Judah: Book 1

By Marisa T. Johnson MD

Veronica was content with her life. She had the love of family and friends and a promising career. Because of past tragedy, she was not looking for romance. So, when Judah appeared in her life, she made sure he knew that anything other than friendship was off limits.

Judah was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the country and one of the shrewdest businessmen in the industry. He did not have time for any romantic entanglements. So, how do two people who want to avoid love at all costs end up being perfect for each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664247130

Marisa T. Johnson MD

Marisa is a wife, mother, doctor, minister, author, and a host of other things. She likes to write to take a break from all the other things going on in her life. Writing about everyday people who put God first in their lives is her favorite thing to do. She wants the world to know that living a life for God does not mean missing out on the good things in life. You can be a child of the King and still have a good time. She hopes that those who read her books can catch a glimpse of themselves in the pages.

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Copyright © 2021 Marisa T. Johnson, MD.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4714-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4715-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4713-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021920875

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/10/2021

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

—Isaiah 61:1–3 (NKJV)

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Chapter 1

Usually, I loved Mondays. It felt like a fresh start, filled with possibilities. It was the start of the week and offered ample opportunity to get things done before the weekend. But this particular Monday was living up to its stereotype of being the most-hated day of the week. Nothing was going as it should have, and no one was where they were supposed to be. My assistant was not here because she had to take her mother to the emergency room after she slipped in the shower and broke her hip. There was a wreck on 635, which made an already congested drive even more of a nightmare. Construction on the next ship had been delayed due to a steel workers’ strike. And the icing on the cake—my date canceled on me for the charity gala tonight because she had the flu!

I’m sorry, Judah. I really thought I would be over this by tonight, and we could go as planned. But I feel worse today than when I first got sick.

I understand, I said with a sigh. I know you didn’t get sick on purpose. And I know you must really feel bad if you’re canceling on me.

My mind was already working, trying to figure out how I could find another date on such short notice. I forgot Melanie was still on the phone until she let out a sneeze and went into a coughing fit.

Do you need me to do anything for you, like send over some medicine or soup or a doctor or something? I asked. When was the last time you ate something? Do I need to have something delivered?

Finally, she stopped coughing and could speak again. No, my cousin is here, and she’s taking good care of me, Melanie said. I just feel horrible about canceling on you at the last minute because I know you need a companion for tonight. At that, she let out a little laugh. Remember the last time you went to one of those events alone?

Don’t remind me! I said with a shudder. I still get the shakes, thinking about that night. I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t have a mild degree of PTSD behind that experience.

The first time I met Melanie was at a fundraiser five years ago for the senator from my district. I had gone alone, and a random woman apparently decided I was going to be her next husband. She flirted shamelessly with me the entire night and tried to entice me to go home with her. Thankfully, Melanie, the senator’s press secretary, ran interference for me, and I was able to keep the woman at bay. The last straw was when she walked up to me after I declined her offer to go home with her once again, and she placed her hand in my pocket. I thought she was giving me her contact information, so I didn’t think anything of it. When I got home, I reached in my pocket and pulled out her underwear. Talk about audacity! I ran into her again a couple of years ago at another black-tie event. She was on the arm of a local news anchor. She looked at me and pretended we had never met, which was fine with me.

Melanie’s question brought me back to the present. So, do you think Sabrina can go with you?

My instant and vehement no made Melanie laugh once again.

Sabrina was a lady I saw occasionally but who would like to have made it more frequently. I knew that if I called her, even at this late date, she would make herself available, but she also would read more into it than was meant. I refused to go down that road.

Melanie had been my plus-one and general date whenever I needed one since she rescued me five years ago. She was beautiful, graceful, and down-to-earth. And she didn’t expect anything from me. We both knew there was no romantic spark there. We could be comfortable with each other and have fun when we were together.

I have an idea, said Melanie. Do you remember that day you ran into me at the coffee shop in Arlington?

Yes, I remember. About this time a couple of years ago?

Do you remember who was sitting with me? Melanie asked.

I think you introduced her as your cousin. About your age, height, and build; cocoa-colored complexion?

Wow, you have a good memory, Melanie said. That’s right. That was my cousin Veronica. She was visiting from Atlanta.

What does she have to do with anything?

She’s here visiting me again. Since I’m sick, we haven’t really been doing anything. I feel bad that she came all this way and has been stuck here playing nurse to me.

I’m still not following you, I said.

Well, you said it yourself. She’s my age, my height, and my build. She can fit into my dress and go with you tonight.

She doesn’t even know me. I couldn’t ask her to do that. I’ll just have to risk it and go alone.

She wouldn’t mind. She isn’t doing anything else, and she would look gorgeous in that beautiful gown you had sent over.

I’m not sure this would be a good idea, I said.

It’s not like you two are going out on a date. You both would know this is somewhat of a business arrangement. She would be doing this as a favor. She’s going back home on Wednesday anyway, so you won’t ever have to see each other again.

I thought this through, trying to look for potential pitfalls. Melanie knew that I was not into casual dating. There would be clear ground rules from the outset that this was not a date but simply an event to get through.

As the founder of Leslie’s House, I was somewhat of a local celebrity. At the gala I would be in the spotlight, and that would include the woman who was my date. The media was accustomed to seeing me with Melanie, so there would be rampant speculation if I showed up with someone new.

How do you know she’d be willing to do this? She might not want a date with someone she has never met or to go to a place with people she doesn’t know, not to mention acting almost as the hostess for a charity that she knows nothing about.

First, she remembers meeting you, and I’ve told her things about you over the years, so you’re not a complete stranger to her. Second, she’s the founder of a nonprofit in Atlanta, so she’ll be more than comfortable at the gala tonight. And last, she is very aware of Leslie’s House and what it is; she even supports it financially. She may not be one of your big corporate donors, but she does what she can.

I don’t know. This seems like a very big favor to ask of someone on such short notice. Maybe I should just tough it out and go alone. The rest of the family will be there as well. They can run interference for me.

Well, if that’s really how you want to handle this; it’s your choice. Just make sure you call me when you get home and tell me who slipped her underwear in your pocket this time, Melanie said.

A shiver ran down my spine. Are you sure she wouldn’t mind going with me and doing me this huge favor?

No, she won’t mind. She understands the position you’re in, and she would be more than happy to fill in for me.

OK. Let’s do it, then. I’ll have the car come a little early to pick her up. I’ll meet her upstairs in the suite so we can formally meet and get better acquainted with each other before we go down to the gala.

Great! She’ll be there with bells on.

Melanie.

Yes, Judah?

Thank you so much for always being there for me. I’m so glad I met you. I feel like we’ve known each other all our lives.

Oh stop! Quit being sappy. She laughed. Just have a good time tonight and raise lots of money.

Yes, ma’am!

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Veronica looked at me through narrowed eyes. I can’t believe you volunteered me to do this without first asking if I even wanted to go.

Oh, c’mon, Ronnie. It’s not like I volunteered you to go live in a convent or anything. It is just one night with a nice guy, doing something that’s right up your alley.

But how did you know I would even want to? I was thinking I’d go to the Hawks–Mavericks game tonight since you’re incapacitated, and I know basketball is not your thing. I saw it as a win/win for both of us.

Ronnie, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had made other plans. I was just feeling so bad for canceling on Judah, and I wanted to do anything I could so he didn’t have to go alone tonight. This is a big night for Leslie’s House. Judah needs to be on his A-game. I know if he goes without a date, he won’t be able to put his best foot forward.

What’s so special about tonight? Veronica asked.

It’s the annual fundraiser for Leslie’s House, where they bring in the bulk of their big donations. The organization is named after Judah’s late sister-in-law, who died in childbirth. Judah and the Carter Consortium give to many charities, but this one is personal.

Oh, why did you have to tell me that? Now I’ll feel like a big jerk if I refuse to go.

I thought you knew that already, I said. Don’t you donate to them?

I do, but I didn’t know the backstory. I just knew that it was a worthy cause.

Yes, it is a worthy cause, and the more money that can be raised to continue its support, the better for those in need. Judah’s entire family participates in this event. We usually have a great time. I’ve gone for the past few years, and I’m really kind of bummed I won’t be able to go this year.

But I didn’t come prepared to attend a formal gala. I don’t have a dress, or shoes, or any of those things, Ronnie said.

I have you covered. We’re the same size, so you can wear the dress I was going to wear. C’mon, let me show you.

We went into my bedroom, and I opened the closet. Hanging on the rack was the most gorgeous midnight-blue gown I had ever seen. As I removed it from the closet, it seemed to shimmer with every movement. Silver thread was delicately woven throughout the fabric. The dress was an asymmetrical, one-shoulder mermaid-style that hugged in all the right places. There were matching shoes and a purse as well.

You don’t play fair, said Veronica.

What do you mean? I asked innocently.

Ronnie looked at me with narrowed eyes. You know blue is my favorite color, and I’m a sucker for a pretty dress.

With matching shoes and purse! I said gleefully. Judah bought it for me as my thanks for being his date. He buys me beautiful dresses to wear to the functions we attend. He picks them out and has them sent over. As you can see, he has impeccable taste.

Are you sure there isn’t more to your relationship than just being friends? Veronica asked.

Yes, I’m sure. When we first met, we thought we would try for something more, but it just never worked out that way. It was mutual. And thankfully, we were able to remain friends. Now, when he needs a plus-one, he knows he can count on me. He gets a no-strings-attached date, and I get a closet full of very nice clothes.

Sounds like a win/win. She looked longingly at the dress again and then said, OK, I’ll do it.

Yay! Thank you so much, Ronnie. You don’t know how much this means to me. I knew I could count on you.

What time is this shindig? she asked.

Starts at seven thirty.

Well, I had better get a move on if I’m going to be ready in time. I need to do my hair, makeup, and nails. Like I said, I didn’t come prepared for a fancy gala.

No worries. I have an eleven o’clock appointment at the spa for the works today. You use it instead. Already paid for, compliments of Judah.

This guy sounds like Mr. Wonderful. Tell me again why no one has snatched him up by now.

Because he’s a workaholic and very driven. He lives and breathes Carter Consortium, which doesn’t leave room for much else.

Been there, done that, have the T-shirt, she said.

Ronnie was referring to when she finished law school and started work. She was new at the firm and wanted to prove herself. Even in these enlightened times, women still had to be twice as good as a man to get just as far. She had talked about working constantly and putting everything else on the back burner for her career. She had told herself that once she was established, she would slow down and enjoy her life. After ten years, she was still going full throttle with no end in sight.

Thankfully,