Candy Coated Christmas

By Shakira R. Thompson

Christian. Fiction. Romance

A Tale of God's Sweet Goodness

A modern day tale of the Shunamite woman found in 2 Kings 4, in an instant, Veronica Hill finds herself similarly aligned to that woman. Veronica is now widowed, a single mother of twins, and financially unprepared to handle a new way of living, caused by a sizeable debt her late husband has left behind.

With an unyielding debt collector in Jameson McClemor, Veronica searches within herself for answers and then turns to her dear friends who will support her throughout this wilderness season she's in.

In an effort to use what she has within her power, she offers up her ordinary and mixes it with God's extra and she ends up with something extraordinary. In the meantime and along the way, her obedience leads to other miraculous events that turn out to be nothing short of sweet!

In Candy Coated Christmas, you'll want to begin participating in the delights of Christmas and all the joy it has to bring to not only yourselves but to others. You will see the saying, it is more blessed to give than to receive come to life right before your eyes in Candy Coated Christmas.

Now is the time, let's get coated!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shakira R. Thompson
• Release date: Dec 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990672548

Shakira R. Thompson

Shakira R. Thompson, a natural born storyteller has submitted to her God-given talents and have allowed them to transform her into an author, publisher, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Believer’s Choice Media, an inspirational content company dedicated to encouraging believers to live the life they were created to live on earth and beyond. She will be the host of an upcoming podcast, “believerr” which will be produced by Believer’s Choice Media, designed to explore the journeys of born-again believers who believe God has placed something on their hearts to do. These days, Shakira now believes she is living her life according to Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (KJV) With a renewed sense of purpose, Shakira is ready and prepared to not only find the plan of God for her life but also fulfill it. Shakira is a proud Alumni of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida where she holds a B.S in Business Administration as well as an M.B.A. with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, Florida, she now resides in Orlando, Florida with her family. To learn more, you can visit: http://www.shakirathompson.com and www.believerschoicemedia.com

Book preview

Prologue

Looking in the full length mirror, the sable cashmere coat seemed to be the only thing that could soothe the pain and bring comfort.  It was a treasured artifact with high sentimental value, it not only served to warm the outer but it also warmed her soul, especially now.  The precious moment was interrupted by the continuous chimes of the doorbell.

Father, God in Heaven, who is ringing my doorbell like that?

Walking swiftly to the Italian villa styled door, Veronica made her way to her front door.  Standing with a pasted on smile, Veronica stood behind the door which exposed three big, burly men all dressed in dark suits and sunglasses to match, two men shielded one other man.

One of the two front men spoke up, Mrs. Hill?

Yes, I’m Mrs. Hill. How can I help you?

The other suggested, Do you mind if we come in ma’am?

Unwilling to open her home to the strangers, Veronica tried to inquire of the nature of their visit, Can I ask what this is about?

The man in the back spoke up, I knew your husband, Colin.

Veronica’s stomach rolled, the funeral had been over a month ago and the visitations had come to a halt, so she was feeling unsure as to why three men would be showing up at her door.

Please, come in.

Leading them into the family room where they all managed to steer clear of the land mines of toys that cluttered the floor, Veronica offered the men a seat and something to drink.

They politely declined.

Fidgeting and trying to pick up a little, Veronica asked, Pardon me if I don’t remember you all from the funeral, there were just so many people there.  Tell me your names again. 

The first two introduced themselves, I’m Deuce and I’m Tre.

The other said, Just call me Jameson.

Wanting to know more, Veronica asked, Well then Jameson, how did you know my husband?

Taken far too early, Colin Hill only lived to be thirty-five years old, crossing the street, minutes from his downtown office, he crossed paths with a drunk driver not paying attention.  The impact was more than his body could withstand, he died instantly. 

Colin left behind his wife of ten years and their two children, five year old twins, Michael and Lisa, only Veronica was soon to learn Colin had left behind much more.

The third man who stood in the background at the door, Jameson, the ringleader spoke in tones just shy above a whisper, Sit down.

Close enough to the men but also maintaining a safe distance with her hand on her cell tucked away in her back pocket, Veronica said, I don’t understand. How are you going to tell me what to do in my own house? Someone needs to tell me what you guys are doing here or I’m going to have to ask you to leave.

The commander of the group said, You might want to watch how you talk to us.  You do currently live here but all that could change real soon.

Veronica sat on the other end of the L-shaped, mocha sectional sofa, I’m not sure I understand what’s going on here, what do you mean, this could change real soon?

Deuce spoke up, Calm down little lady, we don’t want to upset the kids. As you can see, we’ve come here very professional, we aren’t here to cause any problems but we do have a matter we need to discuss with you that is turning out to be a huge problem for us.

Annoyed by the men’s presence and their comments, Veronica’s patience was running thin, Stop hiding behind the mysterious talk and explain yourself now.

Jameson obliged her, Okay, it would be my pleasure.  Are you aware of how your husband financed the lifestyle your family enjoys? This house, your cars. You know you’re husband’s swanky law firm, Hill and Associates, did you two ever talk about any of that?

Veronica sat up straight and cleared her throat, He told me he was trusting God for the money to come through with a small business loan from the bank. He said he put the house in the name of the business so we could be protected in case anything happened…I thought it was a good idea.  I actually remember the night we went out and celebrated the loan coming through.  We moved in here shortly thereafter and he started the firm.  I was under the impression the business loan was approved.

Jameson made a head signal towards Tre who pulled out a thick stack of papers from a briefcase he’d brought inside.

Tre handed the papers to Veronica, still wearing the darkened sunglasses, he peered down over the top of them as he looked down at her and said, You might want to take a look at these.

Veronica furiously flipped through the mountainous sheets of paper, steadily shaking her head, she paused and looked up at Jameson, Are you some sort of loan shark or something?

Jameson and his crew laughed a little, Jameson straightened out his suit jacket, Loan shark is not a title I like to identify myself with, I prefer the title, consumer/commercial financier. I provide a valuable service to those who are in need.

Repeating Jameson’s words, purposefully devoid of any emotion, You…provide a valuable service to those in need? How did my Colin get caught up with someone like you?

Sneering Jameson asked, Someone like me huh? See I was trying to show you a little mercy and consideration since you just lost your husband and all until you said that. You people kill me, always thinking you’re better than someone else and don’t have a real pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of, yet you can look at me and make a comment like that.  I made Colin, if it hadn’t been for me, he wouldn’t have been the super lawyer he was.  Now tell me, how am I any different from him? He was a business man, I’m a business man. People should be thanking me, I support others so they can succeed at the things they need and want in life.

Veronica scoffed, Yeah right, but at what price?

Jameson dusted off his pride, dealt with Veronica’s disparaging comments and moved on, You know what, let’s just cut to the chase, Colin was making his payments on time but now that he’s dead, he’s behind.

Veronica shrugged off Jameson, Like you said, he’s dead…so what does that have to do with me or his estate?

You must be didn’t read these papers correctly, there is no estate. Until all his debts are paid, we are his estate. This is my house, those are my cars, and my law firm.

Veronica lashed out at Jameson. Tre and Deuce stood to stop her from getting any closer, she yelled, Are you looking to me for the money? How do you expect me to come up with money to cover what I’m sure is an illegal loan?

Jameson pulled his shaded glasses down to the tip of his nose, Nothing about this is illegal, I didn’t force your husband to come to me and ask for money, he came on his own free will. Hey, Colin told me you were a smart cookie; I’m sure something will kick off in that pretty head of yours. However, in case you don’t, you should know we take women and children in the form of payment as well.

Veronica jumped up again, Oh the devil is a liar.

Jameson laughed, Oh he might be but I’m telling you the truth today, you have sixty days, to come up with the payment.  He placed a piece of paper in front of Veronica, her eyes nearly jumped out of her head. Jameson continued, This includes interest through January 1st, it’s up to you how you want to start out the New Year.

Veronica stood with one hand on her hip and the other across her forehead, And here I thought going through this year’s holiday season without my husband was going to be tough.

Jameson corralled his troops, Let’s go gentlemen. I think we’ve given Mrs. Hill a lot to think about. Before leaving the home, Jameson insisted, either pay up the money or you’ll pay up some kind of way. Jameson winked, Kiss Michael and little Lisa for me, will you?"

Muttering under her breath, Veronica said, How does he know the names of my children?

Tre and Deuce led the way out of the house as Jameson followed, Sixty days Veronica…I’ll be in touch.

In no time flat, the three men were gone, leaving Veronica to contend with the bombshell they’d dropped on her, as a natural reaction, she burst into tears. Her mind felt as if it had been wiped clean, she couldn’t think of anything. She was unable to process the words that had just come from Jameson’s mouth.

She ran back to her bedroom, the coat was lying on the bed, the silky lining called to her. She felt as if she needed a protective shield to cover her the pending misfortune bestowed upon her.

Donning the fur collard coat and slowly sliding down the wall to the carpeted floor, she held onto a framed picture of Colin, she inquired of him, Colin, why would you put our life in the hands of someone like Jameson?  You told me you were trusting God for the money but really it sounds like your trust was in man? First you leave me and the kids and now you leave me to deal with this? How am I supposed to come up with this kind of money? Did you hear that Jameson guy make a slick comment about taking me and our kids for payment?  Oh Colin, this is too much.  What have you done?

The cashmere fabric bunched under the wetness of her tears, she’d soaked the top from all of her crying.  Grabbing a towel to somewhat dry it, she thought back on the day she received the beautiful gift.

Colin and Veronica met while he was in his second year of law school and she held a position as a nutritionist MBA marketing intern, seeking to understand how to build a bridge between nutrition and business.

The couple met and fell in love. Through both of their rigorous study programs, they made it through with each other.  They felt as if being together was the stabilizing force they both needed in order to make it and succeed in life.  Deciding to throw caution to the wind, they woke up one day and went to the courthouse and got married, they believed