Trust In Him

By Kateri Shadow

After the death of her father Madison and her mother, Rosemary are shopping for another piece of land to build another store. During the process, Rosemary falls ill. Aiden Wright, the owner of Jet Construction must help Madison learn to find her faith once more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skye's The Limit Productions
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224346479

Kateri Shadow

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Chapter One

Madison loved her mother but there were a thousand different ways she could spend this sunny Saturday afternoon.  She wished she was curled up with a good book or chat with her friends, anything other than a boring meeting.

Are you excited about today? Madison’s mother asked as she fussed with her curly hair. Madison forced a weak smile. Yes, I’m ready, Madison answered dutifully. I think, she admitted as she ran her fingers through her curls.  She winced as she felt a knot.  I like being dragged kicking and screaming into something.

Jesus in jeans, you’re funny. Her mother grinned.

That will be my new job, stand-up comic.

Oh, boo on you. You already have a job. The phone rang, cutting off what was sure to be one of her mom’s infamous speeches.

I’ll get it. Madison cupped her palms around her chin to strike a pose.

Rosemary laughed.

Madison giggled in response as she walked off to the bathroom to see what shape her hair was in. She combed out her shoulder-length, of tight spiral curls before pulling several strands of her hair straight.

Madison heard the excitement in her mother’s voice. She tossed down the wide-tooth comb to cast a worried look over her shoulder at the mirror. Madison’s dark-chocolate skin shimmered under the fluorescent lights. Madison stood a little over five feet tall, Madison was she called herself, ‘height challenged’ or as most of her friends called it—short. She might be short, but Madison had a lot of curves packed into such a small amount of height.

Madison narrowed her almond-shaped brown eyes as she glanced around the bathroom. The deep burgundy decor always relaxed her. poked out her full lips, posing and trying her best red-carpet stance. Madison stepped back to adjust the gold cross her father had given her before his death. It seemed to shimmer as her mother approached. Being a firm believer in life after death, she thought it might be a sign from her father that they were on the right path.

Don’t worry, Maddie. You look great, honey. Rosemary patted her on the shoulder as she passed the bathroom door. Madison shut off the light to follow her mother down the hall. Worried? Meeting new clients and scouting out locations for her mom’s new store location is always nerve wracking.

Together they scouted so many separate locations that Madison lost count. Now, they were back in Connecticut town for one more look. This wasn’t her store. All Madison wanted to do was step back and rest. Maybe even paint a little. My God, please help me to paint again. I don’t see why I have to go. This was the beginning of her plea to not go to yet another location.  I mean honestly, Mom, this new store is great. Besides, this is your baby, not mine.

Maddie, please, Rosemary said as she popped her head around the corner from to shoot her a warning glance.

Oh, here comes the superior guilt trip, Madison thought.

Do this for me. One day this business will be yours and yes, I want you to be involved. Is that too much to ask?

Well, this is always going to be your store and...

Madison Lee. Her mother’s voice lost its light, whimsical tone and turned to the sternness she knew best. Oh, no. She used my middle name. I better shut up right now.

I’m not going to be here forever, and I want you with me on this one, please. The sudden change back to soft, hushed tones pulled at Madison’s heartstrings. All her anger melted.

Oh, okay, Mom. Come on now. We’re going to be late, this is your big day, Madison said, approaching her mother, who still stood in the middle of the living room floor.  Madison curled her arms around her mom and hugged her closely. You’re going to be around until you’re old and gray. When my kids are born, I’ll watch them drive you crazy like drove you crazy.

What do you mean ‘did’? Try ‘still do.’ All that may be true, Maddie, but it doesn’t mean you’re about to get out of this. Do this for me, please? Her mother’s sweet voice dissolved the last shred of Madison's resistance.

All right, Mom. No problem, I’ll go. No promises that my mind won’t drift off, though. You know the rumor about the fragile heart and mind of painters, she said, making a funny face and stumbled around playfully.

I need your help so, stop playing your loony game and bring your brain along—we might need it, Rosemary said as she searched for her keys. I’ve got to check out a construction company— Jet Construction.  Mr. Wright and I stayed on the phone for over an hour.  I have a good feeling about them. Plus, he has a kind voice.

Madison aimlessly twirled one of her curls as she listened to her mother speak.

Are you listening to me, Madison? 

Huh? I mean, yes, I heard you. Jet Construction. We need to go to the site. I got it, Madison turned to face her mother.

Rosemary stood a whopping five feet tall, with an hourglass shape to rival the latest full-figure model. But behind that voluptuous frame lived a hellcat.

Madison gave her mother a thumbs-up and said, I gotcha, Mom. I’m paying attention.

"Good. I need you by my side on this. I want you to supervise the construction of the store. And once it