Free A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare by Donna Fletcher Crow Page A

Lewis, Malcolm Muggeridge, Wilberforce and John Newton.” He stopped and grinned. “That should keep you busy for the night.”
    Gregg looked at his watch. “Especially since I have makeup call in half an hour. But you really do believe, then, that there is objective Truth?”
    “No one deals with that any better than Lewis when he points to the great commonality of the ethical requirements of the religions and philosophies of the world.”
    Gregg leaned forward. “That’s my point exactly. They all believe the same—so how do you sort out who’s right? That’s why I don’t think it matters what you believe—or if you believe.”
    “Congratulations.” Richard held out his hand to a bewildered Gregg. “You’ve taken the first step. You’ve seen the commonality. You’ve seen that there is objective Truth. The next thing you need is to find its source.”
    Gregg pushed his half-eaten tart aside. “Time to go to work.” He looked at Tori. “Is Erin doing Olivia tonight?”
    “Yes.” Tori jumped up. “I should go see if I can do anything for her. Her first night back, she may need a little extra support.”
    Gregg paid their part of the bill and he and Tori left together. Elizabeth sighed as she poured her absolutely last cup of tea. “I don’t know what to think. I want to like Gregg. But we know so little about him I’m afraid Tori’s really in over her head.”
    Even after a swallow of hot tea she couldn’t suppress a shiver.

Chapter 11
    RICHARD GROANED AS HE stood up and held Elizabeth’s chair for her. “Ooh, what idiot suggested a second round of pastry?”
    Elizabeth turned and just brushed his cheek with her lips. “My favorite idiot.”
    “Oh, yeah.” He gave her a quick hug. “Let’s see what we can do about walking this off before the play.”
    Their first bit of walking was around the antique shop, admiring a heavily carved, dark Victorian dresser with a marble top and beveled mirror among the many other treasures the shop held. “Oh, Richard, if we get that Victorian bungalow we’ve been admiring, wouldn’t this be perfect!”
    Richard looked at the price tag. “Yes, it would. But it looks like you’ll have to choose between the bungalow and the dresser.”
    “Why in the world was I so impractical as to marry for love rather than money?”
    They left the shop laughing, but the sharp breeze that had come up while they were inside made Elizabeth catch her breath. “I didn’t think to bring a sweater since we’re going to be indoors tonight. The short-sleeved shirt with coral and blue flowers that matched her blue chambray skirt provided little protection. Even Richard’s arm around her, while very nice, wasn’t really enough warmth. “Well, I guess we can take our walk going back to the Bard’s Haven, but the park would be so much more romantic.” She started to turn toward their B & B.
    “How about just popping up the street and borrowing something from Tori?”
    “Good idea. See, I married for love and brains .”
    “Yes, but still no money.”
    A few minutes later Tori was rummaging in her bedroom. She came out with a paint-spattered sweatshirt and a red sweater. Elizabeth started to reach for the sweater, no matter how it clashed with her blouse. “Oh, just a minute. I almost forgot—my new jacket. Erin borrows it so much I don’t think of it as mine.” Tori dashed into her roommate’s room and returned with a soft coral jacket trimmed in blue that looked as if it had been made for Elizabeth’s outfit. “Pull up the hood if your ears get cold. It’s really snugly.” Tori walked them to the door. “See you backstage after the play.”
    Elizabeth turned in surprise. “You will?”
    “Oh, didn’t I tell you? Just a very little party to welcome Erin back to work. We didn’t want to do much or it would look disrespectful for Sally—but the show must go on, and all that. Anyway, come back and tell Erin how great she was. She can use the