The Resolution Read online

  The Resolution

  A “Pulled from the Headlines” Read

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  P.O. Box 380992

  Murdock, FL 33938

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

  The Resolution Copyright © 2017 Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Smashwords Edition

  Also by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  On the Right Path Series

  Walk a Straight Line

  My Steps are Ordered

  The Fall of the Prodigal

  Song of the Heart Series

  Sing A New Song

  My Soul Then Sings

  Able to Love Series

  Color Blind

  Unbound Hearts

  Silent Praise

  Nothing but the Truth Series

  Tell Me Lies

  Lie to Me

  Sweet and Spicy Series

  A Piece of the Pie

  What readers are saying about Tell Me Lies:

  “One of the things I love about Author Lindo-Rice writing style is her ability to capture the true essence of her characters without them being over the top. The characters and the situations they encounter are relatable and always leaves reader ponder on ways they can better their lives.”

  – Orsayor Simmons, Book Referees

  What readers are saying about Silent Praise:

  “Michelle Lindo-Rice’s Silent Praise, Able to Love book three, has at its core a Christian inspirational message, by way of a very enjoyable romance ... The horror and disappointment are realistically written with great visual and sensory scenes that immediately pulled me in and held me in place to the end in one sitting.”

  --Michelle Monkou, Special Edition of USA Today – HEA

  What readers are saying about My Soul Then Sings:

  “Michelle Lindo-Rice really pushed herself to the next level of literary entertainment.”

  – E. N. Joy, bestselling author

  Acknowledgements

  First, I honor my Savior Jesus Christ. Thank You.

  A big thank you to my sons: Eric and Jordan. Thank you to my sisters, family and church members who continue to support me with each book.

  I birthed this novel in a matter of days. To get it ready for you, I was blessed to work with J.J. Murray and Sherri Lewis. Thank you both.

  Thank you to blogger and reviewer Tiffany Tyler of Reading in Black and White—my cover girl—who inspired this fun and entertaining read.

  Special thanks to all my faithful readers who constantly motivate me to keep at it.

  Thank you, thank you, to Sobi-Dee Burbano: my sister and first read. Your feedback helped shape the story.

  Now please enjoy this fun and entertaining read.

  Sincerely,

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Check out sample chapters of my novels and PLEASE join my mailing list at www.michellelindorice.com

  Christian Fiction Authors I recommend:

  www.blackchristianreads.com

  Genesis 24: 62-67

  62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

  63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

  64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

  65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

  66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.

  67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

  Author: Our Lord Jesus Christ

  Dedication

  For Bridgette Murray

  For those who believe in love at first sight

  and that you can find love through unusual circumstances.

  It’s possible.

  It’s wonderful.

  Hold onto it and never let it go.

  Table of Contents

  Ch. 1

  Ch. 2

  Ch. 3

  Ch. 4

  Ch. 5

  Ch. 6

  Ch. 7

  Ch. 8

  Ch. 9

  Ch. 10

  Ch. 11

  Ch. 12

  Ch. 13

  Ch. 14

  Ch. 15

  Ch. 16

  Ch. 17

  Ch. 18

  Ch. 19

  Ch. 20

  Ch. 21

  Ch. 22

  Ch. 23

  Questions for Discussion

  About the Author

  Ch. 1

  This is too much for me. I’m not cut out for marriage. I’m done.

  Geneva Samson almost dropped the phone. She tightened her grip and read the words again.

  She shook her head. Who breaks off an engagement via text message? Joshua James, her boyfriend of three years and fiancé of eleven months, did. They had just attended church together the day before. Then today, Sunday, he sent her this text. Tears slid down her cheeks and down her neck.

  She had been waiting for another text message to hit her phone saying he was joking or it was a mistake, but her phone had been silent—eerily so.

  Geneva tossed the device on the bed and stuffed a fist in her mouth to keep from making a sound. She lived alone in her condo, but her walls were paper-thin. She didn’t want her neighbors hearing her wailing because Josh had ignored her seven responses and sent her calls to voicemail. He had also changed his social media status to single.

  Like sugar ants, people were drawn to that kind of juicy news.

  She bit back a scream. Josh could have at least told her to her face he no longer wanted to get married. That Josh didn’t think she was worth a decent conversation hurt.

  They had met at Ohio State pursuing their master’s degrees at the College of Education and Human Ecology. Josh had found his niche as a middle school math teacher. Geneva hadn’t settled there. While she worked as a special educator, she had enrolled in the PhD program to major in Educational Leadership.

  Geneva heard the doorbell ring. She snapped up. Josh. Josh had come. She tripped over her comforter and bumped her knee on the edge of the bed. “Ow!” She grabbed her knee and hobbled to answer the door.

  Isabella Ortiz stood there with her coat in hand. Geneva had forwarded the text message to her best friend, so she wasn’t surprised by Isabella’s visit.

  “Have you heard from him?” Isabella asked.

  Geneva shook her head and stepped out of the way. “No. He’s not answering my calls.”

  “Don’t look so happy to see me,” Isabella said, stomping the snow off her feet onto the doormat.

  Geneva took her coat and placed it on the coatrack. “I thought it was…”

  Isabella waved a hand. “That punk isn’t going to show up here,” she said, trailing behind Geneva. “What Josh did to you was real grimy. I’d better not see his face at church next week.”

  Geneva retuned to her bedroom and sat cross-legged on her bed. “I don’t think he’ll be coming to Rock of Hope any time soon. When my father finds out…” She covered her face. “I don’t want to hear my dad say ‘I told you so’ and how I should’ve list
ened.”

  Isabella settled beside her. “Do you think it had anything to do with the sermon? Pastor hit the book of James hard yesterday. His message on double-mindedness had me squirming in my seat.”

  Geneva hunched her shoulders. “I don’t know.” Her father had been wary of Josh. He would purse his lips and say something about how Joshua didn’t gel with him. Geneva’s heart ached at how right her father had been.

  Isabella tapped Geneva on the nose. “Be prepared. You know this is research for his next sermon.”

  Despite her relationship troubles, Geneva chuckled. After her mother passed, Ernest Samson had never remarried. Geneva had been a strong-willed child. Some of her antics had made it into his sermons, causing much laughter in the congregation. Her father could use any situation and turn it into a message.

  “I can hear him now,” she groaned, running her hands through her hair. Geneva avoided looking in the mirror. She knew her hair had to be a horrible mess. She kept her hair natural, opting to get it straightened biweekly at the salon.

  “Oh, please. His little Genny can do no wrong. It’s Josh who should be worried. He must have forgotten your father has boxing gloves for hands.”

  Geneva laughed. “Only you can make me crack up when I’m supposed to be crying.” She whispered her next words. “I’m in so much pain. I can’t believe Josh would do this to me.”

  “Girl, be for real. You planned this entire wedding on your own without much input from him. And he’s been real shady these past weeks.” She counted off on her fingers. “Avoiding your phone calls, staying late at work—or so he says—not showing up for the cake tasting. You said yourself he’s been glued to his phone.”

  “He was texting his best man…”

  Isabella rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe that for one minute and neither do you. In my honest opinion, he did you a favor.”

  Geneva scratched her head. “I asked him if he was getting cold feet, and he waved off my concerns. But he waits until weeks before our wedding, and the honeymoon is paid-in-full to pull this stunt.” Her chest heaved. “I can’t get my money back. In fact, I just paid up the balances on the wedding cake and banquet hall this morning, and they have a strict, no-refund policy.” She clenched her fists. “And he knew it because I told him last night.”

  Isabella gave her a look. “Hmph. You know there are some names I could call him, but I’m saved.”

  “I can think of some myself, but I’m not apologizing to God because of Josh.”

  “That slime isn’t worth it.” Isabella tilted her head. “Are you sure you can’t get your money back?”

  Geneva bit her lower lip and massaged her temples. “No. I feel bad knowing my father spent twenty-thousand dollars to give me my dream wedding.” She shook her head. “It will remain a dream.” More tears fell. She used her pajama sleeve to wipe them away.

  Isabella rubbed her back. “You should sue that jerk. Make him pay half. Your father put that insurance money away for your college and your wedding.” She jabbed her finger into the comforter. “I know some good attorneys.”

  Geneva’s heart constricted, and she clutched her stomach. “I feel like I squandered what Mommy had to die to give me.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Isabella said, enfolding her in a hug. “Don’t feel that way. You didn’t squander that money. You didn’t know this would happen, and you deserved this wedding.”

  Geneva sobbed. “I’d give back every dime and be buried under student loans to have her here with me.

  Margaret Samson had been a deli worker. She had had Geneva right after she graduated high school. For as long as Geneva could remember, her mother insisted Geneva would go to college and graduate debt free.

  Isabella lifted Geneva’s chin with a finger. “I know she would be proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  Geneva sniffled and wiped her face. “Would she? Because I don’t think my mother would have been played like this.”

  Isabella’s jaw clenched. “We need to go find Josh. I have a black belt.”

  Geneva gave a little laugh. “I don’t need you ending up in jail over me.”

  “Just say the word,” Isabella said. “And you know I wouldn’t end up in jail.”

  Geneva shook her head. “I don’t think any of those cops at the precinct would put a judge in jail.”

  Isabella raised an eyebrow. Geneva knew Isabella was a woman of action. Isabella was the youngest Latina judge in their county. She had told Geneva she would get there and she had, despite her father and uncles being gang members.

  Geneva squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh goodness! I forgot I defend my thesis tomorrow. How am I supposed to get up in front of a room full of people and talk about the effects of autism and career choice when my heart is breaking?”

  She had intended to practice her oral presentation tomorrow and have Josh run her through possible questions. But here she was, with a broken engagement and broken promises, like a woman in a sad, love song video.

  Her shoulders sagged. “My eyes are swollen and red. They might think I was puffing on something. I have to cancel.”

  She bit her lip. Geneva had coordinated it so she would complete her doctorate before getting married. She would then go on her honeymoon and take off the rest of the school year to move into the role of wife. She had skimped and saved to be able to stay home during her first eight months of marriage. Maybe have a baby...

  Her plan was that over the summer, if she wasn’t pregnant, she would pursue educational leadership positions or teach at the college level. Geneva had everything timed just right.

  Everything except for Josh’s cowardice.

  Isabella stood. “You can and you will do it. I don’t want to hear any talk of postponing your dissertation defense.” Her tone was firm. “I’m giving you five minutes,” she said, holding up a palm. “Five minutes is more than you should devote to crying over that loser. You’ve worked too hard and spent too many nights revising that two hundred-page document to quit now. Pull yourself together.”

  Geneva bunched her fists. “I can’t.” She dissolved into tears and curled into a fetal position.

  “Geneva Margaret Samson, get up. Put some cucumber on your eyes or some Visine drops, but I had better not see puffy, red eyes. I’m going to order us some Chinese, and we’re going to get you ready, Doctor.”

  Geneva swung one leg off her bed to appease her friend.

  “Good. I’ll order our faves.” Isabella left the room.

  Geneva lowered her head. She couldn’t do this. Her nose ran and the tears wouldn’t end.

  Geneva knew it wasn’t wise, but she went on social media and clicked on Josh’s page. She felt her eyes go wide. Josh had changed his picture. He was all hugged up with two young girls at a party. Her private message box overflowed. Geneva closed her eyes and put the phone on the bed, stifling a sob. She was crying and he was partying.

  She lifted a chin. No way. She had to ride her pride through this humiliation. She had enough pride to last a lifetime.

  Then she straightened. “Lord, help me stand,” she whispered, making a fist.

  Slowly, she stood. Geneva wiped her face and took one step forward. She took another step and more until she was at her desk. Geneva picked up one of her mother’s favorite records and put it on the turntable.

  Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” filled the room.

  Geneva focused on the lyrics. Soon she began to sing along. She sang until she believed. She would survive. One step at a time.

  Ch. 2

  “Congratulations, Dr. Samson,” Isabella said, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m glad I could listen in. You were amazing. ”

  Geneva squeezed her friend tight. They rocked back and forth in their embrace. Hearing her professors introduce her as Dr. Samson had made all her late night studies and midnight papers worth it. Her eyes had misted, but she held it together as she shook hands and posed for pictures.

  “Thanks for taking the day off t
o support me, Isabella, and for practicing with me last night. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

  Ernest had insisted on coming to see his only daughter defend her thesis, but Geneva had stopped him. She didn’t want her father present if she failed. Besides, she had been counting on Josh’s presence. Thank God for friends.

  Isabella broke the embrace and tucked her scarf into her coat. “Are you kidding? I had to be here. I’m glad I’m not sitting behind that dreary desk.”

  Geneva laughed. “Yeah, right. You know you love going into that courtroom.”

  Isabella snapped her fingers. “And you know it. Okay.” The wind blew the hat off her head. Isabella ran to get it. “It’s so cold out here. I wish I had worn my gloves.”

  They hurried toward their vehicles. They were parked side by side. Isabella pressed the start button. Her car would be warm and toasty in a couple minutes.

  Geneva pulled her wool coat close. “It has to be close to zero degrees. I bet we’re going to have snow.”

  “I hope not.” Isabella moaned. “I haven’t gone shopping for boots yet.”

  Geneva rolled her eyes. “You have at least ten pair of boots in your closet. It’s a good thing we wear the same shoe size. I’ve saved so much money because of you.”

  Isabella gave her a playful slap. Then she shivered. “What I wouldn’t give to be in Jamaica right now.”