31. Faith
CHAPTER 31
Faith
As we reached the large round table set for ten, I looked over at my mother and Clem seated at the table next to ours. They were right in front of the raised stage. When my mother saw me arm-in-arm with Carter, her face lit up, and she clapped her fingers together. As Carter slid my chair out for me, Clem gave me a sly thumbs up. I shook my head and sat down, scooting my chair close to the table.
“Do you mind if I sit next to you?” Carter asked, pulling out his chair.
“May as well. Looks like that’s all part of their plan, right?” I jerked my head in the direction of my mother and Clem.
Carter laughed as he sat down. “Yeah, they’ve been prepping me for this for weeks. Your mom is really proud of you, Faith. She said you put yourself through school and know exactly where you’re headed.”
I put my napkin in my lap. “I’m trying. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get tenure in the next few years.”
“I love a girl with a plan,” Carter said.
I choked on a sip of wine at the mention of the “L” word. A few more people joined us at the table, causing our conversation to come to an end. As the servers brought out the salad, the woman on Carter’s right started asking him questions. Her hand lingered on his arm as they spoke, and her laughter seemed a little forced, like she was trying just a little too hard.
Before I had a chance to give it too much thought, the gentleman on my left introduced himself. He was a pastor from a neighboring community and had nothing but good things to say about Clem and his church. When his wife found out who my mother was, she made her husband switch places with her. Through the rest of the meal, she quizzed me about Mom. As we waited for coffee and dessert, I excused myself to freshen up. Carter pushed back from the table and stood as I left.
“You’d better come back,” he muttered under his breath. “If you leave me here alone to fend for myself, I might not ever forgive you.”
I smiled and patted his lapel. “You look like you’re doing a fine job.”
He shook his head and sat down. I turned to go, and the woman next to him put a hand on his arm again. As I walked by my mother’s chair, she reached out and clasped my arm.
“How’s it going over there?” she asked.
“Just fine, Mom. Carter seems like a nice guy.”
“Oh honey, he is. Did he tell you he’s getting his law degree and his Masters in Philosophy? At the same time?”
“Yes, he did.”
“He must be so smart. Clem just raves about him, don’t you, Clem?” Clem mopped up the last bit of au jus from his plate with a dinner roll. His mouth clearly full, he just nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, he seems really smart. I’ll be back in a few. I just need to go to the ladies’ room.”
“Okay, dear. Hurry, they’re going to start the program right after dessert. Clem is being recognized. You won’t want to miss it.”
I nodded, turning toward the door. “I’ll hurry.”
“Oh, Faith?” I looked back at my mother. “He’s very handsome too, don’t you think?”
“Sure, Mom.” I looked over at Carter and his eyes met mine. Great. He probably heard that whole exchange.
As I re-entered the ballroom and made my way back to our table, the program had already started. A man stood behind a clear acrylic podium on the stage, talking about how Christian values were under attack and how it was their job as leaders in the church to shepherd their congregations through these confusing times.
A slideshow played behind him, scenes from television featuring steamy love scenes, pictures from magazines with scantily clad women, and finally covers from some recent books. I took in a sharp breath as the cover of Carnal Knowledge flashed onto the screen. Sinking into my chair, I put my head in my hands and tried to still the pounding of my heart. A warm hand settled on my exposed shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Carter whispered in my ear.
I looked out at him from under my hands. “I just have a headache, that’s all.”
“Do you want me to go get you some aspirin or something?”
“No, I’ve got some here.” I dug through my small purse and emptied two pills into my palm, then tossed them back with a large sip of water. It’s not like a couple of pain killers would do the trick. Maybe if I chased them down with a liter of vodka, it would help numb the shock of seeing my book cover plastered across the screen.
The man on the stage went on to talk about Clem. How he was a warrior of faith and they were recognizing him for his leadership in the church. Everyone clapped, and then Clem stood and walked up the steps to the stage with Mom on his arm. My face blazed.
The screen showed an image of a large cross now; my book cover was no longer on display, although the visual was burned into my brain. Clem and Claire shook hands with the man, and then he handed them a plaque. The audience clapped, and I pounded my hands together along with the applause of the crowd.
Clem gave a short speech while my mother stood by his side, her loving gaze never leaving his face. More applause and then they came back down the steps and sat down at their table.
An announcement was made that the band would set up and start playing soon. Still not feeling quite myself, I forced myself to stand up from the table and walk over to where a small group congregated around my mom and Clem. I sensed Carter follow me.
“Look at this,” my mother thrust the plaque into my hands.
“It’s nice, Mom. Clem must be so proud,” I said.
“Oh, he is.” She beamed with pride. “He’s been working so hard. It’s so nice for him to be recognized by his peers.”
I passed the plaque back to her as the band started to play Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
“Would you like to dance?” Carter asked.
Anything to get me away from my mother and Clem for a few minutes. “I’d love to.”
Carter put his arm around my waist and whisked me out onto the dance floor. I’d taken ballroom dancing in high school and really enjoyed it. As Carter led me around the dance floor, I could tell he must have had lessons at some point as well.
“You’re quite the dancer,” I said to his chest.
“I’ve been to my fair share of sorority balls.”
“Did you pledge at KU?”
“No,” he glanced down at me as he twirled me around under his arm. “I never had time for it. Other priorities. How about you?”
“Same here,” I said.
Despite the hiccup with the book cover, I was actually having a good time with Carter. In the past, when my mother tried to set me up with someone, it tanked early. So far, I’d managed to survive dinner and now dancing. It’s not like anything would come from it—an erotic romance author and a pastor probably wouldn’t make it long-term.
“What plans do you have while you’re home on break?” he asked.
“Not much. I’m only here for a week. I need to get back and get a head start on some work for next semester.”
“Your mother mentioned you take work too seriously and don’t have enough fun.” He twirled me around and caught me up by his side.
“She did?”
“Yes.”
I spun away and back again, pressing up against him and swaying in time to the music. “What else did she say about me?”
“Let’s see, that you don’t date and don’t cook. True?”
I smiled to myself. Mom definitely had me pegged. “True enough, I suppose.”
The song came to an end, and I let my hand drop from Carter’s grasp. The band launched into a slow song, and several couples moved onto the dance floor.
“Up for another dance?” Carter asked, opening his arms.
“Sure.” It was either dance with him or try talking the bartender out of a case of wine. I stepped into his embrace, and he wrapped one arm around me, settling one hand on the small of my back and catching my hand up with the other.
My mother was right about the no dating. But it wouldn’t kill me to enjoy his company for an evening. Besides, I’d be heading back to Indiana in less than a week. What harm was there in sharing a dance or two with a relative stranger?
As we moved to the beat of the song, Mom and Clem waltzed by. My mother winked and gave me an exaggerated smile, apparently pleased with her matchmaking skills. I sighed. I’d let her enjoy her mini success, at least for tonight.