Celeste

Dorothy Paula Freda writing under her pen name Marianne Dora Rose presents a clean inspirational Christian romance entitled CELESTE. Two young women, Celeste and her long-time friend, Florence, each mired by two failed relationships, each in search of a man who can love them and commit to them with all his heart and soul, have lost hope of ever finding true lasting love. But there are two such men for them waiting to be discovered, if these two young women will but look past the physical and into the soul.

Excerpts: ... As soon as she felt that Celeste was ready to meet a morally decent man to capture her heart, Aunt Sadie set about arranging blind dates for her, young devout Christian young men she considered worthy of her niece. Among them was Girard, a tall, slightly stout, broad-shouldered, pleasant-faced young man. He had sung in the Church choir since childhood, and as his voice deepened with maturity, so did his devotion to the Lord. His piety filled his mellow tenor hymns, and often brought tears to the Congregation as they attended Mass. ... Girard responded favorably to Aunt Sadie's attempt to match him with Celeste. Unfortunately, although Celeste admitted she found him the nicest of the blind dates, as he was a gentleman, kindhearted and respectful, a gentle, good-humored soul, she had her eye on another boy, Barry, wilder, less devout, more worldly. They attended the same college, majoring in business courses, and decided to live together, study together and save on expenses. Midway their education, Barry's father passed, and left him and his mother a sizable insurance benefit. Barry announced flatly that he was leaving the college and their apartment, and registering for Med School which he now could well afford. And that was that. Once again, Aunt Sadie tried to match her with Girard. But once again, unfortunately, she had already met Jake.

... "You were right about Jake," Celeste admitted to her aunt. "But he's out of my life now."
"Come in dear. I'll help you with your luggage."
"Thank you." The warmth of the kitchen, and heady scent of pie and newly perked coffee, emanating from the opened door, lightened the pang still gnawing at her heart at the mention of Jake. She turned to take the heavier of the two suitcases.
"Let me," the man in the grey and black hooded button-down sweater, coming up the two steps to the front porch, offered.
"Girard," Celeste gasped. "What are you doing here?" She didn't wait for his answer and turned back to glower, "Aunt Sadie, you promised!"
"He's not here for you. He's here for the Apple Pie. You know I always invite him when I bake one."
Girard said, "Not to worry, Celeste. I'm here only to welcome you back, and yes, for a slice or two of your aunt's scrumptious pie." He lifted the heavier suitcase. "Come on, let's go have that pie." He moved past her into the small foyer, and climbed to the upstairs hallway. "I'll be right down for the other one."
"All right," Celeste scolded with a helpless glance at her smiling aunt.

... The receptionist addressed Celeste. "Mr. Michaels, Manager of our Installation department will see you as soon as you're finished filling out your application."
"Girard?" Celeste whispered to Florence.
The receptionist turned to Florence. "Your interviewer will be Mr. Brian,"
Florence asked, "Mr. Brian, as in William Brian?"
"Yes, that's right. Mr. William F. Brian, the head of our Personnel department."
"Wil," Florence whispered. She glanced at Celeste. "I should have guessed."
Celeste nodded. "They always were the best of friends."
"But how did they know we were applying?" Florence remarked.
"I'll give you three guesses," Celeste said.
In unison, the two friends harmonized, "Aunt Sadie, who else."
"I'm tempted to leave," Celeste said.
Her friend entreated, "We're desperate, remember?"
"Yes, we are," Celeste replied, miff

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