The Random Acts of Cupid (Christian Romance) (14 page)

A man was standing outside the door.

Elise hesitantly approached, nervously fingering the ticket in her hand. “I . . . um . . . was supposed to come . . .”

“You must be Elise Hutchins,” the man said with a smile. “Right this way, miss. We’ve been expecting you.”

The man escorted her to the elevator and even pushed the button for the observation deck. “Enjoy your time,” he said with a smile and a wave as the elevator doors shut.

Elise’s heart was pounding so furiously that it felt as if she couldn’t take a deep breath. She closed her eyes, trying to relax as the elevator ascended. She really didn’t want to ruin everything by hyperventilating or passing out.

The doors opened onto the empty observation deck. Elise cautiously stepped out, scanning the entire area. But it appeared as if it was completely deserted. Not knowing what to do, Elise walked over to the large windows fronting the circumference of the deck. Her breath caught. Seattle was lit up like a Christmas tree, each beautiful spark winking up at her. As she slowly walked around, she could almost imagine she was flying over the city.

But what was most spectacular was the silence. She was completely alone. Seeing such beauty in utter quiet and knowing that all the lights below represented thousands of people living their lives, created an experience that was both exquisite and profound.

A voice finally broke the stillness. “Miss Hutchins?”

Elise turned to find a man dressed in what looked like a waiter’s attire and holding a vase of lovely red roses.

“These flowers are for you.”

As soon as Elise reached out and accepted the flowers, the man turned and left, disappearing back in the direction of the elevator.

In amongst the flowers, a small envelope stood at attention. Elise carefully extracted the card from its case. She turned it over, looking at both the front and back in confusion. It was blank.

“Those are from me,” a deep voice said.

Elise’s gaze shot up, meeting Ryan’s smiling face and twinkling eyes. He walked toward her. Reaching out, he gently took the blank card from her fingers. Then he took out a pen from his jacket pocket. After writing on the card, he handed it back to Elise.

“I didn’t want there to be any doubt that I signed it myself,” he said with a smile.

Elise looked at the card. It very clearly had the words, ‘To, Elise. From, Ryan Jenkins.’

“Why . . . How did you arrange all this?” Elise said, gesturing to include the flowers and everything around them.

“Well, I did get some matchmaking tips from observing the best, but I also called in a few favors for the logistics. The restaurant is officially closed like everything else, but I have also arranged for a private, late-night dinner there whenever we’re ready. As to why . . .”

Ryan took the vase from Elise and set it on the floor. Then he took both her hands in his, and making sure he had her full attention, he spoke. “I know you already said we couldn’t be together, but considering the new developments with Britney, I’m hoping to change your mind. I was completely wrong about you. You have more character, more heart, and more integrity than any woman I’ve ever met. You should have told me you didn’t send the flowers. I behaved terribly to you and said all-manner of awful things judging your morals and conviction. But you went through all that and took all the blame in order to protect your friend. I am so sorry for wrongfully judging you.

“I have no words to describe how much I respect and admire your loyalty toward both Britney and what you see as your calling. You’re right; you help people. Whatever tools you use to create a matchmaking scenario are obviously well thought-out, prayed about, and ultimately desired by those involved. Everyone wants to be deceived if it results in the potential to fall in love.

“So . . . I’m new at being a matchmaker, but I thought Cupid needed her own set-up. Elise Hutchins, I’m willing to try any and all methods for even a chance with you.”

“You’re a little late, you know,” Elise said with a smile. “The most romantic day of the year is supposed to be Valentine’s Day, and that was yesterday.

“I know. But I’m willing to present a good case in my defense.”

“Oh, really,” Elise said, raising an eyebrow in an expression of curiosity.

“Yes, just give me 364 days and I’m sure I can fully convince you to be my Valentine.”

Elise laughed

Ryan’s teasing gaze turned serious. Elise watched in fascination as his hazel eyes darkened to brown.

“Elise,” he whispered as his hands slid up her arms and drew her close. Holding one of her hands in his and curling the other around her back, he swung her into a slow waltz. They danced around the entire circular room, gliding over a 360 degree view of Seattle below. The lights of the city twirled through her vision as she spun, but the one constant was Ryan.

Elise looked up, his face mere inches from her own. Their connection was so intense their dance unconsciously slowed and finally stopped.

“Have you no idea what you’ve done?” Ryan asked softly. “You have lured me into Cupid’s world, struck me with one of your arrows, and brought me under your spell. You now hold me completely mesmerized.”

He slowly, gently bent his head, meeting her lips with his. Elise’s heart ached as she savored the beauty of the moment. It was just the two of them, alone in the world, high above Seattle’s skyline. He held her like she’d always dreamed of being held, and kissed her like she’d never dared to dream. His kiss was a long, gentle caress, but with an ever-building passion beneath the surface. She was sure she would never breathe again, and wasn’t sure if she wanted to.

Finally, his lips released hers, separating only a few inches while he continued to hold her close.

“So, what’s your ruling, Cupid? Will you at least give me a chance to present my case?”

Elise smiled, stood on her tiptoes, and lightly brushed a kiss on his lips. “Ryan, feel free to practice any of your future matchmaking schemes on me, and I can pretend to take a long time deliberating a verdict. But the truth is, I think you already won the case with your opening argument.”

Ryan smiled in pure delight and pulled her close in another breath-taking kiss.

And with that, Cupid had made her match.

Time for my confession. As with many of my books, “The Random Acts of Cupid” has a kernel of truth. When I was in high school, my friends and I took turns playing practical jokes on each other as birthday “gifts.” Yes, I did receive lacy panties in Art class. And yes, I did take part in sending one of my best friends flowers signed with the name of the boy she liked. And, worst of all, yes, she did thank him before I had a chance to tell her the truth.

Unfortunately, that’s where the truth in this story ends. Things did not turn out nearly so romantic for my friend, and I have never in my life attempted matchmaking. Thankfully, there were no lasting effects from my poorly executed joke. My friend quickly forgave me and went on to be my roommate in college. She remains one of my best friends today.

And don’t worry, she got her revenge. I think sending me a letter from a rather notorious magazine requesting my modeling services was payment enough, especially when that letter was delivered in English class and passed around to every other student before I got to see it.

Have you ever done something that, even years later, causes you to cringe in embarrassment at the memory? This is one of those experiences for me.

I’ve heard it said that nothing bad ever happens to a writer, it’s all just material. While reliving the vivid memory of this experience, my imagination got to turning, thinking . . . what if it had turned out well? Thus, the idea for this book was born.

Now that I have completed my humiliation by confessing to all of you, I would also like to include a reminder. At the time, I wanted to bury my head in the sand and pretend I had never, even inadvertently, done something so shameful. Little did I know that God would be able to use that bad experience as fodder for me to write this book. You see, I don’t think it’s just authors. If you’re letting God have it all, even you at your absolute worst, then it’s all just material in His hands.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Other books by Amanda Tru:

YESTERDAY series:

Yesterday

The Locket

Today
(Coming Soon)

The Choice
(Coming Soon)

TRU EXCEPTIONS series:

Baggage Claim

Mirage

Point of Origin

Christian Romance:

Secret Santa

You can find Amanda Tru on Facebook or at her blog!

http://www.facebook.com/amandatru.author

http://amandatru.blogspot.com

Please continue reading . . .

Yesterday

A Christian Romantic Suspense/Time Travel Romance

Book 1

Chapter 1

Red flashed against the bright white of the snow.

I slammed on the brakes. The SUV skidded toward the guardrail.

My heart seemed to stop. I couldn't breathe. My body felt suspended as the mountainous terrain whirled across my vision. I braced for impact. Unexpectedly, the vehicle lurched as the tires found traction and came to a sudden stop

I sucked in air. My eyes frantically searched the heavy snowfall.

What had I seen?

Was it human?

Had I hit something?

The Sierra mountains were shrouded in the stillness of the winter storm, silent and revealing no secrets. Had I just imagined something dart in front of me?

I caught a glimpse of a fist out of the corner of my eye. I jumped. A strangled scream escaped my throat as the fist started hammering on my window. Heart thumping, I peered beyond the relentless pounding to see the outline of a woman in a red parka. She was screaming, but I couldn't understand her words.