Can True Love Come Twice in a Lifetime?

By B L Wilson

Amelia Roberts is a wealthy New York realtor. She’s taking a break from a difficult negotiation with a competitor, when she spots a woman who looks exactly like her dead wife. She grows curious about her dead wife’s body double and follows her. She learns the woman, Brett McKinsey, works as an art restorer for a small firm and she’s pregnant.

Secretly, Amelia becomes more and more involved in Brett’s personal affairs. When Brett learns of Amelia’s activities, she wants nothing more to do with Amelia and kicks Amelia out of her life just before she gives birth. What will happen next? Will Brett allow Amelia to help her through the birth and beyond? Or will Amelia decide enough is enough and finally walk away from Brett?

Find out, in Can True Love Come Twice in a Lifetime?

• Language: English
• Publisher: B L Wilson
• Release date: Oct 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005934859

B L Wilson

Barbara has always been a dreamer and avid reader, so it is not surprising that she has put pen to paper. Barbara grew up on family cattle stations and became an amazing horse woman, commencing her horse training career at 12 years old. She progressed to racing horses for country race meetings, winning a trainer trophy, and rode in one of the first 'ladies' jockey races. After moving to Atherton, FNQ, she continued to ride track work, assisted in coaching junior soccer for many years. Barbara and her mother ran a souvenir shop for a couple of years before Barbara bought a late-night pizza shop, after trouble with vandalism with drunkard people and pub late trading suspended the shop failed. Barbara took a deep breath and as her children had finished school, she headed off on an adventure through western Queensland and Northern Territory, ending up in Orange New South Wales, working in a refrigeration factory. She quickly progressed from a worker on the track, to final inspection. She assisted in the development of a manual for the tracks. While there, she went back to education in the hospitality industry, this led her to be a bar manager at a mine site. From here, she went into Pest Control for 14 years before retiring and putting pen to paper. Barbara has two sons and three grandchildren.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1: Bits & pieces of our life together. But where is Mel?

Velma smiled, watching her employer’s wife pick at the deluxe breakfast meal in front of her. Her employer was Amelia Roberts, the real estate mogul and millionaire. As Amelia’s cook, housekeeper and best friend, Velma was used to Ruby Roberts’ peculiar appetites. Ice cream and chocolates aren’t exactly brain food for the baby, Ruby, so eat up. I put chocolate chips in the pancakes and whipped cream on top of them just for you. Ruby kept shifting the bitesize pancake pieces all around the breakfast plate. Velma finally groaned then placed a hand on top of Ruby’s hand.

Stop playing with your food. Talk to me, Ruby.

She studied her best friend’s wife. Ruby was the prettiest woman Amelia Roberts, also known as Mel Roberts, had dated. Ruby was also the smartest woman Mel dated and the most independent woman as well. Marrying her seemed the right thing to do. They’d met at a charity event for kids about three years ago. Ruby was a fearless children’s advocate lawyer. She worked pro bono for court cases involving abused and abandoned children.

From what Mel told her, Ruby had seen the very worst of adult humans and how poorly they treated their offspring. According to Ruby, very few of the cases she worked on, less than ten percent, were ‘stranger danger’ cases. That meant strangers were not running around assaulting and abusing children the way parents taught their children. In the bulk of the cases Ruby handled, the child knew his or her abuser, who was usually a family member or a good friend of the family.

It’s not the meal, Velma, Ruby remarked, finally looking up at her wife’s best friend. She sighed then rubbed her ever-growing belly.

Velma grew alarmed watching Ruby touch her baby belly. She was a woman noted for her calm. She rarely became upset. But today, Ruby was upsetting her. What then? Are you okay, physically? I mean, is the baby all right? Are you alright? Should I call Mo to come over to examine you and the baby?

Ruby patted Velma’s hands. No. No. I’m okay, I guess. She sighed. Maybe I’m just being foolish. She sighed again then played with her food. I had this crazy dream. I’ve had it several times. Two days ago was another bad dream time.

Tell me more about it, Velma encouraged.

Ruby rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. I was walking somewhere. I’m not sure where. One time, it was in a parking lot. Another time, I was crossing the street with six lanes. Then I was in a crosswalk in a school zone. Another time, I was walking to a church. Last night, I dreamed I was crossing the street in front of the courthouse. She didn’t want to tell Velma how the dreams always ended the same way. No matter how her dreams started or where she walked, they always had the same dramatic ending.

None of that sounds so bad, Ruby, Velma remarked. She stood up and began clearing the breakfast table of the dishes she used. She left Ruby’s dishes on the table, hoping she’d eat some kind of breakfast meal. I don’t understand why you’re upset enough not to eat one of my special breakfast meals, she remarked with a twinkle in her eyes. I should be insulted that you haven’t eaten. Especially since I made it just for you and the baby. She grinned at Ruby. I love the idea of a baby in this house.

Ruby yawned and sat back against her chair, rubbing her belly. Maybe our baby will keep my wife at home more often. And the ungodly hours she keeps will stop. She sighed. Even when I had a bad case, I did sleep sometimes. And I came home at a reasonable hour too.

Velma walked over to massage Ruby’s shoulders. She almost said, You knew what you were getting when you married Mel. She didn’t say it, as it was too harsh a statement. And she did like Ruby a lot. Come on, little one. Go take up space in the living room recliner you love. I’ll be there in a minute to give you a massage. I don’t want you falling asleep at the table. I’ll make you a sandwich later. It’ll be okay. You’ll tell me all about the dream later. She winked at Ruby as she rose and then trudged to the living room.

Velly, I’ll do what you say this time. Ruby covered a yawn. I’m tired. All I want to do is sleep the day away.

That’s what some pregnant ladies like to do. There’s not a thing wrong with that. Velma smiled. At least that’s what I read on the internet. She decided not to mention how many books on pregnancy she had hidden in her closet.

Velma didn’t like the uncomfortable feeling she had about Ruby one bit. Ruby wasn’t a woman to complain about anything, given the horrors she’d heard about and seen on her former job. Ruby, with a tremendous amount of pressure from Mel, quit her job during the first eighteen months of their marriage. Ruby confided in her how she was ready to leave the job too. Ruby said she realized she was in the early stages of burnout. It seemed like every kid she met started to look like a kid in trouble. And she wanted to investigate every single parent of those kids too. Velma stacked the dirty dishes in the sink. She’d wash them later. Right now, she needed to check on little sister number two, which was how she saw Ruby.

Velma smiled as she entered the living room and found Ruby curled up in the over-sized recliner. You look a little cold, Little Sis, she murmured softly then tiptoed closer to grab a quilt from one of several living room couches and lounge chairs. She covered Ruby with it without waking her, or so she thought.

Thanks, Velly. My feet were feeling cold. Ruby yawned. She closed her eyes and stretched out under the comforter.

You’re welcome, Velma remarked as she adjusted the quilt to cover Ruby’s full length. We’ll talk later.

Hmm, sounds good, Ruby mumbled, drifting off to sleep again.

Velma watched Ruby sleeping for a moment before going back to the kitchen to put the leftovers away then rinsed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. There wasn’t enough for a full load yet. Running it now would be a waste of water. She could afford to wait until after dinner to finish filling the dishwasher.

She decided to check all the hampers for dirty clothes. She could do several washes before Ruby woke up. She rubbed her chin, wondering if she should call Mo about Ruby. What should she say if she made that call to Dr. Maura Neely? She could always invite her over to dinner. That way, Mo could see for herself if Ruby was all right, as she said, except for the dreams that seemed to keep Ruby awake. However, her dreams didn’t seem to be all that bad. She walked up the stairs to the second bathroom hampers. She pulled out the dirty clothes, sorting them and putting them into nylon net clothes bags. She did the same thing with the third-floor bathroom hampers.

Then she pulled out her cellphone and scrolled down contacts and pressed one.

Westside Practice and Associates. How may I help you today?

Hi. Could I speak with Dr. Neely, please?

Is she expecting your call?

Yes and no?

Goodness, that’s an interesting answer. Who shall I say is calling?

Tell her it’s Mel’s friend.

Hold on, please.

Hello, Mel’s friend, Dr. Maura Neely teased. What’s up, Velma? Mel isn’t due to see me for another six months.

I’ll be sure and remind her. Velma cleared her throat. Could you stop by to see Ruby tonight?

Is she experiencing any pains? How’s the baby?

No. No. It’s nothing like that, Mo. Ruby says she not sleeping so well at night. Something about bad dreams or something. And she not eating as well as I think a pregnant lady should eat.

Same old large and in-charge Velma. Huh?

Velma sucked in a deep breath. While she liked Mel’s OBGYN, she couldn’t get used to little snarky remarks she made at times. She never could tell if the doctor meant them or how she should respond to them. How about I fix your favorite meal, whatever it is, and you come over for dinner. You can see for yourself what I’m picking up on.

How are she and Mel getting along? Maura asked as she walked out of her office to the receptionist area. Hold on a minute, Velma. She placed a hand over the phone’s speaker. Hold all my calls and patients for the next fifteen minutes. I’ll let you know when I’m free again.

Yes, Dr. Neely. I gotcha. The receptionist wrote on a post-it note, Hold calls for 15.

Thanks. Maura sighed as she walked back to her office. I’m back.

Are you coming over tonight?

I’d love to, but I’m backed up. Let me think about this. Maura rubbed her forehead in thought. She hated saying no to a good friend and a friend of a good friend, which was what Velma Griffin was. She often wondered why Velma wasn’t one of her patients too since Mel was and now so was her wife Ruby. Hmm, why didn’t Ruby call me? Can she come by later tonight? I could see her then.

Velma smiled. Thanks. I’ll bring you some of that cinnamon bread you love. I’ll make a mini-loaf for you.

Suddenly, the conversation turned very serious. Answer a question for me, Velma, Maura remarked.

Velma already knew the questions and the answers too. She’s busy trying to earn a living, Mo. She loves her job. It’s difficult for her to slow down. She still adjusting to marriage.

What do you think she’ll do when the baby comes?

She’ll be the best damn mom she can be.

And you’ll take up the slack if she isn’t. As usual, right, Velma?

Velma lied, I hear the washing machine buzzing. I gotta go check on the wash. Is eight o’clock good for you?

Maura sighed. Yes, that’s fine, Velma. I’ll be here working on the paperwork that I hate so much.

We’ll see you then. Velma cleared her throat. I mean, she’ll see you then. Thanks, Mo. She swiped off.

OMG, Mel! When are you going to act like you’re married with a child on the way? Cut back on your workload! Be there for your wife and baby! You shoulda been making that worried call to me and not good old loyal Velma, Maura muttered as she swiped off. She flipped on the intercom. I’m back on duty. Send me the callbacks and tell my patients I’m back.

Yes, Dr. Neely. That was certainly quicker than anticipated. I’ll let your patients know. I’m sending you the list of callbacks. It’s very short. Just two names.

Thanks, Maura remarked as the list popped up on her cellphone and her desktop. She’d call Mel when she had the time to read her the riot act! She’d pressure her about being there for her wife and baby girl.

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The little red sports car sped through the quiet neighborhood, blasting the music on an expensive Critical MASS 6.5 Front Stage Amplified sound system. It felt like shockwaves of throbbing noise to residents out for a morning jog or on their way to work or simply talking a walk on this cool, clear fall sunset. To the young driver and his young passenger, this was how they normally went shopping. A little high from the drugs they’d just smoked. Enjoying the loud music made their hearts pump faster and their eyes see clearer and their hearing much sharper, or so they thought.

Residents of the quiet neighborhood covered their ears, but they could still hear the wall of noise, like a sonic boom, and feel the deep throbbing beat of the music too.

What was that? a resident asked his wife as he climbed into his SUV. His eyes followed the sports car rocketing down the block. He was on his way to his night job.

His wife frowned, patting her thundering chest. It felt like jet taking off.

Did you feel that shit? another resident asked his jogging partner while clutching at his chest.

Oh yeah!

Music that loud ought to be outlawed in this neighborhood.

The rich little shithead should be in somebody’s jail for disturbing the peace around here!

What makes you think he’s rich, Dude?

Take a look at much that effing car costs. He showed his jogging partner a picture of the car on Google from his cellphone.

His jogging partner whistled. Aw, s-h-i-t! That’s at least five or six years of my salary.

It’s damned near ten years of mine, Dude said.

Let’s just hope he doesn’t kill somebody today, his jogging partner muttered as they both watched the fire-engine red blur tear down the quiet street.

The sleek, red-hot sports car rapidly travelled through the quiet neighborhood, leaving loud vibrating and throbbing echoes of sound in its wake. Little did the jogging partner know how his words would return like a bad penny-ghost. His words haunted people that he didn’t know and never would.

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At seven-thirty, Velma drove Ruby uptown to the Westside Practice and Associates. Ruby inhaled deeply. Hmm, I smell cinnamon. She pointed to the breadbasket wrapped in foil and linen towel. That’s for Dr. Neely, right?

Velma smiled at Ruby. Yes. She loves my bread. I figured since she was nice enough to see you tonight, I’d bring her one of her favorites treats as a thank you.

Ruby scooted down in the seat to get comfortable and closed her eyes. I still don’t see why I have to see her, Vel. I’m just tired because I haven’t been sleeping as well as I should.

Ruby didn’t mention how disappointed she was that Mel didn’t take a more active role in their marriage. If it wasn’t for Velma, she’d really be lonely staying home all day and being pampered as Mel called it. There weren’t enough health spas, personal trainers, pedicures and manicures in the world to make her feel better about not seeing her wife all day. Sometimes, days passed before she finally discovered her wife sleeping next to her.

Mel was up before the sun, making real estate deals in her home office when she wasn’t busy showing commercial properties and expensive residential sites. Mel sometimes spent the night in her office and had Claude, her chauffeur and best bud, bring fresh suits, shirts, underwear, and shoes. Ruby hated the time Mel spent away from her. She honestly thought becoming pregnant would bring them closer. It didn’t. Mel sent Velma and Claude to go baby shopping with her. After their baby was born, she was determined to return to work part-time. Since she worked in the over-crowded city court system that always needed legal help, she knew she could find plenty of job openings. Mel could easily afford a nanny for their daughter. It was simply a matter finding a suitable nanny and convincing herself to allow it to happen. She vowed to raise her own children to the very best of her ability, so it might take her time to find the perfect nanny.

Velma shrugged. Let her check out you and the baby. Tell her how you haven’t been sleeping or eating. I bet she can suggest something for it.

What? Ruby remarked and then sat to look outside. They weren’t there yet.

I was saying how Mo can give you something to help you sleep nights.

Humph! I won’t take any drugs that will hurt my daughter. I’ve seen first-hand what drugs can do to the children of addicts, Vel!

Chill out, Kiddo, and relax. You don’t want to upset the baby. Velma sighed. I was thinking more along the lines of meditation or yoga stuff. Mo knows about that stuff. She could give you a referral if you ask her. She watched Ruby smile. Yay! Finally, there’s that famous cute dimpled smile. Giggling now, Ruby pinched her on the arm. Hey, hard little fingers, you’d better watch it. Remember, I cook your meals. I clean your room. Most of all, I keep you company. If your clever little hands hurt me, I’ll go on strike.

You couldn’t kill a fly even if you wanted to do so. Ruby found that uproariously funny and howled with laughter until tears dripped down her cheeks.

Ha. Ha, that’s so funny. I’m dying with laughter, Counselor, Velma remarked in a snippy tone.

At the next stop light, she made a left turn on the turn arrow and drove into the two-story shopping area. The first floor was where the offices and stores were. There was also handicapped parking and limited thirty-minute parking for everybody else. The thirty-minute limited parking tended to come and go quickly, since shoppers could be towed away if they overstayed their time. The second floor was all longer-term parking.

I’m letting you off at Mo’s office and will drive around to look for parking. Velma pulled up to the curb in front of Westside Family Practice & Associates.

Okay. Thanks for coming with me, Vel, Ruby said as she stepped out of the car then reached back and to grab the basket of cinnamon bread. I almost forgot this.

Ask her to stop by some night for dinner. If she gives me a menu before, I’ll cook it.

Ruby studied Velma long and hard, without saying anything for a long moment. You like her, don’t you, Velma Griffin?

Velma shrugged. What’s not to like? She’s a good friend.

Are you sure it’s not more than that, Vel?

I’m holding out for the perfect woman. I just haven’t met her yet. But I’m still looking.

Ruby giggled. Good luck with that one.

When you’re finished, call me. I’ll pick you up.

Ruby shook her head in disagreement. No, I wanna do some window shopping first. Then I’ll call you. I need to walk, so you tell me where you parked and I’ll find you.

Velma shrugged. That’s fine by me.

But it wouldn’t be fine.

CHAPTER 2:

Dangerous to speed in a red car. Now, it’s a hit & run.

As luck would have it, thirty minutes later, acute danger visited the shopping mall. The same red sports car that wreaked sound havoc on the residents of that peaceful neighborhood screeched into the lot. Then the driver zoomed around the lot, searching for first-floor parking.

At the same time, Ruby waved when she spotted Velma behind the wheel of her old faithful navy Volvo. Ruby stepped down from the curb and walked toward the Volvo. Whether the driver of the red sports car saw her but couldn’t stop in time or he was driving so fast, she was a blur in his way to grab a parking spot, he hit her. She bounced in the air and landed twenty feet away.

Velma took off, sprinting toward Ruby. The red sports car never stopped. Instead, it flew out of the lot as if the devil was chasing the driver. Velma had the clarity of mind to call Mo, screaming at her to get to the parking lot right now.

Ruby is a hit and run victim. I saw it. I saw it. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop it, Mo! Velma repeated over and over.

Velma! Get it together. Is she dead? Maura yelled into the phone as she grabbed her medical kit and ran down the office hallway, shoving doors open as she ran. She stopped at the reception desk. See if any of the nurses or doctors are still here. Send them to the parking lot. My patient just became a victim of a hit and run. Stay by the phone. Call 911 to get an ambulance here now! She switched back to Velma. Is she dead?

I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m not there yet, Velma yelled into her cellphone. She finally saw all the blood around Ruby’s head. She had to swallow her bile. She left the blood and gore of the military behind her years ago. Yet here it was during peacetime. Blood, so much blood near her head, Mo. She’s moaning. She squatted down to stroke Ruby’s hand while holding the cellphone in the other. Ruby, Honey, I’m here. I won’t leave you. It’s me, Velma.

Do not move her, Velma! Maura yelled into the phone. Squat down and talk to her. Let her know you’re there. I’m on my way, Maura remarked. Soon as she stepped outside, she could see Velma directing traffic around Ruby, who was lying at an odd angle. Dear God, her back might be broken or her neck might be or her hips, she muttered, forgetting she’d left the line open.

She’s moving her fingers, Mo. I think she’s trying to point at her belly.

Tell her the baby is fine.

Velma knelt down to whisper, Honey, your baby is fine. Dr. Neely … Mo is on her way.

Maura arrived just as Velma stood up to direct another driver around the accident. Minutes later, two nurses from Westside Associates rushed over to help Dr. Neely. One nurse wheeled a portable IV stand over to Ruby. The other nurse brought a cart with supplies. They were attaching the IV and finger pincher to measure Ruby’s oxygen levels. They were taking her vitals.

Velma felt helpless. What can I do, Mo?

Maura pulled the stethoscope from her ears as she knelt next to Ruby. Velma, bring your car around to block off the area. Then direct traffic and watch out for the ambulance. When it arrives, direct it over here.

I got blankets in the car. Do you need ‘em?

Maura was examining Ruby’s head wound. She was certain Ruby had a skull fracture. She thought her neck might be fractured. She didn’t want to move her head to see much. Her spine was probably damaged too. Yes, we could cover her. Get your car, Velma. Ruby, this is Dr. Neely. Can you tell me where it hurts?

My head a little. My neck hurts a lot.

Try not to move, Ruby. Okay? Maura used the stethoscope to press on Ruby’s belly. She moved the instrument around Ruby’s baby belly until she could hear a heartbeat.

Okay. Are we waiting for something, Dr. Neely?

Yes. My receptionist called for an ambulance.

Is my baby alright?

Yes, Honey. I can hear her little heart beating. Maura watched as Velma backed the car as close as she could. It had started to rain.

Velma climbed out. "I have a tent I could set up to cover you all while we wait. She watched Maura nod then mouth, Yes, please. She quickly attached the half the ties to the car’s roof, then she propped up the other poles over and past Ruby, Mo, and the two nurses. She screwed in the feet on the poles and set them across from the length of her car. The canvas tent covered everybody and kept them dry as it poured outside.

The ambulance finally arrived nearly twenty minutes after the receptionist made the last frantic call. Maura rode with Ruby to the hospital.

Velma repacked the tent in the trunk then followed the ambulance. As she drove behind the ambulance with its sirens whining, she called Amelia. She listened to the cellphone ringing and ringing. Then the answering service kicked in, stating, Please leave a message and I will get back to you. I promise. Bye now. Velma groaned then muttered, Damn it, Mel! Answer your goddamned phone. She called two more times and finally left a message about Ruby’s hit and run and what hospital they were headed to.

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At the hospital, Maura wouldn’t allow Velma past the double swinging doors with the yellow signs marked ‘authorized personnel only’ in bold red letters. Call Mel again, she shouted over a shoulder as she raced with the gurney carrying Ruby and EMS pushing it.

Velma was left to her own devices not to think about all the blood she’d seen pouring out of Ruby. She pulled the cellphone out of a damp denim jacket pocket. She dialed Mel’s office and then her personal number when she didn’t answer her office phone. On a hunch, she tried the house landline.

Hullo? Mel answered, sounding half asleep.

Mel?

"Yeah, Velma, who the hell else would be answering my landline? I just got back from Detroit. Looking at some