Once Again

Char Lee Dressen

Description

Marie is afraid to love.
Can she let go of her past to seek a new future?
Marie a mother of three, is struggling to accept a budding new relationship. Afraid of the cost to herself that it represents to move forward. Can she take the next steps after her devastating losses? Or will the fear keep her love shuttered away from loving Once Again?

Sujets

• Inspirational
• Religious
• Widow
• Loss
• Christian
• Romance
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 15 décembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664273948
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

ONCE AGAIN
A Madrone Valley Bachelors Novel
 
 
 
 
BOOK 1
 
 
 
 
Char Lee Dressen
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2022 Char Lee Dressen.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture marked (KJV) taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7395-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7414-3 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7394-8 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022913982
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 12/08/2022
CONTENTS
Part I
Chapter 1     July 2002
Chapter 2     4:23pm
Chapter 3     5:07pm
Chapter 4     5:47pm
Chapter 5     6:21pm
Chapter 6     7:14am
Chapter 7     July 11, 2002 - 3:42pm
Chapter 8     August 2002
Chapter 9     June 1985
Chapter 10     September 2002
Chapter 11
Chapter 12     11:57am Thanksgiving Day - November 28, 2002
Chapter 13     Saturday, November 30, 2002
Part II 2 Years Later
Chapter 14     11:48 am - April 5, 2004
Chapter 15     Lunch 12:12pm
Chapter 16     1:32 pm
Chapter 17     The Apology
Chapter 18     June 11, 2004
Chapter 19     Saturday
Chapter 20     June 18, 2004 - The Baseball Game
Chapter 21     The Bathroom
Part III One Year Later
Chapter 22     June 24, 2005
Chapter 23     In Retrospect
Chapter 24     June 18, 1983 - Walters’ Story
Chapter 25     Sleepless night
Chapter 26     June 25, 2005
Chapter 27     The Shopping Trip
Chapter 28     The Reunion
Chapter 29     Johnny and Scarlet’s Story
Chapter 30     Paparazzi
Chapter 31     Plans
Chapter 32     The Ruse
Chapter 33     Back Home
Chapter 34     Batten down the Hatches
Chapter 35     One week later-July 3, 2005
Chapter 36     Dorris’s Story
Chapter 37     Douglas’s Letter - Friday, AUGUST 19, 2005
Chapter 38     Sam’s Dream - August 20, 2005
Chapter 39     The Children’s Letter, Monday, August 29, 2005
Chapter 40     Douglas’s Account - August 30, 2005 Tuesday
Chapter 41     The Telling
PART I
“My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.” Job 23:11-14

CHAPTER 1
JULY 2002
Sitting at his oak office desk, Stan Perry, at 52 years of age, was a striking figure. He had mildly greying brown hair at the temples. He was of medium build, one would say robust and healthy, with the most blue eyes, one would often say electric, for they were sharp and wizened. Having just a moment of quiet in his busy schedule, he often took the time to think and pray for his family.
He sat thinking about Robert his son-in-law and the type of clientele he was reaching and attracting to their offices. He was often asked for by name which was no surprise, he was gifted. Robert was young in the construction trade and had a bright future ahead of him. He had a keen mind and willingness to keep up with modern ideas, yet keeping the integrity of a structure and its character intact of the older homes he came into contact with.
There seemed to be a renovation revolution that was beginning to take hold in their community. Their business was certainly enjoying an uptick in business and the subsequent revitalization of their town, as was everyone who enjoyed doing business with each other.
Stan loved Robert like a true son not only because he was married to his only daughter, but because he was a dedicated employee. One day he would hand the business over to them both if God willed. Reflecting on the goodness God had bestowed on them all, he began to pray for his daughter, Marie, for Robert and their three rambunctious children: Robbie Jr., Seth and Lizzy. Yet he couldn’t forget the upcoming fourth, Sam, who was yet to enter this world. Counting his blessings, he looked at a framed picture of his family that sat upon his desk.
“Dear God, Keep my family safe from harm, bless them today, help them to accomplish all that you have for them. Bless them with love and guidance as they raise their children in the ‘nurture and admonition of the Lord’. Help them to walk in truth and in your Word, Oh’ God. Teach them your statutes, and help them to walk in your ways. You are an ever faithful and loving God. Thy Will be done, Amen.”
Elizabeth Perry worked, kneeling in her garden, and at 46 years of age she was still very much a picture of youth and beauty. She never knew that she made many ladies in her church jealous of her youthfulness. Being generally a lighthearted person, she would never admit she was beautiful, perhaps ‘pretty,’ but never beautiful. Her hands and arms worked in the soil, finding and pulling weeds from her ever growing flower garden. It was her haven. Eve, the first created woman, was born in a garden, Elizabeth always mused on that thought as she worked at pulling out the weeds that had sprung up. Elizabeth’s long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and it brushed her bare arms as she worked.
A bird began to twitter in the trees so she stopped a moment to listen to his sweet song then enjoying the ensuing quiet and solitude. Her face was turned towards the sun, slowly breathing in the scents of summer and things to come. A few wisps of her dark hair dancing about her face in the breeze, her figure was still comely even after three children. She always wanted to look and be her best for her family and children, so she rarely overindulged with good food, except when it came to chocolate, now that was something she could hardly say no to. She chuckled to herself as she enjoyed the breeze and the quiet that soothed the soul.
Sitting in the silent backyard enjoying it’s peacefulness, Eliza was enjoying the fact that she had gotten everything on her “to-do” list done today. It had been a while since that happened, and she was quite pleased to be able to enjoy her special place. The time and silence was broken at the sound of footfalls on the grass, making a swishy sound. John Antony, her youngest son, broke into her thoughts...
“Mom, hey, Mom...! Oh, there you are,” she could hear the smile in his voice, “here’s some lemonade.”
“Thank you, J,” she smiled up at her ever growing 15 year old son. He was a smidgen under 6 feet with no remedy to stop his growth.
“Dad just called, he wants to know if it’s okay with you to have Sis over for dinner today, or maybe tomorrow?”
“What time is it?” Asking as she held out her hand for him to help her up. Taking her hand, he pulled, and she came up easily.
Looking at his watch he said, “It’s 3:32. Do you want me to call and invite her over?”
“No, I need you to head over to Devon’s and ask his mom for a cup of sugar. I forgot to pick some up when I was at the store, but I need it for the cookies I want to make.”
“Ooh, what kind, mom? Are you making my favorite? Can I help?” John bombarded her with questions as they walked back into the kitchen. Eliza laughed.
“No and yes,” She shooed him away, “now go get the sugar.”
“Aw, Mom, come on. Tell me, whose favorite cookies are you making?”
“Dad’s, of course. Who else?”
“Ugh, Mom, you know those are my favorite too! You’re so mean to tease.’” He winked at her, gave her a squeeze, then left running out the front door to get the sugar at their nearest neighbors. Eliza liked to tease him, and he didn’t mind as he took it well, unlike her daughter Marie. She sighed. That girl needed to lighten up, but all she could do was pray for her. The girl didn’t even like surprises. Eliza did not understand for she loved a surprise from her husband, he knew her so well. She smiled at the thought of her handsome husband, as she dialed to call Marie.
“Robert Jr.!… Lizzy!… Seth!… what on earth are you doing? Look at the mess you’ve made in this kitchen! What am I going to do with you all!” Marie groaned in frustration.
The children all turned wide-eyed, looking at their mother and then each other, shock and surprise evident in their faces. Little Lizzy’s lip began to tremble at her mothers’ outburst.
Five year old Robbie piped up, “We only trying to help, Momma!” He put his little hand on his hip, like she was doing herself now. “We was going to clean it up. Honest.”
Seth shook his head up and down like a bobble head toy.
“He’p Mommy.”
Marie instantly deflated. She felt small and sorr