A Valentine for Kayla Read Free Page A

worship pastor. I mentioned you.
    He sucked in a breath and kept on reading, then handed the notepad back. “I wish you hadn’t said anything. But now I know why the pastor left me a voice mail suggesting we talk.” He sighed. It was time to tell his mom why he’d left his music career. “Mom, being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
    â€œWorship pastors…aren’t famous.”
    â€œI know. The problem is my voice. If I get onstage and sing, anyone who is a fan will recognize it. Then everything will change. I’ll be DJ Parker, not Derek Wood. I need to find me again. I need time.”
    She waved a hand.
    â€œDon’t brush this off, Mom. You don’t understand what it’s like having people follow you everywhere you go and having your every facial expression analyzed.” He made air quotes with his fingers. “DJ stepped out alone on a Friday night. Is there trouble in paradise? Could this mean the end for leading lady Estelle Rogers and crooner DJ Parker?” That headline was the beginning of the end for sure.
    He didn’t regret breaking up with Estelle. She had dated him only to boost her career. The worst part was, that was the same reason he’d originally asked her out. Too bad he’d fallen for her in the process. Aside from being burned by love, he had grown shallow. He didn’t like who he’d become.
    Mom flipped to the next page on her pad and pointed.
    I knew you would say no to singing in church. But music is your life and let’s not forget your dream was to be a worship pastor. You just got sidetracked with the fame and fortune. Give your first love a chance. It’s not too late.
    He doubted that very much. Derek swallowed the lump that had formed. Mom had never been happy about his music career. She’d said God had something else for him, and that he was missing his calling. Maybe she was right. “I’ll think about it.”
    â€œNo! You talk…to him.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll talk to him, but no promises. I really can’t risk anyone hearing my voice and realizing who I am.” He shook his head. “You don’t understand what it was like living under the paparazzi’s microscope.”
    â€œYou regret your success?” Though her words were slow, they hit the mark.
    â€œNo. I loved it. But it changed me, and not for the good. That’s the part I didn’t like. I need to find me again.”
    â€œGood boy. You will.” Mom patted his hand and closed her eyes. Clearly it had taken a lot out of her to talk with him. He placed a throw blanket over her, then sauntered into the kitchen. Cooking had never been his thing, but he knew how to use a can opener. They’d received last night’s meal from a nice family at the church, but according to the calendar the free food ended yesterday. He was the official cook until his mom felt up to it again.
    Derek dug through the cupboards and frowned. It looked as if a trip to the grocery store was in order, or he could go pick up a couple of sandwiches and soup from the deli. The deli won. Mom would never approve of canned soup, so he’d pick up extra for tomorrow, too.
    He poked his head into the family room, where she still slept, then grabbed his keys. He’d be back before she knew he was gone. He jogged to his pickup and headed toward downtown. The dreary day was made a little brighter by the banners that hung from the old-fashioned streetlamps along the sidewalks announcing the Spring Festival at the end of April. Why they didn’t wait until May or June, he didn’t know. It seemed to him any kind of outdoor activity in this area would get rained out, but what did he know? He’d been there only a short time. The town definitely had pride. From the clean, wide-sweeping sidewalks to the well-kept benches and perfectly manicured City Park. Yes, Oak Knoll was a nice place to live, even if it had rained