A Baby for Christmas (Love at The Crossroads) Read Free

stay celibate as a Christian when he could have a wife?
    “Will everyone please rise?” Pastor Reed instructed the guests as the organist struck the first chord to the wedding march.
    Solae was immediately snapped back into the present.
    Candace graced the runway to the altar. She never looked so happy, not even when she married her late husband. Thank You, Jesus, her friend had found love again. An older gentleman, a longtime friend of the family, escorted her down the aisle.
    Royce met her halfway and whispered something that made Candace mouth, “I love you”, then retracing his steps, Royce walked back to Pastor Reed with his fiancée at his side.
    “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join together this man and woman in holy matrimony…”
    Reciting his vows with so much emotion, Royce even made Solae become teary-eyed. Candace wasn’t shy about her declaration to love, honor, and obey her husband.
    Once they made their commitment, Pastor Reed prayed for their unity before giving his closing remarks: “Therefore what God has joined together let no dishonest man or conniving woman put asunder.” It was a customary twist he added to all nuptials he officiated. The look of surprise on Royce’s face was priceless.
    Yes, Lord, please don’t let either of them be led astray. Give them a long life as a family , Solae prayed silently.
    “You may now kiss your bride .”
    “Is he my daddy now, Aunt Sollie?” Lindsay whispered loud enough for those close by to hear and stir snickers around them.
    “Yes, baby. You now have a daddy.”
     

Chapter 2  
     
    Wow. Hershel couldn’t help but gawk. His nostrils flared with excitement at seeing the woman he loved. Solae’s beauty was mesmerizing. His eyes left her figure briefly to do a quick sweep of the guests, and he mentally dared any of his brotherhood of firefighters in attendance to linger on her assets. It was a known fact that she was his.
    He observed her every movement. Some commented that Solae reminded them of a younger version of Nia Long. There was no comparison. She was just as unique as her name.
    Solae worked the crowd with little effort. She was a beauty with her one dimple and engaging smile. What made her more alluring was the mass of curls that were swept up and piled on the top of her head. Each bounced with every step. Her natural strut was flirty and exclusive to her because Hershel had yet to see another woman duplicate it.
    “Man, she looks hot,” he mumbled under his breath as his heart pounded wildly with longing. He missed her.
    “She’s not the center of my attention here, dude,” Royce said in a bad impression of a ventriloquist.
    “She is mine,” he whispered back. Hershel was tempted to leave his post and sweep Solae off her feet to make up for all the times they were apart because of their hectic lives. Despite their conflicting schedules, his sons never lacked Solae’s attention. She picked up Brandon from school whenever he needed to be, fed him, and helped him with his homework.
    As if that wasn’t enough, she would smother Brandon and Harrison with the love that should have come from their mother, who deserted her family for another man.  Solae was the one he should have married first…He paused—Solae wouldn’t have been able to give him the sons that he loved dearly.
    Forcing his assessment off her legs, Hershel admired her bridesmaid’s dress until he beheld her face. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. Wait—he squinted. They also glistened as if she was about to cry. Women—they were so sentimental when it came to these affairs. He relaxed.
    Hershel’s mind continued to drift until Pastor Reed made the proclamation. With his single brother officially hitched, Hershel could get to Solae.
    As the bridal party began to exit the sanctuary, Hershel held his elbow for Solae to take since he was the best man to escort the maid of honor as they trailed the bride and groom. He kissed