Love's Sweet Song
Annabelle Stevens
ISBN-1-58345-272-9
Angelica Castle Murray loses everything in a tragic accident: husband, daughter, and very nearly her life.
But in the aftermath of his disaster, she must not only struggle to regain her health, but to come to terms with the fact that ever since her ex-fiance Winston broke up with her seven years before, she has been living a lie.
Winston Murray has never stopped loving Angelica, even when she was married to his brother. Her old life is now in shambles; but how can he tell her that her life with Oliver has been one big lie?
A moving novel of love against all odds, and our second place prize winner in the Domhan World of Romance competition for 1999.
Annabelle Stevens
Annabelle is a part-time waitress, singer, song writer, and poet who lives in England. She loves to travel with her music, and dreams of her first big recording contract.
Chapter One
Angelica Murray rubbed her throbbing temples for the hundredth time as her husband Oliver fiddled with the knob on the radio, trying to tune in more clearly the station playing the number one hit from his latest musical. A self-satisfied grin lit up his face as he boasted, "And they said I'd never make it at the conservatory all those years ago. You remember. You were there. Well, I've shown them now. Yes sir, the tenth smash hit in the past five years, and another one on the way, eh, honey? Just goes to show you, they don't know a damned thing about musical talent."
Angelica had heard it all before. She ignored Oliver's gloating as she tried to remain calm.
"Really, Oliver, this rain seems to be getting worse. Plus I have a terrible headache all of a sudden. Don't you think we should pull over at that diner coming up, for a cup of coffee or something? Just until the storm lets up a bit? Annie would love to go potty too, wouldn't you, sweetheart?" Angelica added for effect, as she turned around to look at her daughter, and too late realised that the child had not been strapped into her car seat.
"You know we got delayed by that silly reporter from New York magazine. We'll be late for the opening if we don't hurry."
"Oliver, I'm serious. Pull over now, or I'm going to be sick!"
She struggled between the two fronts seats to get the child strapped in. But she could barely reach, and the front securing buckle required both hands to snap it shut.
"Ivana is never going to forgive us for missing her opening night," Oliver grumbled as though it were all Angelica's fault for them being late.
"The show has been open for months. If Margaret Fontana hadn't suddenly decided to back out so mysteriously, Ivana would never have got a sniff of that part and you know it!" Angelica snapped. "Why we should trouble ourselves about her premier is beyond me. And may I remind you also, the last time one of your leading ladies dropped out and Ivana stepped in, you promised me that the next time you needed someone at such short notice, you'd let me return to my singing career."
"But I told you before, hon, I can't do it all without you. You know that. And there's little Annie to consider too. I want her to have a full-time mommy."
Oliver gave her his most winning smile, but she had seen and heard it all before. Far too often. His white even teeth glinting in the glare of the headlights of the oncoming traffic as he sped past the diner in a cavalier fashion. Like a wolf, she thought as she glared at him in impotent fury.
"And since when have I ever been a full-time mother, with all the so-called help I give you! I had a promising career until I married you. I want to go back to performing! Annie will be school age soon anyway."
"You shouldn't have had her if you thought she was going to be a burden and block your career, Angel baby. In any case, may I remind you how much I make a year? Your own career would never have netted even one-tenth of what I'm raking in, and you know it!"
Angelica would not rise to the bait, and instead demanded, "Oliver, I want you to stop the car right now. I'm going to be sick, and Annie needs her seat fixed. You didn't even bother to buckle her in...."
Oliver was already muttering under his breath, the only audible word being "nag" as he slammed on the brakes after spotting another cafe through the thickly-misted windshield.
Angelica sat in her seat paralysed with fear. She took in the entire scene in slow motion. The black BMW swerved out of control, and sideswiped an oncoming truck. The car narrowly missed colliding with the tanker, but careened out of control and crashed into a brick wall on the opposite side of the road.
Angelica reached up to try to prevent her daughter from sailing out of the car seat, but it was already too late. The child flew headlong out of her view as Angelica covered her eyes and screamed. The windshield shattered all around her as Annie smashed into it.
Angelica reached over to grab hold of Oliver for support. But he too was gone. She could see nothing but blood. She could hear nothing but the sound of the car horn blaring. And she could feel nothing except a crushing weight on her legs and chest as the car folded up like an accordion.
Time passed. Angelica just sat there with her eyes shut against the horrific sight, not even bothering to find out how badly she had been injured.
"My God, she's still alive," she heard a woman's voice say in hushed tones nearby as she lifted her head to peer through the rain slashing down into the car.
"An ambulance will be here soon. Just hold on!" another voice urged.
"Winston! Winston!" Angelica called out weakly.
Then her whole world faded to black.
LOVE'S SWEET SONG-buy the paperback! buy the ebook Buy the Rocketbook! $6
Reviews:
A superb first novel by a wonderful new talent. A genuinely moving love story, with unforgettable characters. It just goes to show it is never too late to find true love. Put this at the top of your to be read pile! Sure to be a keeper. - Evelyn Trimborn
Gorgeous writing, both of the characters and the settings. Ms. Stevens is able to create a world of romance with a few deft strokes of her pen (keyboard!) I dare any woman in her right mind not to fall in love with Winston! - Jacinta Carey