Brandy
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
FREE PREVIEW of “Brandy” (By Laura M. Balster)
The sailor spoke softly to the beautiful daughter of his dearly departed Irish friends. “You are young, Brandy, and you are not thinking clearly. Once again, you are being ruled by your feelings.”
“And yer feelings, Caleb? What are they? Do ye have feelin’s for me, then? Ye must care about me a great deal if ye’re willin' to abstain for me sake.”
“God yes, I care, Brandy. I care more than you know.” He really had not wanted to tell her all of it, but now Caleb believed he had no choice. “I love you, Brandy. Te quiero más que nada,” he said quietly, finally admitting what he’d been denying forever. “I have loved you for a very long time. Perhaps since I awoke to find you cleaning my filthy, fever-engulfed body, or when you sat fanning me for hours. Maybe it was when I saw your silly lovely face covered with flour in the kitchen that morning, or when you were trying to torture me by forcing me to watch you bathe. It could have been when I held you on the beach that early morning, but I think it was before then. I do not know the exact moment I fell in love with you, Brandy, but I have loved you, dearly! Is that what you needed to hear?”
Brandy sat speechless, tears streaming from her eyes.
“Yes,” she cried. “Yes, Caleb. That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I love ye just as much, and I’m so glad to know ye love me, too.” Brandy threw her arms around him then, and he held her tightly. They sat embracing for several minutes.
“But me father isn’t standin’ in our way any longer, Caleb. So why can’t we be together? I mean really together?” Brandy asked after the initial shock of his confession had sunk in. She remembered the conversation she’d shared with her father, the doting yet often over-bearing Patrick, before he died. Now, she wanted to make Caleb understand.
“Pop told me that he believed we would be together if that was God’s plan, and he said that ye’re a good, honest man."
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
So... we all know Brandy's a fine girl, and what a good wife she would be, but who says (with a little luck, of course, and some lovely Irish charm) she couldn't steal the sailor from the sea?!? Surely there's more to the story than what we've been told. The locket is nice, as is the braided silver chain, but come on! There must be more to Brandy's life than serving whiskey and wine to drunken sailors while she impatiently waits for the man she loves to return to her port. Travel back in time with me as we explore Brandy's life. Who was she, really? Why did she continue to hold onto the hope of finding happiness with a man who has obviously rejected her? Why do any of us hold onto such hope when the odds are so clearly stacked against us? Is it because there's always that slight chance that our dreams may come true in the end, and the heartache will have been worth it? I believe that is precisely the reason! If you agree, let's explore Brandy's story more closely to discover what we might find. Take my hand... Do you hear the rushing water as it crashes into the shore? Do you feel the warm California sun as it softly kisses your face, and the light breeze as it tousles your hair? If so, you're on the right track and our journey has begun.
About the Author
Laura M. Balster graduated (Summa Cum Laude) from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, in 1991, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Washburn, Laura majored in Political Science and received a minor in English. As a student, she was designated a Kansas State Board of Regents, Governor’s, Garvey, and All-American Scholar. Laura was on the President’s Honor Roll and the National Dean’s List. She was a member of NoNoSo (Sr. Women Honor Society), Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha, Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Alpha Theta, Who’s Who Amount Students in American Colleges and Universities, Pre-Law Club and the Mock Trial Lawyers Association. She was selected as a Student Association Senator, serving on the Public Relations, Internal Affairs, and International Education University Committees. Actively involved in numerous music organizations on campus and in the Topeka community, Laura was a member of the Washburn and Madrigal Singers, Concert Choir, and Topeka Festival Singers.
Laura has worked in the banking industry since graduating from college. She moved from Kansas to Illinois in 1996, and since that time has been a volunteer for many charitable organizations, such as Special Olympics, Hospice of Southern Illinois, March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society, for which she’s helped organize various fund raising events. She recently served three years on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of River Bluffs, and has performed in many community theater productions.
The literary arts have always held a special place in Laura's heart, and writing has been her secret passion. When in high school, she had a poem selected for publication and was honored as a “Young Kansas Writer”. She never gave up the dream to write a novel, and would like to thank you, the reader, for your support.
Laura lives with her family in Maryville, Illinois.