Love's Plea

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Book excerpt

Chapter 1

Charise Harris and her friends were in Danny’s Bar and Grill in Sharpville, where her best friend Hallie had arranged for the bachelorette party to celebrate with Charise for her last get together with her bridesmaids before the wedding. Hallie had arranged for the party at Danny’s because she heard stories about the magic mirror, and she was hoping to have all of the girls look into it while they were there. She was hoping something would stop Charise from going ahead with the wedding.

Charise had confided her doubts about marrying Arnold Payne to her friend. Hallie tried to talk to her to get her to postpone the wedding. Charise would think about it, and then she would talk to her father, and he would convince her to go ahead with the wedding.

Arnold’s father was one of Larry Harris’ golfing buddies and the local banker. Arnold also worked in the bank. They had decided their children were going to make a perfect couple, and no one could change their minds.

Charise took another swallow of the drink she was nursing. She watched her friends, Babs, Sylvia, and Nessie, doing some fancy steps on the dance floor and flirting with the guys who were trying to pick them up. Hallie, Paris, and Stacy had gone to the bar to order some food. They were trying to keep the effects of the alcohol down. Charise’s sister, Gloria, was sitting at the table talking to the two last members of their party, Mona and Evone. Gloria was drinking non-alcoholic drinks because she was only seventeen.

Charise looked at all her friends and her sister having a good time. She felt like a drag on the party. She did not feel like celebrating. She looked down at her drink and sighed. It wasn’t as if she didn’t like Arnold. She did as long as they were friends. The thought of making love with him made her skin crawl. He was more like a brother than a lover. Charise had a pretty good idea he felt the same way about her. The most he had done was kiss her lightly. She didn’t know why he had asked her to marry him. He had asked her in front of their parents, and she was not even given time to answer before their parents had all jumped up and started congratulating them.

Charise looked up as Hallie, Paris, and Stacy rejoined her at the table. “Where’s the food?” she asked when she saw they were empty-handed.

“They will bring it out in a few minutes,” said Hallie. “Come on.” She tugged on Charise’s hand to get her up out of her chair.

“Where are we going?” asked Charise.

“We are going to look in the magic mirror,” said Hallie.

“Oh, I want to look in the mirror,” said Stacy.

“We are all going to take a turn,” said Hallie. “If you don’t see anyone at first, you can try again before we leave.” They followed Hallie to the booth with the magic mirror attached to the table.

Paris made it there first and quickly sat down. She gazed into the mirror, but nothing happened. Paris sighed in disappointment and rose from the seat. Stacy slid in next. She was very pleased to see her boyfriend, Jason, in the mirror.

Jason looked startled when he saw Stacy in his mirror. “Stacy, where are you?” Jason looked behind him, but Stacy wasn’t there.

Stacy giggled. “I’m not there,” she said. “I’m at Charise’s bachelorette party. We are at Danny’s Bar and Grill in Sharpville. I’m looking in the magic mirror, and since I can see you, it means you and I are true loves,”

“I could have told you that without a magic mirror,” said Jason with a grin. The mirror image faded, and Jason was no longer there.

Gloria, Charise’s sister, slid in next. Gloria gasped. She looked hard at the mirror but didn’t say anything.

“Do you see someone?” asked Hallie.

Gloria nodded.

“Who is it?” asked Charise.

“I don’t know. I have never seen him before,” said Gloria.

“Well, talk to him,” said Paris.

“Shhh,” said Gloria. “He’s sleeping. He is wearing a uniform and he looks exhausted,” she said. The mirror faded, and Gloria sighed as she rose to give someone else a turn. She had a smile on her face. She had a true love, and he was cute. She could wait to meet him when she was older.

Mona slid into the booth next. She didn’t see anyone and stood up, disappointed. Evone tried next, but she was also disappointed. Babs sat down next. She was nervous after the last two had not seen anyone. Babs looked in the mirror and smiled. There was someone there. She didn’t know who he was, but he was cute. The man in the mirror saw Babs grinning at him. He looked behind him, but no one was there.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“I am at Danny’s Bar and Grill. I’m looking in the magic mirror,” said Babs.

The man grinned. “I’ve heard of the magic mirror,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“Babs Carlson. What’s yours?”

“Wilson Blakely, where do you live?” he asked.

“I live in Barons,” said Babs. “Where do you live?”

“I live in Liberty right now, but I travel around a lot. I am a firefighter,” said Wilson.

“Wow,” said Babs. “I am a librarian at the library in Barons.” The mirror started fading, and Babs leaned forward and touched it. “When will I see you?” she asked.

“Soon,” said Wilson as the mirror faded out to silver.

Babs sat back with a sigh and grinned up at her friends. “His name is Wilson, and he is a firefighter. He said he would see me soon,” she said.

When Babs slid out of the seat, Nessie slid in. While she was gazing in the mirror, the others who had already looked in the mirror headed for their table and the food. It was being put on the table by the waitress. Nessie did not see anyone, and, with a sigh of disappointment, she joined the others at the table and left Silvia to have her turn. Sylvia sat down. She really did not expect to see anyone. She had been busy at college and had not been dating.

When Sylvia looked in the mirror, she leaned closer to the mirror and looked at it hard. Henry Watts of Watts Car Repair was looking in the mirror right at her. Henry’s shop was where her parents took their car when it needed work done on it. There was no way her parents would approve of a match between her and Henry.

Henry grinned at her. “Hello, Princess,” he said.

Sylvia flushed. She did not like it when Henry called her Princess. She was not a snob, and she did not think she was better than him. He always seemed to rub her the wrong way.

“Where are you?” asked Henry.

“I am in Sharpville at Danny’s for Charise’s bachelorette party,” said Sylvia.

“You are looking in the magic mirror,” said Henry. Sylvia nodded. Henry cursed. “This is a complication I do not need,” said Henry.

“I know,” said Sylvia talking low with tears in her eyes.

Henry looked at her and quieted. “Please don’t cry,” he said. “I have nothing against you. I think you are a very nice person, but your parents will put me out of business if they even suspect there is anything between us.”

“I know,” said Sylvia. “I’m sorry.”

Sylvia jumped up from the table and ran to the ladies’ room. Charise started to follow her, but Hallie stopped her. “Give her a minute to pull herself together,” suggested Hallie.

Charise nodded, but she looked toward the ladies’ room worriedly.

“Sit down,” said Hallie guiding Charise to the seat.

“I’m engaged,” protested Charise.

“So what,” said Hallie. “It is all in fun. I’ll take my turn after you.”

Charise sat in the seat. The mirror immediately showed her a man in uniform. He looked like he was just finishing shaving. He was wiping soap from his face.

He grinned at her. “Hello, Beautiful,” he said. “Where are you?”

“I’m at Danny’s Bar and Grill in Sharpville,” said Charise.

“Do you live there?” he asked.

“No, I live in Barons. I’m here for my Bachelorette Party,” said Charise.

“No!” He shook his head. “We are meant to be together. You can’t marry someone else. I know you don’t love him.”

“How do you know that?” asked Charise.

“Because the magic mirror would not have shown us to each other if we were not meant to be together.”

“Where are you?” asked Charise.

“I’m overseas. I’m a Navy Seal. I just finished my last mission. I’m about to catch a plane for home. I’ll be joining some friends of mine in Sharpville. They have opened a gym there.”

“What’s your name?” asked Charise.

“I’m Lieutenant Zachery Willis. What’s your name?” he asked.

“I’m Charise Harris,” said Charise.

“Please, Charise, wait for me. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Give us a chance. Give our love a chance to live up to the magic mirror’s promise. Will you answer love’s plea and wait for me?” asked Zachery.

“Yes, I’ll wait, but hurry,” she whispered.

“Come on, Lieutenant, we’re leaving,” said a soldier sticking his head through the door.

“I have to go. I’ll see you as soon as I can. Keep the faith,” said Zachery with a smile. Then he was gone, and Charise was sitting there looking at a reflection of herself.

Charise took Hallie’s hand and squeezed it. She smiled up at her. “Let’s call off this party. There is not going to be a wedding. Not between Arnold and myself anyway,” said Charise.

“Tell me all about him,” said Hallie.

“He’s a Navy Seal. His name is Lieutenant Zachery Willis. He is on his way home and is going to join some friends of his running a gym here in Sharpville,” said Charise.

“Wow,” said Hallie. “A Navy Seal, is he handsome?”

“He’s gorgeous,” said Charise. “He pleaded with me to wait for him and give our love a chance to be. He said the magic mirror would not have shown us each other if we were not meant to be together.”

“Ohhh,” said Hallie. “I’ve got goosebumps. I wish someone would talk to me like that.”

Charise got up and pushed Hallie into the seat. She said. “It’s your turn,”

Hallie smiled as a hunk appeared in the mirror. “Hello,” said Hallie with a big grin.

“Hello,” he said, returning her smile. “You are at Danny’s.”

“Yes, I’m looking in the magic mirror,” said Hallie.

“Do you live in Sharpville?” he asked.

“No, I’m here with some girlfriends,” said Hallie.

“I’m Joey Salon. I own Fitness Central with some friends. We were in the Marines together.”

“I’m Hallie Coker. Do you know a Navy Seal by the name of Zachery Willis?”

“Yes, I do. He is a friend of ours. He is going to be joining us at Fitness Central,” said Joey. “Why do you want to know about Zachery?”

“Because a friend of mine just saw him in the magic mirror,” said Hallie.

Joey laughed. “I can’t wait for him to get here. Maybe we can have a double wedding.”

“Hold on, cowboy,” said Hallie. “Don’t rush me. I expect to be swept off my feet. We are not going to rush into anything until we get to know each other better.”

“How long are you going to be at Danny’s? I can be there in five minutes,” said Joey.

“Hurry,” said Hallie. “I don’t know how much longer we will be here.”

“Don’t leave. I’m on my way,” said Joey. The mirror faded, but Joey didn’t notice. He was on his way out the door.

Hallie headed to their table, and Charise went to the ladies’ room to check on Sylvia.

When Joey rushed into Danny’s a few minutes later, Hallie was standing beside their table talking to Babs. Joey looked around, spotted Hallie, and started toward her. Hallie looked up when Joey was almost at her. She looked at Joey headed for her and started smiling.

When Joey reached her, he lifted her into his arms, ignoring the shock, and started kissing her. He kissed her deeply and passionately. When he lifted his head, he grinned at her.

“Consider yourself swept off your feet,” he said, smiling down at her.

“I think I could get used to being swept off my feet,” said Hallie, grinning at Joey.

Charise and Sylvia rejoined their group. Charise looked at Hallie lying contentedly in Joey’s arms and laughed.

“Hello, Joey,” Charise said.

Hallie looked surprised. “You know, Joey?” she asked.

“Yes, I have a membership in Fitness Central,” said Charise.

“You didn’t say anything about it when you were talking to Zachery,” said Hallie.

“We hardly had time to talk about it,” said Charise.

“You saw Zachery in the magic mirror?” asked Joey. Charise nodded.

Sylvia gasped. “What about my brother?” she asked.

Charise looked at her. “I am not going to marry Arnold. He doesn’t want to marry me either. This was our parent’s idea. They are just going to have to get over it and realize they can’t run our lives,” said Charise.

Sylvia started smiling, “Yeah,” she said with a determined look in her eye.

Charise looked to where Hallie was resting comfortably in Joey’s arms and grinned. “Would you like to sit down and join us, Joey?” she asked.

Joey pulled out a chair and sat down with Hallie still in his arms. He smiled down at her. “Are you ready for a double wedding?” he asked.

“I am getting more in favor of it all of the time,” said Hallie, reaching up and kissing him lightly.

Some guys came over to the table and asked Paris and Nessie to dance. They both got up and followed the guys to the dance floor.

“So,” said Charise. “How did Marines get to be friends with a Navy Seal?”

“He was in the Marines. He was asked by the Navy to train some Navy Seals. He had a lot of fitness training when he was on the Olympic swim team. He has served his time with the Navy and is being discharged. We were always planning on Zachery being at Fitness Central with us. He put up part of the front money to help us get started,” said Joey.

“He was on the Olympic Swim team?” asked Charise.

“Yes,” Joey nodded. “For two seasons. Then, he decided to join the Marines. He really is a great guy,” Joey assured Charise.

“I know,” agreed Charise. “I am anxiously waiting for him to get here.”

Joey smiled at Hallie. “I can understand anyone answering when the magic mirror sends out its special message.”

“I’m still waiting for my message from the magic mirror,” said Evone.

“Be patient. I have been watching everyone around me find their true love. I had almost given up when I looked up and saw this beautiful face smiling at me,” said Joey

He smiled at Hallie and leaned down and kissed her once more.