Christian Romance: Heaven on Earth... [4 Beautiful Christian Romance Stories] Read online

  Christian Romance:

  Heaven on Earth...

  4 Christian Romance Stories

  Joanne Sawyer

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  Table of Contents

  BOOK 1: I Think I'm Falling For You...

  Introduction

  An Awkward Encounter...

  Blessing in Disguise...

  Unexpected Engagement...

  A Trying Day...

  A Night Out...

  Truths...

  Prologue

  BOOK 2: You've Got a Way With Me...

  Introduction

  She Was Exhausted...

  How is this?

  They had talked and laughed...

  “How can I help you miss?”

  Catching a glimpse...

  Prologue

  BOOK 3: It's Only Love...

  Introduction

  The Dining Hall...

  Relaxed Nonchalance...

  At That Moment...

  The Next Summer...

  Epilogue

  BOOK 4: Giving The Best Of Me...

  Introduction

  Finding Karen...

  The Heart of a Little Town...

  The Man’s Impregnable Wall...

  An Opened Door...

  Epilogue: Karen Found...

  I Think I'm Falling For You...

  Joanne Sawyer

  Introduction

  Elise thinks she has everything she needs, her business and her faith. But she realizes there may be something missing when she meets Tristan Maine, a new hire who comes to work with a confidence that borders on being cocky. She disapproves of his carelessness, but there is electric tension between them.

  Follow Elise and Tristan as they discover themselves and each other in this heart-warming Christian Romance of two people lost in the word who manage to find each other.

  An Awkward Encounter...

  “Hey Elise, I’m going out for that Sorensen Delivery and the new baker is coming in at 2:00. Is it okay if you take care of him while I go?” said Aunt Jemima through the open office door as she was on her way out.

  “Sure thing, Aunt Jem. I’m almost done with our reports anyway.” Elise replied. Her aunt was really busy getting to know their customers and she was mostly in charge of the office anyway. She liked being in control. She was co-owner and founder of their booming business, Aunt Jemima managed the human end, meaning getting in touch with customers and hiring new people, she managed everything else. Ahh… Tabitha’s AngeliCakes, it was her dream come true and a tribute to her mother, who died 4 years ago, just when she was about to graduate from her course in business management.

  Her mother had been her rock. Tabitha Coleson was widowed when Elise was only 15 and it had been hard for everyone. But Tabitha was a strong woman who managed to put her and her 2 brothers, Noah and David, through school and even college, juggling 3 jobs and fostering respect, love and faith in God in all three of them. It was faith, said Tabitha, that had helped her weather the storm of loss. Elise remembered her father, who was a kind, gentle man who always read them Bible stories before bed. A car had killed Malcolm Coleson, and it was a stroke that killed his wife, who was only 53 when she died. Her father’s death was hard, but the loss of her mother was devastating. Her mother had always had such a great presence that Elise almost thought her mother would live forever. She never got to see what I managed to build for her, Elise thought now, looking at her mother’s picture on her desk.

  He brothers were both doing well for themselves. Noah, the youngest, was in his second year as a Literature teacher at the University, while David, their eldest, was a workaholic architect. Neither of them had settled down yet, and didn’t seem to want to any time soon. It must run in the family, Elise thought with a smile. She had had suitors before, but she had never wanted to have a boyfriend. While she was in school she always said that it wasn’t a priority yet, she wanted to graduate before even thinking about things like that. But now…? It’s still not a priority I suppose. When her mother had died, Elise had been desperate to keep her mother’s presence close and her fondest memories of her mother were always the cakes and cookies she would give them after Sunday Mass, she called them her angelicakes as a word play, and Elise had used it. She knew nothing about baking, but Aunt Jem knew more than enough for both of them. They had started with two bakers and a cake designer, catering weddings and parties, and the beautifully designed and delicious cakes made sure their customer list grew and grew. Now they have 4 branches in nearby towns and a main shop in the busiest street in the city and they’d needed to start hiring again, which is why she was waiting here for the new baker, who was already 15 minutes late. Not a very good first impression.

  She turned to look at the file Aunt Jem had left in her desk. Tristan Maine, 27 years old, 5 years of experience as pastry chef in Hotel Continental. Impressive, thought Elise, as she had tasted the food at the Continental, which was a five star hotel in the business district. Still, no matter what his credentials are, there’s no excuse for tardiness. Elise decided to continue working on the cash flow reports as she waited. Elise did not believe in wasting time.

  Her secretary, Lou Anne, called on the intercom. “You’re two o’clock is here Miss Coleson.” She had known Lou Anne since they were little, and she had kept telling her to call her by her name but Lou Anne insisted. She said it was more professional that way.

  “Okay Lou, send him in please.”

  The door opened a few minutes later and a handsome man swaggered in. He had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, but what annoyed Elise the most was the cocky smile he had on his face. It was the smile of someone who felt entitled. Elise frowned upon entitlement. She had worked
hard for everything she had; she expected others to do the same, especially those who worked for her. God helps those who help themselves after all.

  “Mary Elise Coleson,” she said, extending her hand. “Tristan Maine I suppose?”

  “Yes ma’am. I’m so glad I finally got to meet you,” the man answered, giving her a generous smile.

  “You’re late.”

  The man looked like he was going to choke. It’s like he’s never faced consequences in his entire life, thought Elise, amused.

  “I got caught in traffic…I didn’t really think that…”

  “I know this isn’t technically you’re first day,” Elise said, cutting him off, “but I would expect punctuality, especially for a chief baker. We are the main branch and the bigger orders are going to be coming through here. We can’t be waiting for when you eventually show up Mr. Maine, that’s not how this works. We work hard here, that’s why this business is growing so rapidly, and because this business is growing so rapidly, we have to work even harder. Is this clear to you?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be on time in the future.”

  At 27, Tristan Main was a good two years older than Elise, but she had learned to be direct and firm when it came to business. She watched him, obviously flustered and twiddling his fingers.

  “That’s good to hear Mr. Maine. I hope we get to develop a fine working relationship in the near future,” she said, getting up and leading him to the door.

  That was cold, thought Tristan as he left his new boss’ office. He had never had anyone talk like that to him and he had to admit, maybe he needed it. He would have to get used to being an employee and maybe get whipped into shape, so to speak. He certainly didn’t mind if it was Miss Coleson. She was beautiful. Black hair, red lips and her fair skin made him think of Snow White, but she was all business, she was a truly guarded person. And he came here to learn didn’t he? Tristan knew he had to keep his head level. He knew he had to change, that’s why he left his old ‘job’ and came to work for Tabitha’s AngeliCakes, the fastest growing cake shop and catering in the state.

  Tristan changed into his kitchen uniform, rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

  Blessing in Disguise...

  It was 7:00 am when Elise opened up the shop. It was something her father, who had owned an electronics store when he was still alive, had always said, ‘You have to be the first one in and the last one out,’ and she stood by it. She liked to go through the whole shop in the mornings, going through the displays, then counters, the desks and offices at the back and then the kitchen. This was often the time she took to get closer with God. She was so busy and life was so hectic that she made it a point to talk to God and pray as she checked on the blessings He had showered her. Tabitha and Malcolm Coleson had taught their children many things, but the most important was to always be thankful and have faith in God’s will, but Elise also believed in hard work, that God could only do so much and you have to work to achieve your dreams. This combination made Elise a hopeful yet strict boss.

  Kathy Miranda, a baker who had worked with them for 2 years already, knew this and, as was evident when Elise came to inspect her work area, Kathy had left her station looking pristine and organized.

  Tristan Maine’s counter, however, still had some left over dough in the bowls that hadn’t been washed when he left. There were confectioner’s sugar lightly sprinkled over the table and some spoons on a glass filled with water. He seemed to have left in a hurry. Elise shook her head and quietly cleaned up his counter.

  Elise made her way to her office and checked her agenda. The reports she had been working on were already done, and she already had Lou Anne send it to her accountant. The most important part of her day was the meeting with Suzanne Saldana, a local celebrity who was known for her soulful singing. Suzanne was getting married here and had called them. It was by far the biggest order they have had since Tabitha’s AngeliCakes was founded and she and her Aunt Jem had to close the deal, she reviewed her notes on Saldana again as she waited for time to pass.

  It was exactly 9:00 when Tristan came through the door. Everyone else, on the other hand, had arrived at least 10 minutes early.

  The man was incorrigible. He reminded Elise of those school jocks who broke the rules and smiled about it, knowing they would never really be punished. She was going to let it go. It was his first day anyway and she had the Saldana account to worry about.

  “Hey darling, how was the interview yesterday? You didn’t give him such a hard time did you?” said her Aunt Jem, peeking her head through the door.

  “I don’t know what you mean auntie. I am a professional, and I expect others to act that way too. That’s all,” replied Elise, as Aunt Jem shook her head and came in.

  “I know you’re really pressured with this Saldana wedding coming, but I do hope you take time off. Lou Anne told me you left later than she did last night. There’s more to life than work Elise, I think that’s a lesson your mother taught that you forgot. Tabitha worked hard but she always had time for you and your brothers, and that’s what made it all worth it.”

  “I don’t have children Aunt Jem, my brothers are all busy and we see each other every day, that’s all the family I need right now.”

  “You think that, but it’s not true. When was the last time you took a day off or went out with your friends? Do you even have any friends anymore Elise?”

  “Of course I do Auntie. We just haven’t talked in a while. I am very busy you know.”

  “I do know darling. That’s why I want you to go out once in a while. Darling you’ve never even had a boyfriend and you’re already 25? What are you waiting for? You already have a steady business and people you trust who work for you. You should learn to live a little.”

  “Auntie please, let’s talk about this when we get the Saldana event okay? It’s a very important account and it could be the push we need to open branches across the state. I need to focus, and so do you.”

  “Alright, alright,” her aunt said as she got up to go. “I just wish you’d take the time to enjoy life too. Your brothers are just the same, what would Tabitha say?” and she closed the door behind her.

  It wasn’t the first time her aunt pestered her about this. Since she had turned 24, her Aunt Jem had tried to get her to start dating. But like she said, it was not a priority at the moment.

  It was 10 minutes past one o’clock when the awaited customer arrived. Suzanne Saldana’s orange Bentley pulled up right in front of the shop and she stepped out with an older woman and her husband, a successful business man Elise had heard about, Jonathan Cane.

  They were led into the mini-conference room; it was beautifully furnished with a table and six chairs and was mainly used for talking with prospective clients.

  Aunt Jem and Elise both stood up and shook hands with all three.

  “Miss Saldana, Mr. Cane, I’m Mary Elise Coleson, and this is my aunt, Jemima Shaw, we would like to welcome you to Tabitha’s AngeliCakes. We hope we can be of service to you on your upcoming nuptials.” Elise started formally.

  “Why yes, of course. Well, you know us both, this is my mother,” said Suzanne, who was truly beautiful with her rich curls and tanned skin. “We actually came here first because a friend of mine, Anna Reed, she said she ordered the most divine cake from your shop for her mother’s 63rd birthday and that I just had to try it here.”

  “Oh yes, Anna, she got the double layer chiffon with the gold ribbon fondant decoration. Yes that was lovely,” said Aunt Jem with a smile. You had to give it to Aunt Jem for remembering almost every single customer they ever had.

  “Yes, that’s exactly right. I feel better already,” said Mrs. Saldana, “You can expect a wonderful cake from people who remember the exact cake someone ordered a month ago Suzanne.”

  Suzanne looked toward Jonathan, who just smiled and shrugged.

  “Well, I was thinking of having a four layer wedding cake with silver fondant and gold flower embellishments. An
d I want butter cream filling and maybe some red velvet cupcakes for the guests too.”

  “That’s all very doable for us, we’ve done a lot of weddings and we can definitely give you a cake that’ll be the highlight of your reception, I can guarantee you that.”

  “I know, and I’m sure you would have done a great job but…” Uh oh, thought Elise right then. “I was thinking of a more daring cake. I saw your previous cakes and they were all lovely, I just want a bit of an umph to it, you know?”

  “Well we can provide you with all the umph you’ll need Miss Saldana. We have the best cake decorators in the city and highly qualified bakers. We have the best right here and you won’t get any better.”