breath. “Let me ask you something. How are things going with the new man in your life?”
“David is wonderful. Why do you ask?”
“I think I’m in love with Tim.”
Lyza’s mouth dropped open. Tim’s been around since we were kids. He’s the guy our parents used to call when we needed dates to social affairs. Sure, we continued the tradition. Me and Gary, Leesa and Tim—the fabulous four went everywhere together, but as friends. “Tim’s your best friend. This seems weird. Are you sure?”
Leesa’s face glowed. “I’m very sure. Tomorrow night is important. You can’t horn in on my dinner with him.”
Lyza shrugged. “Like I have time; I’m dealing with a bushel of problems right now. Between Father spying on David and Bill wanting to ship me off to Cairo on a special project, I’m strung out tonight.”
Leesa got up and walked towards Lyza’s kitchen. “Father’s spying on David? Well, that is so like him. You didn’t really expect he wouldn’t, did you?”
Lyza followed her. “I suppose you’re right. What are you doing?”
Leesa stood in front of the refrigerator. “Do you have anything to eat up here? How’s David taking it?”
Lyza smiled, remembering their lunch conversation. “Yes, there’s food. Help yourself. And as far as David goes, he’s amused. Father brought some photos to my office this morning and demanded to know about David. When I wouldn’t tell him anything, he made the big reveal!”
Leesa rifled through items in the refrigerator. “What reveal?”
“He showed me pictures of David with other women.”
Leesa looked around the refrigerator door at Lyza. “No kidding? He had David followed and caught him with other women?”
“Yes!” Lyza laughed. “He was hugging them and holding their hands. And it all took place right outside the church! It was all outside his church, get it? They were parishioners leaving the morning service.”
Leesa gave up her search and closed the refrigerator door. “Did Father know?”
“I have no idea, but he knows now because I told him.”
Leesa picked a banana from the fruit bowl on the countertop. “You told him David is a Christian pastor?”
Lyza beamed. “He already knew. He threatened me about seeing him again. But it was funny; I guess it was sort of like a God thing. As soon as Father left my office, David called, and we met for lunch!”
“Oh, Lyza, I think you’ve really fallen for this guy. This is not going to be easy for you or for David because you live in two different worlds, financially and socially.”
“Don’t talk to me about falling in love. What about you and Tim?”
Leesa peeled the banana and took a bite before she answered. “Tim is different, Lyza. He’s been around forever. His parents and Mother and Father socialized for years. They’re part of our social strata and…”
“Stop right there, Leesa. They may be invited to parties, and they may be friends of our parents, but they work for Father. They provide services and subcontractors for our projects. They’re not exactly on the same social or financial scales as we are either.” Lyza hated this about the family. She had jumped to defend her relationship with David. “But you are right, this is the twenty-first century, and our generation is not as class-conscious.”
“Whatever you say.” Leesa yawned and tossed the banana peel in the trash. “It must be after midnight. I’ve got a big day tomorrow. Actually, I had a big day today, and it just hit me. I’m exhausted.”
“I should get to bed myself.” Leesa closed the door behind her, leaving Lyza to her thoughts.
Lyza retrieved the Bible from the drawer where she had hidden it and turned to the Book of Philippians, chapter 4.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Lyza bowed her head.
***
The next morning, Lyza went down to the kitchen early. She was surprised to see Cook and Leesa deep in conversation. They hushed as soon as she walked in.
“Good morning. What are you two plotting?”
Cook turned toward the pantry. “We were just deciding this morning’s menu. What would you like?”
Lyza reached over to a plate in front of Leesa. “I’ll have coffee and one of those chocolate chip cookies.”
Leesa scooted the plate between them. “Okay, you caught me. I’ll share.”
“Where did this come from?” Lyza glanced at the newsprint color photo of her and David on the front of Today’s Celebs lying on the kitchen bar. “Who would actually buy one of these horrible gossip papers?’
“Guilty,” Cook admitted. “All the commotion got to my curiosity, and I caved. I’m sorry you saw it.”
Leesa confessed, “Cook didn’t buy it; I did.”
Lyza picked it up and examined it as closely as she had in her office the day before. “Well, it’s old news, isn’t it? He really is a good-looking man.”
“I’ll say,” Cook agreed. “Are you girls going to the office early today?”
“I am. Want to ride with me?” Leesa offered Lyza.
“No, I’m going to want my car today, but thanks.”
Leesa grabbed two more cookies, her attaché case and the paper, then hurried through the house to the garage exit. Lyza poured another cup of coffee and sat down again.
“Cook, you don’t have to lie for Leesa. She can handle me when she does something that ticks me off. I couldn’t believe this one. I knew you wouldn’t go out and buy one of those lying tabloids.”
“Oh, girl, that paper didn’t lie. Everything was factual. It was an invasion of your privacy, that’s all. You’re famous, and it’s happened before, and believe me, it will happen again.” Cook came over and put her arm around Lyza’s shoulders. “Everyone knows you’re the tough one around here, and no matter what they do, you can take it. You’ve got your parents, and you’ve got me, and it looks like you’ve got this nice-looking man here to help you out. No worries, sweetie.”
Lyza gave Cook a hug. “I love you, too, Cook. I guess I had better go to the office. Bill’s setting things up for me to look into a deal in Cairo.”
“In Cairo? Girl, you need to spend some time at home. You’re barely recovered from…”
“Yes, I know.” Lyza turned to leave.
***
Bill had set things in motion for Lyza’s trip to Egypt. Fueled and ready to go, the Lane Jet I sat on the tarmac. Armed with her updated computer, she carried all the necessary information for her inspection. Her support team expected her in Cairo in two days. She knew one day would be travel, and part of one would be recuperating from jet lag. She barely had time to go home and pack.
She called Cook. “It looks like I’ll be leaving sometime this evening. Can you put some things together for me, and I’ll come home just to add a few things?”
“Of course, dear. I’ll get the basics ready. You can do the rest.”
Lyza tried to brush off her annoyance with Bill. She felt he pushed this assignment off on her. She merely expressed interest, and he acted like she committed to the project. Very well. I’ll go on an inspection and fact-finding mission. Then I can hand the project off to one of the other agents.
On