Across Eternity

By Aris Whittier

Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that tells of a love that transcends time. Logan Richards is blessed. His intellect is unparalleled and perhaps responsible for his rare gift of remembering things—things not just from this lifetime. This has given him a vast intellect and a wealth of knowledge, but it has also left him with a deep sense of loneliness. He has always been searching for the one person who can truly understand him, the one person who can share his memories and his dreams.

One day, Logan meets Amber Lewis, a waitress who works at a five-star restaurant in Dana Point, California. Amber is also searching for something, something to give her life meaning after the death of her sister. When she meets Logan, she feels an immediate connection to him, a feeling of familiarity that she cannot explain.

Fate has brought them together, but will their growing love prove strong enough to resist the forces that could pull them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aris Whittier
• Release date: Apr 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781463655273

Book preview

Prologue

Logan Richards gripped the steering wheel tightly as he slammed on the brake and came to a jolting halt in the middle of the busy street. Chest tight, breath abated, his heart leaped while he frantically tried to organize his thoughts as he watched the woman move down the crowded sidewalk. Craning his head, Logan followed her closely as she moved in between people—disappearing and reappearing—it would be devastating if he lost track of her amongst the crowd.

Where was she going? Logan thought frantically. His pulse raced wildly as he lost sight of her momentarily. And then after a few seconds, he released his breath in a ragged sigh of relief as he watched her walk into The Pavilion. It’s her, he whispered to himself. It’s really her.

He had waited for this moment his entire life.

Chapter One

Logan Richards sat quietly in the five-star restaurant enjoying the elegant, outdoor terrace. The weather was perfect, just as it always was in the beautiful coastal city of Dana Point, California. He looked over his shoulder and stared wistfully into the waning darkness as the cool wind pushed its way across the sea. If he had been just an hour earlier, he would have been able to see the sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean all the way out to Catalina Island. The harbor would have still been humming with sailors, anglers, paddle boarders, and tourists. As dusk settled, almost everyone had moved on to other things.

The table, where he sat, was the same as the dozen or more that surrounded him. Crisp, snow-white, tablecloths cascaded to the floor—dancing in the salty breeze. If he chose to eat which he doubted he would, dinner would be served on white china with a fine gold rim. The tableware was heavy silver. The stemware was a delicate crystal.

Small, copper lights shaped like lanterns dangled overhead. The flicker of candlelight, centered on every table, lit the terrace with just enough of a warm glow to create an intimate ambiance. The large, stone fireplace, which was directly across from him, would add to the cozy atmosphere during the cool winter months.

As Logan sipped the glass of iced, lemon water his eyes moved across the room and fell upon a lovely, young waitress. She was wearing black slacks and a perfectly pressed long-sleeved white, button-down shirt—just like the other waitresses. Her hair was chin-length, jet-black, and cut rather sassy. Tiny wisps randomly shooting out in different directions gave her not only a mischievous appearance but a very sexy one, too. When she moved about, gold hoop earrings caught the light. Her figure was slender and flared into perfect curves at her hips. Her frame was of medium build and he put her at five-foot-seven.

Logan leaned back in the chair, relaxing as he enjoyed the soothing music that drifted from speakers, which were hidden in a purple flowering vine that grew neatly around the veranda. Their sweet aroma clung to the cool evening. Casually, his eyes followed the enchanting woman before him.

Logan’s gaze moved with her, never leaving her, as she worked the floor. She moved with ease and confidence and she did her job well, he noted. She was cleverly efficient as she bounced between four different tables with a total of eighteen patrons. She never missed a beat as she went down the lengthy list of wines, the specials of the day, and the ordering and serving of the food.

He had been told, by others at the restaurant that her trademark with the customers was her smile and he could see why. It was wide and inviting and she was generous with it. It didn’t hurt that her lips were full and amazingly shaped either.

However, Logan found her natural allure more appealing than just her notorious grin. She drew you in with so much more. Her vibrant blue eyes, with unusually dark rims and thick lashes, held kindness and deep emotion. Her incredible laugh, which caused her eyes to crease at the corners, instantly brought you pleasure. Her warm, casual disposition made you feel appreciated and accepted. She was magnetic in the most earnest way. It wasn’t one thing that was the root of all her incredible allure, he decided, it was a mix of many. He eagerly waited for the moment when he’d personally get to experience it all.

Just watching her took him back to earlier childhood times when he had initially begun to see her. Around age three he saw her for the very first time. He had been playing in the sandbox in his backyard, his parents working in the garden near him, when she had appeared right beside him. Even though it had been the first time he’d seen her, he remembered feeling like he’d been waiting for her for a long time. He had been so happy that she was there he had offered her his favorite dump truck.

Logan shifted in his chair as he stared out into the dark ocean as he remembered their first encounter. In faded denim overalls, she had scooted through the sand to sit next to him. Thank you, she had said as she looked up at him through long blond curls, her green eyes staring deeply into his. He had known she was special the moment he had seen her, and it wasn’t just because his mom and dad couldn’t see her, it was because she was his.

He saw her like this for years, blond with green eyes. She grew as he grew, and they played and talked for hours every day over the years. However, things changed when he had been around ten years old. It was a day he would never forget. While sitting in a large oak tree, reading a book, she appeared on the limb next to him. He was happy to see her. He was always happy to see her.

Where have you been, he asked curiously. He had come to the tree, looking for her—waiting for her— because it had been hours since he had last seen her. They were never apart for that long.

Around, she said with a teasing smile. What are you reading?

He flipped the book over so she could see the title. The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, he said.

I wish I had time to stay and hear about it—

"What do you mean you wish you had time to stay?" She had always had the time to be with him. More often than not they were together. And besides he always told her about the stories he read. They shared everything.

We’re not going to be able to meet like this anymore, she said with a forlorn expression. Her eyes were averted as she stared at the ground sadly.

He had known this day would come. He had felt it. Besides, for the last few months, she hadn’t come around as much, so he had known something was happening—changes were being made. But he knew he wasn’t going to lose his best friend forever. He could never really lose her. They could only be separated for a little while. You’re coming here, aren’t you? You’re going to be born, he said with excitement. It’s what he had been waiting for.

She nodded.

Why do you look sad, he asked as he moved next to her.

Because I don’t want to leave you.

You’re not really leaving because you’re coming here, he pointed out logically. We’ll be together on this side—both of us at the same time. It will be great.

It’s not that easy.

What do you mean? he asked curiously.

She shook her head as she pushed a long lock of hair from her eyes. Logan you know that you’re special, right?

"I know that we’re special."

You’re special, she said. You see me and remember me but that’s not how it usually works.

What do you mean that’s not how it usually works? I remember you every time—all the time. You are all I remember.

You see me right now because you’re special, she explained. You remember me because you’re special. But we’re not supposed to remember each other, and we’re not supposed to remember when we go back. She looked at him as her eyes filled with tears. I won’t be special like you. I won’t remember any of this when I’m born. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. I won’t remember you because no one remembers when they go back.

For a long time, Logan was very quiet.

We won’t be together because I won’t know who you are, and you won’t know who I am.

I will find you, he said confidently.

She shook her head.

Yes, I will.

How will you know it’s me?

I’ll know. Even at his young age, he knew that souls never really changed just the physical body did. Trust me, I’ll know you the second I see you.

His statement caused her to smile slightly. And if I don’t remember it’s you?

I will help you remember.

You promise?

I promise. He was quiet for a moment and then he said, I’m going to miss you.

I’ll miss you too.

I’m going to spend every day of my life looking for you, he vowed.

She smiled and then looked over her shoulder glancing about as if she didn’t want her next words to be overheard by some unseen entity. I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I want you to know because I think it will bring you comfort.

What is it?

You’ll dream of me. They keep talking about dreams. For some reason, they are going to help you.

Confusion moved over Logan’s face. You know it’s hard for me to sleep.

She nodded. I know.

And when I do, I never dream. He shook his head. I can’t remember ever dreaming of you.

I don’t understand either, but I’ve overheard people talking on this side and that’s what they’ve said. My time is coming soon so I have to go, she said quickly. Remember your promise.

She was gone.

Logan blinked twice and realized his gaze had moved from the dark ocean and back to the beautiful waitress. To him, she looked younger than her twenty-seven years. Perhaps, it was the sweet innocence, which radiated from her that produced her youthful look. Or maybe it was the way he felt inside as he watched her that made her appear so full of life. She bewitched him and yet they had never even exchanged a single word. As far as he knew, the young waitress didn’t have a clue he even existed. He found that very ironic considering he’d always known she was somewhere out there.

He smiled to himself as he watched her serve an order of food. She pointed several times to the menu, nodded at a question, and then gently laughed at the customer's comment. In this lifetime she was a blue-eyed black-haired beauty. He’d always wondered what she would look like in this life. Now he knew.

Logan sucked in a deep breath because in just a few more seconds she would be finished and when she turned, she would be staring directly at him. The first look between them would tell him all he needed to know.

To say that he’d looked forward to this moment was an understatement. He had anticipated it his entire life. He ran his hands across the tablecloth, the movement unsteady and very much out of character for him. There wasn’t time to consider the sudden nervous tension because everything stopped and became calm again the moment she turned. His eyes sought hers and when they locked on the piercing blue, he immediately knew she felt what he felt—a connection. It was so strong that it couldn’t be denied.

There was no doubt in his mind that the impact of their connection had reached her because, for a very brief moment, she paused and just stared. It was a knowing stare and during the short lull her smile slowly faded and her expression turned acute. She became entirely fixated on him in the mere seconds their eyes had met.

Logan watched his raven-haired waitress quickly excuse herself from the group of people—a lovely smile, a friendly bow. Her sway was swift, but casual as she guided herself through the maze of tables and people. As she drew closer, he knew that she was the one. There could be no other. The energy that was building between them could not be wrong. When the time was right, he would be completely honest with her. And she would understand. He knew she would.

En route to him, a gentleman put his hand out to stop her. Logan liked the fact that before she gave the patron her undivided attention, she held his stare for several seconds. He smiled at her, the understanding smile of a man who didn’t mind the interruption, and then nodded slowly. He was in no hurry.

He wouldn’t mind dragging this out. It was sweet torture. He’d watched her before, but at those times she’d never seen him. He hadn’t wanted her to. But now that she was looking at him, intrigued by him, he felt in utter awe of her. Even more so than the first time he’d seen her. Logan had never been taken by anyone, prolonging it would only add to it. Still gazing in her direction, a hidden smile moved his lips as she turned, established eye contact, and then started toward him.

"Welcome to The Pavilion. How are you this evening?" she asked as she stopped near his table.

Logan sucked on a piece of ice as he listened to her voice for the first time. It was as captivating as she was. That lovely voice had lulled him, seduced him, and given him hope. It was amazing to hear it for real and in person. He set his water down and smiled gently. I’m well. He found her eyes. And you?

I’m well as well. Her grin widened to a full smile. Thank you for asking.

He heard the tone in her voice change slightly. You thank me like not many people ask you how you’re doing.

Not many do, she said seriously. And those that ask are never sincere. She looked away shyly and then said, There was sincerity when you asked.

He watched her as she regarded him, eyes narrowed, a serious expression etched into the delicate features of her face. This was the closest he’d ever been to her. Of course, he knew close proximity would only magnify the pull he felt toward her, but he never imagined it would be this strong. The distance between them was nearly intolerable. He needed her close to him.

What he needed was to touch her, but it was much too soon for that. He resisted leaning in closer.

Do I know you? she asked curiously.

Logan wanted to say of course you know me, but he knew that wasn’t what she meant so he shook his head as he tried to censor all the emotions he was experiencing. I don’t believe we’ve met.

I feel like we have. Her voice was a soft whisper as she stared intently at him.

He enjoyed the way her eyes roamed over him as he spoke. Having her stare at him so keenly was nothing new for she had looked at him like that many times before. First when he was a child and then in his dreams when he was older, but none of those times compared to now. He watched her closely as her gaze moved across his face, taking in each feature as if it would tell her something about him. Her stare was astonishingly intense, consequently, he felt like she was touching him not just looking at him. The contact, even though it wasn’t physical, was glorious. It seemed almost impossible to imagine what it would feel like to hold her.

You seem very familiar to me.

I understand the feeling.

Do you?

He nodded. His heart leaped at the way she was visually eating him up.

But you’re not a regular here, she added as she moved to the other side of the table, stepping out of the path of a gentleman walking by. I would have remembered you.

No. I don’t eat here often.

For a split second, she turned her head and then looked over her shoulder and scanned the crowded patio. I noticed you’ve been here for a while. I apologize. She looked back at him. It’s normally not this busy on a weeknight.

It pleased him to know that in a crowd of people, she had noticed him. Yes, it does seem busy.

I think there was a charity golf tournament in town or something. She shook her head and looked embarrassed, And I’m normally not this scattered brain. I’m sorry for that too.

An apology isn’t necessary.

She smiled at him and then eyed the three empty seats. Will someone be joining you this evening?

No, it’s just me tonight, he said.

Rachael is supposed to be your waitress, but it looks like she has disappeared. Again, she looked around, leaning a little so she could see through the large glass windows into the main dining area. Glancing back at him she said, I’ll have to do for the time being.

I think you’ll do.

She arched a brow. Good, we hate to inconvenience our customers.

Rachael disappearing is hardly an inconvenience. He looked about the room, a slow, lingering gaze before his eyes settled back on her. I like to think of it as a stroke of good fortune.

Fortune? she repeated with a smile and a soft laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that one before. She reached for her pen and pad which was tucked in a black apron that neatly hugged her hips. Would you like to hear the specials?

Logan shook his head. No, that’s fine.

A man that knows what he wants. I like that. What can I get you?

Nothing.

She looked up surprisingly. When you looked my way, I assumed you wanted something. I thought you were ready to order. With the back of her hand, she pushed a strand of hair from her eyes and blinked.

I do want something, he agreed as he drew in a breath of salty air.

She lifted her pad poising her pen on the white paper. And what might that be?

Logan could tell she was trying to hide her smile. She knew good and well she wouldn’t be writing anything. I want you to join me. He gestured with his hand to the chair across from him. Please, sit.

That’s very kind of you but it’s not possible.

Anything’s possible. Logan pointed out reasonably.

Not that.

Really? he questioned.

Her hair danced as she nodded. Really.

Logan already knew her name. In fact, he knew almost everything there was to know about her. However, he allowed his eyes to drop to the name badge just above her breast before he spoke. Why can’t you join me, he looked up. Amber?

Chapter Two

Amber Lewis tapped her pen against the tablet as she tried very hard not to grin. He was casual, not at all stuffy, like most of the men who dined here. His flirting wasn’t insulting or discourteous. Instead, it was underplayed and rather effective she thought.

She knew the dangers of flirting with customers, so she decided to end it. But she would have a little fun as she did. I could come up with a long list of reasons why I can’t join you, but I don’t have the time, so I’ll state the most obvious— she puckered her lips and then spoke. I might get fired.

With his finger, he wiped lazily at the condensation on his glass. Fired? We wouldn’t want that to happen.

She shook her head in agreement. No, we wouldn’t. I think the bill collectors and my landlord would be very disappointed if I lost this job. She lifted the pad again. Would you like a cocktail or something else to drink while you decide what you’re going to order?

No, the water is fine.

An appetizer?

I’ll pass.

You’re making this very hard on me.

I could say the same about you. I love your smile. He stared at her lips. Or rather, I love the smile that you’re trying to hide.

That’s very kind of you but that could also get me fired.

Or a very big tip, he said truthfully.

She had no choice but to laugh. He was simply charming.

I knew I’d be able to make you laugh.

It sounds like you’ve been planning it.

I have. From the moment I saw you. He watched her. What if I could guarantee that you won’t get fired?

Though I like your confidence I don’t think that’s possible.

Remember, anything is possible. He lifted his water and sipped. Looking over the rim he asked, Would you agree to join me if there were no repercussions for doing so?

She was quiet for a moment and then with mock seriousness she said, There are always repercussions.

He shook his head. Not always.

She pulled in her bottom lip in an attempt to hide her amusement. She was having way too much fun with him. She couldn’t seem to resist his calm, deep voice, his casual debonair attitude, and his good looks. Maybe it was because she simply didn’t want to. Looking back into his eyes she realized that she had no control over the attraction. It was there and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Not that she had any inclination to. She was positive she knew him from somewhere...perhaps a long time ago. But from where she couldn’t remember.

You know, when you bite your lip like that all the pleasure you’re trying to hide escapes to your eyes.

Does it? She would add smooth to his list of irresistible qualities, not like he needed any more of them. But she noted it nonetheless.

He raised his shoulders. Just an observation.

And what else have you observed? She knew the question was shameless, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. This man was like no other. At some point and time, he’d have to lose his cool—no man was this suave...

I could come up with a long list if I had time, but I’ll state the most obvious— he puckered his lips just as she had when she’d spoken the line to him. You’re breathtaking.

She could only stare at him. He wasn’t just saying it, he meant it. The innocent flirting was still there but it was shadowed by how serious he was. He meant that she was taking his breath away. The notion startled her.

He smiled as he

Reviews for Across Eternity

[pprothro · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I don’t know whether to blame the author, a copyeditor, or whatever process converts a print book into Kindle, but this book was so filled with grammatical errors that it was almost unreadable. There were dozens of instances of wrong words (sensor for censor, hallow for hollow, defiantly for definitely, lay for lie), dangling participles (“stuffed and barely able to move, the pancakes . . .”), apostrophes that appeared where they should not (didn’t’) or disappeared where they should be (my moms welcome), run-on sentences, and incomplete sentences. Most prevalent was the misuse of commas, which often appeared where they shouldn’t (the long, coffee table) or disappeared where they should have been, particularly to separate the clauses in compound sentences.

[mom2lnb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Across Eternity is a bittersweet love story about star-crossed soul mates who have spent many lifetimes together. After our intrepid hero spends his entire thirty-seven years searching the globe for his one true love, they finally reunite only to have this lifetime cut short. I've never read a love story centering around the idea of reincarnation, and I found it to be a unique and interesting premise. I really enjoyed the deep connection that Logan and Amber share, and can very much relate to a relationship which transcends the physical, crossing over into the intellectual and spiritual. I feel that I have that in my own marriage, and believe those relationships are the best and most fulfilling that life has to offer. I couldn't help but love all the deeply romantic moments that the author created between this couple: Their first night together on the beach, their first kiss, lunch at the English Tea Room, watching the sunset at Logan's quiet spot, and Logan's proposal, to name a few. They were all brimming with sweetness and intimacy. I also love how Logan and Amber's conversations take on a teasing tone as they get to know each other. Everything simply came together to create a truly romantic atmosphere and give the sense that this couple was definitely connected in a way that cannot be explained through the natural world.Logan is an absolute charmer and a persistent one at that. Without the reincarnation element, his initial pursuit of Amber might have seemed a bit stalkerish, and her willingness to go to his house after only knowing him for one day would have been weird too. However, Logan never behaved as anything other than a perfect and chivalrous gentleman. In fact, he held back his desires for a long time, out of consideration for her feelings and wanting her to remember their past lives together, even when Amber was making it abundantly clear that she wanted to take their relationship to the next level. I loved that Logan was an absolute genius, yet was extremely humble about his intelligence and accomplishments. I also adored that he was an avid reader, and the man's library was positively to die for. Logan was a great family man too. The scenes with him, his mother, sister and nephew were just brimming with love and humor. Logan was quite simply a sweet, gentle, loving, giving and all-around amazing man which is part of why this story broke my heart into a million pieces.Amber is a waitress who is struggling both financially and with the meaning of life itself when Logan “rides to her rescue.” The only real family she had was her sister, Heather, who taught her a lot about both living and dying. I could really relate to Amber's fears and her admiration for Heather for her lack of it, as well as Amber's feelings of not quite knowing where she belongs in the world. I liked that Amber was open-minded enough to believe Logan when he told her that they had spent past lives together, even though she couldn't remember the way he did and initially only had a gut feeling that she'd met him before. She does go back and forth quite a bit between getting upset and getting over it. At first, this was a little troubling and I wished that the author had explained her feelings a bit more in depth. Later though, I fully understood that she was wrestling with a sense of denial and not wanting to let go of the love she had just found. Ultimately, Amber was every bit as loving and generous as Logan even though it tore her heart out to give him that part of herself.Across Eternity was certainly a poignant love story, but as with many self-published works I've read, it tended to get bogged down by editing and technical issues. I found numerous small errors such as typos, misspelled/incorrect/missing words, run-on sentences, etc. In some places, the dialog was just about perfect for conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the scene, but in others, it seemed to drag, with a lot of words being spoken but not a lot being said. I also felt that the narrative in general could have benefited from a bit more detail, and the prose could have been much richer and more varied. As is, the composition had a rather amateurish feel to it, in my opinion. However, I have to give the author extra points for drawing me into this couple's journey and really taking me through all the emotional highs and lows that they experienced throughout the story. In the end, even knowing that they will eventually find each other again, I was still torn up inside, and although it didn't exactly feel good, it was still quite beautiful. I have to give Ms. Whittier credit for making me feel that way and for making me care so much about her characters. As long as the reader isn't bothered by a lot of composition errors, I would recommend Across Eternity to anyone who enjoys a good tear-jerker. Now, I have to go find an HEA romance to heal my poor, wounded heart.:-)Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[mcelhra · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Across Eternity is the story of Amber Lewis, a twenty-something waitress. One night she waits on Logan Richards, a wealthy, successful and smart thirty-seven year old man. Over the course of twenty-fours they fall madly in love. Logan seems familiar to Amber and he's desperate to get her to remember why.I think this book had a good plot outline for the most part, it just needed a lot more story and character development. There was too much telling me the story instead of showing me the story. I didn't feel any chemistry between Logan and Amber and most of their dialogue seemed stilted and awkward. Consequently, I didn't care that much how things ended up between them.In reading other reviews on LibraryThing and Amazon, it appears I'm in the minority in not liking this book so feel free to poke around on those sites and see what others are saying.

[macygma · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What if you only had one love for all of your lives? What if you keep meeting again and again during each reincarnation from Roman times to present? How would you react? How would you explain it to the other person who is completely innocent of it all?Across Eternity answers these questions and more. Logan Richards met Amber when he was three and she had yet to be born this time around. She was his waitress and they felt an immediate “knowing” that they kinda sorta knew each other. But they had never met in this lifetime. Logan knows everything about Amber and she has little knowledge of him. She doesn’t even know he owns the restaurant!A chance meeting turns into a time of revealing. Amber doesn’t really know if she should play along with Logan or not but, after several weeks together; she comes full circle and understands it all. But does she make this discovery in time? Excellent writing, splendid characters and beautiful descriptions of the world. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to rereading it with more knowledge than I had the first time around.

[valcas-701461 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book in a couple of days: this is a story of love at first sight, where love is so beautiful and perfect it can't be true. In the first part of the book, there are so many details of this so nice love that it makes the story a bit slow. But there is this mystery about past lives that is intriguing and makes us want to know more! And finally the last part hooked me, was pretty strong and made me cry...

[campmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Across Eternity is a Librarything review. It is a sweet love story that follows Lucas and Amber through timeLucas promised to find Amber from a previous lifetime. His love is so strong that he will never find happiness or be complete withouther. He finds her as a waitress and recognizes her immediately. This is an unusual love story that touches your heart. I enjoyed this book and will read more from this author