She Who Finds a Husband Read Online Free Page B

deceased husband’s gambling addiction, she didn’t want to have nothing to do with anything remotely close to gambling.
    Deborah pulled out the first ticket and read off the last three numbers on the ticket. “Seven seventy-seven.”
    â€œThat’s me!” a woman called out as she came forward to claim her prize. She wore a little black dress similar to the ones the all female group, En Vogue, used to wear.
    â€œCongratulations, Sister Lorain,” Deborah said as she handed her an envelope. It was all Deborah could do to hide the expression on her face when she saw Lorain in such a revealing outfit. Perhaps some of the members of the Singles Ministry were right. Maybe if tight clothes, make-up wearing Lorain did join the Singles Ministry, then men would join as well. Deborah shook her head at the thought. God would have to have a crazy sense of humor to use Lorain in that capacity. Surely He had another purpose for Lorain in His kingdom. “Three fifty-seven,” Deborah called out after pulling the next, and last raffle ticket. There was no response. “Three fifty-seven,” Deborah called out again, still to no response.
    People started to mumble, chatter, and look around. None of the guests had left yet, so they knew the owner of the ticket had to still be there.
    Tamarra and Paige double checked their tickets, neither one of them having the number that had just been called.
    â€œGoing once . . .” Deborah called out.
    Tamarra looked over at Maeyl who still had his face buried in his macaroni and cheese. She nudged him. “You might want to come up for air and check your ticket,” she told him.
    â€œHuh?” Maeyl asked with a puzzled look on his face.
    â€œYour raffle ticket.” Tamarra held up her own to show Maeyl what she was referring to.
    â€œGoing twice,” they heard Deborah say.
    â€œOh.” Maeyl pulled his ticket out and showed it to Tamarra.
    â€œYou’ve got it,” Tamarra told him, and then looked to Deborah. “Three fifty-seven! Brother Maeyl has it.”
    There was applauds by some, and from those hoping they’d get another chance at winning, there were moans.
    â€œCome on up, Brother Maeyl,” Deborah ordered, “and get your twenty-five dollar gift certificate to the Olive Garden.”
    Maeyl got up from his plate and went to retrieve his winnings. He then returned back to the table where he finished off his macaroni and cheese.
    Once the guests had gotten seconds, some even thirds, some of them began to leave, but not before Mother Doreen invited all who weren’t already members to join the New Day Singles Ministry. For those who were already members, she passed out the bylaws that she had finally managed to get typed, with the help of Deborah.
    While several members began to clean up, others gathered their pots, pans, and containers.
    â€œLet me get the door for you,” Maeyl said when he saw Tamarra heading toward the door in order to take her pans to her vehicle. “As a matter of fact, let me take those for you.”
    â€œOh thank you, Brother Maeyl.” Tamarra was happy to have her hands free as she gave him the pans and led him to her Jeep Cherokee.”
    It’s my pleasure.”
    Tamarra opened her back hatch, and Maeyl placed the pans inside. “Thanks again.” She closed the hatch.
    â€œNo problem, Sister Tamarra. After all, it’s the least I can do for the woman responsible for that delicious mac and cheese,” Maeyl said as he turned and headed to his own car. He then stopped in his tracks. “Actually, there is something else I can do.” He pulled out the envelope Deborah had given him that held the Olive Garden gift certificate, and handed it to Tamarra. “Here you go.”
    â€œAre you serious?” Tamarra was excited to receive the gift certificate to her favorite restaurant. She graciously accepted it.
    â€œYes, I’m serious. It’s