I Hate Walt

Vicki Andree

Description

I Hate Walt! is the inspirational story of Mary Lou Stots, a young woman who works for Walt Pederson. Walt is a modern-day Scrooge who has little respect for women in general and none for her. Even though she is the top salesperson in his business, Walt mocks her and humiliates her any way he can. When Walt dies in a tragic accident, it seems an answer to her prayers.

Meanwhile, Mary Lou's boyfriend, Bobby Porter, takes her down a road of confusion and frustration. Mary Lou watches romance blossom with people all around her, while Bobby becomes distant. Jealousy, disappointment, and guilt increase her dissatisfaction with life.

Mary Lou returns to God and finds a new church and mentor. She faces her shortcomings and starts to grow spiritually. Will the strength of her newfound faith overcome her hate and anger? As more questions surrounding Walt's death surface, Mary Lou's faith and ability to forgive is put to the test.

Will Mary Lou ever find happiness and true love?

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian
• Romance
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 19 février 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456624262
• Langue: English

Extrait

Copyright
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The “NIV” and “New
International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires
the permission of International Bible Society.
 
 
Copyright © 2015, Vicki Andree
All rights reserved.
First Edition
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-2426-2
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above,
no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise),
without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner
and the publisher of this book.

 
 
 
Dedication
To Scott and Craig
My sons, who have triumphed over life’s trials and emerged as victorious men of God. You make me proud!
Chapter One
Monday, December 24, 2012
Denver, Colorado
Mary Lou Stots tapped her fingers on the handle of the heaped shopping cart. She resisted the urge to scream and stood on her toes to check. Sixth in line from checkout. When she had stepped into line half an hour ago, she had counted twelve in front of her. The sounds of “White Christmas” blared through the intercom for the tenth time, making it hard for her to think. She leaned on the cart and sucked in a long breath. Once again, she mentally checked the list in her head. Slippers for Mom, another tie for Dad, that beautiful scarf for Eileen... Oh, why do I always put this off until Christmas Eve?
Shoppers squeezed in front of her to get through the line to the rest of the store. Oh, please. You people are all procrastinators, just like me. Let’s see now… A scarf for Eileen, a pair of gloves for Aunt Louise, a Thighmaster for Larry. Ha! That’s my best gag gift. He will hate it, but that’s what he gets for teasing me all the time about being so skinny, not to mention all the “short” jokes. It’s the least a girl could do for her big brother.
For crying out loud, it’s Christmas Eve. I’m so not ready. Uncle Peter gets the Broncos key chain. She checked the cart for wrapping paper and ribbons. The line shrank until she could see the cash register. Only four to go. Did I get the tape? Oh, there it is, under the Legos and darts for Larry’s kids. My sweet nephews will love those, along with the drum set.
Come on, people—get this line moving, it’s almost four o’clock. I have gifts to wrap!
Mary Lou felt the phone in her pocket vibrate. She dug it out to find a text message from the scrooge who owned the company she worked for. Get to the office. Meeting at 5:00. DO NOT BE LATE!
Her heart dropped to her toes. What could possibly be wrong? What am I going to do? It’s an hour to the office on a good day. I can’t possibly check out and get through the parking lot in less than half an hour. I have to leave now. I have to leave my cart.
She stepped out of line.
Later the same day
Denver, Colorado
Mary Lou Stots steamed across the International Enterprises lobby. “I swear, I am going to kill Walt Pederson.”
The two security guards gave her a look.
“Oh.” Mary Lou reddened. “Did I say that out loud?”
Both men studied security screens in front of them.
She kept her pace and commented over her shoulder, “I’m sure you know what I mean. Merry Christmas.”
Neither man responded.
Joe Gillespie caught up to her. “That was some text I got. Do you know what’s up?”
She quickened her pace. “You’re my boss. How would I know?”
“I haven’t a clue. It looks like I’ll be late for our traditional Christmas Eve fried fish feast. Problem is… I’m the cook. “
“I left my shopping cart full of gifts to get here on time. I don’t how I’m going to get my Christmas shopping done. And I have a date with Bobby tonight.”
They entered the glass-enclosed conference room.
Walt Pederson, owner and CEO of International Enterprises, sat at the head of a long conference table. He glanced up from reading what looked like a legal document. Six other employees sat on one side of the table.
He growled. “It’s about time you got here.”
Mary Lou bit her lip to keep from lashing out at him.
Joe pulled out a chair.
Walt stared daggers through Mary Lou. “Well, sit down. We have work to do.”
Joe leaned forward. “I got here as soon as I could. What’s the emergency?”
Walt shouted, “We’re short. If we don’t get this contract in here by the end of the year, our numbers will be less than the previous year. I can’t allow that to happen.”
Joe raised his hand to stop the drama. “Walt, I’m here to do whatever it takes. Just tell me what you want me to do. The sales team is here. We can figure it out. Now, what’s the problem?”
Walt stood. “It’s not what. It’s who. It’s Feldman. Feldman in Zedlav didn’t close on his rotten contract. If he had signed the contract, I’d be sitting pretty. But he didn’t, and now I’m not going to make the projected numbers. I need that contract, and I need it by the end of the year. One of you is flying out of here to Zedlav, Alaska, tomorrow morning. I’ve set up a meeting with Feldman on Wednesday morning, and you’re going to get that contract signed. Now, who is it going to be?”
Joe held up his pencil. “Hold on, Walt. This is an emergency, but you didn’t need to call the entire sales team in.” He waved the pencil toward Mary Lou and the agents on the other side of the table. “You can go. Walt and I will take care of this.”
The six men across from them scrambled out of the room.
Mary Lou didn’t move. Zedlav is Jackson’s account. Jackson is in Florida with his parents for Christmas. “I’m not leaving.”
Walt shouted at her, “Get out of here, girlie! Your boss and I have arrangements to make.”
Mary Lou felt heat rise from somewhere deep inside. She struggled to speak in a calming voice. “I am your top salesperson. I can handle it. Mr. Pederson, you do know it’s Christmas Eve?”
Walt motioned to the door with his thumb. “Christmas doesn’t pay your check, girlie.”
She looked at Joe. “You have a family. Your wife and kids need you to be there on Christmas Day. I think it would be better if I go. I’m single, and my family will understand. But your kids...”
Joe smiled. “That’s very generous of you, but I can’t let you do it. I don’t send my employees to Alaska on Christmas Day—”
Walt jumped in. “You two work it out. I don’t care who goes. Just get that contract signed.” With that, Walt Pederson turned on his heel and left.
Silence draped the room.
Mary Lou brushed a strand of blonde hair from her eyes. “If he calls me ‘girlie’ one more time....” She turned to Joe. “Please let me go. I’ve never been to Alaska in December. I’m sure Jackson won’t mind, since he’s in Florida.”
Joe started to smile, and then they both broke out in laughter.
He wiped a tear from his eye. “Mary Lou, this is a very kind thing to do for me and my family.”
Mary Lou shrugged. “Just so you know I’m not doing it for Walt Pederson.”
She left the conference room and made her way down the hall to her office. She sighed. It’s six o’clock. I have all my Christmas shopping to do. My feet are killing me. I need to get gifts, get them wrapped and delivered. I need to let my parents know I won’t be here for Mom’s Christmas dinner. Remind me again why I wanted to get into the oil business?
What do you wear to the office in Zedlav? Wait until I tell Eileen. Perhaps she can explain to our parents. I don’t have an hour to listen to Mom tonight.
And Bobby asked me out tonight. I think he just might be ready to propose. We’ve only been dating for a few months, but I’m pretty sure I could marry him. He’s the best-looking cop on the force. I’m such a sucker for a uniform. Her heart skipped a beat. Now I have to break our date. Ugh! I hate you, Walt Pederson.
I’m pretty sure Walt’s trying to kill me. I’ll probably freeze to death in Alaska in December.
Tuesday, December 25
Denver International Airport
Mary Lou boarded Alaska Airlines for her eight forty-five a.m. flight—which would take eleven hours, including layovers. The plane was as crowded as expected. She found her seat and struggled to reach the overhead bin. She was a few inches too short to reach. Finally, the man behind her took her bag and placed it in the bin for her.
She thanked him and took her aisle seat next to a young man returning to Zedlav to see his parents for Christmas. He said a few words and opened his book. Obviously he didn’t want to talk.
She opened her laptop and looked through the contract for the sale of heavy equipment to the corporation in Zedlav. Heavy construction trucks, loaders, and diggers, adding up to more than a hundred million dollars, had been contracted. All she needed was the signed document.
The Alaska Airlines flight left on time. She yawned and put away her laptop. At least I can sleep all the way to Seattle. Let’s see… She rechecked her itinerary. I get into Seattle at a quarter to eleven, then have a two-hour layover there and in Anchorage before I finally get into Zedlav at seven fifty p.m., my time. At least I should get a good night’s sleep when I get there.
This is so Walt. Here I am on Christmas, flying to the most remote place on earth.
The flight to Seattle took forever. Instead of sleeping, she found herself rehearsing her pitch and her plea to get the contract signed immediately. I just want to get home as soon as possible.
The meeting starts at nine o’clock. With any luck at all, I could make my presentation and get the signature by lunch. After all, they already have the quotes and estimates. It’s not like I’m going in cold. They fully expect to sign that contract tomorrow.
After two layovers and the switch to a smaller aircraft, her plane finally landed. She walked out of the