Live, Love, Forgive

By Trudie Noah Clem

Having overcome a shameful past, Samantha, called Sam, yielded to premarital sex. Gods mercy changed her life with a crisis pregnancy, freeing her from shame. Now a graphic artist, she encounters a new client named David.

David, adopted as a baby, has his own emotional baggage of perfectionism and a performance-centered life. Sam is pushed into a business relationship, designing a promotional portfolio for his entrepreneurial venture. She finds herself physically and emotionally drawn, struggling to keep herself centered in Gods purpose for her life.

How can Samantha help David realize his need to forgive his biological mother? Will her honesty and strong faith help Sam stabilize her own boundaries, and will David be able to become the man God has for Samantha?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449726348

Trudie Noah Clem

Trudie Clemlives in Bunnell, Florida. She works as a nursing supervisor for school-health. She has worked in women’s health, family planning, and school health for years. She has coached a church drama team and has mentored teens. Her involvement in the community has been with the pregnancy crisis center and a ministry for single parent women (Samaritan Ministries). She is on the advisory board for that ministry and has been a speaker for various groups on a variety of issues. She shares her life with her wonderful husband, growing family, friends, and pets.      

Book preview

Prologue

Sam Meadows punched the pillow on her bed over and over, I can’t believe it, I can’t be pregnant how could I have been such an airhead and naïve? What a stupid mess I’ve got myself in. The last time I spoke to that pompous donkey’s tail, Todd, on the phone he broke up with me and said he was moving on. Why should I even bother to let him know; why does he have a right or even care? I know my mom gave me some valid reasons I should call; but I’d rather crawl in a hole and die than call him.

Sam’s eyes were puffy and red from crying all day and now her voice was all nasally too from the stuffy nose. It was late afternoon when she sighed a deep shuddering breath and decided to call him, that would be the Christian thing to do, even though she was not feeling very Christ like at the moment.

Hello, Todd muffled his voice.

Todd? This is Sam.

Oh, hello Sam, I can’t really talk right now, what do you want? she heard a female giggling in the background.

I understand our relationship is over, but I felt I should tell you I’m about 10 weeks pregnant, Sam said, trying to keep her voice as stable as possible.

I don’t see how this affects me, just get an abortion… . Oh I get it, you need money. I’ll pay for it if that’s why you called. But we are done. I have a beautiful new girlfriend here at college. So, Sam please don’t cause any trouble for me, Todd spewed back.

Sam angrily slammed the phone down, how could he be so uncaring. Punching her pillow a few more times Sam screamed out loud, I will get through this pregnancy just fine without his support!

Chapter 1

Radio blasting her into consciousness. Hello this is Debbie giving you the traffic report from your positive hits station in Orlando, Florida. Slap, slap, slapping in vein attempts to hit the snooze button  . . . The traffic on the east west expressway is flowing smoothly. I-4 is bumper to bumper, tap of the brakes, . . .  Sam Meadows, Sam, short for Samantha eased open one eye only to see the street light shining through the darkness. Groping for the alarm again to silence the racket, it was way too early.

Sam, lazily stretched, arched her back like a cat and then pulled her pillow closer. When reality stabbed through her blissful awakening, she suddenly jumped out of bed. Remembering she had an important client, the son of a good friend of her boss. He was due in her office at 8:00 sharp. Her client and she would review the promotional needs and decide what types of take away brochures and packets. They would be compiling this information to be used as part of the advertising for his latest Orlando project, as well as all the other sites including the future site in West Palm. This was her first time to be lead manager of the art work and layout of a major project. The head of the design and graphic department and owner, Bob Grisenger, assured her she was ready for this project. He had even indicated she might find this client interesting. Bob told her he had known this client since he was a child in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sam started working for the company part-time doing freelance work. She now worked full-time under many project managers. Now, this morning Sam would be the project manager and organize the layout for a full color brochure and an advertisement portfolio as well as help with the art work for the web site layout. Difficulty making decisions so early in the morning. She had laid her clothes out the previous night after trying on almost everything in her closet.

She was not a morning person and knew better than to trust her early morning judgments, especially this morning. She took a quick shower and carefully applied a minimal amount of makeup to enhance her large golden brown eyes, olive complexion and high cheekbones. Her wet cinnamon brown hair flying in every direction as she blew her hair dry, fell around her face in layers and tumbled down her back once dry. Looking in the mirror she decided to pull her hair back with a clip for a more professional look.

She held her tailored china blue suit up to her chest; yes this was the color and style on her that said ‘I am a confident woman’. That was definitely the look she wanted since she felt anything but that. Her lacy tank completed her outfit making a feminine nod without being too girly. The new challenges this morning dictated her need to feel confident. She spoke to the reflection in the mirror, Now that is what I call a confident looking woman. She smiled as she went to the kitchen.

Staying focused on her agenda for the day would help keep her from being nervous. She needed to clear the anxiety. Sam nuked a cup of water for an herbal tea bag and popped a slice of whole grain bread in the toaster. She picked up her smart-phone and brought up her Bible and journal as she grabbed for her morning snack, and headed for her favorite peaceful place to sit. The honey colored, overstuffed leather chair, with its vintage accent pillows stationed amongst her plants by the window. She carefully sipped her steaming hot raspberry tea as its aroma permeated the air. The Bible scripture she was reading jumped out at her, I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. That sure fit her needs this morning! This was an exciting step in her career. She embraced the opportunity but still felt a bit anxious.

Sam had moved to Orlando because of an ad she had answered for a graphic artist. She had checked the Orlando Sentinel professional section several times. Then one day there were two ads, both for part-time freelance artists with a strong design background. One ad was for a job. That required a Mac computer (dah) competency free lance only, which was okay but not exactly what she was looking for. The other one was for a printing company who wanted an artist with free hand and Mac experience.

She liked the idea of working with the printing company doing business logos and other small layouts as well as the other departments for web layouts. It had taken a good deal of courage for her to move to this bustling area from a small community on the Space Coast of Florida. Accustomed to driving in four lanes of traffic or less, now she was maneuvering through eight lanes and more without much difficulty really.

The quiet town she came from represented a past that was better left behind. By the time she was sixteen she had been pregnant, had an abnormal pap and lived at home with her wonderful parents and an older sister who either argued with her or treated her like the plague. She didn’t think she would live to be eighteen, but look at what God had done in her life!

Orlando was an ok place. Sometimes she found the traffic frustrating, but she was gaining new skills in maneuvering through the overcrowded roads and even learning a few back roads to take to avoid the heavier traffic thanks to her GPS. Remembering when she had found her cute little one bedroom apartment on one of these back road ventures. Then to discover her pastor knew the owner of the apartment complex still amazed her. Her apartment was only twenty minutes from work and had a fitness center. The longest drive she really had was to church and it was only thirty minutes away.

Her former pastor, Pastor Buck, had contacted one of his friends in Orlando who had founded a church there. Immediately after she had received news that her interview was successful, the pastor in Orlando, Pastor Rick, helped her find a place to stay until she located an apartment. That was when she saw the cute Scandinavian style complex nestled among the oaks and pine trees. Lush tropical foliage and whimsical woodworking helped disguise how large the complex was; she also discovered someone from her new church owned it.

The apartment was partially furnished with appliances and the last tenant had left the washer and dryer. She had slowly refurbished the inside of the drab apartment into something her artistic senses could flourish in. It was amazing what a few thrift store finds could do. English rose printed tablecloths and a bed spread covered the worn furniture. She remembered feeling the sense of accomplishment as the slip covers for the fold out couch and winged back armchair took shape. She had taken down the old curtains and purchased some inexpensive mini blinds for privacy. The header over the window was made from a piece of sheer fabric which dipped in gently cascading folds, over the carved wooden rod she had stained and mounted herself.

Inexpensive accessories were added as her budget allowed. Raiding her grandmother’s attic, with permission, of course had proved worthwhile. That was where she found her honey colored comfy chair and a few wicker pieces she stained moss green. The finished product was an eclectic blend and aesthetically pleasing color palette.

Sam finished nibbling her toast, remembering all the prayers God had answered. First there was her fun job which had turned into an amazing career, then her own cozy apartment with Christian landlords, and best of all, Susie Fields, a friend who lived a few doors down from her. They had met the day she moved in. Susie had helped her carry boxes in and fixed a snack for the two of them. They had stayed up most of the night sharing stories about mishaps with online Christian dating and other tragically funny things they had both encountered, while unloading box after box together.

God had proven Himself to be trust worthy; why was she still so apprehensive about this morning? She had seen the power of God work many times. She had worked on other major projects of this nature with Bob, the owner and head director, helping him plan the initial layouts to the finished projects. Lord, keep reminding me I can do all things through You with Your strength, not my own, she whispered a prayer, Please guide my path today and prepare the way. Give me the instinct to know exactly how to tackle this project from start to finish, oh and please give me traveling mercies. Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen.

She made a few notes as to how she would proceed with the meeting this morning with Mr. Rowan. Sam quickly jotted down all her questions and a plan of action. Looking this over gave her renewed confidence. Thank You Lord. She sighed with relief and picked up her phone to leave a message on Susie’s cell to let her know to go on without her tonight to the Orlando Arena otherwise known as the O-rena. After thinking things over, she was afraid she would be late and didn’t want to make Susie late also. It was the first of four nightly shows by the Power Team, a group of nationally know athletes demonstrating their strength.

A very sleepy Susie answered her cell; it was a bit early for them both. Susie was a little disappointed, but promised to save her a seat if she could. Sam grabbed what was left of her tea and dumped it into a travel mug, then tucked her clipboard under her arm as she headed downstairs to her little four—speed silver convertible. It was a two-seater older model Miata in mint condition, her first major purchase.

It was such a nice morning she put the top down on her car even though it was still dark outside. The traffic was its usual bumper-to-bumper, and thankfully it was too early for the road-ragers. The peaceful music made the drive a more positive transition time. The traffic report stated two accidents already, both of which were south of her location. Driving during the twilight right before the sun rises had an eerie but beautiful effect on the buildings. The red-orange glow hovered between buildings like a distant glowing fire along the jagged skyline of the numerous high-rises.

The parking lot was fairly empty, but she was thankful she had a reserved parking place anyway. She put the top up on her car and locked the door quickly and headed for her office. Fumbling for her office keys, she set her purse down on the ground and began emptying bits and pieces out. She had tried to clip them to her purse so she could locate them easier, but in her haste they usually ended up on the bottom of her purse. During her frantic search she happened to look up and see Bob was already there. He could open the door for her.

She remembered he always arrived early and abandoned the search. He greeted her with a big grin as she perused her notes, and walked into the building. She looked up to see he was still smiling like the cat that ate the canary. What an expression! Her mom used it often; what a dark thought.

Bob went to his desk after letting her in and picked up the phone. He was surrounded by neat piles of paperwork covering his desk. When he saw her standing inside his doorway he waved for her to come in. Are you busy? she asked, mouthing the words without a sound. Bob pointed at the extra chair and said good bye to the party on the other end of the phone.

I wrote down a few questions to ask Mr. Rowan when he arrives. Can you think of any others I should ask? She handed him her notes.

Hmm, looks like you have it covered. Are you nervous? He smiled as he looked up at her fidgeting hands and anxious brown eyes. I think you will be pleased with your client, his father is an old friend of mine, great Christian family. Bob added.

I feel fairly confident in layout procedures because of the training I’ve had with you, but I’m nervous about ‘talking’. I’ve always stayed quietly in the background.

Bob chuckled as he shuffled some papers, and then thoughtfully looked up at Sam. I wouldn’t exactly say you were quiet, he smiled. I wouldn’t have given you this particular client if I didn’t think you were a perfect fit. Besides, David is quite amiable. He said with a wink. Uhum, here he comes now looking at his watch, he’s very early. I’ll introduce you.

Sam turned around to look down the hall. The man walking their way stunned her. He was dressed casually in navy casual slacks and a plaid shirt with sleeves rolled up. From his build she knew he worked out with weights. She looked up at his dancing blue-green eyes and tousled longish dark hair. She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help herself. His perfect white teeth and squared jaw dazzled her even more. She could feel the crimson creeping into her cheeks. Bob was speaking to her but her tongue wouldn’t function. Samantha Meadows, this is David Rowan, ‘boy wonder’ from Atlanta.

My pleasure, David assured Sam with a hint of a cultured drawl, stepping forward, taking her hand in both of his and locking eyes with her.

Sam finally found her tongue as she realized he still held her hand.

Uh… nice to meet you Mr. Rowan, I’m looking forward to working with you.

Good to see you again, David. I’m leaving you in good hands, Bob said, as he winked at Sam and went back to his papers indicating she should proceed to her office.

Well, if her work is half as good-looking as she is, it will be superb, David said. Sam retrieved her hand with a jerk and headed down the hall to her office. She had heard lines like that before. She could feel his eyes appraising her. If you would please follow me Mr. Rowan, she tossed over her shoulder as she felt her confidence return.

Sitting at her desk helped to calm her shaking hands. Please, make yourself comfortable, she said, as she gestured to one of the padded office chairs. "Would you care for