Page 38 of A Taste of Grace

Missing You

I didn’t realize how much Grace filled the holes in our lives until she was gone. For the rest of the week, she and I texted throughout the day with three daily video calls—a G-rated family one in the morning and night and an X-rated Mommy and Daddy session in my bedroom after hours.

“I miss you so much, my love. How was your day?” I spoke the words as Grace lay seductively on the bed in her hotel wearing a red lace teddy that dipped low.

“Great.”

“Are the girls asleep? They love The Pout Pout Fish. ”

“Yes.”

Fifteen minutes earlier, Grace and I read their favorite book with them and said prayers. With my phone in hand, I locked my bedroom door.

“You look sexy, mommy.”

“Thank you, daddy.”

She held her arm out and brushed her hand across the bodice of the top with its sheer panels that barely held her full breasts.

“They look bigger. Put them to the camera so I can kiss them.”

Grace fell out laughing.

“You are so silly. Take off that shirt so I can get my fix too.”

I propped the phone on the bed and raised my t-shirt over my abs.

“Slow down,” she said.

I did a quick body roll and lifted the right then the left side of the shirt until she threw several imaginary dollar bills at the screen. I bent over laughing.

“Who’s being silly now?” I finished undressing and settled under the covers on Grace’s side of the bed since her pillows smelled like the lavender oil she put in her hair.

“Seriously, a sister is tired. I forgot how intense it was to be in front of people every day, sharing my thoughts. Marriage and country living have made me even more introverted.”

I chuckled at how quickly Grace transitioned to Farmerton. When we started dating, she often complained about how much she missed working with people every day, but now, she loved being a homebody.

“Don’t get too tired. I want you to speak to the congregation on Sunday.”

Grace pursed her lips.

“And say what?”

“What you should have said on Mother’s Day. You’re my backbone. You pour into me with your presence and kindness every day, reminding me to walk in love at all times. Without you, I wouldn’t be a good pastor. It’s time I shared you with my sheep too.”

Grace stared at me before putting her finger to her nose. I thought she was holding in a sneeze until she snuffled and wiped her eyes. She shook her head.

“Caleb Evan Stallings, you never cease to surprise me.”

“Will you do it then?”

“Of course, I will. I promise to make you proud.”

“It’s not about me. Let God use you to share a word with the people. When you said yes to me, you said yes to them too. You are the mother of this church now. Just like you’re a mother to our girls.”

She nodded.

“I’ll drive from the airport and see you there before praise and worship.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

I angled my phone so Grace could see the length of my now naked body.

“Now, it’s time for your bedtime story.” I licked my lips as Grace propped her phone on the bed and lowered the cups of her top.

“Let me get comfortable, daddy.”

With that, I shared a beautiful fairytale of a gorgeous queen named Grace who rocked King Caleb’s kingdom in ways he never imagined.