“Thank you,” Destiny smiled against his chest. “I really needed this.”
“Anytime,” he promised. “Anytime.”
Chapter 35
For the first time in years, Destiny not only slept through the night, but she slept late. She was usually up by five every morning when she was teaching, and her body clock usually had her up by six-thirty, without an alarm on days when she wasn’t. When she finally rolled over and looked at the clock from where she nestled, deep in the soft sheets under the goose feather comforter in the four-poster bed, it was noon. She grinned to herself. There were voices from the other room, faint and echoing across the wood flooring and under her door. She heard Christmas music playing softly as well.
But she didn’t rise, not just yet. She stared out the glass French doors that overlooked the gardens beyond the porch. What an amazing sight to wake up to! It was like waking in a dream rather than the nightmare of the past six months. She was sure that by tomorrow her attorney would have received her message. She was hoping, because praying was still a distant thought, that there was enough evidence to keep Winston in jail until a trial. Hoping there were certain things that money couldn’t buy. She pulled the pillow to her chest, closed her eyes and smiled.
Last night, after her meltdown, Bill had invited her to join Sydney and any guests who wanted to participate in singing Christmas carols on the porch. During the last five weeks until Christmas, several streets in the subdivision were closed off evenings, allowing foot traffic to enjoy the decorations and lights of the historic neighborhood. Some of the guests sang while Sydney served hot cocoa, and individually-wrapped Christmas cookies with business cards tied with dainty bows, to passersby who came to enjoy the music. Destiny played bystander for the first few songs, but then Sydney and several guests coaxed her into joining them. It was the most fun she remembered having in years.
Bill had been right. She felt safe. She couldn’t explain it. Somehow, knowing Winston was behind bars gave her peace. She wasn’t looking over her shoulder, fearful that he might appear again. Marji had suggested it was God, but considering everything she had been through, she wasn’t quite ready to accept that, not just yet.
Destiny rose and made her bed before showering and washing her hair. She finally exited her room about two in the afternoon.
Sydney met her at the foot of the stairs, just sitting there, expectantly. “Bout time!” she exclaimed, throwing herself into Destiny’s arms. “You missed church and Dad’s famous cinnamon rolls.”
Destiny grinned. “I’ll bet he’ll make them again.” She allowed Sydney to drag her into the kitchen.
“Good morning, er, uh, I mean afternoon,” Bill said as she walked into the kitchen. He looked down at his daughter. “Can you please check on the rest of the rooms and see if our guests want their beds made or if they need fresh towels?”
“I’m on it,” Sydney replied, rushing through the butler door.
“Coffee?”
“I would love some,” she purred.
“Regular or decaf?”
“Decaf,” she replied, the smell of cinnamon still lingering in the air.
Bill took out a decorative holiday cup and filled it, then held out a basket of assorted creamers and sweeteners. “She’s been planted on those stairs since we got back from church, just waiting for you.”
Destiny smiled as she doctored her coffee and moved to the table where she sat close to the window. She rubbed her eyes with her fingers. “I can’t believe I slept that late.”
“It’s a comfortable bed,” Bill remarked, sipping his coffee. “There’s been many a morning I haven’t wanted to crawl out of it, either.”
“That’s your room?” she asked, surprised.
He held up his hand. “Before you start making arguments, it was either give up mine or Sydney’s, and I don’t think you could have handled waking up to a sea of purple every morning.”
“I like purple,” she replied meekly. “Thank you,” she finally said, accepting his gesture of kindness.
“Besides, I think everyone deserves a view like that when they wake up,” he added, his voice trailing off as he sipped his coffee. “And after everything you’ve been through, you definitely needed it more than I did.”
“It was incredible waking up to that. It reminded me…” she began, and then hid her mouth behind her cup. Destiny tentatively sipped her coffee, smiling against the cup as she remembered. She glanced up at him.
Bill looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to finish her story.
Drawing in a deep breath, she set down her cup. “It reminded me of Casa Laguna in Laguna Beach.” Destiny looked down at the table as she reminisced. “It was our second anniversary. Phillip wanted to take me to the beach. I’d never been to the Pacific Ocean.” She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. “He surprised me. Literally. He was always so spontaneous.” She relished the familiar sensation as if talking to an old friend. “Spontaneous from my point of view, but he always planned everything out. He loved to shower me with presents, and trips he’d put together for the weekend. But this place was—it was so… so…,” she turned to him again. “Perfect.”
“Phillip sounds like he was very special.” Bill watched her as she spoke, knowing the memories must be painful.
Destiny smiled sweetly. “He was.” She propped her elbows on the table, her chin on her hands. “He used to get up early and make me breakfast. Of course, it was usually French toast.” Her smile grew. “I always hated French toast, but it was just so sweet that I didn’t have the nerve to tell him.” Destiny looked up at him. “I miss his French toast,” she cooed to herself, as she lowered her eyes.
Bill sat beside her and reached for her hand. Her eyes met his. “That’s the first time I’ve talked about him,” she added, a little surprised by her admission. “All this time, I’ve not talked about him. Or Rhett. To anyone, except my inner circle. Lisa. Andy. Dr. Villarreal.”
Bill didn’t know what to say, so he merely listened.
“It’s been more than two years, and I don’t think I’ve even talked about him much to my psychiatrist until just now. I mean, I’ve talked around him. Around them. But I haven’t said his name again, until just now.” Destiny looked up in astonishment. “And I mean, no one,” she reiterated. She started breathing faster, excited. “I’ve tried to forget everything. Block it out, you know? Then waking up here, looking out into the gardens; remembering was suddenly… peaceful. All the things that I tried to forget, the things I miss. They’re still here,” she said, tapping her chest. The tears escaped from her eyes and slid down her cheeks. “But suddenly, it’s okay to remember. Somehow, it doesn’t hurt as bad.”
Bill leaned in until their foreheads met. They both closed their eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I didn’t do anything,” he whispered back.
Destiny moved her arms back just slightly, and Bill matched her motion, their eyes locked on each other. Slowly her hand moved to his cheek. “You’ve been so kind. You hardly know me, and you’ve been a really good friend.”
“A friend,” he said in a breath.
Destiny could see he was maybe a little hurt by her statement. “Right now, I really need you to be my friend,” she smiled sadly.
Bill kissed her hand. “I can do friend,” he sighed reluctantly. Then he stood and pulled her up to him. “Okay, Friend,” Bill said, pulling her with him. “Time for the formal tour.” Bill dragged her to the stairs.
Destiny stopped, his hand still attached to hers, jerking him to a stop as well. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“That you promise if you need my help, you’ll ask.”
Bill opened his mouth to argue.
Destiny held up her hand to stop him. “No arguments. I will only stay on the condition that you allow me to pull my weight. I’m off until after New Year’s, so I have time on my hands.” Bill started to say something, and she stopped him ag
ain. “And when I have something to do, to keep busy, it gives me less time to think about things. You know?”
Bill looked into her eyes and nodded. “Sure.” He took a step up, stopping and Destiny ran into him. “Be careful what you ask for.” He squeezed her hand and then kept walking up the stairs. “You may be regretting your offer as soon as tomorrow.”
Chapter 36
When tomorrow came, Bill was more than glad that Destiny had made the offer she had the night before. Deborah arrived with the exciting news that she was engaged, announced her wedding date and told them they were both invited, after which, she quit. Well, at least, she gave two week’s notice, which meant that the week after Thanksgiving was her last week. Bill gritted his teeth and smiled. Then he excused himself, walked into the kitchen and panicked. When he returned, he hoped no one was the wiser to his concern.
Destiny could tell that he was shaken though he tried well to hide it. After Deborah had taken over the duties in the kitchen for the evening, Destiny cornered Bill to invite him and Sydney to dinner. All the guests were checked in, afternoon snacks served, and beds turned down, so he could leave. Bill was more than ready to get away, especially after Deborah’s news. Destiny suggested that Sydney should choose the restaurant. So that way, everyone was happy.
Sydney chose the Twisted Root since they had a mini golf course and an Amy’s Ice Cream right next door. Had it been twenty degrees colder, one or both of them might have hesitated, but since it was still in the seventies, Bill agreed. Destiny had never been there, so she was excited about trying something new.
They played a round of golf after they ordered, and enjoyed fresh-brewed root beer and burgers made to order. Bill allowed Sydney to watch the other golfers, permitting Destiny and he time to talk on their own. They sat in a back corner booth, appealing to Destiny’s sense of separateness. Just because she was willing to go out in public, didn’t mean she liked being around people—it was still uncomfortable for her. One of her psychiatrist’s suggestions was to go to a new place with strangers all around, without actually interacting with any of them. Now she could mentally check that one off her list. Bill was obviously distracted, but then, so was she. They both had much on their minds.
The hearing for the new restraining order had been that morning. Destiny checked her cell phone regularly until her attorney texted her that he was out of court, and she could call. The conversation was brief. There was enough evidence to issue the order. He had spoken to the Assistant District Attorney as well. They were now seeking an indictment on burglary of a habitation and possession of a narcotic with malicious intent, not to mention breach of a restraining order. And, because Winston was in possession of 10 grams of GHB when he was apprehended at Lisa’s, which was also a felony, he would potentially be facing other charges as well. He had given them plenty of ammunition to amend the original charges against himself—the virtual shooting of oneself in the foot. These charges were solely related to Destiny’s case, with other possible charges pending, once they finished interviewing the other potential victims. If the grand jury handed down an indictment, then a trial could begin as early as the following month or as far out as next year. Winston’s attorneys had already made several motions in an attempt to have the evidence disallowed. All of the motions were denied, which had his criminal attorneys scrambling to try to undermine the case. The problem was that although none of Winston’s fingerprints were on anything in Lisa’s house, he left DNA on the wine glass when he sipped, not to mention he was still in the house when Andy and the police showed up. His attorneys had a hard time getting around that one.
The defense stuck to their story that Winston was an invited guest and that he wore gloves because he used them to drive. It wasn’t cold enough to use that as an excuse, so they had to come up with something reasonably plausible. Her attorney told her Winston had even arrived to court in a wheelchair, to further his claims of bodily injury by the supposed victim. Destiny had not only kicked him hard enough with her heel to break his nose, but the angle of the kick to his knee had torn ligaments and tendons as well. Meaning, she’d done some serious damage that would possibly stay with him for the rest of his life, even with surgery. Never in her life had she meant to hurt anyone. And now he wanted to sue her for trying to defend herself? However, looking back, defending herself had probably saved her life. The fact that she’d hurt him so badly, actually gave Destiny no joy, even considering what he’d done to her. The defense was dug in, but the District Attorney wasn’t flinching at this point, so it looked like there was a strong possibility of going to trial.
Her anxiety all morning had been apparent, but Bill didn’t press her for details. She’d discuss it when she was ready. Most of the dinner conversation was about what was next for the Kemper House. Bill had put an ad on Craigslist immediately after Deborah had given her two weeks’ notice that afternoon. Sandy, his other house manager, was interested in taking on more hours, but had a house of her own and a family, so living on premises wasn’t an option. Patricia, one of his part-time house manager’s had another job that paid very well. She wasn’t looking at increasing her hours by any means. Bill still needed someone to handle things when he wasn’t there. It was like they were starting from scratch.
Destiny could sense his frustration. But Bill didn’t want to burden her with his problems. She had enough concerns of her own. From Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day was their busiest time of year. And besides the Kemper House, there was a cottage two lots over in the extensive gardens that could accommodate up to fifty people, which he rented throughout the year for all types of parties. And during the holidays, it was booked every night.
It was now Destiny that took his hand. “I have a suggestion.”
“Does it include temporarily sabotaging an engagement?”
Destiny chuckled. “You think she’s distracted now? Do that and you’ll have a slobbering, crying mess on your hands.”
“You’re probably right,” he sighed. “What’s your suggestion?”
“I’ll move into her room, at least until you find a suitable replacement, and stay at least through the new year to help you out. That way you don’t have to stress through the holidays. Plus, you don’t have to interview during your busiest season. And you get your bed back.”
Bill chewed on the inside of his cheek, a habit he hated, not to mention that it was painful, but was something he did every time he had some heavy thinking to do. What she proposed was quite appealing, only it still implied that she would be leaving at some point. The longer he was around her, the more he wanted her to stay. It would definitely take the stress off him for the next few weeks and allow him time to look for someone reasonably qualified whom he hopefully, could count on for years to come.
Destiny could see that he was actually contemplating her proposal, so she decided to sweeten the deal. “I will only consider doing this if you do not pay me.” She could see that he was about to balk at that, but she held up her hand again. “I want to do this for you. I need to keep busy, and I’m taking off the rest of the school year, anyhow. So I could stay until after New Year’s Day, if you needed me to.
Bill bit his cheek again, wincing as he bit too hard. He could taste the blood in his mouth.
“And did I mention,” she began, lowering her voice, “that Phillip planned very well in case he died.” She watched as Bill pondered her statement. She lowered her voice as she leaned forward to reiterate. “Very well.” She leaned back again. “So, I will only do this with the stipulation that it’s in exchange for room and board.”
Bill looked around and leaned forward. “Breakfast, lunch and dinner included,” he added to the negotiation. “But you stay in my room until after New Year’s Day.” She started to say no, and he held up his hand. “We really don’t have time to switch before then.”
She contemplated for a moment. “Fine, but only breakfast and dinner,” she counter-offered.
“Good, so far. And, you have to co
me to Sydney’s birthday party next weekend.”
“That’s a given,” she smiled. “Last condition. Your daughter continues to rave about those cinnamon rolls, but by the time I wake up, they are gone. I want one.”
“Done,” he agreed. “Can you cook?”
“Can I cook?” she grinned.
“Yes, we have a reputation to uphold, and I have to know that you can do more than boil water.”
“I make a mean boiled egg,” she teased. Noting that he was serious, she added, “Absolutely. I can follow a recipe.”
Bill contemplated another moment and extended his hand across the table. Destiny slowly moved her hand to his and shook. “It’s a deal then.” He held her hand for just a moment longer and smiled. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. Slowly, he released his grip. “Seems we need each other, after all,” he murmured, looking down and drawing imaginary circles on the table with his finger.
“Seems that way.” Destiny leaned forward, causing him to look up at her. Her smile put him at ease. “It’s the least I can do. You rescued me, right? It’s my turn.” Destiny turned to look for Sydney, who was still watching young golfers compete.
Bill held his gaze on Destiny, unable to look away. How could he ever look away? She was more beautiful than the first time he saw her. Every time he was with her, every time he looked at her, he tried to memorize everything about her. Lips so perfect and pink that they begged to be kissed. Dark eyes, entrancing him, daring him to look into them forever.
She had a smile that lit any room she stood in. A smile that that brightened his heart, stirred every desire within him, and yet could put him at ease. Every time he was with her he wanted to bring it out of her. Bill wanted to wake up to that smile every morning. And now she would be living in his house? When Destiny caught him looking at her, Bill felt his face become hot. Sweetly she smiled, her dark eyes taunting him; mesmerizing him once again. His palms started to sweat, and his thoughts became muddled. He rubbed his temples in frustration. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
Destiny by chance: A Contemporary Romance Fiction Novel Page 20
