Unexpected Chance (24 page)

My body was molded by soft leather; it almost felt like suede. My
cushion dipped, and I felt Chance’s hand rest on my knee. Surprisingly, I
didn’t make him move it. I missed being with a man; Alex had done that to me.

“Chance, look, I—”

“Let me say something first.” His voice sounded almost desperate,
so I nodded. “Ever since I met you, all I’ve wanted to do is be with you. You
make me laugh and see things in a way I never thought I could. You appreciate
life even though yours took a sharp turn that you didn’t see coming. You are
the most positive person, even when you could be negative. I am falling for you,
and I want to be with you here in Paris, New York, or wherever we may end up.
Life is too short; I think you know that better than most. I don’t want ‘what
ifs.’ I want you.”

He was squeezing my right hand with his left and his other was
still on my knee, but his thumb was moving back and forth. It soothed me.

He cleared his throat. “You’re the best friend I have too, and I
can’t lose you, so if you still want me to go to New York with you, I will on
one condition.”

I wanted him to come with me so badly. I didn’t care what anyone
thought about it either. People might be stunned that I’d found a man that I was
compatible with, someone who I felt as if I’d known forever, who makes me happy
and who I was falling for. He helped me put my heart back together and I didn’t
even know it. Did I still love Alex? Yes, and I suppose I always would, but
Chance found a new place in my heart. He wouldn’t completely occupy the place
in my heart that Alex owned, but I would make room for him.

I nervously replied, “Okay, what’s your one condition?”

He pulled me up with the hand that was holding mine, making my
knee a little jealous. He tilted my head up with his forefinger and thumb.

“Dance with me.”

I heard the stereo’s volume increase. He must have had a remote
control for it.

A slow song started playing. Memories filled my brain and broke
my heart. I immediately thought of Alex; he’d put this song on my tablet. My
heart sunk and then began to race at the memory. Why did something always bring
me back to him? I’d try to move on and then bam! I’d get blindsided again. I closed
my eyes to absorb the present, not the past.

I could feel Chance’s hand on the small of my back. I loved
dancing. I hadn’t danced since I lost my sight, since Alex. I was apprehensive,
but if I wanted to move on, this was something I had to do.

He pulled me close, which was good since I was on shaky legs. I
was nervous. I felt an odd connection to him. He led me to what seemed like an
open space. I could see shadows, but I didn’t have depth perception, so I
didn’t know how much room we had.

He must have sensed my apprehension. “I’ve got you. You won’t
bang into anything. I moved the coffee table out of the way. We have an open
space.”

That voice . . .

We moved to the beat of the song, but it was coming to an end and
another immediately started. My breath hitched and my head spun as I heard
Frank Sinatra singing “The Way You Look Tonight.” I couldn’t feel my legs, but
Chance continued to guide me and glide me through half of the song.
What is
going on?
I could feel my breathing change, and my chest ached at the
memories that were flooding my brain.

He whispered in my ear, “I have something for you.”

That voice . . .

“You do?” My heart raced.

“Yes, I do.” He let go of my right hand, and I felt something
cool on my right wrist. He kissed the palm of my hand and let go of it. We
stopped moving.

I touched my wrist.

I couldn’t breathe.

My bracelet, my beautiful orchid bracelet . . .

My heart raced.

How? I looked up, still not seeing anyone, not even a shadow.

My breath hitched, and I found it hard to speak.

I staggered back.

Tears fell. It can’t be.

“Alex?”

“Yes.”

Alex and Aubrey’s story will continue in Unbroken
Chance coming early 2014.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, to my husband Dave and my wonderful sons,
Nick and Zack, I love you. Thank you for putting up with me while I tucked
myself away to write my first novel. I could not have done this without you
guys. Your love, encouragement, and support carry me on and give me the
strength to take on new challenges and smile while doing it.

A very special thank you to Vina Platania and Heather Ford—you
two ladies were the first to take on the task of calming my nerves, reading and
re-reading, even before there was an actual book to read. You were my sounding
boards more times than I can remember. Your patience was unwavering, and I
appreciate you more than any words could express. Thank you for putting up with
my many versions, questions, and ideas. Most of all, thank you for your
confidence in me. I will never forget it.

To Michele Alphonse, Dina Baird-Berberoglu, Tonya Knox, Rhonda
Eades Erwin, and author Emma Grayson, who agreed to be my beta readers, I can’t
thank you enough. Your feedback and comments were incredibly helpful. Thank you
for putting up with my numerous IMs and phone calls. I’m sure I drove you nuts,
and I appreciate your putting up with me.

To Barbi Garcia, Vicky Critchley, and Jeffrey Eichenlaub, thank
you for your support and encouragement. You are amazing friends—the best! I am
very blessed to have you in my life. You always have my back, and I will
forever have yours. I love you!

This has been a new experience for me, and I couldn’t have done
it without inspiration, encouragement, and feedback, especially from authors
Gail McHugh, Emmy Montes, Madeline Sheehan, and Emma Grayson. Your words made
me want to take this chance, and talking to you gave me the courage to do so.
You all took the time to help someone you didn’t know by answering questions,
giving advice, and just being available. “Thank you” doesn’t seem like enough,
but it will have to suffice. You are amazing women who write amazing stories,
and I feel blessed that you were there for me.

Emmy Montes, thank you for letting Chance read
Disastrous
to Aubrey. She loved it!
J

To all the bloggers, thank you for everything that you do for
authors and readers.

Special thanks to my editor,
Theresa
Wegand
. Thank you for your direction, kind words, and feedback. You took a
newbie and gave her confidence. Your skills made me a better writer. I have thoroughly
enjoyed working with you.

To Meredith Blair at Author's Angels, thank you for an amazing
cover. It was a pleasure working with you! You totally rocked it!

About the Author

Originally from Rochester, New York, Joanne Schwehm now lives
in Northern Virginia with her husband, Dave, her two teenage boys, Nick and
Zack, and her cute Bichon, Torre, who is aptly nicknamed “Mommy’s White Shadow.”
It’s a good thing Torre only barks or she could give away many secrets!

Joanne loves spending time with her family and friends. She
enjoys meeting new people, traveling, relaxing on a beach, and shopping . . . especially
for shoes. She has a bit of a fetish.

She is an avid sports fan and loves the New York Yankees and
the Dallas Cowboys. She also enjoys playing and watching golf.

By day, she works as a technical writer, and by night, she
reads and writes about all things romantic.

Joanne loves to hear from her readers. You
can contact her at the following:

Facebook:
Joanne
Schwehm-Author

Email:
[email protected]

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JSchwehmBooks

Website:
www.joanneschwehmbooks.com