Fates' Destiny (10 page)

Luke could honestly say he wasn’t nervous but he could tell she was. From the moment she sat down in his car she hadn’t lifted her eyes from her hands that were in her lap.

He glanced over at her as they drove down her street and laughed under his breath when he seen her twisting her purse strap in her hands.

“How was your night?” He asked in an attempt to get her to relax.

“Fine.” She answered with a glance in his direction. “And yours?”

“Fine.”
  He answered having to struggle to keep his eyes on the road and not her. “What did you do?”

“Went to bed.”
She answered. “I was so exhausted after what happened I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.”

He smiled as he imagined her curled up in her bed sleeping peacefully.

“Oh,” Her voice broke him out of his pleasant thoughts. “And I talked to Destiny. She let me go because your brother showed up.”

“He told me.”

“Really?” Now he had her full attention. “What did he say?”

“In short,
he apologized and begged her to come back to work for him.”

“And knowing Destiny she didn’t turn him down.”

Luke shook his head. “He helped her move back in last night.”

She turned her attention back to her hands. “I can’t believe she went back after what he said to her.”

“She seems to understand him. My brother is drowning in his misery but he told me last night that she makes him want to be a better man for his children.”

“Destiny will do that to a person.” She laughed. “She’s always had a way to make people feel better about
themselves. Take me for example. It’s no secret I’m shy and severely insecure but she doesn’t let me beat myself up. She tells me everyday how beautiful and strong and funny and wonderful I am. She doesn’t let me put myself down.”

“You are beautiful.” He flashed
her a smile and absolutely loved the red that colored her cheeks.

“Thank you.” Then she continued on with the conversation. “Destiny’s good for your brother and his family. If they’re as broken as I think they are she’s the right person to fix them.”

“Now that I believe.”

~              ~              ~

Kenna had to admit Luke wasn’t like any other man she’d ever met. Not only was he sweet and charming but smart and funny too. She laughed all through breakfast at the stories he told of him and his brother growing up.

She admired the way he spoke so fondly of his parents, especially his mother.

In conclusion her first date with a man she barely knew went better than she’d ever expected.

As he turned into the driveway of his brother’s home he glanced at her.

“I had fun.”

She smiled. “I did too.”

“I have to go to Miami for a couple of days on business. Maybe when I get back we could do this again. But dinner this time.”

She surprised herself when she agreed without hesitation.

“Awesome.” He said as he stopped the car next to hers.

After he put it in park he got out, walked to her side, and opened the door.

“Are you going to go talk to Destiny before you leave?” He asked as he closed the door.

“No.” As it was she was barely going to make it to work on time. “I’ll call her on my way to work and let her know I got my car.”

“Well,” He lifted her hand but stopped just before he pressed his lips to her knuckles. “Until I return Kenna.” And then he kissed her hand.

“Be safe.” She told him as she opened her car door.

“I will. Call you when I land.”

She giggled. “Ok.”

And with that she got into her car and followed him down the driveway, already anxious to see him again.

The day passed by quietly and Destiny found herself extremely bored. So bored in fact that she was counting down the hours before everyone got home.

H
er time wasn’t wasted, though. In the hours she was alone she’d unpacked, talked to her mom on the phone, and read a little.

She was in the kitchen searching for something for dinner when she heard Anna’s excited voice.

“Destiny!”

“In here!” Destiny yelled back.

Anna came bouncing into the kitchen. “Hey.” She ran to Destiny and wrapped her arms around her leg. “I want to show you all the pictures I drew today.”

“Ok Sweetheart.”

Destiny gave up her search and followed Anna to the table. She watched as Anna dug out a short stack of papers from her backpack and sat them in front of her. She was in the process of showing them off when Adam’s voice came from the living room.

“Destiny!”

Destiny rose from her seat next to Anna
and made her way out of the kitchen.

The moment she laid eyes on him
she knew he’d had a bad day. Tension tightened his handsome face. His hair was disheveled as if he’d run his fingers through it over and over.

“Is everything ok?” She asked in concern.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry but something very important came up. I’m going to be in my office for a while tonight.”

“Oh.” Well that sucks. “Ok. Well, is it ok if I order pizza for dinner?”

One of his dark brows rose in question. “Don’t know how to cook Destiny?” The humor in his voice eased her concern for him but not her disappointment he wouldn’t be hanging out with them tonight.

“No, I know how to cook. Just can’t think of anything to cook.”

A deep chuckle vibrated from his chest. “Pizza will be fine.” He reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and slid one of his credit cards out.

“
Here.” He held it out to her.

“Thank you.” She took it with a smile. “I’ll bring you a slice when it gets here.”

“That will be fine.” He turned to head for his office but stopped and turned back to her. “Thank you for understanding Destiny.”

“Hey!” She shrugged. “Your company is in jeopardy. I know how important that is
.”

He shot her another smile before he disappeared behind the door.

~
              ~              ~

Pizza arrived and Anna seemed the most excited. After fixing them all a plate Destiny took a couple of slices and a soda to Adam’s office. He was so focused on his computer he didn’t even acknowledge her.

Once she was settled at the table she noticed two things: Ali’s twitch had become
more of a tremble and Jason seemed troubled.

He s
at there with his head resting on his propped hand, picking at the pepperoni and cheese on his pizza.

“Jason, is everything ok?”

He glanced up at her without lifting his head and without a word turned his attention back to his pizza.

Huh. Destiny’s brow furrowed. No disrespectful retort. No death glare. Something had this kid upset and she was determined to find out what it was.

“I may be able to help.” She urged.

“It’s nothing.” He mumbled and
stabbed his finger into his pizza as if it had done something to him.

Ok. Let’s try another angle. “Girls, do you guys know what’s wrong with Jason?”

“He can’t catch a ball.” Ali snorted and Jason’s head snapped up.

“Shut up Ali.” He growled.

Destiny’s brow drew together once again. “You can’t catch a baseball?”

When Jason didn’t respond Ali answered for him.

“He’s scared of the ball. His coach told him today that if he couldn’t get over his fear then he won’t be able to play in the game next week.”

Destiny nodded. She understood being afraid of a ball. After all, she’d gone through the same thing when she played softball as a kid.

Without a word Jason shoved his chair back, stood up, and started for the archway.

“Wait Jason!”

Destiny stood up and chased him into the living room.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He told her as he continued to the stairs.

“Ok. I just want you to know that I went through the same thing and I may be able to help.”

He froze on the bottom step and turned back to her, curiosity etching his young face. “You were afraid to catch a ball too?”

She nodded, happy she got his attention. “I was terrified it would hit me in the head and kill me.”

“Me too.”
He stepped off the stair. “I’ve tried to get over it but I just can’t.”

Her smile widened. “Come on.” She motioned with her hand. “Grab your equipment.”

“Why? Where are we going?”

“The backyard so I can show you there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

~
              ~              ~

“Ok Jason,”

Once out in the backyard
Jason retrieved his glove and a ball from his bag. Destiny took the ball and now they both stood facing each other, a few feet apart.

Darkness had started
to fall but thankfully the lights around the back of the house kept the area bright enough.

“Let’s start with this. I’m going to throw the ball in the air and I want you to catch it.”

Jason nodded, uncertainty in his dark eyes.

She tossed the ball up and had to keep from laughing when she seen him holding the back of his glove against his face, shielding him
self from the ball. The ball dropped right in front of him.

“Ok.” She scooped the ball up. “Let’s try this again but this time watch the ball until its close enough for you to know where it’s going. Then put your glove under it.”

She tossed the ball up again and again he shielded himself. The ball dropped at his side and rolled to his foot.

“See Destiny.” He slid off his glove and threw it on the ground in frustration. “I told myself not to take my eye off the ball but the second it went in the air I panicked.”

She sighed as she picked up the ball. How could she get him to understand that the ball isn’t going to hurt him…too bad? Then inspiration struck. The same way her brother got her to understand.

“Ok Jason. We’re going to try something different?”

Confusion pinched his brow as she laid the ball in his hand and took a couple of steps back.

“Now,” She spread her arms. “I want you to throw the ball at me.”

His dark eyes rounded. “Are you serious?”

She nodded with a smile. She knew the idea sounded ridiculous but it was the only way she could prove to him that a hit from a baseball wasn’t going to kill him.

He hesitated
.

“Jason, you’re not going to hurt me.” She assured him. She was certain of it.

Again he hesitated and then tossed the ball gently in her direction. The ball barely grazed her thigh.

“Seriously Jason?”
She scooped the ball up and walked to him. “Don’t hold back.” She told him as she handed him the ball.

“But I don’t want to hurt you.” He argued and she shook her head. “You’re not going to hurt me. Now,” She backed up and spread her arms again. “Take your best shot.”

“Ok.” He said with uncertainty, pulled back, and turned the ball loose.

The second the ball slammed into her ribs just below her breast she regretted her teaching method. The bone shattering pain shot through her ribs and every molecule of breath she had in her lungs whooshed out.

She doubled over, her legs wobbly, and wrapped her arms around her waist. She could feel the pain induced tears burning her eyes but she fought them back. She didn’t want him to see her cry. It was bad enough he saw her like this.

“Destiny!”
All three children screamed and ran to her.

Anna was the first one she saw. The little girl ducked under her and stared up at her.

“You ok?”

“Yes.” Destiny panted, trying desperately to regain her breath. “I’ll be fine. It just knocked the wind out of me.”

“I’m so sorry.” She felt Jason’s hand on her back. “Let’s get you inside.”

Destiny shook her head. She still had a point to prove. She took a deep breath and forced herself to straighten.
The pain was so intense her knees wanted to buckle but she wouldn’t let them. She locked her knees in place and forced a smile.

“See Jason.
It didn’t kill me. Now,” She held out her hand for the ball and he placed it in her waiting hand. “I want you to swallow your fear and catch this ball.”

He nodded and she took a deep breath, fought through the pain, and tossed the ball upward. It didn’t go as high as before but it went high enough.

Jason forcibly kept his glove from his face and watched as the ball closed in on him. Once it was close enough he held his glove up and…

“I caught it!” His wide eyes looked from the ball in his glove to her and for the first time since she’s met him she saw him smile. Not
a smirk. Not a grin. A smile of pure excitement.

“I caught it Destiny!”

“I see that.” Destiny laughed but winced when a flash of pain went through her ribs.

“I caught it.” He continued in excited disbelief. “Look,” He showed his glove to his sisters. “I caught it. Can you believe it?” Anna laughed and even Ali had a hint of a smile.

“Oh Destiny.” Jason turned back to her. “Thank you so much.” And then he did something that surprised the hell out of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her. She hated it but the action caused pain to shoot through her again and she cried out.

Quickly he dropped his arms and stepped back. “I’m so sorry.” The sympathy in his dark eyes made Destiny want to cry.

“You didn’t hurt me.” She lied. “I’m still just trying to catch my breath.” Then looked at all three of them. “Let’s get you guys inside. It’s time for everyone to settle down for the evening.”