and sashayed back into the kitchen. “So, how was your day, baby? Are you ready to eat? I made your favorite. Chicken Parmesan.”

Carmen acted as though the two of them were legally married, like JT had just gotten home from a long day at work and like she was some pampered, well-to-do housewife. This, needless to say, couldn’t have been further from the truth, so JT wished she would cut it out. He wished she would accept reality and realize he didn’t love her and that he was never going to leave his wife for any woman-not even for Veda, the woman he cared about a lot more than he did Carmen.