by Lydia Rose
MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN
By
Lydia Rose
Edited By
Holly Schneider
FOR LINDA ALWAYS
THIS BOOK IS A WORK OF FICTION AND DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY SPECIFIC TOWN OR PLACE.
THIS BOOK IS COPYWRITED AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED OR COPIED WITHOUT THE AUTHOR’S PERMISSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Part II
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Epilogue
Author’s Other Books
I
CHAPTER 1
“I do not want to go to a book club,” Nadine said raising her voice to her friends. “I thought we were going to go to that little bar.”
“We are,” Cheryl answered moving her hand through her spiky brown hair, “after the book club.”
“Then I’ll meet you at the bar while you go off to your book club.” Nadine’s arms were crossed in front of her chest and her feet were firmly planted on the floor.
“Honey,” Cheryl’s wife Amber said coming over to her. “You love to read and it’s been nine months since you and Janet broke up.”
“What does that have to do with me going to a book club, Amber?” Nadine knew her friends were only trying to help her, but she resented their intrusion nonetheless.
“There are a lot of nice women who belong to the club. It’s time for you to meet someone else.”
“At a book club? How desperate do you think I am?” Amber rolled her eyes at Nadine’s words. “I may meet someone at the bar too.”
“Yeah, because the last one worked out so well.” Now Amber put her hands on Nadine’s arms and forced them to her side. “Do it for me, please?”
Nadine threw her chin up and huffed. She knew that Amber and Cheryl were not going to let this go. “I haven’t even read the book, probably.”
Cheryl reached for her copy. “Here. You can listen to people discuss the book and if it’s something you might like, you can read it.”
One more huff left her mouth before she said, “Okay,” a little more firmly then she had intended. “I’m sorry. I know you two are just trying to help.”
“Janet is not worth losing an ounce of fun over. She’s out of your life. Come on, let’s go have some fun,” Amber said putting her hand through Nadine’s arm.
The three women walked into the bookstore that was owned by a lesbian couple and took their seats in the back. Nadine was surprised how many women attended this meeting. She leaned over to Amber, “Is it always this crowded?”
“Yes. We meet once a month and there is always a good turnout.”
Amber looked down at the book that was in her hands and read the back. It told the story of two women who meet and fall in love. Aren’t they all like this? What could they possibly discuss for an hour? Her eyes now began to scan the room. There were a lot of younger women in the group, but also some her own age. There were even a couple of older women in the group. Nancy, one of the book store owners now called everyone to attention.
“I wanted to let you know that the next book everyone agreed to read is In the Time of Love.” There was a cheer from the group and then she continued, “Who would like to start tonight’s discussion?”
Nadine listened to the women as they discussed the story and how romantic the book was. Oh, brother. Can’t these women get a life so they don’t have to find romance in some paperback?
“The sex was pretty good too,” Cheryl called out and now Amber was laughing.
Nadine wanted to bury her head when several people turned around and looked at them. There was one woman in particular who shot the three of them a look. Nadine looked at the woman with the messy blond hair and blue eyes. Their eyes met and the moment they did, the woman turned around. Hey, I didn’t make the comment, girly.
The hour was finally over and Nadine stood to stretch her legs. She watched as the blond walked over to the refreshments. Before she could talk herself out of approaching, she was at her side. “I’m sorry about my friends. They can act like children sometimes.”
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t make the comment.” Then she grinned at Nadine. “She was right though.”
“About what?” Nadine asked wrinkling her eyebrow.
“The sex.” The woman now held out her hand. “I’m Kim.”
“Nadine,” she answered taking her hand, feeling her face flush with embarrassment.
“Did you like the book?”
“I haven’t read it. My friends dragged me here tonight.” Nadine held up the book. “After hearing you all discuss it, I’m going to be reading it.” Now she grinned. “And not just for the sex.”
“This author has written some other books that you might like if you like this one.”
“I’ve got a Kindle reader. I’ll have to check her out. What’s the next one about?”
“A murder mystery. I’ve read a few others by that author and I liked them.”
Nadine now heard her name being called. She looked over her shoulder and saw Cheryl and Amber waving her over. Turning back to Kim, she said, “It was nice to meet you, Kim.”
“You too, Nadine.” Before Nadine could walk away, Kim added, “You know Kim Basinger made a movie called Nadine,” she said with a smile.
Nadine laughed. “I’m sure you were a baby when that movie came out.” She figured the woman to be in her early twenties.
Kim shrugged. “What can I say? I love movies and I have a lot of time on my hands.”
Nadine raised an eyebrow. She wanted to ask if the woman even had a job, but she just waved and walked away.
“Are you ready for a drink now?” Cheryl asked putting her arm on Nadine’s shoulder.
“Absolutely.”
CHAPTER 2
Nadine couldn’t understand why she couldn’t get Kim out of her mind. The girl was young and obviously had no drive, but there was just something that she found intriguing. Kim’s blue eyes looked at her as if she were the only one in the world when she was speaking, and it made Nadine feel off balance.
Nadine was pushing the shopping cart around the store bored out of her mind. She stared at her list and wondered why she bothered buying groceries. She had no one to cook for and making a meal for one just seemed senseless. Nadine pushed the cart down another aisle and stopped in her tracks when she saw who was standing in front of her. Kim was filling her cart with bags of rice and now she reached onto another shelf and began adding other items. Nadine stood there like a statue, which must have caught Kim’s attention because she stopped what she was doing and looked at her. She
now watched as a smile appeared on Kim’s face.
“Hi, Nadine,” Kim said moving closer to her.
“Hello, Kim. You must love rice,” she said pointing to the cart.
They both laughed. “It looks that way, but this is for the food pantry. At this time of the year, they run short of the basics.” Kim shrugged. “I try to help where I can.”
“That’s very sweet of you.” Nadine looked at those blue eyes that were watching her every move. “Do they take cash donations?”
Kim smiled. “Of course, they do.”
“So, if I wanted to stop there and drop off a check, it would be fine?” Nadine asked shyly.
“They will welcome you with open arms, but they might ask if you’d like to volunteer while you’re there.” Kim’s smile opened wide. “I’m sure you have a job that keeps you busy.”
“Yeah, I do,” Nadine answered wiping her brow.
“What is it you do?” Kim asked trying not to sound nosy.
“I’m in finance.”
“So, you get to play with other people’s money?” Kim asked chuckling.
“I guess you can put it that way, but it is hard work. I don’t want any of my clients to lose their life savings. It is a lot of pressure some days.”
“I imagine so, but it sounds like you really care. It is very hard to find in a good financial advisor.” Kim moved her cart so someone could pass. “I guess I better let you get back to your shopping.”
“It was nice to see you again, Kim,” Nadine said with a smile.
“You too and I’ll see you at the next club meeting?”
“Yes. I loved the book.”
“I knew you would,” Kim said pushing her cart in the opposite direction of Nadine.
Great. Now I’ll never get her out of my head. She’s too young for you. Keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll believe it. Nadine shook her head and finished her shopping.
*
It was two weeks after Kim had seen Nadine and now she was walking into the local pantry with a check for two hundred dollars. “Hi,” she said to the woman who was directing placement of food on the shelves. “I’m here to make a donation.”
“Great,” the young girl said. “Let me get someone who can handle that for you.” The girl picked up the phone. “Kim, I have someone out here that wants to make a donation.” The girl smiled. “She’ll be right out.”
“Thank you.” Nadine stood off to the side and looked at the shelves filled with food. She was still staring off into space when her name was called. She recognized the voice instantly. “Kim,” she said surprised.
“Hi.” Her smile was radiant. “I understand you have a donation for us?”
“I do. I didn’t realize that you would be in charge of that or I would have given it to you when I saw you.” Her face blushed with embarrassment.
“I’d rather do it this way to make it official. Let’s go to my office and I’ll get you a receipt for the donation.”
Nadine followed Kim up a flight of stairs and into an office that overlooked the downstairs.
“Have a seat, Nadine. This won’t take long.”
Those blue eyes watched her. Nadine reached into her purse and retrieved the check. “I should have written it for more money,” she said feeling ashamed that the check wasn’t bigger. She could clearly afford to add more zeroes to the check.
“Don’t feel bad,” Kim said taking the check from her hand. “If everyone donated this amount, we wouldn’t be begging for supplies and money all the time.”
“So, this is what you do here?” Nadine asked looking around.
“I do whatever is required. Today, I’m on the phones asking for donations.”
Nadine looked at Kim and wondered if she had been wrong about her. Asking for money was not an easy job and Kim seemed to be enjoying herself. “I’m glad there are people like you to take this type of job.”
“We have a lot of volunteers here. Everyone wants to do their part.” Kim realized that Nadine assumed this was a paying job and changed the subject. “On behalf of the pantry, I thank you for your donation.” She handed Nadine the receipt.
“It was my pleasure. I’ll try to get some of my colleagues to cough up some money.” Nadine stood up. “I’ll let you get back to your phone calls.”
“Thanks again, Nadine,” she said watching as she left the office.
CHAPTER 3
All week long in the office, Nadine collected donations from her co-workers. Everyone was willing to give money without complaining once she explained how their money would help families in need. The phone rang on her desk and she answered it on the first ring. “Nadine Connors.”
“Hello, Nadine. This is Thomas Keller.”
Nadine swallowed hard. It was unusual for the president to contact her unless there was a problem. “Hello, sir. What can I do for you?”
“I heard you are collecting for the local pantry.”
“Yes, sir, I am. Is there a problem?”
“Not at all. I want to give a donation too. Would you come to my office after lunch? I’ll have a check waiting for you.”
“Of course, and thank you. Any amount is helpful.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
Nadine walked out of Thomas’ office with a check for one thousand dollars. The smile on her face brought her joy. How she had never done this before surprised her. All these years she had been fortunate and now she was having a chance to pay it forward. Kim is going to be so happy. The smile left her face quickly. Was she doing this because of a woman or because it was the right thing to do? She hurried back to her office.
*
Nadine was sitting in the bar waiting for her two friends to arrive. “What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“I’ll have a white wine, please.”
“Coming right up.” The woman turned and went to retrieve Nadine’s drink.
She sat there at the bar glancing at her watch noticing Cheryl and Amber were late. Nadine was about to text them when she noticed Kim sitting with some friends at a table. She placed her phone on the bar and picked up her drink. The glass was at her lips, but her eyes were watching Kim interact with her friends. She was so intent staring at the scene, she never noticed Cheryl and Amber taking a seat next to her.
“Are you okay?” Amber asked, placing a hand on her arm.
Nadine turned slowly. “I’m fine. How are you both?”
“We’re good.” Amber now followed Nadine’s gaze. “Isn’t that the woman you met at the book club?” Nadine nodded without commenting.
Cheryl ordered a drink for herself and her wife. “What’s up with you two?”
Nadine looked at Cheryl. “Nothing.”
“It doesn’t look that way. Why don’t you go talk to her?”
Nadine lowered her eyes and stared at her wine. “Why should I?”
Cheryl shook her head. “Because you like her for one.”
“I don’t like her.” Nadine let out a frustrated breath. “She’s too young for me and she works in a food pantry.”
“She’s not that young,” Amber answered looking at her friend. “Since when did you become a snob?”
“I’m not a snob. I just don’t think she has any ambitions regarding her career.”
Both Amber and Cheryl laughed. “Yeah, she’s a snob,” Cheryl said glaring.
“Wait a second,” Amber said. “Those places usually only have volunteers. I never heard of anyone getting paid to work there.”
“See. She either doesn’t have a job or is embarrassed as to what she does for a living.” Nadine’s chin lifted feeling superior.
“You are too much, Nadine,” Cheryl said finishing off her drink and ordered another.
As they sat there talking about anything other than Kim, they watched as she approached the bartender. Kim’s eyes lifted and she looked across the bar. A smile opened on her face and her hand came up in a wave before she walked in their direction.
“Sh
e’s coming over,” Amber said out of the side of her mouth.
“Hello, Nadine,” Kim said once she was standing in front of her.
“Hi, Kim.” She turned to her friends. “Cheryl and Amber, this is Kim.”
Cheryl stretched her arm across the bar and shook Kim’s hand. Amber did the same. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Nadine finally found her voice. “I took up a collection at my office this past week. I have money for you,” she chuckled. “I should say for the pantry.”
“Thank you, Nadine. I could pick it up from you so you don’t have to go all the way to the pantry.” she asked Sara the bartender for a piece of paper and pen. “Here’s my number. Give me a call and we can meet somewhere.”
Nadine took the paper without saying anything. Her head nodded, but she couldn’t find her voice again.
“Well, I better get back to my friends.” She turned to Nadine. “It was good to see you again and it was nice to meet you both.” Kim walked over to the other side of the bar to pick up the drinks she had ordered.
“She’s pretty,” Amber said in her ear. “Sweet too.”
“Young and irresponsible,” Nadine said adding to Amber’s description.
“You don’t know that. How irresponsible can she be if she’s volunteering in a food pantry and what is this about you collecting money?”
“I asked my co-workers if they wanted to make a donation. I even got the president of the firm to donate a thousand dollars.” A smile was now on Nadine’s face.
Cheryl laughed and leaned over her wife toward Nadine. “And you didn’t do this because you like the girl?” she asked skeptically. “You’ve never done this before.”
“I know and I feel terrible about it. I met Kim in the grocery store a few weeks ago, filling her cart with food to donate to the pantry. You know, the basics that the pantry was missing. It made me feel so guilty that I had so much and didn’t care about the people that need help from people like us.” She looked at Cheryl and Amber.
“I think she is trying to tell us to give her some money toward the cause.”
“It’s up to you. I don’t force anyone. If it isn’t something you want to do, it is okay.”