Page 62 of Evan

“He took me to dinner.”

“Oh honey, I read it on the internet.” Marsha’s eyes glittered with excitement. “I am now officially a celebrity by association. People at the hospital cannot believe it is you. How does it feel to be in the spotlight?”

“I don’t care about any of that.” She shook her head. “I slept through several phone calls, including ones from Evan. He was worried that I would be upset.” She cradled her glass, a dreamy look on her face. “He loves me, Marsh. It is not something he is just saying. He loves me and it feels as if I am walking on a cloud.”

“I want to hate you right now, but you deserve the very best. When is the wedding?”

“December. I want you to be my matron of honor.”

“That’s a given.”

“The banns will be read in services tomorrow and he promised he would be there.” Cassandra took a deep breath. “I am getting married.”

“To a multi-billionaire.”

She shook her head. “I cannot think of it that way. To me, he is just Evan, the man I love with all my heart.”

“Honey, you are entering into a world that’s completely different from what you are accustomed to.” Her friend warned. “It might change you.”

“No.” She shook her head in confidence. “I am rooted and grounded in my life with Christ. I am not being arrogant or even cocky when I say that. I know who I am, and I am never going to allow status to change me.

And I also know him. I know people are going to say that we only just met, and it takes time to get to know a person, but it feels as if we met each other a long time ago.

There is this spiritual connection between us that is so uncanny that it’s hard for me to explain. I am not naïvely expecting that things will remain the same. I am marrying a very powerful man, but I serve an incredibly awesome God and that is what’s is the most important thing to me. My relationship with my savior.”

Marsha stared at her for a few seconds before shaking her head in admiration. “Congrats honey, I am so happy for you.”

*****

The excitement the following Sunday morning was palpable. She was always the first to arrive because she would stop by the office to get things ready, and they had rehearsal before Sunday school. She was embraced and congratulated, her ring exclaimed over by members of the choir, with them telling her how exceptionally beautiful she looked.

“No wonder you ignored all of us single guys.” David, a member of the praise team who played the keyboard teased her, hazel eyes twinkling. “You were holding out for the rich guy.”

It was all said in jest, and she knew that every one of them was genuinely happy for her.

As promised, he arrived early while she was in the middle of shepherding her kids into the room. She taught her class early enough so that she could participate in leading the praise team.

He surprised her just as she was handing them over to the substitute teacher.

She only saw when they all turned quiet and stared behind her. Before she turned around, she knew he was standing there.

“I hope I am not interrupting.” His deep voice had her knees going weak and her heart tingling.

“You are right on time.” Reaching out a hand, she beckoned for him to join her. He came forward, his fingers twining through hers. “Kids, I want you to meet Evan Davenport, my fiancé.”

All fifteen of them stared at him curiously in silence until Billy scrunched up his face and gave him a suspicious look. “I love Cassandra.” He declared it as a challenge.

“I love her too, very much.” He told the boy solemnly.

The boy considered him for a minute. “Are you going to take her away from us?”

“Never.” Evan promised. “She belongs here, and she loves all of you very much.”

That assured them enough to break the ice. Afterwards, they all crowded around and introduced themselves.

Giving them a few minutes to get acquainted, she tugged at his hand. “I have to go. Where do you want…?”

“I want to stay here if you don’t mind.”

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