With three adult children and 50 plus years under her belt, Liz Liner has had her share of heartache. A year was not long enough to mourn her beloved husband Larry. But loneliness is a hard burden to shoulder, even when she has her faith to comfort her, and Philip is an attractive man. Even after seven years of being alone, Philip still misses his wife Trish. He’s dated a number of women since her death, but none of them touched him deeply like Trish. Now that he’s approaching his sixtieth birthday, he’s nearly given up on love. But then he meets Liz, and he’s instantly attracted. Perhaps there’s still a chance for him.
It should be simple, but Liz and Philip are from different faiths. From their friends and family to the clergy, everyone seems to be against their relationship.
Can their love stand strong against the disappointments and trials that lay ahead of them? Or will other’s prejudices prevent them from finding happily ever after?
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An Excerpt from: Once More Love
Copyright © 2012 Jean Reiner
All rights reserved, Wild Child Publishing.
Liz walked back to the window. “Here you are and thank you,” she said to the two women as she handed them their tickets. She blew a loose hair on her forehead. She looked through the stack again, wishing all the tickets would be gone. Unfortunately, there were still a few left.
“Hey, don’t stop there,” Mary said. “Tell me more about Margo.”
“I was thinking of watching the play tonight, but I don’t think I want to see it with someone else in the role of Margo. I loved doing her so much.”
Clapping her hands together, she laughed and said, “I loved saying, ‘Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!’ I was so excited when I won the Best Actress in a Musical award for that role. I’ll always cherish having been given the opportunity to play that part. Larry said he was so proud of me.” The smile died on her lips. Here I am working box office tonight, and Larry isn’t...No don’t go there again. She lowered her eyelids trying to hide the hurt she felt. It was so hard to accept the fact that he was gone. I miss Larry as much today as when it first happened. Why did it have to happen? She clenched her hands into tight fists. Her chin dropped to her chest.
She was so lost in her thoughts that a light rapping on the ledge of the window startled her. The rapping was followed by a deep, icy voice. “Sorry, I don’t mean to disturb you, but we do need our tickets.”
Liz turned to look at Mary who shrugged in helplessness since she was busy handling a complaint about seating. Liz blushed as she rushed to rifle through the tickets. “I beg your pardon. I am so sorry.” Her voice took on a crisp, business-like edge. “Your name, please?” She looked up at the intruder. She saw a very distinguished looking gentleman. He had beautiful grey hair and blue eyes that seemed to be smiling at her. How could that be after he’d just been so sarcastic? He was quite a bit taller than she. Liz decided he must be close to six feet. Their eyes met and locked. There appeared to be a challenge in his look. Liz had the strangest feeling.
Have we met before? I think I would have remembered.
“The name is Philip McCaffery,” he said.
Liz looked through the ticket tray twice. “I’m sorry Mr. Caffery, but I don’t
see your tickets.” She tried to keep him from seeing her shaking hands.
“I said McCaffery,” he replied, “Caffery the way you said it but with a Mac in front.” He laughed.
Liz’s embarrassment grew. “I didn’t understand. I’m sorry. I had a feeling that I shouldn’t be here tonight.” A sigh of relief escaped her when she located his tickets. “Oh, yes, I’m sorry, here they are.” She handed him the envelope with the two tickets in it just as a tall, pretty blonde woman joined him.
“This had better be good,” Philip said to his companion in a joking yet threatening way. The lights in the lobby flickered a warning causing the noise in the lobby to dim as the crowd moved toward the theater area. Liz watched as the woman settled her arm in the crook of his elbow.
With a bemused shake of her head, the blonde looked at Liz. “I can’t take him anywhere.” A warm smile lit her face. Extracting her arm from Philip’s, she said, “Well, hello, Liz. I’m Betty Pollard. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you.” Her hand came to rest on her companion’s shoulder.
Liz’s eyes followed her every move. She’d had that wonderful kind of familiarity with Larry. There was that jealousy again. She returned the smile, but not with the same warmth. Her hands and eyes returned to the ticket tray.
Betty’s smile grew broader. “I was in Applause with you. I know you don’t remember me. I was one of the chorus girls.” She laughed. “I don’t think you could tell that by looking at me today.” She frowned as she looked down at herself.
Liz looked at Betty’s still well-proportioned, albeit heavier body, and broadened her smile. “You still look pretty to me.”
A smile replaced her frown as Betty continued, “You may not remember me but I remember how wonderful you were as Margo.”
All this flattery caused Liz to be a little nervous and more than slightly self-conscious. Liz pushed her hand through her hair. “Thank you. Thanks for the compliment. I do remember you,” she fibbed. “I’m surprised and pleased you remembered me after all this time.” Liz smiled naturally now. Meeting someone who had been in a play with her brought back all the pleasures of the play. She was relaxed and in a better mood.
Philip’s gaze never left Liz’s flushed, smiling, animated face. She could feel him staring at her. She felt her blush deepen. Her face and hands felt warm. She blotted her lip again. She talked to Betty, but she knew he was staring at her. Why is he looking at me that way? Why do I like the fact that he’s looking at me?
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