Forever Not Always: Shattered Not Broken

By Elisa Allison Sproule

Rachel and best friend Leisa arrive at the airport to pick up the love of Rachel’s life her husband, Lawrence. As Rachel watches from the glass door into the control room she suddenly realizes there is a problem with landing. Following the accident Lawrence’s best friend Matthew commits to stand by Rachel. Soon it is more than Rachel’s hand Matthew is wishing to hold. When the two leave for a short trip and return married. Heads turn, along with Rachel’s accounts. Rachel struggles for the future as she holds the past in her heart. Realizing dreams do not always come true. Daughter Leigh worries that her mother is in love, but also in danger. Attorney Franklin moves to protect Rachel and the family company. A meeting is called and all eyes are on the arrest of Matthew. When a beautiful coworker Sheree enters the room with an envelope that holds damaging information, everyone gasps as Rachel is arrested. Franklin runs to Rachel’s rescue. A shocked Rachel seeks for answers to her many questions. Returning to her old home place in Atlanta Rachel finds more than memories. Proving that often we must step back to move forward. While the wages of sin rage anger that seeks to destroy her, Rachel finds that her life is more important than anger. Someone follows Rachel and his presence feels familiar. Secrets are exposed, bringing power and suspense that unleash a jaw dropping twist that no plans could have prepared. Proving that what is in the past, does not always stay there.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664291614

Elisa Allison Sproule

ELISA ALLISON SPROULE is a writer and the author of “Forever Not Always”, “The Wages Of Sin” and “Toxic Vows”. Elisa began writing through her own grief of the loss of her husband Clifford Allison. Elisa learned that her faith was stronger than she thought and God was closer than ever. Elisa is a mother, grandmother and wife. She holds trophies and titles with competitive body builder being one of them. Elisa laughs when asked about adding actress to her titles when recently filming with John Travolta. Elisa speaks to womens groups and podcasts encouraging self wellness during tough and difficult times. Teaching that loss and betrayal are disastrous , but they do not have to destroy. Elisa’s travels have taken her as far as Australia and New Zealand. Elisa writes daily with a novel, several children’s books and daily devotionals on the horizon. Elisa is an executive writer for her company, EarthScripts Publishing. Whether Elisa is working from home, the lake or the beach, she enjoys nature, writing, photography, painting and studying God’s word.

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Copyright © 2023 Elisa Allison Sproule.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9162-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9163-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9161-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023902293

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/4/2023

True love lasts forever. It consists of perfection and resilience to the illusion that life is unbreakable. Until our dream is interrupted, we are lost in the nightmare of the absence of someone or something that we can no longer hold. Purpose is not always visible. Our faith and hope are challenged. Never has life been more fragile, but we have never been stronger. Through gut-wrenching pain, we stand, knowing that love never leaves us. In this place, God is no longer our best friend—He is our life support.

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A s Rachel

and her best friend Leisa entered into the airport parking lot, the windshield wipers worked fiercely to clear the view. The flags near the entrance slapped in the wind.

Rachel, where did this intense weather come from?

Welcome to LA… where things change rapidly! Rachel entered the code to open the gate. The security guard welcomed Rachel from the intercom.

Good day, Mrs. Vector. I hear Mr. Vector is returning home today.

Hello Glenn. Mr. Vector and crew should be near. I noticed Rachel’s fingers tap anxiously on the steering wheel as we waited for the large gates to open.

I spoke with Mr. Connor following his flight yesterday. It sounds like a beautiful building they are designing, said the tall guard from his small office.

Yes, it is nice, Rachel responded. Glenn was a kind man and a diligent worker who had been responsible for opening and closing the private gate for fifteen years.

Finally! Rachel responded as the gates opened slowly. Have a good day, Glenn!

You as well, Mrs. Vector. Rachel drove into the parking space with excitement, and yet she was concerned.

I will feel better when their wheels are down, and I can see his face. Leisa, I have not heard from Lawrence since last night. He usually calls me before leaving. Wheels down of course meant the plane had landed and the wheels were on the asphalt. I knew something was bothering her. As a Bestie I did my best to encourage.

All is fine Rach; you and Lawrence are nauseatingly perfect.

Well, you will meet your prince one day, Rachel kindly predicted.

You know I do not want a prince. I want a king!

Rachel quickly looked down at her watch as I opened the door to the lobby of the private section of the airport. It was home to the company’s private plane when it was not being used. We walked toward the young woman sitting behind the receptionist desk located at the back of the lobby. Good day, Carlyn! Have you heard from our guys?

Good day, Mrs. Vector. They should be arriving at any moment, responded Carlyn.

Lawrence Vector, the owner of EA Enterprises, his two company project managers, and two pilots were onboard.

The rain is very heavy, which may slow their arrival time, Mrs. Vector.

Thank you, Carlyn. Leisa, I am going to the restroom to dry off.

Yes dear, I smiled. But Rachel did not smile back at me. It had something to do with the mention of the heavy rain.

Landing was Rachel’s favorite part of flying, and she was especially eager for Lawrence to land after his long trip. Lawrence was an adventurous engineer, and his vacation travel had turned into a future business acquisition. Plans to extend the company were always in the back of Lawrence’s mind. The beautiful resort area would be a wonderful place to work. Lawrence and Rachel were excited about the new addition to the company. Lawrence had spent a lot of time out of town lately working on the project. With the completion of the project, Rachel now awaited Lawrence’s arrival home. Rachel enjoyed coming in and watching the control group bring the love of her life back home to her.

The glass-enclosed room was down the hall from the receptionist’s office near the restrooms. Rachel smiled at the two workers sitting in the control room. Walking into the restroom, Rachel closed the door behind her. Suddenly one of the controllers jumped to his feet.

What the—where did it go? Did you see that? It was like it just disappeared out of nowhere!

Two- four-nine Bravo Alfa, can you copy? Two-four-nine Bravo Alfa, can you copy me please? the controller yelled. The calmness inside the control center suddenly changed. It was obvious there was a problem. I walked closer, and curiously I stood in the hall as I waited on Rachel.

Two-four-nine Bravo Alfa, terrible winds—we are in trouble! responded the pilot.

We copy that, two-four-nine Bravo Alfa! answered the controller.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! We just lost engine one. Mayday! the pilot yelled.

Rachel dried her hands and walked toward the control room. She looked to the men working with their equipment and immediately noticed concern in their expressions.

Two- Four-Nine Bravo Alfa, we copy that. Prepare for landing on runway seven, the controller responded. One of the control workers noticed Rachel approaching the room.

Lock that door! Runway seven! TWO- FOUR-NINE Bravo Alfa, can you copy?

The controller received no answer. Rachel could see the radar screen and large letters reading MAYDAY! Rachel pounded on the glass door. I ran to Rachel’s side. There was desperation in the air traffic controllers face’s as they sat helplessly.

Two- four-nine Bravo Alfa, can you hear me? The emergency phone rings as one of the men answers, Confirmation, sir. Smoke is on the ground. It is TWO-FOUR-NINE Bravo Alfa!

He took off his headset, dropped his head, and looked at the floor.

Rachel stared through the glass at the screen. Tears flowed down her face. She slowly slid to the floor, crying, as her hands gripped the door handle. I sat on the floor and held Rachel. In that moment, Rachel’s life had changed forever. Rachel and Lawrence had their goals and dreams, but plans can instantly change to become memories. The miraculous thing about memories is that they carry the power to change our lives, and they travel with us wherever we journey.

I remember that day that I watched as Rachel’s heart melted. Lawrence’s best friend and right-hand man, Matthew Connor immediately ran to Rachel’s side the moment he got word that the plane had gone down. Matthew has been close to Rachel since that day. Matthew Connor had served Lawrence as his financial advisor and had been the best man in Lawrence and Rachel’s wedding. Matthew felt that he was the best man to fill in for Lawrence at work—and at home.

Rachel seemed to find it fitting that Matthew be a part of every transaction for the company. Lawrence had chosen Matthew to run the company at every level. Lawrence had trusted Matthew from banking aspects to choosing locations for the next building that the company would build.

Heads turned when Matthew proposed to Rachel—and even more so when Rachel accepted Matthew’s proposal. Within two years of the plane accident, Rachel and Matthew were married. As Rachel’s bestie, I worried about Rachel. I did then—and I do now.

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T he sun beamed down on the sand, providing a blanket of warmth. The breeze from the ocean swept across gently and had a soothing comfort. This place is calm yet strong, loud yet tranquil. For a moment, in a busy world, there is peace. A place of pure rejuvenation for every fiber of my being. I closed my eyes, and I meditated with an expectation that all my needs will be supplied. The patio of 1228 Ocean View—with the sand and view was our happy place.

This beach home had been built way before our vision of moving to the coast. Rachel and I had dreamed of one day having matching beach houses next door to each other. Just like our tree houses growing up beside each other in Atlanta, Georgia. Well, that was then, and this is now. Rachel lives here, but I have yet to build my beach house, but I am working on that. I work at the main office in Atlanta, and Rachel works in Los Angeles. Her home is minutes away from the beautiful Pacific.

While living here in this perfect place may sound so great for Rachel, the fact is that nothing had ever been easy for my best friend. Rachel seemed to have fought for everything she had in life, but life had fought back. The love of her life was Lawrence Vector, an Atlanta businessman with a personality that lit up any room he walked into. Rachel and Lawrence were obsessively in love. Do you know the fairy-tale kind? Well, I hope you have experienced that type of love. Lawrence had once placed his lips to Rachel’s lips and asked her to inhale and then exhale. That way, they would ‘breathe the same breath forever.’ Cheesy? No! Just romantic. The sudden accident had terrorized Rachel. A memorial at the site of his plane crash brought the only closure Rachel would find with the loss of Lawrence.

No one else knew, but every year, on the date of the crash, Rachel and her grief would fly to the town that Lawrence and his coworkers had visited and worked in. The investigation of the accident was inconclusive. The pilot’s voices were the last to be heard.

This was the first year Rachel had not returned to the island to search for any sign of Lawrence. After five years, Rachel had finally accepted that Lawrence was never returning home. Told you! Nothing is easy for Rachel. A female Humpy Dumpty, Rachel fell—and she fell hard. I was there to help pick up the pieces and put her back together. That is what best friends are for, right? Yes, however, I have my own broken pieces. I have always been too busy helping Rachel with picking up her broken pieces, which has left little time for me to pay attention to myself. Rachel has her faith and I do also. I just lose mine occasionally, but do we not all at times?

While I grieve with Rachel and for her—as messed up as it sounds, there was something about my bestie that I silently admired. She had it all. I mean her father’s multimillion-dollar company that she and Lawrence had turned into a multibillion-dollar business known as EA

Enterprises. The company was named after Rachel’s mother, Elisabeth Annette, and the business had fallen into Rachel’s lap at her father’s death. Even in grief, there was a certain resilience that surrounded Rachel. As for me, I made myself available for her. Best friends often lose themselves when helping their besties feel good about themselves, but that is what makes friends best, right? No, not always. The water pounds the shore, exercising its strength. Oh, the sound! How I wish I could take this sound and relaxation back home to Atlanta! But we have our shores and slipping to Tybee Island is always a favorite.

Rachel’s spoiled self-lives here. We travel back and forth to see each other on a regular basis. Rachel and I had worked together at the main office of EA Enterprises in Atlanta. It was Matthew’s idea to expand the business to the West Coast and open a new office in Los Angeles, but Rachel wanted to stay in Atlanta. Rachel eventually gave in and now calls Malibu home.

Could you hand me the sunscreen please? Rachel asked.

Yes, dear. I took the sunscreen and gave it to her. Well, it has been thirty minutes, so I need to reapply also!

Leisa, do you think that the old tree houses still exist?

The tree houses behind the house on the old property back home? I have no idea.

We should take a walk in the woods and look for them someday, said Rachel.

The woods have grown so much, Rach.

I am serious. We should do that, Leisa. Rachel lay down her slim five-foot-seven frame in her lounge chair. She was always so cute, like a little puppy everyone wanted to pet. Did I just call my bestie a dog? Yes, I did. As for myself, I could gain weight breathing. I admired Rachel and her resilience. She has fought so many battles. When Rachel gets knocked down, she has no problem getting back up—or so it appears.

Rachel and Lawrence have a daughter, Leigh, and she works in banking. A chip off the old shoulder of her father and her mother, Leigh feels the need to help others solve their problems. That is what money does sometimes. It either builds or destroys. Take Matthew, Rachel’s husband—I wish someone would! Lawrence had positioned Matthew as president of the company right before the last flight. While Rachel owned the business, Matthew ran the business as his own. Matthew also took care of Rachel and her every need. For this, Matthew became Rachel’s knight in shining armor. Rachel had been drawn to Matthew following the death of Lawrence. Providing security and comfort for Rachel, Matthew consumed Rachel.

Matthew and Rachel surprised everyone when they escaped for a couple of days to rest and came home married. Rachel phoned her daughter Leigh from Las Vegas. When Rachel informed her daughter that she had married Matthew, Leigh hung up the phone. Heads turned—and so did Rachel’s accounts. Was it love? Rachel had loved and been loved, and now she just needed someone to be there.

I am going to get some ice for drinks. Need anything Leisa? asked Rachel. Hello?

Yes, ice would be great! Thank you, Rachel. I just want to lay here and relax.

It is a beautiful day to enjoy, said Rachel as she. returned with a fresh cup of ice. Leisa, I wish you did not have to fly back next week.

I would not go back if I did not have to, Rach, but work is necessary.

Well, you could transfer here.

You are tempting me, Rachel.

I am trying to do just that, Rachel smiled.

This is not a good time to move, Rach. I have bills, art classes, and more bills, but someday.

I have something for you Leisa. Then Rachel stretched out her arms and in each hand,