A Journey by Chance Read Online Free Page A

tradition continued during and after their college years, and they seldom missed.
    Lauren threw her a smile as she turned a corner. “Aaron’s tied up tonight, but he’ll be at Aunt Lottie’s birthday party tomorrow.”
    A year ago Lauren had re-met Aaron Thompson when he returned to Valley Oaks to take over the practice of the local doctor. He had been a few years ahead of Lauren in school. As teens their paths hadn’t romantically crossed, but when the physician met the high school’s band teacher, it was love at first sight for both of them.
    Gina reached over and squeezed her arm. “I am so happy for you.”
    â€œI feel like I’m going to burst! I don’t see how I can keep this up for four more weeks.”
    â€œYou could elope.” Gina gazed out the window and noticed they were already beyond the town limits. They sped along the highway, past rolling fields of corn planted in rows so neatly they looked like colorful pages of typed words. The sun was low on the horizon, and the short green stalks glistened in the streams of light against the black earth. “That’s a beautiful sight. How do they make the rows so straight?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know,” her cousin grinned at her, “but Brady could tell you. I heard you met him this morning.”
    â€œUnbelievable! How did you hear that already?”
    Lauren giggled. “News gets around fast in this town. You’ll get used to it. So what’d you think?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, what’d I think? Was I supposed to think something?”
    â€œOh, I thought you might be impressed with his looks. Or how friendly he is, or just how homespun he is in spite of the fact that he is our most—”
    â€œWealthy, eligible bachelor. I know. Aunt Lottie told me.”
    â€œNot bachelor. Well, he is that, too, but I was going to say our most famous author. Actually, he’s our only author.”
    â€œAuthor? Aunt Lottie said he farms with his dad.”
    â€œShe doesn’t catch everything these days.”
    Remembering the lunch-in-the-cellar conversation with their great-aunt, Gina laughed. “You won’t believe what she does catch. She mentioned he looks good in a white T-shirt.”
    Lauren joined in the laughter. “Isn’t she a stitch? Anyway, he does farm, but he also writes these awesome Christian books. So what did you think of him in a white T-shirt?”
    She moaned. “Tell me you are not playing Cupid.”
    â€œHe is going to look terrific in a white tuxedo with his dark blond hair.” Her cousin glanced at her. “You told me Steve is old news, right?”
    â€œMm-hmm. You are playing Cupid. I suppose you’ve paired me with this Brady for the bridesmaid-groomsman thing.”
    â€œIt was a perfect match, Gina! Aaron and I put our best friends together and my sister and his brother. You and Brady were the only two favorite cousins. He and Aaron are the same age, 32, and were good friends growing up.” Lauren threw her a smile. “And you will look so good together. You’re both tall—”
    â€œI’m not that tall.”
    â€œYeah, but you’re the tallest in the bunch, perfect for his 6'4". And his tanned face with the white tux and your eyes with the chartreuse dress…” Lauren sighed.
    Gina rolled her eyes. The details of a wedding. “We didn’t hit it off too well, but I suppose I could be nice to him for your sake.”
    â€œYou’re not pining over Steve, are you?”
    â€œNo, not in the least. That relationship never could have gone anywhere. It just fizzled out. Having the boss as my significant other was not a smart move on my part.”
    â€œBut you had so much in common, since you’re both veterinarians.”
    â€œI’m sure that was part of the initial attraction. But when things got complicated at work—” She bit her lip to stop herself from