Love Lives Again

By Teresa Cage

 Ever wonder if you've lived before? Dreamed of a life that was familiar but not. Lissa Tremaine has just that problem. But not only is she dreaming of past lives, but she is stepping into a leading role at the Renaissance Fair, where she has just met two men that she was certain were part of those lives.

The dilemma? One,

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Book Publishing Pros
• Release date: Jun 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798330246014

Book preview

Love Lives

Again

Teresa Cage

Copyright © 2024 Teresa Cage

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Every book has those people who helped to bring it come to life.  There were so many wonderful individuals involved that I’m afraid I’m going to forget someone.  If I do, please forgive me, but my mind is so busy these days I’m totally forgetful.

First, I must thank my family for putting up with me as well as for giving me the support and love to continue writing.  My sons, Michael, Peter, and Anthony have all had to talk me down at some point or another when I thought my work was awful.  To my mother who might have passed from this world, but still held a great deal of influence over me.  I could hear her in my head telling me to do better. And to my immediate friends Bruce (you know how special you are), Pat, and Lisa who were always there for me.  Thank you all.

Then to the individuals at that competition I entered, thank you for opening my eyes to how easy it is to scam an author.  What you did was inexcusable.  You almost stole my ability to create.  Every one of you should be ashamed of yourselves for what you did.  It’s one thing to offer workshops that people pay for, but it’s an entirely different thing to try to charge authors for doing well in a competition. And I never got my silver medal!  Again, Shame on you all!

And finally, to all of you who love the Renaissance Fairs, this book was a labor of love filled with my own memories of how wonderful those times were.  Those times fill my life and brought my husband to me.  I have much to be grateful to the Renaissance Fair for. 

Just so you know, this will be a series of books to take place within the Renaissance Fair. There is already a sequel in the works also set at the fair.

To anyone I forgot to mention and thank, please know I didn’t do it on purpose.  I just simply have no memory sometimes.

To my readers, thank you so much, but please leave a review and also go to www.teresacage.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Thank you all.  Please know how much I appreciate every one of you for taking time to select my book.

Chapter 1

F

unny how the simplest choices can impact your life. In my life it was the decision to move with my parents to San Bernardino, California. That’s when everything changed.

Both my parents were college professors and had been waiting years to be able to teach at the same university. That chance came with the jobs in San Bernardino. They were ecstatic. Me, not so much.

I had been on my own for a few years working and finishing my masters in Anthropology. I had a pretty fair chance at a research project on graduation but hated the idea of my parents being half a continent away. So, I did the easiest thing, I decided to go too.

Mom and Dad were so thrilled they offered me the summer to explore instead of searching for a job. Not usually prone to that level of giving, I smartly took them up on it. As one big happy family, we moved from Chicago in March as soon as I finished finals. I just wouldn’t get to walk at graduation in June without flying back.

If you have ever moved, you know how crazy things can get. And I had already moved once, from my apartment, and I had boxed up my belongings and they were in the garage all ready to go. The movers showed up and packed everything at my parent’s home and carted our lives to their truck. Afterwards mom walked the house over and over to be certain nothing was left behind. You could feel her sadness and regret, both of which I was already feeling.

I reached out to my mom in the kitchen as she stared out the window. You know mom, we’re going to make some great new memories in California.

You think so? I just worry that nothing will be the same, came the response.

In some strange way mom and I had switched places, you know that we will, I promise it’s going to be wonderful. And I took her hand and led her out of the house for the last time.

We had decided as a family to sell my car and to tow Mom’s car with Dad’s. We would take our time with the travel and stop when we needed to. Dad had found our new home, but Mom and I had yet to see it. We could only hope he had done a good job with the selection. Following Mom’s example, I walked the house before we left too. The place where I lost my first tooth, the spot in the yard where my dog had been buried. Even the front porch where I had my first kiss. Those memories would have to live in me now.

Dad found us just outside the front door, the two of us hand-in-hand staring at the door. He broke up the pity party telling us it was time to go. No one disobeyed. You just wouldn’t since he asked so little of us. I don’t think I ever disobeyed him. Mom, sure, but never my Dad. He never got angry, just disappointed and I never wanted to see that look in his eyes aimed at something I had done or not done.

One last run through by Mom and we piled into Dad’s car. The journey was on, and we had a blast telling stories and jokes, even singing the songs from the radio together to pass the time.

We stopped whenever we felt like it or wanted to visit some monument or other. We almost decided to go out of our way to South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore and later Yellowstone National Park but decided to hold that off till next year and our first vacation. Instead, we stopped at the Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest along with Meteor Crater. We had a blast, and I enjoyed spending the quality time with my parents. Something I hadn’t done enough of when I had my own place.

The whole trip took us three days, but that was fine. It almost matched our furniture’s trip time. We still needed a hotel for at least one more night in San Bernardino before our belongings would catch up to us, and probably another night or two till the house would be livable.

We picked the first nice hotel we found and settled in for the night. I remember so well now that it was a Friday night, and in my boredom, I went to the main desk for something to do. I intended to ask about a close movie theater. Instead, there before me was a poster of the most beautiful buckskin horse I had ever seen. He was standing on his hind legs pawing the air while his rider sat perfect in the saddle. What a tableau they made together. The poster talked of auditions for a Renaissance Faire. I already knew about such things. They were places where people pretended to be from that time period, and it was perfect for me. I had done a small faire before and I hoped I could do well here. It would be a great way to meet new friends, and I loved pretending to be from another time period.

Writing down the address and phone number, I went back to the room and found myself happy at the thought of being in a Renaissance Faire. And better yet the auditions were at my parents’ new college campus. I would get to explore the new university before they even knew where their offices were.  It would also make me more comfortable for auditions. These faires had people dressing up in period costumes and I couldn’t wait.

My parents never understood my pleasure in such events, but they supported my choices. This time I found myself quite excited about the auditions whether they understood or not. They had after all promised me the summer to explore what I wanted to do.

At dinner I knew I had to tell them about my plans. Nervous, I played with my food. Unfortunately, my dad noticed. What is it, I know you too well. When you play with your food, it means you have something uncomfortable to say. Been doing that since you were a little girl.

When I went to the office today, I happened to notice a flyer announcing a Renaissance Faire. I’m seriously thinking of auditioning. Guess I was afraid… As I spoke, my mother interrupted me.

You must be insane to want to do such a thing. No, you will not go to those auditions. You have too much to do. You could hear the anger in her voice.

Dad reached out a hand, placing it on my mother’s, Honey, you can’t say that to her. First, she is a grown woman and can make her own decisions. Secondly, we promised her the summer, and if she wants to do this, then let her.

Mom stared at my dad for what seemed like forever before she finally put her other hand on his, I really hate when you’re right. It makes me so angry, but yes, she can do as she pleases. She turned to me and smiled, Sorry honey, I forget sometimes that you aren’t my baby to protect and keep safe. The decision is yours. I will support you.

Dinner was good after that. No longer nervous, I was able to eat my dinner and the conversation turned to the subject they loved the best, archaeology. We left the restaurant and I found I was tired. I decided to get to bed early and get in my beauty sleep so I would look great for the auditions. Yea, right.

That night I fell asleep hoping to dream of the Renaissance Faire but instead I dreamed I was back in the days of the wild west. In my dream I found myself on a wagon pulled by oxen heading to the west. Excitement filled the dream me as this dream version of me anticipated the joy of getting to the new land of California. Joy practically exploded out of her. Beside me sat my dream husband and they talked of what they would do when they arrived.

It was a very vivid and detailed dream. When they got to the land that they had selected they started to build a cabin and all the other things of normal life of the period. The man working with me looked like someone I should know, the real me felt drawn to him and I woke up yearning to find someone in this life that would stack up to my dream husband.

I got up and went to the bathroom trying not to wake my parents. I flushed my face with water and tried to get out of the dream, but it didn’t want to go away. There had been so much joy and love in the two people that I had dreamed of. They were true soul mates and loved their life together. I even had gotten the impression that they went on to be important in California and wondered why I thought that. Almost as if I could look them up in history books.

Going back to sleep I wanted to go back to that dream and see what happened to the couple. Laughing to myself I thought how foolish I sounded, like dreams meant anything except for our fears and concerns being acted out for us. Nothing you could look up in a history book. Silly I thought and shook myself from the dream and slept the rest of the night dreamless and peaceful.

Chapter 2

T

he next morning, I did my hair and makeup with extra care and lingered over my clothing choices, eventually settling on jeans and a butter soft yellow sweater. The weather here was still a bit chilly for late March and I wouldn’t be too hot. 

The dream of the night before still haunted my thoughts, and I couldn’t help thinking that I would know that man when I saw him. And that thought bothered the hell out of me. Part of me wanted to go to the library today but most of me wanted the escape a Renaissance Faire promised. 

Arriving at auditions I was given a number and told to wait in line. They handed me a pile of paperwork to fill out while I waited. I noticed that groups of about eight were going in at once, so I hurried on the paperwork. 

When my turn arrived, I handed in my paperwork and went to stand in front of a large classroom. I stood and waited my turn. They asked each of us questions about our acting background. Mine was pretty nonexistent except for doing that small faire. Then they gave us a paper to read from. I stood up even straighter as I read: 

Hear ye, Hear ye, 

Her Royal Majesty

Queen Elizabeth decrees

That there be a faire. 

This faire is to have  

Jousting - a contest between knights such 

as has never been seen before. 

Each of us read the same proclamation. And then it was over. It was all the audition we would get. Now the waiting began in earnest. We had to wait first for them to finish all of the auditions and then to call us if we made it in. 

I went back to the hotel and shared my experiences with my parents. While not really enthusiastic about it, they did pay attention and comment appropriately. We decided to go to dinner to take some of the sting out of the wait. Which I thought was extremely nice of them considering what they really thought of my faires. Dad decided that the local Olive Garden would be our stop this evening. 

After we ordered we went to the salad bar and made up our salads. We kept the conversation light and my dad told a lot of his wonderful classroom stories. I had totally forgotten the auditions when my phone suddenly rang. Not only had I made it in, but they wanted me to audition again for the position of Mistress of the Revels. Apparently, I needed to sing for the part. I agreed to try out again the next day. Whatever the outcome, I was in for the faire at the very least. How far my involvement would go, the next auditions would decide. 

Hanging up I started the discussion on what song to sing. My Dad, the history professor suggested period pieces I didn’t know at all. Mom felt an upbeat known song would be best. One that got the judges tapping their feet. We settled on a nice fluff piece, and I practiced on the way to the hotel, and again in our room. I was sure everything would be good even though it had been a while since I had been singing in public. 

Next morning, I took care with my hair and makeup again. I used a red scarf for a headband and wore a red blouse this time with my jeans. Hopefully the red would bring out the reddish gold in my hair. I knew standing out from the crowd would be a great thing as long as I could pull off the singing portion of the audition. If not, then standing out wouldn’t be a good thing at all. 

Once again when I got there, I was given a number. Only up to ten this time. Mine was three. We were all called up on stage and each of us in turn read the same proclamation once more. Then they asked us to give an impromptu toast to the Queen. When it was my turn, I lifted an imaginary cup and loudly proclaimed, May the morning star guide your steps, may the Lord guard your kingdom, and may enemies turn to stone at your name. To the Queen. 

The audience roared in response to the Queen, and I knew I had delivered a sound toast even though I had no idea what I was doing in this part of the auditions. Impromptu work had never been my strong suit in drama class. I always felt better with a script in hand.

The next round of the auditions was singing. The first girl opened with a rather nice version of Greensleeves. She got a nice applause. When the second girl right before me opened her mouth out came MY song. Dear Lord, what was I to do? She finished a rather anemic version to faint applause and then it was my turn. 

What was I to do? I could humiliate her completely by singing the same song, or I could search for something else, but what? I stepped forward, opened my mouth and nothing. Not a sound came out. I froze for a moment and then tried again. This time I got: 

Moon River, Oh God I thought, I’m done. But pride and a competitive spirit kept me singing in place till the end. When I finished there was a moment of silence and I freaked, but then the applause came, and it was thunderous. Whatever the song they loved my voice. I could see others waiting their turn begin to fidget with nerves. And then number four began her solo. And on it went for seven more songs. Seven more girls praying for a chance. When finished they told us to sit down and not go anywhere and that they would have a decision shortly. I think that was the moment I knew I wanted the part. But then so did all the others who auditioned with me. 

Minutes crept past, five, ten, fifteen. At twenty it seemed a decision had been reached. One of the judges stepped up to the front, we have had ten lovely young ladies audition, and each has done very well. Let’s give them all another round of applause. After the applause he continued, The decision was not an easy one, but all five judge are in agreement. Our new Mistress of the Revels will be Lissa Tremaine. Lissa come on up here. 

I was stunned. My name had just been called and they wanted me on stage, but my legs refused to move for a few moments. Finally, I rose to the cheers of Huzzah, the period cheer. Not only was I to be involved in the faire, but I was their new Mistress of the Revels. 

Chapter 3

A

fter the others had been dismissed, the judge spokeswoman told everyone in the audience to get out if they had no reason to be there, politely of course. Soon I was alone with one of the judges.

My name is Jan Southerland said the lovely older woman with grey hair and a beautiful face. She must have been truly gorgeous in her younger years. This is still my faire and what I say goes, and for the most part. I like you. You remind me of me. You’re going to be the best we have ever had. Before we get started tell me why ‘Moon River’?

To be perfectly honest I had prepared another song but the girl before me sang it.

Pretty poorly too, was the quick answer.

I couldn’t decide what to sing and that one popped into my head. My parents and I do a lot of singing together and Moon River is one we sing quite a lot.

You did it very well and your selection of a period piece rather than something modern and popular showed your versatility. It put you head and shoulders above the others.

Thank you and thank you for this amazing opportunity.

"No worries dear I should be thanking you! Your face on our ads will sell tickets. That perfect heart-shaped face, that clever nose so straight sitting above your luscious lips. And of course, your eyes, why those alone would