Love Delivered by Love Belvin Read Free Book Online Page A

here in one piece. I came out of church to two flat tires and Bernard,” I turned to find him in the doorway, “…was generous enough to offer me a ride.” I tried to smile my way through my explanation until I heard thumps against the hardwood floors. At the same time, I heard giggles from my favorite infant nearing. Also in that moment, I realized neither my mom, dad, nor sister had Jordan. “Wait, where’s Jord—”
    And that’s when it clicked. Their expressions were that of surprise. They were not expecting Bernard. Similar to how I wasn’t anticipating Stenton, who now appeared, bouncing a giggling Jordan in his long, corded, and inked arm. It was now time for my face to drop.
    “Stenton,” I breathed his name. Clearing my throat, I continued, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
    Appearing unperturbed, and without eye contact, he replied. “Miss my son’s first Christmas. You expected that instead?”
    That was meant to hit below the belt. I would not allow him the upper hand. Just then, his eyes traveled over to Bernard and now I could see some emotion. Shock, and then anger. But why? Stenton had moved on; he’d even announced it to the world. I couldn’t allow him to one up me.
    “Yeah. You did his first Thanksgiving.”
    There were a myriad of throaty and mouthy sounds: sucking of the teeth, clearing of the throat, nervous coughs. All of this from my family and Bernard.
    “What the fu—” Stenton caught himself.
    “Elizabeth Ardell! That’s enough!” my mother hissed.
    “I was working. You knew that.” Stenton’s tone was cold.
    Yeah, but not that night. I wanted to yell, but my better sense had kicked in. When I was able to pull my daggers out of him, I muttered, “I need to put these things away and pump. Thanks, Bernard for the ride. I need to give you a few dollars for gas. Hang on.” I rummaged through my mammoth Louis Vuitton tote for my wallet. That darn Tynisha, talking me into this bag. “Let me get my—”
    “Here you go, B,” Stenton’s vocals poured over me again. When I glanced up, I noticed him handing over a wad of cash to Bernard. “Thanks for bringing her safely.”
    Huhn?
    Bernard’s mouth hung wide and I caught him quickly adding up what could have easily been a couple hundred dollars, accepting it in his hand.
    “Wait,” my dad interrupted. “The storm is here. We can’t send you out in that. It’s supposed to pick up and get heavier. It likely won’t stop until the wee hours of the morning.” He then turned to Stenton. “Stenton, I know there’s plenty of room. You mind if he crashes until it clears?”
    Holy mother of Joseph!
    “You’re the head of the family. It’s your and Sarah’s call,” Stenton uttered while walking off with his eyes glued to a cheery Jordan bouncing in the air.
    That was brusque.
    I glanced back over to Bernard, whose expression of confusion and shock mirrored my own. “ Su -sure. I’ll just have to call my mom to let her know.”
    “Okay,” my mother added. “When you’re done, come meet me in the kitchen.”
    One by one, my family sauntered out of the eventful foyer, paying me a last admonishing glare, I’m sure accusing me of slighting Jordan’s father. Even Ruth, who swears to not care for Stenton!
    My shoulders dropped.
    It’s going to be a long night.
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ Stenton ~
    At dinner, tension reigned over the table. I couldn’t shake my brooding, although Sarah did a damn good job of creating a big ass feast for Christmas Eve. Michael was sitting at one end of the table and I was down at the other. Sarah was to the right of him and Zoey sat to his left. Next to Zo was Jordan in his high chair, who was to my right. To my left was Ruth and next to her was Bernard. Dinner was served buffet style with the spread in the center of the table.
    I was surprised at the large feast being served the night before Christmas, until Sarah explained at the table minutes ago how when Zoey and Ruth were kids, she and Michael