When Susan Blaine meets
Joseph Maisel, she knows
he's the one man she
wants to spend the rest of
her life with. Their love
blooms, but the
differences in their
religious and cultural
backgrounds chip away at
its foundation. However, it
is the discovery of whom
her biological father was
that destroys their love,
driving them apart, until
fate steps in.
Is there a love so
strong it could
weather all storms?
EXCERPT
I decided to come right to the point. "Your parents will never
accept me as their daughter-in-law."
"Probably not."
"How will this affect us?"
"It won't."
"But, how can it not?"
"My parents are concerned with religion and tradition. I'm not. I'm in love with you, here and now. I'm not living in the past and want to build a life with you just the way you are. I don't care what religion you practice. Granted it would be easier if you were brought up as I was, but if we love each other, will find a middle ground."
"Do you honestly feel that way, Joe? It's got to be a difficult road. We'll have your parents breathing down our backs, waiting for a fatal mistake so they could say, 'I told you so.' And what if they never speak to you again if you marry me? Will you be able to deal with that? I don't know if I could."
"Look, aren't we jumping the gun here and putting the cart before the horse? Things could change."
"Do you honestly believe in miracles?"
"Yes, I do. I'm looking at one now. Do you really know how much I love you?"
Tears welled in my eyes. Whether it was the culmination of the entire evening or the sentiments I'd just heard, didn't matter one bit. The love I felt for Joe at that moment was so overwhelming I wanted to make love to him right on the spot and make what had happened insignificant.
Joe lifted my chin so our eyes met. "Yes, it would be more pleasant and a great deal easier if my parents accepted you. However, whether they do or never change their feelings toward you have absolutely no bearing on how I feel about you."
I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and saw all the love I desired. The tears that had been brimming in my eyes spilled over. Joe gently wiped them away with his thumbs.
"I love you, Susan and always will. Nothing will ever come between us."
"Probably not."
"How will this affect us?"
"It won't."
"But, how can it not?"
"My parents are concerned with religion and tradition. I'm not. I'm in love with you, here and now. I'm not living in the past and want to build a life with you just the way you are. I don't care what religion you practice. Granted it would be easier if you were brought up as I was, but if we love each other, will find a middle ground."
"Do you honestly feel that way, Joe? It's got to be a difficult road. We'll have your parents breathing down our backs, waiting for a fatal mistake so they could say, 'I told you so.' And what if they never speak to you again if you marry me? Will you be able to deal with that? I don't know if I could."
"Look, aren't we jumping the gun here and putting the cart before the horse? Things could change."
"Do you honestly believe in miracles?"
"Yes, I do. I'm looking at one now. Do you really know how much I love you?"
Tears welled in my eyes. Whether it was the culmination of the entire evening or the sentiments I'd just heard, didn't matter one bit. The love I felt for Joe at that moment was so overwhelming I wanted to make love to him right on the spot and make what had happened insignificant.
Joe lifted my chin so our eyes met. "Yes, it would be more pleasant and a great deal easier if my parents accepted you. However, whether they do or never change their feelings toward you have absolutely no bearing on how I feel about you."
I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and saw all the love I desired. The tears that had been brimming in my eyes spilled over. Joe gently wiped them away with his thumbs.
"I love you, Susan and always will. Nothing will ever come between us."