Love's Sight E-Book

Betty McLain

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Love does not need eyes to see. Love’s Sight comes from the heart.

Laura didn’t think much about the magic mirror at Danny’s Bar and Grill. What good was a mirror that showed your true love to a girl who could not see? Yet as she sat before it, she had the strangest feeling she was being watched.

Joseph was on his way to class when he glanced in a hall mirror and saw a woman sitting in a restaurant. Thinking she must be a ghost, he shook off the strange event and continued to class. But the girl in the mirror would not leave his mind.

Will the Magic Mirror help Laura find true love - or will she close her heart and deny its magic?

Betty's note: each book in the Love's Magic series is a standalone romance novel, and can be enjoyed even if you haven't read other books in the series.

Leseprobe

LOVE’S SIGHT

LOVE’S MAGIC BOOK 7

BETTY MCLAIN

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Next in the Series

About the Author

Copyright (C) 2018 Betty McLain

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2022 by Next Chapter

Published 2022 by Next Chapter

Edited by Marilyn Wagner

Cover art by CoverMint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

This book is dedicated to all who have overcome their hardships to locate and hold onto true love.

CHAPTER1

Marissa Embers knocked on the door of Laura Sands’ bedroom. When she did not get an answer, she opened the door and peeked inside. She saw Laura, with earphones in her ears, listening to music and sitting in a chair by the window.

Marissa entered the room and tapped Laura on the shoulder. Laura jumped and turned toward Marissa. “Who’s there?” she asked.

“It’s just me,” said Marissa. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to let you know I was here.”

Laura’s sightless eyes stared at where Marissa’s voice was coming from. Laura smiled. Marissa had been her best friend for a long time. She might fuss at others for bothering her, but never Marissa. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have to work?” asked Laura.

“Today is my day off,” said Marissa. “I came by to see if you would go to Danny’s with me,” said Marissa.

Laura started shaking her head. She had been very reclusive since she lost her sight in a tumble down the stairs a month before. She tripped over a toy on a stair step and tumbled all the way down the stairs, hitting her head on the banister at the bottom. Unconscious, she was rushed to the hospital. After she regained consciousness, she was unable to see. Dr. Holly Smith, her specialist, said she might get her sight back. They would just have to wait and see. Laura was losing hope. She was beginning to think she was going to be permanently blind.

“Please, say you will go with me. I want to look in the mirror, but I don’t want to go by myself,” begged Marissa. “You can hold onto my arm. No one will notice a thing.”

“Why do you keep looking in the mirror? You have not seen anyone, yet,” said Laura.

“I can’t give up. I know my true love is out there,” said Marissa.

“Okay, I would not do this for anyone else. Do my clothes and hair look alright?” asked Laura.

“Your clothes are fine. Sit still, and I’ll fix your hair,” said Marissa. She took the hair brush and proceeded to style Laura’s hair.

“You know,” said Laura. “You need to go to beautician school. You are really good at fixing hair.”

“I am thinking about it,” said Marissa. “As soon as I save enough money, I will go.” Giving Laura’s hair one last pat, she handed Laura her cane and, taking her arm, led her out of her room, down the stairs, and out to her car.

Marissa drove to Danny’s Bar and Grill. It was a popular place to eat in town and had been even more popular since Marsha Dane brought a magic mirror to Sharpville. It was past dinner time, so the place was not crowded. There were only a few stragglers around. They were leaving as Laura and Marissa entered.

Marissa led Laura over to the table with the mirror and helped her be seated in the chair in front of it.

“I have to run to the restroom. You sit here and hold my place for me. I’ll be right back,” promised Marissa.

Laura did not say anything. Silently willing Marissa to hurry, she turned toward the mirror as if she could see it. She had the strangest feeling someone was watching her.

In Kansas City, Joseph Hillard was leaving the men’s room on the way back to work, when he glanced in the mirror and saw a girl looking back at him. He looked around, but no-one was there. He looked back at the mirror, and she was still sitting there, looking straight at him. He looked at her background. It was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. The girl started to fade, and he was looking at his own reflection again. He sighed. He did not have time for this. He had work to do. The type was not going to set itself. He had a newspaper to get printed. His ghost girl would just have to haunt someone else. Joseph went back to work, and even though he tried, he could not quite get the ghost girl out of his mind. She kept intruding into his thoughts.

Marissa returned and sat down in a chair next to Laura. She looked in the mirror, but she only saw herself and Laura. She sighed.

“Is anyone else here besides us?” asked Laura.

Marissa looked around. There was no one there. She knew the workers were in the kitchen cleaning up from lunch. “No, everyone is in the kitchen, why?” she asked.

“I got the strangest feeling. It felt like someone was staring at me,” said Laura with a shiver.

“Maybe the waitress came in to clear a table,” said Marissa.

“Maybe,” responded Laura. “I did not hear any dishes being loaded. It was very quiet.”

Marissa looked around again. She looked out the window.

“Maybe someone was passing the window outside,” she suggested.

“Maybe,” agreed Laura.

“Do you want to get something to eat while we are here?” asked Marissa.

“No, I am not hungry,” said Laura. She was still nervous about eating in public.

Brian Dane came in from the back. He looked surprised to see Laura sitting at the table with the mirror. He headed over to say hello.

“Hello, Laura, Marissa, how are you ladies doing today?” he asked.

“We are okay, Brian,” said Marissa.

“Could I get you something to eat or drink?” he asked.

Laura shook her head.

“I am glad to see you out, Laura. I know Mary and Gary have been worried about you. Your parents were very upset after your accident,” he said.

“I know, but there is nothing to do but wait. The doctor says I might get my sight back,” said Laura.

“It is always possible,” agreed Brian. “I had lost my memory for years, and the doctor told me I might get it back. I had given up hope until my wife found me. It came back in a rush. There is always hope. Don’t give up.”

“I won’t,” said Laura, with a smile. “I just have to use some of my very non-existent patience.”

Brian laughed along with her and Marissa. “Let me get you both a glass of iced tea,” suggested Brian. “There is no one else here. You can practice drinking in public. It is on the house”

“Okay,” agreed Laura.

Brian left to get two iced teas and bring them over to them. “Enjoy, ladies. Laura, don’t be a stranger. Cindy misses seeing you.” Brian returned to the back. Laura and Marissa settled back to enjoy their iced tea.

Cindy Rhea, his and Marsha’s four-year-old daughter, and the light of their lives, was named after their friend from Rolling Fork, who helped them get back together by lending Marsha the magic mirror. The mirror showed Brian alive, when Marsha had been told he was dead. They would forever be grateful to Cindy and the magic mirror.

When Cindy told Marsha to keep the mirror, Marsha wanted to display it in Danny’s Bar and Grill. She wanted to give other ladies a chance to find their true loves. It was a main attraction for ladies in Sharpville and the surrounding towns. Word of it spread. A lot of ladies made special trips just to gaze in the mirror. Some saw their guys in the mirror. Some did not, but they kept hoping and looking.

While they were enjoying their tea, Marsha came in. She had Cindy with her. When Marsha saw Laura and Marissa sitting at the table, she came over. “Laura, I am so glad to see you out and about. I just saw your mom at the nursery, when I picked up Cindy,” said Marsha. She picked Cindy up from the Little Tots nursery when she finished her shift at work at the police department. “Hello, Marissa, I’m glad to see you managed to get Laura to visit us.”

“Hello, Mrs. Dane,” said Marissa.

“Hello, Mrs. Dane, I’m glad to get a chance to say hello to Cindy,” said Laura.

Cindy was leaning against Laura’s leg, waiting to be noticed.

“Hi, Cindy.” said Laura. She rubbed her hand over the top of the little girl's head and leaned down to give her a hug.

“Hi,” said Cindy, shyly.

Brian came into the room, and Cindy abandoned Laura and ran to her dad.

“Daddy!” she squealed and threw herself into his arms to be picked up. Brian obliged her and swung her up in his arms.

Marsha followed her over and raised her face for a kiss. Brian was happy to kiss both of his girls, but he lingered a bit with Marsha.

“We were on our way home, but Little Miss wanted to stop and see Daddy first,” said Marsha. “I’m always happy for an excuse to stop and see Daddy.” Marsha raised her face for another kiss. Brian smiled down at her while kissing her.

Marsha came back over to Laura and Marissa’s table. She smiled at Marissa.

“Have you had any luck with the mirror?” she asked.

Marissa shook her head. “No,” she said on a sigh.

Well, don’t give up. It is possible your true love is not near a mirror. He may be working in a job without reflective surfaces around. You can only see him if he can be reflected back at you,” she smiled at Marissa.

Marissa looked thoughtful. “Maybe I need to look in the mirror at night,” she said.

Marsha shrugged. “It could not hurt to try,” she agreed.

“It was nice to bump into you both, but I need to get my Little Miss home and start supper,” said Marsha. She reached for Cindy and gave Brian another kiss and, with a wave, left for home.

Brian came over to the table to see if they needed anything. When they said they were fine, he returned to the back room.

“We need to go,” said Laura. “I’m not staying for hours so you can check out the mirror at night.”

Marissa laughed. “I know,” she said. “I will try some other time.”

She helped Laura out to the car. After she helped buckle her in, she took her back to her house. Marissa went in with her to make sure she made it up the stairs to her room safely.

Laura’s brother, Mac, followed them upstairs. Mac was short for Macland. It was their mother’s maiden name and a trial for Mac at times. He had endured teasing about his name on numerous occasions.

Marissa helped Laura into her room and said goodbye. She promised she would be back soon.

After she left, Mac came into Laura’s room. “Could I talk to you for a minute?” he asked Laura.

“Sure, Mac, what is it?” asked Laura.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry about you getting hurt. If I had not dropped my toy on the step, and forgot to come back for it, you would not have fallen,” he said tearfully.

“It was not your fault, Mac,” said Laura, standing and hugging her young brother. “I was in a hurry and was not paying attention. It was an accident. No one is to blame. Anyway, the doctor said I could get my sight back. We just have to wait and see. Quit worrying about me and go get your homework done. If you need any help, come to me. Even if I can’t see, you can read it to me, and I can help.”

“Thanks, Laura, I have finished my homework tonight, but I will remember for tomorrow,” said Mac. He left sounding like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

When Mac left, Laura sighed. Whether she got her sight back or not, she could not have her little brother torturing himself with guilt. It had been an accident. She tripped. She did not know if the toy was at fault or not. Either way, it was not Mac’s fault. She should have been more careful.

“Hi,” said Tilly, nervously. “Can I come in?” Tilly did not seem to know how to act around Laura since her loss of eyesight.

“Sure,” said Laura. Tilly, short for Matilda, was Laura’s sister. “How is school going?” asked Laura. Tilly was seventeen, so this was her senior year in school.

“It’s going good. I aced my last tests. I am glad I am in advanced classes. It will help bring up my GPA,” said Tilly.

“Congratulations, you have done great in advanced classes. Has Stephan asked you to be his date for the prom?” asked Laura.

“Yes, he asked me today. I was wondering if I could borrow your prom dress. We are the same size, and you only wore it once. It would save Mom and Dad having to buy another dress, and I have always loved your dress,” said Tilly pleadingly.

“Absolutely,” laughed Laura. “I will be glad to see my dress get used again.” She stopped abruptly when she realized what she said. Tilly shifted uncomfortably.

“It is just a saying,” said Laura. “My dress is in my closet. It is in a bag to protect it. Go ahead and take it with you, now. It may need cleaning.”

“Thanks, Laura,” said Tilly, giving Laura a hug.

“You are very welcome,” said Laura.

Tilly headed for Laura’s closet and came out with the dress in a clothing bag. “I’ll take this down to Mom,” she said excitedly as she left.

Laura sat back smiling. She was glad her sister’s high school crush had finally got up the nerve to ask her to the prom. Tilly had been dreaming about him for a while. They were both too shy to do anything about it. It ought to be an interesting evening. Laura laughed.

She thought back to her crush in school. She had been only in seventh grade when she noticed him. He did not even know she existed. He was three years ahead of her in school. She never talked to him. She just drooled over him from afar. The only one who knew how she had felt was Marissa. Joe disappeared from Sharpville when he graduated. As far as she knew, he had not been back. None of the other boys in school or later had ever measured up to Joe. He set a very high standard in her heart.

Laura sighed and reached for ear plugs. She needed to get her mind off Joe. She did not know why he was on her mind all of a sudden. Maybe it was thinking about Tilly’s date with Stephan. It was time to move on. Joe was long gone.

CHAPTER2

The next three weeks were busy. Laura made two more visits to the doctor. There had been no change in her eyesight. She made another visit to Danny’s Bar and Grill with Marissa. Marissa was hoping the mirror would show her guy to her. She had come away disappointed. Everyone urged her to be patient. It was hard to keep her spirits up after so many tries without results.

Tilly was busy with finals and very excited about the upcoming prom. Mac asked Laura for help on his homework and seemed to understand it after she explained it to him. He told her she would make a good teacher. He said she made it much easier to understand. He was not confused after she helped.

Laura was glad she could help her brother, but unless her eyesight returned there was no way she could think about getting training as a teacher. Even if she had training, it would be next to impossible to get a position teaching. Laura was beginning to worry about her life from now on. She knew her parents did not have the money to keep paying for all of her expensive medical care. Their insurance only went so far. There was a large deductible, and they were struggling. Her dad was a policeman and her mom was working at Little Tots nursery. The police department helped out. They had a fund to help the families of policemen in need. But the bills kept coming in, and the income did not stretch far enough.

Laura was glad she could furnish Tilly with a prom dress. It would be one less expense. Her folks told her not to worry, they would manage, but Laura overheard her dad talking about taking a night job as a security guard.

Laura decided enough was enough. If she was going to be stuck like this, she had to be able to contribute in some way. While everyone was gone, she decided to go downstairs and learn her way around.

Laura got her cane and walked out of her room. She knew there would be no one here for several hours. She carefully made her way down the stairs and, counting steps and using her cane, learned where everything was located, in the living room. She then counted her way down the hall into the dining room. She slowly made her way around the table several times. It was strange. You think everything is clear in your head, but it all seemed different when you couldn’t see it.