Christian Romance: I Think I'm Falling For You... A Beautiful Christian Romance Story

I Think I'm Falling For You...

  Joanne Sawyer

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  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  An Awkward Encounter...

  Blessing in Disguise...

  Unexpected Engagement...

  A Trying Day...

  A Night Out...

  Truths...

  Prologue

  Introduction

  Elise thinks she has everything she needs, her business and her faith. But she realizes there may be something missing when she meets Tristan Maine, a new hire who comes to work with a confidence that borders on being cocky. She disapproves of his carelessness, but there is electric tension between them.

  Follow Elise and Tristan as they discover themselves and each other in this heart-warming Christian Romance of two people lost in the word who manage to find each other.

  An Awkward Encounter...

  “Hey Elise, I’m going out for that Sorensen Delivery and the new baker is coming in at 2:00. Is it okay if you take care of him while I go?” said Aunt Jemima through the open office door as she was on her way out.

  “Sure thing, Aunt Jem. I’m almost done with our reports anyway.” Elise replied. Her aunt was really busy getting to know their customers and she was mostly in charge of the office anyway. She liked being in control. She was co-owner and founder of their booming business, Aunt Jemima managed the human end, meaning getting in touch with customers and hiring new people, she managed everything else. Ahh… Tabitha’s AngeliCakes, it was her dream come true and a tribute to her mother, who died 4 years ago, just when she was about to graduate from her course in business management.

  Her mother had been her rock. Tabitha Coleson was widowed when Elise was only 15 and it had been hard for everyone. But Tabitha was a strong woman who managed to put her and her 2 brothers, Noah and David, through school and even college, juggling 3 jobs and fostering respect, love and faith in God in all three of them. It was faith, said Tabitha, that had helped her weather the storm of loss. Elise remembered her father, who was a kind, gentle man who always read them Bible stories before bed. A car had killed Malcolm Coleson, and it was a stroke that killed his wife, who was only 53 when she died. Her father’s death was hard, but the loss of her mother was devastating. Her mother had always had such a great presence that Elise almost thought her mother would live forever. She never got to see what I managed to build for her, Elise thought now, looking at her mother’s picture on her desk.

  He brothers were both doing well for themselves. Noah, the youngest, was in his second year as a Literature teacher at the University, while David, their eldest, was a workaholic architect. Neither of them had settled down yet, and didn’t seem to want to any time soon. It must run in the family, Elise thought with a smile. She had had suitors before, but she had never wanted to have a boyfriend. While she was in school she always said that it wasn’t a priority yet, she wanted to graduate before even thinking about things like that. But now…? It’s still not a priority I suppose. When her mother had died, Elise had been desperate to keep her mother’s presence close and her fondest memories of her mother were always the cakes and cookies she would give them after Sunday Mass, she called them her angelicakes as a word play, and Elise had used it. She knew nothing about baking, but Aunt Jem knew more than enough for both of them. They had started with two bakers and a cake designer, catering weddings and parties, and the beautifully designed and delicious cakes made sure their customer list grew and grew. Now they have 4 branches in nearby towns and a main shop in the busiest street in the city and they’d needed to start hiring again, which is why she was waiting here for the new baker, who was already 15 minutes late. Not a very good first impression.

  She turned to look at the file Aunt Jem had left in her desk. Tristan Maine, 27 years old, 5 years of experience as pastry chef in Hotel Continental. Impressive, thought Elise, as she had tasted the food at the Continental, which was a five star hotel in the business district. Still, no matter what his credentials are, there’s no excuse for tardiness. Elise decided to continue working on the cash flow reports as she waited. Elise did not believe in wasting time.

  Her secretary, Lou Anne, called on the intercom. “You’re two o’clock is here Miss Coleson.” She had known Lou Anne since they were little, and she had kept telling her to call her by her name but Lou Anne insisted. She said it was more professional that way.

  “Okay Lou, send him in please.”

  The door opened a few minutes later and a handsome man swaggered in. He had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, but what annoyed Elise the most was the cocky smile he had on his face. It was the smile of someone who felt entitled. Elise frowned upon entitlement. She had worked hard for everything she had; she expected others to do the same, especially those who worked for her. God helps those who help themselves after all.

  “Mary Elise Coleson,” she said, extending her hand. “Tristan Maine I suppose?”

  “Yes ma’am. I’m so glad I finally got to meet you,” the man answered, giving her a generous smile.

  “You’re late.”

  The man looked like he was going to choke. It’s like he’s never faced consequences in his entire life, thought Elise, amused.

  “I got caught in traffic…I didn’t really think that…”

  “I know this isn’t technically you’re first day,” Elise said, cutting him off, “but I would expect punctuality, especially for a chief baker. We are the main branch and the bigger orders are going to be coming through here. We can’t be waiting for when you eventually show up Mr. Maine, that’s not how this works. We work hard here, that’s why this business is growing so rapidly, and because t
his business is growing so rapidly, we have to work even harder. Is this clear to you?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be on time in the future.”

  At 27, Tristan Main was a good two years older than Elise, but she had learned to be direct and firm when it came to business. She watched him, obviously flustered and twiddling his fingers.

  “That’s good to hear Mr. Maine. I hope we get to develop a fine working relationship in the near future,” she said, getting up and leading him to the door.

  That was cold, thought Tristan as he left his new boss’ office. He had never had anyone talk like that to him and he had to admit, maybe he needed it. He would have to get used to being an employee and maybe get whipped into shape, so to speak. He certainly didn’t mind if it was Miss Coleson. She was beautiful. Black hair, red lips and her fair skin made him think of Snow White, but she was all business, she was a truly guarded person. And he came here to learn didn’t he? Tristan knew he had to keep his head level. He knew he had to change, that’s why he left his old ‘job’ and came to work for Tabitha’s AngeliCakes, the fastest growing cake shop and catering in the state.

  Tristan changed into his kitchen uniform, rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

  Blessing in Disguise...

  It was 7:00 am when Elise opened up the shop. It