Beyond Chance

by Karice Bolton

  “You okay?” Aaron whispered next to my ear.

  “Yup. I’m just sleuthing.”

  “I’ll let you be then,” he laughed, and our vehicle began its journey to the gallery.

  The streets were so narrow and the vehicle was so large that I decided not to look out the window. Instead, I kept my gaze focused solely on my brother and Lily. I didn’t see any other suspect gestures or movements. So by the time we arrived at the gallery, I’d pretty much dismissed my musings.

  A huge line had wrapped around the building and several paparazzi had lined up.

  “Seriously, dude? Paparazzi?” Jason laughed.

  “It’s a long story,” Aaron said, shaking his head.

  “And one we’d like to forget,” I chimed in as Aaron helped me out of the SUV.

  “Leave you two alone in another country and you get into all kinds of trouble, huh?” Jason grinned as he stepped out of the vehicle and helped Gabby out onto the sidewalk. She was dressed in a pale pink chiffon dress. The neckline was dazzling on her, dipping low enough that ample cleavage mesmerized Jason with just about any movement.

  As Ayden helped Lily out of the vehicle, I watched his careful movements with her and wondered, just wondered…but it was quickly squashed once people began hollering our names, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment as we walked quickly down the carpet that had been rolled out in Aaron’s honor.

  Feeling like we’d never make it inside, I was relieved to feel the stuffy air touch my skin just as I heard the broken English call out the words “hero” and “shooting”. I hoped Aaron heard neither, and he didn’t show a reaction one way or another. The gallery was already filled with people admiring Aaron’s pieces, and my chest felt like it wanted to explode with pride. Gabby and Lily hugged me as they watched Aaron wander through the crowd, answering questions and discussing each piece. This might be his last showing, but it certainly was an amazing one to end on. Not that I totally believed he was giving it up.

  “I’m really proud of my brother,” Gabby gushed, and I squeezed her hand.

  “Me too. He’s an incredible man.”

  Gabby nodded and smiled, and I swore I saw a glimmer of tears come and go as quickly as I spotted them.

  “We’re all so lucky,” she said, hugging me and Lily.

  I spotted Tracy and my body stiffened. Lily immediately felt it and followed my gaze to the woman scowling at us all huddled together.

  “I’ve been waiting for this story,” Lily said.

  “Me too.” Gabby nodded. “Let us have it.”

  Elizabeth came up behind Tracy and escorted her out of view, and my heartbeat quickened when I couldn’t find Aaron in the crowd. I stood on the tips of my toes as I scanned the people moving between the pieces, and relief immediately flooded through my system the moment I spotted him.

  Jason and Ayden were making their way around the backside of the room, studying the pieces, and Lily, Gabby, and I were weaving through the two tallest ones in the middle of the room as I proceeded to fill them in on the first couple weeks of my French experience. Between horror and fits of giggles, it didn’t take much before I realized it was all a distant memory. As I relayed the Tracy details, I actually felt sorry for her. Anyone who got joy out of meddling in such a vicious way had to be absolutely miserable in their own life to spread the evil so to speak.

  Aaron waved us over, and I wandered through the room, which was really crowded now. I stood next to him as he introduced me as his fiancée. I was startled at the slip of his tongue but loved the way it sounded as I shook hands with the man who was admiring Aaron’s scion piece.

  Jason found Gabby and they drifted into the crowd just as Ayden and Lily walked toward the front of the gallery.

  The man thanked Aaron and continued studying the piece as we slowly walked away. Aaron’s arm was wrapped around my waist as we strolled through the crowd. He’d stop every so often to converse with one of the attendees, and I swear if he let go of me, I might actually float away. I was so happy that so many were recognizing the brilliance that was my boyfriend and proving Tracy wrong. That was one comment I’d take to the grave with me.

  Aaron guided me to a quiet corner and sat me down on one of the only empty chairs. For some reason, my pulse started pounding as I watched him kneel in front of me, but he quickly readjusted, and I realized I was way too ready for that, especially once I heard him say the word fiancée.

  “I’ve been working on something since we went riding,” Aaron began and my heart sped up again, not knowing what to expect.

  “What would that be?” I asked.

  “It’s not much, but I saw this property and thought of you immediately. It’s just east of the mountains in Washington. There’s a small vineyard on the land and stables. When I saw the home, I knew it was meant for us. I mean I know not right away. You have law school to finish, I’ll be busy in Seattle, but it’ll be perfect for the weekends…” He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and slid it on, revealing a photograph of a small white cottage, eerily similar to the chateau we’d recently stayed at.

  “I thought someday you might like to raise horses and teach our kids to ride. But in the meantime, it could be our little taste of France in Washington.” His eyes connected with mine, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this man one click further.

  He never ceased to amaze me, and I couldn’t believe that Aaron had done this while we were in Paris. My mind drifted back to the strange fellow who’d given me the book of poetry, and my body tingled at the lack of coincidence. Nothing was beyond chance in this world. Everything happened for a reason. It was just a question of being open to the world’s possibilities, and as we stood in a Paris gallery with my boyfriend’s sculptures being praised by art critics from around the world, I knew that I’d never be able to imagine what life held for Aaron or me. It also occurred to me that I never told Aaron about my chance encounter. I’d have to do that someday.

  “I don’t even know what to say,” I whispered. “It’s absolutely breathtaking and beyond thoughtful.”

  Aaron’s eyes ignited with carnal desire, and I wished us to be somewhere else as he pressed his lips to mine. The bulbs of the cameras flashed in every direction. Even with my eyes closed, I saw the lights reflecting through, but I didn’t care. I loved this man with all my heart and couldn’t wait to get back to Washington and continue our lives together.

  He slowly broke his lips from mine and smiled.

  “Well, maybe that will give the paparazzi enough of the story they wanted,” he said, standing back up and lifting me to my feet.

  “Maybe so,” I laughed, feeling like I was in another world.

  The rest of the event floated by in such a dreamy state, I was surprised when it had actually ended. We all climbed into the SUV when Aaron announced a surprise detour.

  We were finally going to the Eiffel Tower. I was so excited I almost jumped out of my seat.

  Gabby was grinning from ear to ear and Lily slapped Ayden’s knee. “Did you know about this?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” My brother grinned, and I knew he had this planned to perfection.

  The drive was relatively quick and the SUV got us quite close. The area surrounding the tower was eerily still, and I held onto Aaron’s hand a little tighter as we were ushered right into the elevator without even a wait or hassle.

  Something seemed planned really well. Like perfectly so. I glanced at Ayden and tried to gauge his expression as we all waited in the elevator. Besides the operator there wasn’t another person in sight. The doors closed and Lily and Gabby were babbling away as I eyed the men in the carriage. Every so often they’d trade glances, which only made me more excited. This had to be it. Ayden was going to pop the question.

  Aaron slipped his arm around my waist, and nuzzled his chin into the crook of my neck as the elevator glided up the Eiffel Tower, the lights of the city sparkling below. The elevator came to a slow stop, and the operator instructed us to step off
the elevator and follow the signs.

  The platform was empty. Not a tourist to be found. Boy, talk about raising the bar high. I squeezed Aaron’s hand as we walked along the platform and my heart rate began to increase. Not because of the excitement for my brother but because we were up so damn high. I slowly made my way over to the edge and looked below.

  My fingertips pressed against the wire cage as I peered out over the city. Everything was so tiny, but glittered like gold across the city. A chill dashed over my skin as I took in the beauty of this city. Finally, Paris had accepted me and I respected her. My skin tingled with excitement with what was awaiting my brother and Lily. I wondered how long we’d be up here before he popped the question.

  “Brandy,” Aaron whispered, draping his arms over my shoulders.

  “Mm…” My body melted into Aaron’s as my eyes canvassed the beautiful city below.

  “I don’t ever want to lose you.” His voice held something I didn’t quite recognize and my body stiffened slightly.

  “You never would.”

  “That makes me a very happy man,” Aaron murmured as his lips skimmed along the crook of my neck, sending a spike of electricity through me. As quickly as the pleasure came, it left when he took a step away from me.

  I spun around and noticed that everyone except Aaron had vanished from our lookout point. Gabby, Jason, Lily and Ayden were nowhere to be found. I craned my neck slightly trying to find the slightest hint of movement, but I saw none. My eyes flashed to Aaron’s, and that’s when my entire world went into slow motion. A violinist stepped from the shadows and began serenading us as my head began to spin. Aaron’s expression turned to sincere contemplation as he reached into his tuxedo jacket.

  I heard a sniff from behind a tower wall, and my heart raced into infinity and back as I watched the man I loved with all my heart get down on bended knee and remove a ring box from his jacket. My breath caught and my world spun out of control.

  “Without your love, I’d be nothing, Brandy Rhodes. You make me whole. I know life hasn’t always taken us where we thought we’d go, but we certainly can’t complain that it’s been boring…” Aaron’s eyes locked onto mine and my lips parted, but I couldn’t say a word. I was in a trance, frozen in front of him as he opened the ring box. “Will you make me the luckiest man in the world? Will you become the missing part of me? Will you become my wife?”

  “Yes.” I nodded and my hands trembled as Aaron slid the ring on my finger. I was in complete shock as Aaron stood up and wrapped his arms around me, pressing his lips to mine. Cheering erupted behind Aaron, and I realized there were far more voices than just Lily, Gabby, Jason, and Ayden. My mom whooped from the shadows as Aaron’s mouth broke from mine.

  “I love you, Brandy Rhodes. I told you that you were mine forever and I meant it.”

  I dabbed the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks as I watched my mom, dad, Mason, Aaron’s parents, and Katie come from the shadows. My mom threw paper confetti at us and I had to laugh. If you can’t take the party streamers out of the girl, you bring the party streamers to Paris like only the Rhodes family could.

  “I love you Mr. Sullivan and I have no idea how you pulled this off.”

  “The fun’s not over,” he whispered. He pointed at Ayden and I watched as my brother went down on one knee and asked Lily to be his wife. Lily nodded and cried as Ayden slipped the ring on her finger.

  That was my breaking point. The tears fell from my eyes just as my mom began to wipe the wetness from hers. Mason walked over to me and hugged me.

  “Congratulations, knucklehead.” He turned and shook Aaron’s hand. “You better take excellent care of her.”

  “Without a doubt.”

  “I thought you couldn’t get off to come over here?” I narrowed my eyes at my brother.

  “It was all part of the master plan,” he laughed. “I just do what I’m told.”

  I turned and stared at Aaron. “How long was this planned?”

  “A very long time. I asked your father for your hand in marriage before I even knew we’d be coming here. The rest was the easy part,” he laughed as my father and mother made their way over, congratulating us both and hugging me like never before.

  “I guess you’re not my little girl any longer,” my father whispered.

  “I’ll always be your little girl,” I said, tearing up again.

  “You’ve got yourself a wonderful man, Brandy. I couldn’t have chosen better if I tried,” my dad said, turning to shake Aaron’s hand as my mother came in for another hug.

  My dad turned to Ayden and gave him a huge hug just as I squealed with delight and hugged Lily. “I can’t believe this.”

  “I can’t believe this either,” Lily said, sniffing in between breaths. “Ayden told me Aaron was going to pop the question and it took everything I had to keep it in.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding. I knew Ayden was going to pop the question because he emailed me.”

  Ayden and Aaron both laughed and pointed at each other. “We knew we had to throw you both off somehow. You’re far too suspicious for your own good.”

  I couldn’t deny that. Gabby gave me sly grin and hugged Jason. “Guess who knew both of you were getting the question popped? This girl.” She pointed her thumbs at her chest and Jason picked up Katie and walked over so she could give me a hug and look at my ring.

  “Pretty,” Katie said, before resting her head back on Jason’s chest.

  My night couldn’t have turned out anymore magical. I was with the man I loved with all my heart and family and friends who would do anything for me, and I had a sneaking suspicion I might be an aunt soon. Or I could be fiercely wrong. Only time would tell.

  But one inarguable fact was that I was deeply in love with Aaron Sullivan, and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

  Note from Karice:

  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read the Beyond Love Series. I hope you’ve fallen in love with the characters as much as I have. I’m excited to announce the Island County Series, debuting in 2015.

  The first book in the series will follow Mason Rhodes as he finds love in an unexpected place. I’m absolutely thrilled about linking these two series together and starting off the first book with Brandy’s single brother is a dream. For more information, be sure to join my mailing list.

  And don’t forget to follow Lily and Ayden as they head down the aisle in Beyond Promise, but nothing is as it seems…

  AVAILABLE 2015

  Beyond Promise

  and

  Beyond the Mistletoe

  And the Island County Series featuring Mason Rhodes from the Beyond Love Series.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Hidden Sins

  Croissant French Toast

  6 eggs

  2 tbl honey

  1/3c milk

  1 tbl vanilla

  1 tsp cinnamon

  butter for frying

  5 croissants

  Whisk together eggs, honey, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Slice croissants in half. Melt butter in skillet on low. Dip each side of croissant in prepared liquid and place as many slices as will fit in the skillet. Cook for about four minutes (until golden brown) and flip and cook on low until warmed through center.

  Ham Strata

  9 eggs, whisked

  3 c milk

  1 c ham, cubed

  1 onion, chopped

  1/2 pkg frozen spinach, chopped

  1 tsp salt

  2 tsp pepper

  4 tbl butter

  2 c cheddar

  1 loaf of French bread, cubed

  Sauté onions in 2 tbl butter until golden. Add spinach, salt, and pepper and cook for five minutes on medium heat and remove from burner.

  Coat casserole dish in remaining butter and layer bottom of dish with 1/3 of cubed bread and ham. Pour 1/3 of egg and milk mixture of bread, sprinkle with cheese and repeat until all ingredients are gone.

  Cover and re
frigerate overnight. Allow strata to sit out for twenty minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook strata, uncovered, for 40 – 50 minutes (until it’s golden brown).

  Prologue

  Hannah

  “Have you found her yet?” The male voice cut through my soul as I peered down from the hayloft. It was Miles, the father of the man I was supposed to marry. It was an arranged marriage. One that I couldn’t accept, but I never would’ve guessed that his father was involved in this. Then again, for the first twenty years of my life, living here had seemed like an amazing gift, not a horrific nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. I steadied my breathing to ensure I wasn’t heard as I watched the two men below me. I needed to stay in control. I had planned too long to fail now.

  “No. It looks like she took off. Maybe two days ago. She left most of her belongings behind, but I’d say enough was missing to indicate that she’s on the run. Her mother went through the house to confirm that there were items missing,” the younger man said. There was something about his voice that was familiar, and I tried to focus on his features, but I couldn’t place him, which was odd. The community I grew up in wasn’t huge, but it was large enough that people could blend in somewhat. I guess a face could be missed here or there.

  “She knows too much, Eric,” Miles said, rubbing his temples.

  Eric! I knew an Eric in high school, but we were told he’d left the community. Obviously not.

  “Just like her sister,” Eric responded. I saw a trace of a smile touch his lips as he shook his head. “But we took care of that problem, and we’ll take care of this one.”

  What about my sister? I’d been told she left the community, ran away. My stomach turned into itself as I thought about my family. Did they know what was going on here? Was my mom actually concerned about my safety or only helping to lead them to me?