by Pat Simmons
NOT GUILTY
of Love
A GUILTY SERIES NOVEL
-BOOK 2-
BY
PAT SIMMONS
~~~
Smashwords Edition
Not Guilty of Love
Copyright © 2009, 2014 Pat Simmons
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. References to real events, organizations, and places are used in a fictional context. Any resemblances to actual people, living or dead are entirely coincidental.
To read more books by this author, please visit www.patsimmons.net.
First edition printed in the United States of America, 2009
Second edition printed in United States of America, 2014 Generations Quest Press
Edited/proofed by Karen McCullum Rodgers/critiqueyourbook.com
Author photo: Angie Knost Photography
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
PRAISES FOR PAT SIMMONS’S NOVELS:
On The Guilty series:
In GUILTY OF LOVE, Simmons' sometimes whimsical approach to delivering the message of salvation is anchored by opportune scriptures. The author boldly tackles issues like abortion, child abuse and anger toward God, adeptly guiding readers into romance, reconciliation and restoration as this novel flows effortlessly from haunting pasts to delectable happiness.— Romantic Times Book Review
The different themes in GUILTY OF LOVE, such as abortion, adoption and the African American heritage is so well woven throughout the novel, that you don't realize you have actually learned anything until the end of the book. All in all, you get a bird's eye view on the consequences of abortion, insight on being a foster parent as well as an education on genealogy. — EKG Literary Magazine
Pat Simmons has written a solid and satisfying story that will keep you glued until the last page. The characters are colorful and seem familiar. GUILTY OF LOVE describes friendship across racial lines, brotherly love, family issues and religion in a non-preachy format. Successfully merging a variety of topics into the storyline, Simmons has included information on forgiveness, love, black history and spirituality. —RAWSISTAZ Reviewer
Simmons developed the characters so that I was drawn into their stories. I could feel every emotion. I laughed, cried, and wondered with each of them. It kept me glued to the pages. This was my first time reading Simmons's work, but I look forward to others. — APOOO Reviewer
Romance readers will enjoy this novel (NOT GUILTY OF LOVE) because it's not your usual Christian fiction. It's a real love story. Many times, Christian fiction is too preachy and full of literary fluff with a happily-ever-after storyline that only Christian folk can relate to. This is not the case with Not Guilty of Love. Simmons takes the time, the creativity and the imagination to give readers a story that almost everyone can relate to. I'm looking forward her next book.— Idrissa Uqdah
On No Easy Catch (Carmen Sisters series):
Throughout the story Rahn and Shae’s relationship starts out beautiful but then life happens. Will Rahn and Shae continue to strike out or will they hit a home run with God as their pitcher? The strong messages of faith had me at one time thinking had I kept my promises to God? I don’t know for sure but I’m certainly convicted. Simmons has a knack for writing stories that make you pause and reflect and this one doesn’t disappoint.
One of my favorite quotes in the book was “when fear comes knocking let faith answer it. Once the door is open fear disappears. Its nuggets like this one that kept me turning pages. What an outstanding read!—Readers Paradise "Book Club"
On Love at the Crossroads series:
As always I was truly pleased reading the first book of this series. The characters are witty, loving, resourceful, kind, and flawed all at the same time. Losing a spouse has to be devastating for anyone and knowing you will never be able to have children is enough to shake your faith. Though the get weary and challenged God still gets the victory. I love that I'm getting prayer and bits and pieces of the Word throughout the entire book, along with a story that I can visually see unfolding right before my eyes.— SUBC New Orleans Chapter "Beyond The Book"
Other Christian titles include:
The Guilty series
Book I: Guilty of Love
Book II: Not Guilty of Love
Book III: Still Guilty
The Guilty Parties series
Book I: The Acquittal
Book II: The Confession, Fall 2015
The Jamieson Legacy
Book I: Guilty by Association
Book II: The Guilt Trip
Book III: Free from Guilt
The Carmen Sisters
Book I: No Easy Catch
Book II: In Defense of Love
Love at the Crossroads
Book I: Stopping Traffic
Book II: A Baby for Christmas
Book III: The Keepsake
Book IV: What God Has for Me
Making Love Work Anthology
Book I: Love at Work
Book II: Words of Love
Book III: A Mother’s Love
Single titles
Crowning Glory
Talk to Me
Scripture
To God's promise: Acts 2:38-39
"Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."'
Special thanks to:
To every reader, church, bookstore, and book club that supported me and shared your comments to make Not Guilty of Love possible.
Jennifer Thomasson/Stems Florists, Florissant, MO Ferguson PD Captain Dennis McBride and Joe Craig Lenard E. Bell/Bell & Associates Attorney Charles Kirksey
Kerry, Jared, and Simi Simmons
My ancestors from my genealogy search: Coles, Scotts, Thompsons, Palmers, Wades, Browns, Brownlees, Carters, Wilkerson (Wilkinson), Jamisons; My in-laws: Simmons, Downers, Sinkfields, Stricklands, Sturdivants, and others.
My pastor and his wife: Bishop James A Johnson and Lady Juana Johnson and the Bethesda Temple family.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thir
ty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Epilogue
Excerpt from Still Guilty
Book Club Questions
About the Author
Other Christian titles include:
More From Pat Simmons
PROLOGUE
Sitting behind the desk in his office, Malcolm Jamieson snatched the receiver off his phone console and fumbled to get a grip. He punched in his ex-fiancée’s work number and waited for the connection. Malcolm never expected Hallison to be an ex.
His heart ached for Hallison Dinkins's smile. His hands itched for his woman's soft perfumed skin and silky hair. He could never get enough of touching her. He grunted, remembering his older brother, Parke's wisecrack that Malcolm's hands were dry because they needed moisturizer. His world was upside down and Parke had jokes about hand lotion.
Hallison had the best assets God could give to a woman, and she didn't even know it. When she entered a room, other women bowed to her superiority. She was Malcolm's sole focus, his idol, and his wife—well, almost. Somehow doubt had insinuated itself into Hallison's head, and she questioned the magnitude of his love and walked away. To add to Malcolm's confusion, Hallison pointed a finger at God for her sudden decision. What did God have to do with it? He never received a satisfactory answer.
He replayed the scene in his mind: One Sunday morning, he escorted one woman into a church and a look-a-like emerged. By trade, Malcolm was a certified public accountant with Winfield & Young in St Louis, Missouri. At the end of the day, everything balanced. Somehow he had miscalculated the bottom line with Hallison.
"Good morning, Bank of Missouri. May I help you?" greeted the customer service representative.
Malcolm gave the extension and waited impatiently. He had ceased calling her direct line and talking to her voicemail. After two rings, he was connected.
"Director of Human Resources."
He recognized Gloria's voice, the department's receptionist. "Hallison Dinkins, please."
She hesitated, causing Malcolm to wonder if he had been disconnected. "I'm sorry. She's doing payroll and can't be disturbed." Her patronizing tone annoyed him.
Malcolm was convinced Gloria was Hallison's watchdog. As efficient as Hallison was as personnel director, there was no way it would take her three days to approve a biweekly payroll report of three hundred employees. She supervised qualified department heads who thoroughly double-checked their staff's overtime hours, vacation times accrued, and comp days. As far as Malcolm was concerned, security was about to be breached.
"Thanks." He slammed down the receiver and stood, scattering pens and pencils. "Ten days is long enough." He pounded his desk. "You're going to see me, woman, with or without an audience. I'll no longer be refused." Malcolm stormed out his office without a word to his assistant, Miss Lilly, who lifted a bushy brow before she returned to pecking on her keyboard.
His assistant never verbally interfered in Malcolm's personal life, but her facial expressions read, "If you ask me, I'm going to tell you what I think." This time she released a heavy sigh before speaking her mind. "Come back in a better mood, Mr. Jamieson. I get enough attitudes from my boys, and they're looking for another place to live."
He ignored her remarks with his own musing. "Never mess with a Black man in love, and I'm a Jamieson, too. That's a hostile combination," he mumbled, suspecting Miss Lilly "Radar" Brown probably heard every word.
Malcolm stalked across the marble floor to a pair of elevators. An empty one opened automatically as if sensing his presence. The doors shut once he stepped inside, and the car descended until it reached the lobby. Malcolm hadn't pushed a button. He marched to revolving doors that stood at attention, awaiting his command. As he crushed the dirt on the sidewalk with each step, the crowd parted for his entrance.
At the corner, Malcolm briefly marveled at the streetlight invented by Garrett Morgan, the son of a former slave. Malcolm and his family considered themselves certified genealogists, and they could recite historical facts and accomplishments of African Americans like Wikipedia. The light turned green and flashed "walk," sparing Malcolm the effort of looking both ways. He glanced anyway before crossing.
A health enthusiast, Malcolm didn't waste the effort to get his car from a nearby parking garage. He needed the exercise to temper his irritation. Eighteen minutes and ten seconds later—a record speed—he yanked open the door to the Metropolitan Circle Building. His heart pounded heavier with each step down the corridor. When he entered the personnel office, he used too much force opening the glass door. Startled, Gloria, the dark-skinned department receptionist, looked up and replaced the beginning of an engaging smile with a surprised frown.
"I'm here to see Hali," he said. Malcolm didn't have time for a good morning, howdy doody, whatz up, or any other pleasantries.
Her face wrestled to form a response as she inched up from behind her desk. Barely reaching five feet, Malcolm wondered if she was standing or remained seated. "One moment. Let me see if she is available."
Shoving her chair to the side, it rolled in one direction and she began a backpedal jog in another. Somehow she weaved through several employment testing cubicles without looking. As soon as Gloria bypassed some offices, she turned and dashed down a long hall with plush tan carpet that signified an exclusive executive office. Malcolm trailed Gloria as she picked up speed. With little effort, he stretched his legs to easily overtake her strenuous pace. He entered Hallison's office without knocking seconds before the receptionist caught up and slammed into his solid body, causing her to ricochet off him.
"I'm sorry, Miss Dinkins. I tried to warn you," Gloria apologized, huffing before she retreated.
Hallison remained seated behind her mahogany desk. She was radiant in purple and seemingly unfazed by his appearance. Her straight, brown hair hung past her shoulders; her face glowed. It had nothing to do with cosmetics, if she was wearing any.
How can she sit there, looking beautiful and acting so calm? Malcolm thought, further irritated. His peripheral vision closed in on Hallison's lips. Like a predator, he moved purposefully toward her. Malcolm's eyes flashed, and his chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing.
He leaned against her desk. "Hallison Dinkins, how can we work out our differences if you refuse to see or talk to me?" Malcolm inhaled her perfume. It was the same one he had bought her the month before—sweet, subtle, and alluring. Malcolm's bold appraisal was meant to unravel Hallison. His tactic only drained his arrogance. Do you know how much I love you? Of course, you don't, he answered himself.
"Malcolm, I can't bear to see or talk to you. You embody every weakness known to women. For me, you're a double dose."
"Good." Focusing on her mouth, Malcolm proceeded closer until he could almost taste her minty breath. "And you're my weakness."
"Malcolm, please—"
Kissing Hallison, he absorbed her words until she broke away, panting. "I'm not trying to make you cry, sweetheart. I'm trying to remove the blur in our relationship. You know I love you and will support whatever you need to do. I'll admit you caught me off guard weeks ago. We've dated for a year, and church was the furthest thing from our minds or conversations. Now, all of a sudden, it's as if you're on drugs, and you've got to have it after one visit. I can handle that addiction to a certain point. I'm just not convinced about this church makeover, and to be honest, I don't know if I'll ever be, or if I even want to."
Sniffing, Hallison jutted her chin after she cleared her throat, "Malcolm, I've run out of ways to explain. God spoke to me. I had no choice but to obey. My life depended on obeying. We have to be together in this Christian walk with Jesus. If not, I'll have to stroll with Christ by myself."
"Yeah, and just think, I had no choi
ce in that decision." He balled his hand into a fist and frowned.
"But you did." Hallison massaged her temples, matching his frustration. "That was one of the reasons I balked at accepting an invitation to church. I was taking a gamble, not knowing if God would do—"
Malcolm pointed to his chest. "Oh, so this is my fault?"
She shook her head. "No, of course not. You didn't know we were walking right into God's trap. I had an uneasy feeling that once I was back on God's turf, He wasn't going to let me go that easily without reminding me of the consequences of sin."
"Hmm, interesting. Maybe I should've put up a bigger fight."
"It wasn't about you that day, Malcolm. When God's power hit me, I did an about-face. I tried to forget the cost of living a life without the Lord, but God suddenly revived every memory. This is bigger than you and me."
Why is she putting this distance between us? Malcolm was an honest, hard-working man, faithful to one woman. He had been taught since childhood and accepted that salvation was a given. At the time, he hadn't minded visiting churches. Now, he was dead set against stepping foot inside another for fear of God snatching him away, too. Malcolm's temper broke. "Hali," he managed through clenched teeth, "do you love me?" Malcolm hammered his fist on her desk. She jumped. "Hali, you know I love you, and I'd never hurt you."
