Message from Heaven Read online

  Kim leaned over and kissed Nadine’s mouth and then wiped the tears that filled her eyes.

  “Open the gift,” Nadine said pointing at the box.

  Kim unwrapped the box thinking Nadine had bought her a piece of jewelry, but when she opened the box she was shocked. “What does this mean?” Kim stared at the pregnancy test stick.

  “It means that I hope you will use that stick someday soon.” Her smile was radiant as she looked at her bride who was now sobbing. “Oh, Kim,” Nadine said pulling Kim to her body, “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  Kim sat up and wiped her face. “These are tears of joy, Nadine.” Her head shook. “You have made me so happy.”

  Nadine wrapped her arm around Kim and pulled her close. “Making you happy makes me happy.”

  “Now I don’t want to give you my gift,” Kim muttered against Nadine’s neck.

  “Why? I will love whatever you got for me. I don’t really need a gift.”

  Kim reached over and handed Nadine her gift. “If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Nadine opened the card.

  Nadine, since you have my heart, I wanted you to wear it around your neck. Know that my heart beats for you. Only for you. I will love you to my dying day. Always yours, Kim.

  Nadine opened the box and saw a beautiful diamond heart. She was surprised because a gift like this was so unlike Kim. She would rather spend the money on helping others than buy something so extravagant. “I love it Kim, and I know how hard it must have been for you to buy something so expensive.”

  “Not when it comes to you, Nadine.” She helped Nadine with the clasp and touched the heart. “My heart beats for you, love.”

  “As mine does too.” Nadine stood up and held out her hand leading Kim toward the stairs. She turned off the lights as they walked and climbed the stairs to the room where they would share and prove the love they had for each other.

  CHAPTER 27

  Tonight, Kim and Nadine were having their friends over for dinner and games. They did this together once a month and rotated on the house they would use. Sam and Kim were painting his apartment, but promised to be home in time to help Nadine with last minute preparations.

  “Hi, honey. We’re done with Sam’s apartment and we’re just going to stop at the pantry with some checks I was given.”

  “Are you sure you have time, Kim? We could always do that tomorrow.”

  “It won’t take long. I’ll be home in less than an hour.”

  “Okay, sweetie. Be careful. I love you,” Nadine said into the phone.

  “I love you too. See you shortly.”

  Amber and Cheryl arrived to a panicked Nadine. “I can’t reach her,” she said when they walked in the door. “She’s not answering her phone and neither is Sam.”

  “I’m sure everything is fine,” Amber said leading Nadine into the living room. “They probably just lost track of time.”

  “You can yell at her when she gets here,” Cheryl said grinning.

  “First I’ll hug her and then I’ll break her ass for worrying me.”

  Two hours later the doorbell rang. Amber got up to answer it because Nadine was an emotional wreck. Amber nearly passed out when she saw who was standing there. A uniformed officer and Sam whose shirt was covered in blood.

  “Are you Nadine Connors?” he asked to a silent Amber who just shook her head. Sam led the officer inside and they walked over to Nadine. The tears immediately formed in her eyes and she stood up. “Ms. Connors?”

  She watched as Sam began to cry softly. “What is it?” Nadine finally asked.

  “I’m sorry, but Ms. Bailey was killed tonight,” he said not meeting her gaze.

  “Killed? How is that possible?” Nadine felt her legs give out and she fell back onto the couch. Blackness surrounded her consciousness.

  Now Sam, Amber and Cheryl attended to their friend.

  “I’ll tell her what happened,” Sam said to the officer who showed himself out.

  “I’m sorry,” he said before leaving.

  Once Nadine was brought around, she looked at everyone’s faces. She hoped that she was dreaming and what she had heard wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true, she thought.

  “It happened so fast,” Sam began. “We walked into the pantry and found a man holding a gun on his wife and kids. Kim walked toward him and tried to calm the man down.”

  “Is this your wife?” Kim asked the man whose hands were shaking. The gun was pointed toward three people.

  “Yes. She left me and took my kids. I want her to come home.”

  “Why don’t you put the gun down? Can’t you see you are scaring your kids?”

  The man looked at his family and then to Kim. His arm began to drop, but the police came rushing in and the gun went off.

  “He didn’t mean to shoot her,” Sam said through sobs. “The gun just went off. Then the police shot him.” Sam covered his face. “I went to her and she was trying to say something, but she was bleeding so much.”

  “Stay with me, Kim. Nadine needs you. Don’t leave us.” Sam begged.

  “Kim died on the way to the hospital,” Sam barely got the words out through his tears.

  II

  CHAPTER 28

  Three Years Later

  Nadine Connors’s life had changed since the death of her wife. She no longer worked at the large investment firm because she spent the first six months not getting out of bed. Nadine stayed with her parents who made sure she ate and also kept a close eye on her so Nadine didn’t do something to herself. Nadine found getting through every day the hardest thing she ever had to do. She begged God each night to take her to Kim because she had no reason to live another day. As the months passed, it was a dream that made her get out of bed. In her dream, Kim told her to get up and do some good for people. She told her she had died to keep a family safe and it was her duty to make sure that legacy continued. When Nadine opened her eyes, she touched the diamond heart and began to live again as best as she could. There were so many days that she thought about selling the house, but something always held her back. Nadine needed the house to feel close to Kim and the only place she found that peace was in the house.

  *

  “Dad, I want to do a free seminar for the working woman. I want to invite single mothers and women who don’t think they have the money to invest.” Nadine told her father. She watched the expression on his face go from doubt to a growing smile. “What?” Nadine asked not understanding.

  “Kim,” he said coming around the desk and put his arm around his daughter, “would have liked that idea.”

  “Yeah,” she said feeling the emotion tug at her heart. Nadine had tried over the last three years to put her wife’s money to good use. Always finding a cause that needed her attention. Since her dream, Nadine joined local charities and offered whatever help they needed. “So, what do you think?”

  “I think that would be nice, but you know most of the women won’t have much money to invest.”

  “I know, Dad, but I want to try and help… if I can.”

  “I wish you’d help yourself the way you are always helping everyone else.”

  “I’m fine, Dad. I enjoy helping people,” Nadine told him. She didn’t care that she didn’t have a personal life outside of her work and charities. It was only Amber and Cheryl that persisted in asking that she spend time with them. They wouldn’t let Nadine cut off the bond the women held for each other. Even Sam became a close friend since Kim’s death. She had taken Kim’s place as his best friend and made sure to keep in contact with him.

  “Kim wouldn’t want to see you spend the rest of your life alone.”

  “Dad, my heart isn’t mine to give to anyone. Kim took it with her when she died.” Nadine wiped her eyes. She hated that even though three years had passed, just the mention of her name made her cry. Every night getting into bed alone brought tears to her eyes.

  “Someday you are going to meet someon
e who will make you feel alive again. I just hope when that happens you will allow it to happen.”

  Nadine laughed. “I am happy that I had love once in my life. I doubt that could ever be duplicated.”

  “Just remember what I’ve said.”

  “If someone can make me feel alive again, I will gladly grow another heart.” She grinned. “How’s that?”

  “Get out of here and back to work. You have a seminar to plan.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  CHAPTER 29

  Sandra Williams was walking into the building where the seminar was taking place when she heard her name called. Turning around brought a smile to her face. “Gina,” she said opening her arms.

  “Sandy. It’s been so long. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to attend the seminar,” she answered, showing the invitation in her hand.

  “I work there,” she said quickly. “Well, at least for another two weeks. I’m getting married again and moving to New York with my fiancé.” Gina held her hand out to show Sandy her ring.

  “That’s a beautiful ring, Gina. I’m so happy for you.”

  “So how are Pete and Carly?”

  “Pete and I divorced a year ago. Carly is fine.”

  “How old is she now?”

  “Eight years old. Growing bigger every day,” Sandy said smiling. Her daughter looked just like her ex with blond hair and dark blue eyes. Her eyes were blue, but light in color.

  “Where are you working these days?” Gina asked, not wanting to tell Sandy she was happy that she left Pete. She had tried to talk Sandy out of marrying him, but Sandy went through with the wedding anyway.

  “I’m temping. I keep hoping that someone will offer me a full-time job but so far, nothing.”

  Gina’s eyebrows raised. “You should apply for my job. I could put in a good word for you.”

  “You would do that?” Sandy asked surprised. It had been at least five years since she had seen Gina. There were so many days that Sandra couldn’t believe the kindness she had received. Her mother for taking her in after the divorce and even her temping jobs. She always wished one would turn into a permanent job, but everyone was always kind to her.

  “Of course, I would.” Gina now reached into her purse for a piece of paper and pen. “Here is my work email. Send me the resume and I’ll recommend you for the job. You will love it here. Everyone is so nice and the pay is good too.” She looked at her watch. “I’ve got to run. I’m supposed to meet Tom for dinner.”

  “It was good to see you again, Gina.”

  “You too and don’t forget to send me that resume.”

  “I will.” Sandy walked over to the elevators and got in, pressing the sixth floor on the buttons in front of her. She knew she was at least a half hour early, but she had come straight from work since Carly was with her mother. Sandy entered the lobby and took a seat in the offices of Connors and Anderson. She watched as a woman walked back and forth carrying things into what she could only assume was where the seminar would take place. A few minutes later the woman came out and saw her sitting there.

  “Hello. Are you here for the seminar?”

  Sandy nodded her head. “Yes, I’m early.”

  “You can come inside and wait if you’d like. We’ve got coffee and some refreshments.” The woman smiled at her and waved her hand.

  Sandy got up from her chair and walked toward her. She now noticed the woman was dressed in expensive clothes and doubted she could afford to do anything with her money in a place like this. At least listening wouldn’t cost her anything. “Thank you,” Sandy said when she walked into the conference room.

  “I’m Nadine Connors,” the woman said, holding out her hand.

  “Sandra Williams.”

  “The coffee and refreshments are on the back table. I just have to bring in a few more things. Make yourself at home.”

  “Thank you,” Sandy said seeing the woman’s welcoming face. She looked down at her clothes and wondered if she had the wardrobe to work in an office like this one. Gina had been dressed casually, but her outfit looked expensive. Stop it. Don’t talk yourself out of the job before you even have an interview. Sandy walked over to the coffee and poured herself a cup. The little sandwiches looked appetizing, but she didn’t want to touch anything before other people arrived. Sandy walked toward the front of the room and took a seat. In her purse, she carried a small pad and pen. As she drank her coffee she watched the woman come in with another stack of papers. “Is there something I can help you with?” Sandy asked surprising herself. She was never the outgoing person. Sandy would rather sit back and let someone else speak because she thought she had nothing of significance to say. This led to her being very shy.

  Nadine smiled. “Thank you, but I think I’ve got everything I need.” As she said this, people starting streaming into the conference room. “Thank you all for coming. There’s coffee in the back and sandwiches if you’d like.”

  The women made their way to the table and Sandy joined them, starving. She now saw most of the women were dressed as she was. Even some of the women came in jeans. They were all part of the same class and Sandy felt instantly comfortable. Taking her seat again, she watched as the woman spoke to a man outside the doorway. They were talking easily and then he leaned over and kissed her cheek. As he passed the glass he smiled at her. She returned his smile and thought he had a kind face. Nadine walked back into the conference room.

  “Ladies, are you ready to start?” Nadine asked as she began to hand out booklets.

  Sandy took a booklet from Nadine and now noticed the diamond wedding band. As she leaned over a diamond heart hung loosely in between the open buttons on her silk shirt. Now she thought maybe the man was Nadine’s husband, but he looked to be at least twenty years older. Nadine began to speak to the group of women. She stood up front and leaned on the table behind her. Her position showed off her long legs in her dark pants and expensive boots sticking out of the bottoms. Sandy now listened intently to what Nadine was saying. After an hour, the seminar ended. Sandy was first in line to ask a question, “Is it expensive to open a college fund?”

  Nadine looked down at the woman and smiled. “It’s not.”

  “I have some money I inherited from an aunt that I would like to grow for my daughter so when she goes to college there’s money,” Sandy explained.

  “How old is your daughter?” Nadine asked.

  “Eight.”

  “That gives you ten years to build on the money she’ll have for college.” Nadine turned and picked up one of her cards. “Make an appointment with my secretary and we can discuss your options.” Nadine thought for a moment and added. “If you need the meeting to be after five o’clock, I can arrange that.”

  “Thank you so much. This was very informative.”

  “You are welcome,” Nadine said with a smile and now focused on the next person who wanted to ask a question.

  Sandy walked toward the exit and left.

  As soon as Sandy got home, she updated her resume and sent it off to Gina. Before she went to her own bedroom, she stopped to kiss her daughter good night.

  CHAPTER 30

  Nadine walked into her office the following morning, dragging. These late nights were starting to catch up with her. She needed some time off, but never found the time to do just that.

  “Good morning, Nadine,” Gina called as she walked near the receptionist desk. “How was the seminar?”

  “Morning, Gina. It went very well. I think some of the women learned some good information.”

  “Good. I have a resume for you to review.” Gina held out the paper.

  Nadine took the papers and began to walk away.

  “She’s a good friend of mine. We went to college together. Very intelligent and hard working. She married an idiot, but she dumped his ass.” Gina now saw the look on Nadine’s face. “Sorry, TMI.”

  “Yes, Gina. Too much.”

  “Sandy’s really sweet. She
’ll fit in perfectly here. You might have met her last night.”

  “Who?”

  “Sandy Williams.”

  Nadine looked at Gina and remembered the petite woman with light brown hair and blue eyes the color of the sky. “Yes, I met her. I’ll look over her resume, but I can’t make any promises. You know my dad has final say.”

  “I know, but I hope you give her a chance.”

  Luckily the phone rang and Nadine was able to make her escape from the chatterbox known as Gina. “Morning, Arlene,” she said to her secretary.

  “Morning, Nadine.” She looked at her boss. “You look dreadful.” As soon as Nadine went back to work, Arlene followed Nadine to Connors & Anderson.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “You are getting too old for all these late nights.”

  “You’re fired, but get me a cup of coffee first,” Nadine said before opening her office door.

  “I know you don’t mean that,” Arlene called before going to get Nadine’s coffee.

  Nadine smiled. She loved Arlene because she was a hard worker and a good friend. “Thank you,” she said when Arlene handed her the cup of coffee. Arlene stood there waiting. “Get back to work,” she smirked as Arlene laughed on her way out of the office. She now picked up the resume and began to read. Sandy had included a letter telling her potential employers about herself. Nadine was impressed with the woman’s accomplishments and put the resume to the side so she could get down to her work.

  *

  At the end of the day, Nadine picked up the resume and walked toward her father’s office. “Busy, Dad?”

  “No. Come on in, Nadine.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “What’s up?”

  “One of Gina’s friends applied for her job,” Nadine explained.

  “What do you think?”

  “She looks qualified. We will have to check her references, but otherwise I don’t see any objections.” Nadine handed the paperwork to her father. “She was at the seminar last night.”

  Joe read Sandy’s letter which stated that the company wouldn’t have to worry about her daughter getting sick or time off from school because she had childcare. “I guess this woman has been turned down from jobs because she’s a single mother,” he said looking over his reading glasses.