Fates' Destiny Page 8

  “Good for you Adam!” His brother praised. “Anna really likes her… And I think you do to.”

  “No I don’t.” Adam snorted. “I respect her and think she’s the best thing for my family. But other than that…”

  “Yes you do.” Luke persisted. “That’s why you rushed home from work today and agreed to go watch the girls this weekend and…”

  “Ok Luke.” He silenced his brother and rolled his eyes in annoyance. “I do like her but not in the way you’re referring to. I think she’s interesting and easy to talk to. She seems to understand the children and me…Honestly, she makes me want to be a better man for them.”

  “Uh huh.” Luke didn’t sound satisfied by his answer. “I think you’re wrong Adam and soon you will see that.”

  Just then Destiny’s bedroom door pulled open and for a brief moment he forgot he was on the phone with his brother. Gone was her robe and in its place a fitted white tee and jeans that accented her curves. Her dark curls were clipped up, ringlets framed her flawless face. She looked… stunning. And he found himself captivated by the sight of her.

  “You ready?” She asked.

  “Uh,” He shook his head, bring himself back to reality. “Yeah. Where’s your bags?”

  “By the door.” She pointed towards the front door.

  “Ok.” He said to her and then turned his attention back to his brother. “Gotta go Luke. Talk to you tomorrow.” Without waiting for his brother respond he disconnected the call and slid his phone into his pocket.

  “You ready?” He asked and she nodded.

  Adam grabbed two of her suitcases, took one more breath taking glance at her, and walked out of her apartment. His brother’s voice echoing through his ears. You like her. You know you do.

  He shook his head. Not in that way.

  But remembering his reaction to her when he saw her had him doubting his own feelings.

  Chapter 15

  Adam smiled as he hovered over Anna’s sleeping form. She looked so peaceful… So beautiful… His little angel.

  His mind drifted back to the day she was born. He fell in love with her the moment she was put into his arms. He vowed that day he’d do anything to make her happy.

  What happened to that man? He knew the answer. Death happened to him. Losing Liz was more devastating then he could’ve ever imagined.

  It was hard enough to lose her but to be reminded of her every day was shattering. Every time he looked at his daughters he saw her and it killed him all over again.

  That’s why he sunk himself into his work. That’s why he kept himself from them. But no more. It was time to heal. It was time for him to see past his own pain and focus on his children. They need him. He was determined to piece his torn family back together. And he would start with giving Anna the only thing she wanted.

  “Anna.” He whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. “It’s time to get up Baby.”

  Anna shook off his hand. “Leave me alone.” She said sleepily and rolled over.

  “Anna, Honey,” He gently grabbed her shoulder and turned her back over. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “I don’t care.” She snapped and rolled back over.

  “You will when you see it.” He jerked her comforter off of her and scooped her up in his arms.

  “Put me down Daddy!” She wriggled as he carried her from her room.

  “Stop Anna.” He shifted her as his grip started to loosen. “You’re going to make me drop you.”

  She stopped struggling and folded her arms across her chest with a huff.

  “There’s nothing you can get me that’s going to make me like you again Daddy.” She told him as he descended the stairs.

  “Is that so?” He asked on a chuckle and she nodded.

  “That’s so.”

  “Wow Adam! She really is mad.”

  The second Anna heard her voice she perked up and looked around. Destiny was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Destiny!” Anna screamed and this time when she wriggled he lowered her to her feet.

  “Hey squirt.” Destiny squatted and spread her arms just in time to catch Anna as she threw herself at her.

  “Oh my gosh!” Anna hugged her tight. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too Sweetheart.”

  Adam smiled as he watched the two hold each other for a moment and then Anna lifted her head.

  “I thought Daddy fired you.”

  Destiny smiled as she glanced at him and then back to Anna. “He did but he came to my house last night and asked me to come back.”

  “He did?” Anna gasped in surprise and Destiny nodded. “And…” She ran her hand down Anna’s pink nightgown, straightening where it was bunched up from their hug. “He’s not going to Miami until Monday.”

  She snapped around, her big blue eyes finding him. “You’re not?”

  He shook his head. “I’m going to be at your competition tomorrow. Front row.”

  “Yea!” She pulled away from Destiny and darted for him. He lowered just in time to receive her hug. “Thank you Daddy.”

  Her happiness made his heart swell with love.

  “You’re welcome Baby.”

  He held her tight for a moment and then he glanced up to see Destiny dabbing under her eyes with her fingertips. He knew exactly how she felt.

  Suddenly Anna popped back. “I gotta go tell Ali.” And in a split second she was out of his arms and running up the stairs screaming, “Ali! Ali! Guess what?”

  Once Anna was gone he turned his attention to the woman who now had lines of tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “You ok?” He asked and she nodded. “I think that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  He chuckled as he crossed to her, stopping right in front of her. “And it’s all thanks to you.”

  She shook her head, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. “I didn’t do anything.”

  He felt the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and not let go but he didn’t. Instead he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said, “Come on Destiny. I’m sure you need to get Jason’s chair ready at the table.”

  That did exactly what he wanted it to do, made her laugh.

  “Yes I do.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Welcome back Destiny.” Jason smirked at her and then shoved his equipment bag and backpack out of his chair.

  “Thank you Jason.” She continued to help Anna mix salt into her eggs.

  “I think the odds are becoming more and more in my favor Destiny.”

  She cut her eyes over at her boss and grinned. “Don’t get excited yet Sir. This battle is far from over.”

  Once breakfast was done, the children on their way to school, and Adam getting ready to go to the office Destiny made her way into the kitchen where Dela was washing up dishes.

  “Need some help?” Destiny asked as she moved to her side.

  “Sure. If you want.”

  Destiny started taking the dishes that Dela had rinsed and placing them in the dishwasher.

  “So,” Dela struck up conversation. “How did he get you to come back?”

  “Honestly Dela, he listened to me.” She answered.

  She casted her a smile. “I’m glad he did. You do something to this family. Something wonderful. I’m happy they didn’t lose you.”

  Destiny felt her cheeks heat. “I haven’t done anything Dela.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong Dear.” Dela patted her hand. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

  Just then Adam appeared back in the kitchen, buttoning the black jacket to his suit.

  “Dela what time are you guys leaving?”

  “As soon as I’m done here.” Dela answered as she wiped down the counter.

  “You guys are leaving?” Destiny asked her and she nodded.

  “We leave every weekend to go visit our daughter. She’s in her second year of college.”

  “Really?” Destiny was shocked. She
didn’t know they had a daughter. Of course, she didn’t know a lot about these people. “What’s she studying?”

  When Dela said, “Psychology” Destiny laughed.

  “Then we’ll have a lot to talk about when I meet her.”

  “I suppose you will Destiny.” Then she turned her attention to Adam. “If you have any problems don’t hesitate to call us.”

  Adam rolled his eyes playfully. “I’m a big boy Dela. Everything will be fine.”

  “Sweetheart! You ready?”

  Destiny’s eyes widened when she heard ‘Sweetheart’ come from Richard. Her eyes widened even more when he walked into the kitchen dressed in jeans and a dark tee shirt.

  She’s never heard him speak or look so casual before. It was… shocking.

  “Yep.” Dela tossed the paper towel she was using into the trash.

  “Adam,” Richard held his hand out to him. “You know how to find us if you need us.”

  Adam? She’s only heard him refer to Adam as ‘Mr. Fates’ or ‘Sir’. Could she be anymore shocked?

  “You guys have a safe trip.”

  The two shook hands and after Adam gave Dela a friendly peck on the cheek the two walked out the backdoor, hand and hand.

  “Wow!” Destiny didn’t mean to say that aloud.

  “What?” Adam looked at her. “Surprised to see them so casual?”

  She nodded. “And I’ve never heard Richard call you by your first name.”

  “Destiny,” He laughed. “I only have 3 employees I allow to refer to me by my first name and all 3 live with me. He and Dela just keep it formal when new people are around.”

  “They live here?” That was news to her. “Where?” Was there another underground wing of the house or something?

  “The apartment over the garage. I had it completely remodeled when they started working for me.”

  Destiny found herself very curious. “How long ago was that?” She asked as she slid onto one of the bar stools and wrapped a hand around her coffee cup.

  “5 years.” He answered, claiming the stool next to her. “I hired Richard and then when Liz got sick Dela offered to help.”

  “5 years? Your wife was sick for 5 years?”

  He shook his head. “She had a bad headache for about a week. Finally I made her go to the doctor. That’s when they found a small tumor on her brain. Chemo took care of the tumor and everything went back to normal. Then,” His dark eyes were heartrending. “3 months before she died her headaches returned. Another tumor formed. Larger than the first. After that everything went downhill and they weren’t able to save her.”

  Her heart ached for him. “Adam,” She laid a comforting hand on his sleeved forearm. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

  A hint of a smile formed as he laid his hand atop hers. “Thank you.” Then he said, “She was a wonderful woman. Smart, beautiful, great sense of humor, got along with everyone, went out of her way to help.” His eyes wondered to the window over the kitchen sink. “I miss her.”

  “As you should Adam.” Destiny gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

  “Everyone keeps telling me that I need to let go and move on but,” His eyes focused back on her. “I don’t think I can.”

  Again she smiled. “Time is a great healer. You’ll move on if and when you’re ready. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  His eyes glittered with restrained tears as he smiled. “Thanks Destiny.” He squeezed her hand. “You have no idea how good you just made me feel.”

  Knowing that made her feel good. “A girl does what she can.

  Chapter 16

  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.

  Chapter 17

  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.

  Her 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 a
rms 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.