Beyond Chance (21 page)

“Seriously?” I asked.

He nodded.

“It’s about time.”

“You be sure and tell him that,” Aaron
joked.

“I will.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“I can’t believe we’re sitting in France
with you getting ready for a show that most artists would kill for,
and you’re hanging up your welder’s hat the moment it ends.” I
grinned, and he tackled me onto the bed, pinning me down. “I knew
things felt off about this trip.”

He leaned over me and kissed my lips softly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to hear.”

“I’ve learned my lesson,” he murmured,
rolling off me.

“You promise?” I asked, turning on my side
to face him.

“Absolutely. No more secretly commiserating
with myself. You get to share in all that misery too.” He grinned,
and I felt like I was riding a high.

“So you haven’t spoken with Elizabeth since
you and I talked about it?” I asked.

“No. I should probably meet with her and
explain things.”

I nodded. “It kills me to say it, but it’s
the right thing to do.”

“I’d like you to come with me when I meet
with her.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“It’s the only way. I’ve been thinking a lot
about what you said in the park, and I never meant to lead her on,
but that must be what I’ve been doing all this time. I didn’t pick
up on it because I didn’t see her like that. I never intended to
hurt you, and it never occurred to me that sometimes what I would
say to her, I should’ve been telling you.”

I nodded and slid my hand to his. “To hear
you say that makes my world seem right again. It’s been eating me
up and having Tracy regurgitate what you must have told Elizabeth
killed me.”

Aaron’s eyes darkened and his face paled.
“What did you say?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, realizing I
didn’t even know what slipped out.

“About Tracy. What aren’t you telling me?”
There was no hiding the anger in Aaron’s voice as his stare
intensified.

I drew in a deep breath and fell against the
bed, covering my eyes with my arm. “It’s no big deal.”

“It sounds like a very big deal, Brandy, and
I don’t understand why you’re not telling me.”

“Because I don’t want you to do something
you might regret.”

“Why don’t you let me worry about that? Now
tell me what’s been going on.”

I turned on my side again and steadied my
gaze on Aaron’s.

“Tracy told me that the bond between you and
Elizabeth is unbreakable.” The first admission felt like the
biggest weight had been lifted as I removed my arm and watched him
carefully.

“She did, did she?” His brow arched.

I nodded. “I told her I wasn’t concerned,
and she implied I really ought to be. I tried to be as polite as
possible, but I told her I didn’t think it was her business, and I
wasn’t worried about you and Elizabeth.”

The anger was building behind Aaron’s gaze
as he shook his head.

“She brought up you giving up China and how
I held you back from what you wanted to do, and at least I didn’t
do that with Paris.”

“You know that’s not true, don’t you?”
Aaron’s voice was urgent.

“I think so, but I have to confess it placed
doubt, and that’s why I’ve probably been so sensitive about you and
Elizabeth. This last week hasn’t been the greatest. I’ve been more
in shock that you talked to Elizabeth about those things in the
first place, but I didn’t want to bring it up.”

Aaron looked absolutely horrified as I
proceeded to fill him in on the other pleasantries Tracy managed to
sling my way.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he questioned.

“I didn’t and still don’t want to ruin what
you’ve got going at the gallery. I can handle a woman like that. I
didn’t really think they existed, but I’m confident in what we
have. I’m not going to let some strange woman break us apart. I had
put on my big girl panties and was going to wait it out. It’s only
two more weeks before the show.”

Aaron groaned and pulled me into him. “Don’t
ever keep things in like that again. I’m sick about it. Disgusted.
I can’t believe Elizabeth would have a friend like that, but it
makes me question her judgment of character and many other
things.”

“The whole thing felt like a scene out of
the
Twilight Zone
,” I confessed.

“I can imagine. When did this even happen?”
he asked.

“When she came to visit you, not last time
but the time before. Anyway, I think it’s safe to say that she
doesn’t care for me.”

Aaron started laughing, and I buried my head
against his chest.

“Anyone who doesn’t like you is suspect in
my book, and I’m tempted to pull out of the show.”

My head jerked back, and I shook my head.
“You don’t want to do that. Your sister and everyone will be here
to see it. Aren’t your dad and Carla coming?”

He shrugged. “I think I do want to pull out.
I don’t want to be associated with anyone like that. And yes he
might be. Depends on his schedule, but believe me they’d understand
and would enjoy the trip anyway.”

“It was pure schoolgirl antics. I think we
should move on and make it look like it didn’t bother us one way or
the other.”

“I’m not sure I agree.”

“I have to say it took me aback, but once
she left, and I managed not to knock her out, I felt completely
empowered. You know how I had a sudden interest in law again?”

Sitting up, he nodded.

“It was because of this situation. I was so
infuriated; somehow things just realigned in my head.”

“Your feistiness had seemed to take a
hiatus…” his voice trailed off.

I grabbed a pillow and slammed it over his
head. “Well, it’s back now, and I say we follow through with the
exhibit and show how we’re the better people in all this.”

Aaron tackled me, and I couldn’t help
giggling as he tickled me and I smacked him with more pillows.

“We’re way more refined than those guys,” I
chuckled, gasping for breath. “We’ll show them how it’s done.”

“Will we now?” Aaron hovered his mouth over
mine, and I raked my fingers through his hair, pulling his lips to
mine.

France was starting to redeem itself.

Aaron had finished assembling two sculptures
and had a surprise planned for our afternoon. He told me to meet
him at the stables and that was where I was headed. I was dressed
in jeans and a t-shirt, and I hoped that would be okay. The pathway
wound along a large herb garden near the back of the house. About a
hundred feet in front of me, the stables were nestled in between
some trees. I hadn’t seen him all morning and I missed him. It felt
like things were back on track, and I couldn’t wait to spend some
quality time with him in France. After our confessional last night,
we were ravished and ate every single item the chef had cooked. The
dessert should have lasted several nights, but we managed to polish
it off too. I could still taste the buttery crumbly crust of the
salted caramel mouse.

I saw some movement behind one of the trees
and my heart rate increased. I couldn’t wait to see what he had
arranged.

“I’m here.” I hopped over to Aaron, and he
spun around, holding two champagne glasses.

“Yes. You. Are.” He kissed me, and his lips
lingered, making me rethink whatever he had planned. Spending the
day in the bedroom sounded just as perfect.

“For you.” He handed me one of the glasses,
and I took a sip as I scanned the area, looking for any clues.

“So what have you been up to out here?” I
asked.

“I thought we could go riding and have
lunch. You said you used to ride when you were growing up.” He
smiled.

“You remembered?”

“Of course.”

Completely exhilarated at the thought of
getting to ride this afternoon, I sipped the last of the champagne.
He took the glass and set it down on a wrought iron table right
behind him. I spotted several bags with prepared meats and cheeses
and fruits that he’d been stuffing into a sack.

“Geoff, an equerry for the stables, will be
riding with us for the first hour,” Aaron said. “If we want him to
stay with us he will or whatever. I wasn’t sure what your comfort
level would be.”

As he spoke, it hadn’t even hit me. I hadn’t
been on a horse since my bike accident. I had no idea how my body
would respond; how the muscles would react after such trauma. My
stomach twisted in disappointment as my mind wandered to yet
another thing that was forever changed, thanks to Derek.

Derek. Good old Derek.

I’d been so preoccupied since we arrived at
the villa that I hadn’t even checked to see if we had wireless. I
knew I should be finding out what was going on with the trial, but
part of me didn’t want to know.

“You okay?” Aaron asked, touching my chin
softly.

“Sorry. I spaced. I’ve been trying to forget
about the trial and it popped in my head again.”

“That’s completely understandable. You heard
anything more?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I forgot to ask you about
wireless. I haven’t been able to get any phone reception since we
got here. The messages I told you about must have come over on our
way here.”

“I can hook it up right now if you want to
see what happened while we were sleeping. Geoff won’t mind
waiting.”

I reached for Aaron’s hand and squeezed it.
“I don’t want to know. We can check later, after I enjoy our day
together. No good can come of it.”

“You sure?”

“Completely. It’s like what? Three in the
morning there?” I asked.

“Something like that.”

“Yeah, so if I see something that upsets me,
I don’t want to wake my poor mom up. I’ll wait. By the time we get
back to the villa this evening, the trial will be underway, and I
can see if she has any new news.”

Aaron looked like he wasn’t sure that was
the best idea, but as I pushed him toward the stables, he got the
message.

“We need this,” I told him as excitement
pounded through my veins.

It had been so long since I’d ridden, I
couldn’t wait to get on a horse. They were such kind and caring
animals. I’d always wanted one as a little girl, but it wasn’t
exactly in our budget so I rode my friends’ horses, or my parents
would rent a horse by the hour for lessons.

A gentleman in his mid-fifties walked out of
the stable and gave a quick wave to Aaron before turning his
attention to me.

“Vous êtes magnifique,” Geoff exclaimed,
taking my hand and kissing it. I had no idea what he said but hoped
it was good. It sounded like something was magnificent. I just
didn’t know what in particular.

“Merci,” I replied, glancing over at Aaron
who was beaming.

Geoff led us into the stable and handed us
each a helmet. I fastened it on tightly and followed Geoff to the
first stall where a beautiful palomino stood. She was caramel
colored, and her flowing white mane was gorgeous. She looked like
the perfect size for me, around fourteen hands.

“Son nom est Sasha,” Geoff said, opening the
gate and leading her out by her reins.

“Sasha,” I repeated, as he walked her in
front of me. “Beautiful name for a beautiful horse.”

He tied her up in front of me and walked
over to grab a saddle. I glanced at Aaron and he was watching me as
I rubbed Sasha’s neck.

“C’est magnifique.” Geoff winked and put her
saddle on.

I nodded and continued to run my hands along
her neck. She loved the attention, and I was falling in love with
her. Sasha’s doe eyes were so expressive, and I knew our connection
went both ways.

Geoff finished securing the saddle and
walked over to another stall and opened the gate, bringing out a
beautiful chestnut colored horse.

“French Trotter,” Geoff said, and I couldn’t
help but laugh.

Of course he spoke English.

“He’s beautiful,” I said, looking over at
Aaron.

“He is,” Geoff agreed.

Sasha snorted as if to remind me that she
was standing in earshot, and I quickly turned my attention back to
her. I was certain they could understand what we were talking
about, and she didn’t like the fact that my affections were so
easily swayed.

“You’re just as beautiful, Sasha,” I
whispered.

Sasha moved her head up and down in
agreement, apparently feeling immensely better at my admission.

“His name is Bob,” Geoff said, bringing
Aaron’s horse in front of me.

“Bob?” I asked, shocked.

Geoff broke into laughter and shook his
head. “No. His name is Bruno.”

I smiled and glanced at Aaron who was
watching Geoff tease me. “Bruno is more fitting, considering.”

Aaron’s horse neighed as Geoff put the
saddle on and Aaron’s brows shot up. Aaron looked a little on edge,
and I thought it was kind of cute. There were very few things in
life that made Aaron nervous, and I think we just found one. Geoff
caught Aaron’s expression and grinned as he fastened the
buckles.