My Steps Are Ordered (17 page)

“I know you value your privacy,” Michael announced. He tapped his fingers on his desk unconcerned. “But the good people deserve to know a little more about the big-time preacher they're all swooning over.”

“No.” Keith shook his head. “Michael, don't do this. For myself, I don't care, but consider Gina's feelings if you air your dirty laundry like this for all to see.”

“I have!” Michael shouted.

Keith walked around the desk and stood in front of his brother as understanding dawned. “You won, Michael. Gina's your wife and the mother of your son. You have her!”

“No, no, I don't,” Michael snarled. He jumped out of his chair and looked at Keith dead-on. His chest heaved up and down from his pent-up emotions.

The doorbell rang.

Keith watched Michael compose himself and witnessed his slowly widening smile of satisfaction. “Yes, my dear brother. You're cornered, and there is no finagling your way out of this one. Pastor Keith Ward cannot back out of this interview, or he will be faced with the salacious tongue wagging and speculation of the media.”

“I thought you loved, Gina,” Keith said. He put a hand out to touch Michael's arm. “This is going to destroy her. I'm not doing this.”

“I
loved
her.” Michael shot back, shrugging off Keith's hand. “But then . . . Let's just say I had an epiphany I couldn't live with. And, yes, you're doing this, or Gina suffers, believe me. All I need to do is make one phone call.” He took out his cell phone to show he'd follow up on his promise.

“What are you talking about? Are you blackmailing me?” Keith demanded. He arched an eyebrow, but Michael was done talking. He felt a frisson of fear flow through his body. Whatever ace Michael held up his sleeve was potent and damaging. But he was worried for Gina. This would humiliate her, and Michael knew it.

Michael's demeanor conveyed that he didn't care one iota. If anything, his sardonic grin showed how pleased he was with himself. Keith only hoped Michael had considered the ramifications of his actions.

Where's Gina?
He pulled out his cell phone and called her on speed dial. She'd given him her new number while they were in New York. He had to give her a warning. She didn't answer. Gina was about to walk into a hornet's nest, and he wasn't going to be able to rescue her.

The truth shall set you free.

Keith pursed his lips, filled with doubt. He knew at that moment that there was only one entity who could make it right, somehow. His humanity felt frail at the moment, so Keith sought help from God. He needed to rely on God to see him through.

Gina parked her car and raced up the stairs to her old home. She wished she'd known this was where Michael had taken her children. Her heels clicked on the paved steps as she headed to the front door.

He was cruel, but most of his vindictiveness was confined solely to her. Gina should've realized Michael wouldn't place them in any real jeopardy. He was a terrible husband but a wonderful father—well, to Trey.

When Michael first approached her about going to visit Keith, she'd refused. She remembered the moment well. Her body had gone into shock, frozen with fear. “Where are my children?” Gina had spat with fire in her eyes. She told herself, Michael had gone too far this time. She advanced on him, determined to scratch his eyes out. The way she felt, she could have done serious damage.

“I wouldn't if I were you,” Michael had returned with an eerie calm.

Gina had heeded his advice but struggled to control her temper. She was tired of Michael and his ridiculous demands. He'd demanded a nanny. She conceded. He'd decided to have Trey homeschooled. She conceded. But Gina would allow only so much.

“If you don't comply, I will make sure you never see your children again,” Michael then threatened.

Gina's throat had closed in, and her hand circled her neck. Her eyes popped open wide. “You wouldn't!”

“Try me,” Michael urged. He looked menacing as he advanced on Gina.

Gina tried to call his bluff, but Michael had her cornered. He knew she was not about to play any games involving her children. “Where are my children?”

She loved her children too much not to cave. Why was she even still in this marriage if Michael had no qualms about taking advantage of her? she wondered.
Guilt.
That was why. Her guilt ate at her enough to make her remain in their sham of a marriage. She also wanted her children to have their father in their lives.
But at what cost?

“Somewhere safe,” Michael returned. He had folded his arms and refused to offer any more information on the matter. Unsure and full of fear, Gina's resolve weakened, and she'd given in.

Her orders had been to go to New York and arrange a meeting with Keith. But Gina had not been able to resist going to see him preach. Keith agreed to return to Georgia with her, and Gina was glad her mission had been successful.

Her hands shook now as she unlocked the front door. The smell of popcorn assailed her as she entered the house, but she couldn't hold on to the smile that crossed her lips. Trey loved popcorn.

Marisol Meares, the nanny, was sitting on the living room rug with Trey.

“Mommy,” Trey squealed and ran into his mother's arms.

Gina felt tears come to her eyes at the sight of her son. She kissed his head and face and squeezed him over and over again. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Trey replied, wiggling free from her onslaught and returning to the action figures he'd been playing with. She noted that he wasn't wearing his typical play clothes. He was dressed in a little navy suit.

“Trey, baby, why are you all dressed up?”

“I'm going to be on TV!” he exclaimed.

Gina looked askance at Marisol. Her facial expression showed her confusion.

“Mr. Ward told me to get the children dressed because there is an important press event at your home this evening.”

Gina held her tongue. She had no clue what was going on. Michael neglected to tell her anything, and she knew he had done it on purpose. She felt her heart begin to pound. Michael was up to something. Gina had a feeling that after tonight, her life was not going to be the same. “Where's Epiphany Joy?”

“She just woke up from her nap. I finished styling her hair and getting her dressed. She ran to get her bunny,” Marisol answered with a little smile.

Gina heard the patter of little heels clinking on the tile and began to smile. She bent down and opened her arms.
Thank God.
Her babies. She hadn't known if she would ever see them again. “There's Mommy's girl.”

Epiphany squealed and clapped her hands. Her curls bounced from her enthusiasm. “Mommy's home.”

“Yes, baby,” she affirmed. “I'm never leaving you again.”

You're a man of God. You can't punch your brother in the face, especially since it would end up on national television.
Keith told himself that over and over. It wasn't working.

He ached to knock that stupid look off his brother's face.

Keith shifted in his chair in the great room. He fiddled with his tie. He was nervous, and it showed. He'd already wiped his brow several times. He looked over at Michael, who gloated as he prepared to make his television debut.

He would have left without a care if it hadn't been for the fact that Michael had threatened him. Gina was on her way. Keith knew he would not leave her to face this farce on her own. He was powerless to stop Michael from putting on this spectacle for the nation to see, but he could at least attempt to shield Gina from whatever Michael had up his sleeve.

Before he knew it, the cameras were rolling. Keith willed himself to relax and answer the questions. The reporter, a woman named Lauren Goodman, whom Keith had seen many times before, was unreadable, but she did seem to enjoy Michael's charm.

The young reporter was eating up every moment as she did the rudimentary introductions for the viewers. She basked in Michael's attention. Keith gritted his teeth and hoped it all would end before Gina returned home. He kept his eyes peeled on the door.

In a flash, the interview shifted. Keith watched the woman before him transform into a barracuda. It was obvious Michael had prepped her with a lot of private information. Lauren had started off with basic questions about their youth. Michael recounted stories, some of which even made Keith laugh. Then, after a couple commercial breaks, Lauren zeroed in for the kill. She showed a clip of one of Keith's sermons. It was his message on Paul's conversion.

As soon as the clip ended, Lauren attacked.

“Pastor Ward, I'm having difficulty equating the man I see on the screen with the man sitting here before me.”

Keith forced a smile on his face. “What do you mean?”

“I did some investigating, and I heard raving reports about your integrity and your devotion to God. Not even one breath of scandal was linked with your name.”

Keith was getting an idea of where this was going, and gave his brother a pointed look. The smirk on Michael's face told Keith all he needed to know. Yet he labored on and remained cool. “Lauren, I think I know where you are going with this, and I refuse to make any further comment.”

Lauren looked right into the camera and bluntly taunted him, saying, “Listeners, I imagine the good pastor has something to hide.”

“Keith . . . ” Michael interjected, in a tone that was laced with contrived sincerity.

Keith saw the crocodile tears fill his brother's eyes and had to prevent himself from rolling his eyes. Keith watched the cameraman zoom in on Michael's face.

Michael patted Keith's arm in a gesture meant to show his support and assurance. “It's okay to talk about it. I've forgiven you, and that's what matters.”

Keith pursed his lips in anger. He took a moment to drink from the glass of water on the side table while he gathered his thoughts. He couldn't believe Michael was going to go through with this spectacle. What was his purpose? What did he seek to gain? Keith knew he couldn't have more than a moment's silence on the air, so he spoke. “Don't do this, Michael. Think of Gina.” Keith watched the emotions cross his brother's face. He could see Michael begin to second-guess himself and start to waver. Maybe he'd gotten through to him.

Lauren perked up and called for a quick commercial break. As soon as they were off the air, she worked on reminding Michael about the favor she'd done for him in arranging this interview. “Mr. Ward, I've moved mountains to get you this time slot. Don't back down now.”

“I know you think you have something here,” Keith said, addressing her and not giving Michael a chance to answer. “You're after a story you think will make your career. This isn't about anything else.”

Lauren touched Michael on the arm. “I'm after the truth.”

“Michael, please let's end this right now,” Keith said, pleading with his brother to back off. But he could tell from his brother's posture that Lauren had won the battle. Keith could only stand by and watch the events play out.

As soon as they returned from the break, Michael started talking. He talked about Keith and Gina's betrayal. He spoke about Trey's illness and finding out he wasn't Trey's biological father. He told of his decision to forgive his brother once he found out Keith was the actual father.

Keith remained silent as the interview went on. He felt relieved that only five minutes remained on the clock. He could not wait for it all to be over. He was going to give Michael the beat down of his life. Keith thanked God that Gina had missed this.

He thanked God a little too soon. From the corner of his eye, Keith saw Gina enter the room. Her mouth was agape as she listened to Michael's words.

“It took everything in my power to forgive Gina and Keith after what they had done to me, but I did it. Even after finding out I was infertile and the child she had carried wasn't mine, I loved her enough to forgive her.”

Keith heard a huge intake of breath. Gina's gasp filled the room. Her shocked eyes met Keith's, and she gripped Trey's hand.

Keith lifted one of his hands to signal to her to remain calm, but Gina looked like she was about to have a coronary. Her eyes mirrored her shock at the truth. He could see the disbelief and the anger building.

“Why didn't you tell me?” she screamed. “How could you . . .” She closed her lips tight, tapping her heels. While he read her facial expressions, the cameras recorded every visible reaction for the nation to see.

“But that's not the only reason why you called the interview today,” Lauren said, prodding Michael.

Keith watched the reporter's body arch with anticipation, as if there were more. A part of him wanted to snatch her out of the chair and shake her, but Keith knew that wasn't an option. He couldn't understand how someone could get an obvious high off of someone else's misery.

But he knew people like her. Lauren Goodman wasn't thinking about pain; she could only see dollar signs and her big break.

Keith couldn't imagine anything else Michael had to say that could trump that last revelation. However, it was evident Michael was far from finished. Keith saw him lick his lips before giving someone a signal.

“Yes, I think it's time to mend the fences, because I haven't spoken to my brother in three years. But in order to do that, because he's a public figure, I felt it was important that the truth be revealed to the nation.” Michael looked Keith square in the eyes. “All was forgiven until I had what I now refer to as an epiphany.”

Michael's words were cryptic. Keith and the other occupants in the room looked quizzical, that is, except for one person, who reacted with surprising vehemence.

Hearing Michael's last statement, Gina sprang into action. She rushed over to her husband from behind the scenes, where she'd hidden herself from view. “No!” Her plea resonated through every television screen across the nation.

Enthralled viewers would pause and replay that emotional moment over and over again. They would witness the raw emotions and distress on Gina's face. But right now, Keith reacted, not caring about anything but Gina. He reached over to grab hold of her hand.

Michael plodded on, as if his wife hadn't begged him on national television not to continue. With stubborn resolve, Michael crooked his finger, signaling for someone to come toward him. Keith watched Trey's timid gait as he came forward. Tears rolled down Keith's face as he beheld his son, whom he had not seen in three years. He looked adorable and so brave in his suit.

He saw a little girl run forward.
What a cutie,
he thought. He kept his eyes glued to her. She ran over to Gina and disappeared in the folds of her dress. She must have hidden herself earlier. He tilted his head and studied the little girl, trying to figure out who she was. She looked so familiar, yet he knew with certainty that he'd never seen her before. Keith now forgot about the cameras. He looked over at Gina.

“Gina?” he said.

But Gina was speechless. Her eyes were wide with fear. She stammered, “I . . . I . . .”

“Keith,” Michael said, chirping up like the cat that had caught the proverbial canary, “Let me introduce little Epiphany Joy. My wife's second child and your daughter.”