Love So Heavenly (A Clean Christian African American Romance)

by Shannon Gardener

  “Yes mother,” Faith said dryly. “How do you put up with her bossiness?” she asked Mark, as she opened her car door in readiness to get in.

  “I love her too much to wonder about that,” Mark said with his slow smile creasing his attractive face.

  “Good answer,” Maureen said fondly, pecking his cheek as they turned and went towards his car. “See you there,” she waved at Faith.

  ‘Eda’s eatery’ was a small local restaurant that catered and was famous for its fried chicken, wild rice and vegetable casserole and on Sundays there was hardly any available seats. “”I have a table for you,” plump and smiling Eda bustled over to them. She was a church member and always looked out for them. “How was church?”

  “Very good,” Maureen answered, taking a seat as soon as Mark pulled out her chair for her. It had taken her awhile to get used to Mark doing things like that for her. “What happened to you?”

  “My Sunday help bailed on me,” Eda shook her head. “I will have to get rid of that girl,” she said regretfully.

  She took their orders and bustled away, coming back shortly with steaming plates of food.

  “So what’s the plan?” Maureen asked, spooning some rice inside her mouth.

  “Job hunting starting tomorrow,” Faith said with a shrug. She did not have much appetite but gamely sliced off a piece of chicken.

  “I was thinking that maybe you should give yourself some space,” Maureen said softly. “Like get a week’s rest before you start to hunt.”

  “I don’t need rest Maureen, I need to be earning a living,” Faith said a little sharply.

  “All right honey, it was just a suggestion,” the other girl said soothingly.

  Faith shook her head and did not respond. It was Mark who changed the subject, regaling them with stories about a sales rep at his office. Very soon the mood had lightened and Faith found herself cleaning her plate and actually laughing. She was not going to let the problem overwhelm her.

  Chapter 2

  Monday morning came with determination and optimism. Faith was determined to be positive and with that in mind she armed herself; making sure to dress the part in tailored pants and white cotton blouse. She packed a sandwich and some fruits into her little tote and a bottle of water. Along with that she put her documents inside a folder; saying a prayer before heading out.

  By mid-morning her enthusiasm had waned considerably after being told for the fifth time that there was no vacancy. “We will be sure to get in touch with you if anything opens up,” a woman told her sympathetically; seeing apparent dejection on the girl’s face.

  One man told her lewdly, that with her looks and figure she should not be walking around looking for a job but instead should be some man’s arm candy. She left without leaving a resume.

  It was Wednesday morning before she got a call from a woman asking her if she would like to come in because her employee would be off for a month and she needed someone to fill the vacancy. Faith had to squelch the disappointment and with a bright voice told her of course.

  It was a real estate office and Faith dressed in her best suit; a black and white skirt suit with white silk blouse underneath. She'd had ruthlessly tamed her riotous curls; leaving a few tendrils curling at her cheeks. She was determined to make the best of a bad situation.

  When she got there, the determination took a downward spiral as she sat for half an hour in the dingy waiting room. She did not remember dropping off a resume at this place but then again she had sent some via email. At that moment a harried, untidy looking woman bustled out and beckoned her to follow. The offices were not any better; she passed what looked like a secretarial office and had a glimpse of a tiny cubicle with a small table heaped with papers.

  The woman indicated that she sit on one of the vinyl chairs in front of an untidy, crowded desk which looked like the documents were going to slide off any second. “I am sorry to be rushing so much my dear but Miranda had an emergency that came up and she had to leave suddenly.” She sat at her desk and gave Faith an assessing stare, taking in her immaculate attire. “We're casual here so in the future you don’t have to bother dressing up so much.”

  “Where I come from this is considered professional attire and I am a professional,” Faith told her smoothly, not caring whether or not she was going to be told that she was no longer needed.

  “Well then,” the woman frowned. “I can’t say I blame you and I don’t want you to feel that we are not professional here; it’s just that it’s a small office and you know what I mean.”

  Faith nodded without saying a word; wondering if this was such a good idea. As if the woman could hear what she was thinking she hastened to add, “You are definitely going to make a positive spin on the place.” She beamed. “By the way my name is Cathy and I have a showing in half an hour,” she glanced at her watch, discovering that it was almost eleven o’clock. “Let me show you where you will be.” She stood up and headed for the door, expecting Faith to follow her.

  They came to the small airless office with a ceiling fan turning lazily as if accustomed to the atmosphere. “I have left some instructions on a piece of paper on the filing cabinet and also my cell numbers if you need me.” Without waiting for a response, she headed out.

  Faith felt the sinking in the pit of her stomach and wanted to flee but her mother had taught her that no matter the challenge she should never run away from it but face it head on.

  By mid-morning she had turned the untidy desk into something that could be worked on and seen and had placed the things to file inside a folder. Apparently the absent Miranda had viewed filing as putting things haphazardly on any flat surface she could find.

  It was three o’clock before Cathy came back to the office and stood in shocked surprise at the neat desk. “Miranda and I have a certain system,” she told Faith with a disapproving look. “It might look messy but we can always find where we put the things we need.”

  “I also have a system and it’s called putting things in order so that one can find it when it is needed,” Faith countered as she handed the woman a number of messages.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Cathy agreed swiftly, retrieving her messages. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.” She departed swiftly and closed her door.

  Too bad for you, Faith thought with a wry grin, turning back to the computer to finish typing the itinerary. She paused for lunch at four and did not leave the office until after five because she wanted to make sure she had the next day’s schedule ready for when she got there in the morning. She left Cathy at the office and the woman thanked her for an excellent first day. “I would recommend you to anyone my dear,” the woman beamed as she waved goodbye. “See you in the morning.”

  As soon as she got home, Faith kicked off her shoes and after pouring herself a glass of wine, she sank down on the sofa and took a deep fortifying breath; the day had not been so bad after all; it was not what she was used to but it had to do for the time being. Her phone rang just as she was about to doze off.

  “How was it?” Maureen demanded.

  “Good day to you too,” Faith said dryly. “It was not too bad,” she went on to tell her friend what Cathy had said about her attire and her cleaning up the office and her response.

  “Good for you, let her know right from the start who you are and what you stand for,” Maureen said approvingly. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes mother,” Faith teased. Her friend was only two years older than her but had taken it on to herself to mother Faith; especially after her mother had died. Usually she didn’t mind but sometimes it got on her nerves. “I am just going to eat something and go straight to bed.”

  “I wish you would find yourself someone suitable to be with,” Maureen sighed.

  “I am not going to be one of those women who think that time is running out on them and they have to find a Tom, Dick or Harry to settled down with,” Faith told her firmly. “You know it has to be someone I am totally in lo
ve with it.”

  “Wouldn’t it be ironic if you do find someone with either the name: ‘Tom, Dick or Harry’” Maureen said in amusement.

  Faith laughed, telling her friend goodbye and hung up the phone. That night she dreamed her mother was telling her not to worry about anything, the Lord will take care of it.

  *****

  The next morning as soon as she got to the office Cathy rushed out saying she had a realtor’s meeting that was going to take up the better part of the day and if she could please handle things for her.

  “I really appreciate what you have done in here but I like my office the way it is,” Cathy told her a little hesitantly; standing just inside the doorway, her eyes scanning the neat and tidy desk with documents stacked in order of importance.

  “I have no problem with that and I don’t have to work in your office, this is going to be my space for the next four weeks and I have to be comfortable where I am,” Faith told her smoothly.

  “Okay my dear,” she beamed. “See you in the afternoon.”

  The day flew by quickly and she was so busy typing correspondences and answering the phone. Before she realized, it was way in the afternoon and Cathy had still not returned. She called her at some minutes to five and told her to lock up the office and take the keys with her. “The guys decided to have dinner and I could not say no.” she said breezily after Faith had given her the messages that were waiting for her.

  “I have also typed a report on what took place for the day and left it on your desk.” Faith told her.

  “Wonderful my dear,” she said in a pleased voice. “So efficient.”

  Faith secured the doors and made sure all the windows were locked and then headed home.

  The four weeks flew very fast and before she knew it; the final week was upon her and she still had not found anything yet.

  That Wednesday afternoon, she took her sandwich and walked the few blocks to the little park she passed everyday going to the office. She had been sitting in the office having lunch at the desk but today she decided she needed the fresh air. It was a lovely spring day and the flowers were in full bloom. She had worn dark blue pants and a brilliant red cotton blouse with a tie at the neck and had on red and blue accessories; she had let her hair run wild and it framed her beautiful face like a dark rainbow. She had just sat down and was laconically feeding the birds when she saw it. She had passed the building every week since she had been working at the real estate place and it had always been locked but now it was not. It was open and a large sign on top of the building read: ‘Placement Services’ – “Let us help you find the job that best suits you.” Faith blinked as if she could not believe her eyes. It was just what she needed. A place where she could hand in her resume and they helped her find something that she needed.

  Without a second thought, she disposed of the half eaten sandwich and headed across the road; she did not have her resume but she could always bring it tomorrow or even later when she was heading home if they were still opened then.

  She pushed the glass doors open and to her surprise she saw that there was a large open space with minimal furniture and a white guy, his brown hair with gold highlights standing on end as if he had ran his fingers though it several times.

  “We are not officially open for business until next week,” he told her without looking up; his attention on some files he had before him.

  “As long as the door is open, I would say that you’re open to the public,” Faith told him; not having any intention of leaving until she got his full attention.

  “Look miss,” he began impatiently; coming to an abrupt stop as he looked up and saw her framed in the doorway. He blinked hazel green eyes and Faith got a good look at his face – not too bad for a white guy, she thought to herself as she took in the strong jaw and the full lower lip.

  He was staring at her in bemusement and Faith arched a brow at him curiously. “I am sorry,” he said shaking his head as if to gather his wits. “What is it you need?” he came over towards her.

  “I need a job and this is a place that helps you get one,” she told him with a charming smile, her dimples peeking through. He stared at her transfixed.

  “I am sorry but as I said before we are – I mean I am not officially open yet.” He was still staring at her and Faith returned his stare with one of hers in amusement.

  “You are the only one here?” she asked curiously; staring at the big space and the several open boxes scattered around.

  “For the moment,” he turned to look around the place. “I am trying to finish setting up by the weekend so I can officially open by Monday next week.”

  “So in fact, you actually need someone to work alongside you to get this place started,” Faith asked, a thought germinating in her mind. The possibilities was endless. A new place of business; a new start and new ideas to put into place.

  “I have no money to pay anyone at the moment,” he warned seeing where she was going.

  “Oh don’t be so hasty,” she told him, wandering around the room, taking in the glossy tiles and the bright red paint. “You have no idea what I can do. You can put a desk in the center right here,” she indicated the middle of the room. “And put partitions there in the corner for your office. I would not actually need an office, at least not right now and we could place some chairs right there at the window.”

  “Slow down please,” he told her with a laugh, almost caught up in her vision. “I don’t even know who it is that is designing my office.”

  “Oh, I am sorry,” she apologized with a smile. “My name is Faith Blake and I am available as of this Friday.”

  “I am Joshua O’Connor and I am not hiring right now, no matter how enticing you make it sound.” He told her taking the hand she had extended.

  “We’ll see,” she told him with a smug smile; heading for the door as she realized that her lunch time was almost over. “See you tomorrow.” She told him leaving him staring after her in bemusement.

  For the first time since she got laid off a month ago, Faith found her steps had gotten much lighter as if she was on springs. She was definitely going to persuade him to hire her or her name was not Faith Blake.

  True to her word; she went there the next day around noon. He was in the middle of setting up some chairs at the window as she had told him and when she pushed open the door he looked up as if he was expecting her. He was in jeans and a black T-shirt that looked startling against his tanned skin and showed off his muscles. “You’re back,” he said, trying to keep the pleasure out of his voice. He had hoped she would be.

  “I said I would be, didn’t I?” she told him impishly. This time she was dressed in an emerald green blouse and black pants with high heeled black shoes that gave her slight frame added height. Green earrings dangled at her lobe and her hair was pinned on top of her head. “I see you took my suggestion,” she arched thin brows at him. “Should I charge for my advice?”

  “I suppose you should,” he told her sheepishly, coming over to her.

  “I brought my documents,” she handed a folder with her particulars.

  “You are one determined lady,” he told her shaking his head as he took the folder.

  “And also a very hardworking one,” she answered, moving away to look at the various wall paintings hanging on the wall. “Nice touch,” she murmured. “You also need a television set and a table right there with some magazines for people to be able to pass the time.”

  “Thank you,” he told her, going around to place her folder on a large table. “Why aren’t you in a job?”

  “I got laid off from a company I had been working at for five years,” she told him.

  “That’s rough,” he told her sympathetically. “I guess that’s one of the reasons I am setting this place up; to try and place people into suitable jobs.”

  “What did you do before?” Faith asked him curiously.

  “Worked in a corporate firm as a sales person for ten years and got tired of the cut t
hroat business.” He said with a shrug. “I got this place from an aunt who had invested in some real estate some years ago and decided to open my own business.”

  “Good decision,” Faith murmured. She was starting to like him and wanted so much to work right here – there was so much they could do together.

  “Listen Faith,” he began and she stopped him; holding one delicate hand up.

  “If you’re going to tell me that you cannot pay me then forget it; I refuse to take no for an answer. You can pay me far less than I am worth and then when this place starts making money you can pay me properly.”

  Joshua laughed in amusement; his eyes crinkling attractively. Definitely good-looking for a white guy, Faith thought, staring at him.

  “I was not about to say that,” he told her softly. “I was going to tell you that I am persuaded and you are hired – you can start on Monday,”

  Faith gave an earsplitting shriek and without realizing what she was doing, she ran over and gave him a big hug causing his eyes to widen as her breasts pressed against his chest creating sensations inside him he had not experienced in a long time. Before he could return the hug she stepped back; with no indication that she was as affected by his nearness as he was by hers. “Sorry, totally not professional,” she grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow; to, you know, help out some more.” With a cheery wave she left; leaving a wave of exotic perfume in her wake and a very uneasy Joshua standing there staring after her.

  *****

  Friday was her last day at the real estate office and she made sure she left everything in order.

  “My dear, you have done such a good job that I wish I could keep you on,” Cathy said regretfully as she handed her the check.

  “That’s okay Cathy, I already got a job,” Faith told her cheerfully.

  “You did?” the woman asked in astonishment. “My dear that’s wonderful! I wish you all the best.” She gave the surprised Faith a quick hug and handed her a small gift wrapped package. “Just a little token of my appreciation.”