Destiny smiled faintly. “And so patient.”
Bill turned without releasing her hand.
He was so close she felt his warm stomach against her hand. Destiny found herself tempted to look at his beautiful chest again—to touch it. She smiled sweetly, blushing at the thought. Only she couldn’t pull her eyes from his. Bill raised her hand to his lips, gently kissing it, holding it there.
“Bill,” she began again, only his other hand moved to her mouth, pressed against her moist lips.
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“How is it you always seem to know what I’m going to say?”
“You’re going to say that you’re not ready yet.” He watched her eyes, as they averted his stare. “And that no matter how hard it is to resist my amazing powers at juggling parenthood and owning my own business, my great culinary prowess, my incredible ability to triple sheet a bed…”
Destiny giggled as she looked up again.
Bill sucked in his stomach and stood up straight. “Not to mention my svelte, perfect form,” he said, stepping back and releasing her hand, modeling for her.
Destiny laughed, shaking her head.
“Alas. I regress. I will wait.” He stepped away from her, taking her hand with him. “Pa-tient-ly,” he said, dramatically, drawing the word out. Destiny didn’t move, and he was now at arm’s length. He raised her hand to his lips, his eyes once more holding hers, entranced. “Somehow,” he inhaled, alternating hands to kiss. “I’m betting you’re worth it.”
Destiny swallowed hard. His lips brushed against her skin lightly. The goose bumps traveled her arms under his flannel shirt, making her shiver. As his grip on her hand loosened, hers tightened. His eyes showed confusion as she slowly pulled him closer until he was pressed against her, as she was looking up into his eyes. Just a few inches taller than she, she didn’t have far to reach.
Bill slowly leaned down to her, meeting her halfway. His lips brushed against hers, ever so gently, teasingly. Electricity coursed through his body. Suddenly he was tingling in places he hadn’t tingled in years. He moved his hands from hers and took her face in his hands.
Sydney walked in and stopped suddenly. She grinned ear to ear. “Al-right, Dad!” she said dramatically with a nod, breaking the magic.
Bill and Destiny both turned abruptly. Bill gave his daughter a stern look. “You’re supposed to be in bed, Sweetie.”
Sydney rubbed her eyes. “I’m too excited ‘bout my party tomorrow.”
Bill stepped away from Destiny, her hand slowly releasing his. He knelt beside his daughter. “You have to get some rest, Honey.” He turned her around and patted her bottom. “Off to bed with you,” he said playfully, but firmly. He stepped into the hallway and watched her turn the corner to her room.
Destiny stood by the sink and looked out the window at the colorful lights that lit the paths and walkways and the street beyond. It was almost Christmas, and though she was a little sad, her heart felt more alive than it had in a very, very long time. Bill stepped to her and stood behind her, slowly pressing himself against her. His hands traveled her arms until they rested on top of her hands on the counter. “So, what happens now?” he whispered in her ear, his hot breath exciting her.
Destiny dropped her head. “I don’t know,” she sighed. “Do you have any suggestions?” she asked, turning in his arms.
“I have a few,” he smiled, his hands moving to her face. “But they are all R-rated.”
“Just R?” she quipped with a mischievous smile.
Bill looked up and away. “Maybe some PG.”
“PG?” Destiny laughed.
“I’ve got an eight-year-old daughter. I’m lucky when I make it past G-ratings.” He eyed her cautiously. “Besides, anything else only keeps me up nights.”
“Hmm,” she murmured.
“Where we go from here, depends on you.”
“Me?”
Bill’s body pinned hers against the counter.
Bill swept back her hair. “I don’t want to make things more… complicated. You still have a lot going on in your life.”
“Yeah,” she scoffed.
“But I want you to know that you’re welcome to stay as long as you need to. No pressure. No expectations.”
“None?” she asked, furrowing her brow.
“Okay.” Bill grinned slyly. “Maybe a few.”
Destiny leaned against his shoulder. “Good,” she smiled. “Me, too.”
Bill hugged her close. She turned back around in his arms, and he continued to embrace her, his chin resting on her shoulder, his arms wrapped tightly around her. They looked out the window, enjoying the beauty of the lights. And for a breath of a moment, they enjoyed the warmth of something neither of them had experienced for a very long time—the warmth of someone else in their arms, enjoying the season together.
Chapter 39
The fence lining the farm property had balloons placed at every fencepost, leading to the rustic farmhouse. There were three acres just behind the house that were flat and mowed, and perfect for the horseshoes, washer throws, and even for croquet, just in case any of the adults had an inclination. The weather was perfect, seventy degrees and sunny. The weather forecasts had been for rain. Actually for storms, bringing with them colder weather. However, the front never reached this far south, allowing all the party guests to stay outside, versus in the barn—a last minute back-up in case the weather didn’t cooperate. Their neighbors to the north received torrential rains and flooding and even tornados. Go figure, December in Texas!
Jessie and Charlie had offered Bill the use of their property every year since Sydney was one. However, now that Sydney was older, and was riding horses, it seemed more appropriate. They owned several ponies and had stalled them all overnight, so that they could give all the kids rides in the corral, providing the weather held. There were eight girls and four boys that attended, all excited to be able to go to a birthday party on a farm.
Jessie and Charlie had gone all out, with a small menagerie of animals for the kids to pet: a piglet, three goats, two calves, a foal, baby chicks, rabbits and even a young llama. They had hooked up a flatbed trailer with two-foot sides to the tractor and loaded it with hay. They took the kids on a hayride through the fields. Bill’s mother made Sydney’s favorites: strawberry cake with a buttercream frosting, served with a bowl of fresh farm-grown strawberries, on the side. Plus, a pitcher of ice-cold cow’s milk to wash it all down. The kids ate things many of them had never tried before, like freshly made gut summer sausage, deviled eggs, and goat cheese quesadillas, all made with the help of animals on the farm.
Lisa didn’t disappoint, as she showed up with two of her staff, not only giving the girls manicures or pedicures if they wanted but the parents as well. None of her staff minded since they made more from that party in tips alone than they had all week. But the hit of the party was Lisa’s collection of wash-out hair chalk. Even the boys and a few of the moms took advantage of the opportunity to change the color of their hair for a day or two. Destiny wasn’t in line for the treatment, but when Sydney pouted dramatically, Destiny acquiesced, and allowed Lisa to have her way with her hair. Lisa took great joy in the number of times she had to assure Bill that it would wash out with the first shampoo. What resulted was a colorful blend of children and adults that made for some great pics for YouTube, Facebook and screen savers for their personal devices and phones.
Then there were presents and cake and homemade ice cream. Strawberry, of course. Destiny sat on the steps of the porch watching Sydney open her gifts. Sydney’s birthday party was the first child’s celebration she had attended since Rhett’s death. Destiny had wrestled with staying home, but she would have broken a nine-year-old girl’s heart. Dr. Villarreal had built her up and encouraged her, reminding her that she was strong enough to go. Destiny smiled as Sydney opened present after present. Then Sydney came to Destiny’s present, the biggest box on the table. All the kids helped her rip off
the paper. Sydney squealed with delight at the purple and black leather saddle with a purple seat and purple crystal trim.
“My own saddle!” she excitedly exclaimed, throwing herself into Destiny’s arms and hugging her neck. “This is the best present ever!” Sydney ran to her father. “Can I put it on Peanut?”
“Well, let’s see.” Bill turned to Charlie. “Is Peanut still in the barn?”
Charlie rubbed his gray stubble chin. “Hmm. I’ll check.”
“Finish opening your other gifts, Sweetie,” Bill encouraged her. “Your friends are all leaving soon.”
Sydney eagerly opened her last few presents, thanking each child and his or her parent politely before moving on to the next one. Jessie and Destiny busied themselves picking up the rest of the torn paper from the picnic tables. One of the children pointed, and Sydney turned, looking at her father questioningly. Charlie led Peanut toward them, with a gigantic purple bow tied around his neck.
“Go ahead, Syd. Unwrap your last present,” her father smiled.
“Oh, Daddy. Is he mine?” she asked, unable to believe it.
Bill nodded his head and knelt beside her. “Happy Birthday, Pumpkin.”
Sydney ran to her pony, followed by the remaining children and began to pet his nose.
Lisa moved to the stairs and sat beside Destiny, who discreetly wiped a tear. “How ya’ doing?” She asked, nudging her gently with her shoulder.
Destiny smiled. “Fine. I’m fine,” she replied softly. “I thought it would be harder, but I’m okay,” she said, as convincingly as possible.
Lisa took her hand and squeezed. “I’m so proud of you. You’re one of the bravest women I know.”
Destiny shook her head slightly. “It gets easier, day by day,” she sighed.
“I’m not talking about that, Honey,” Lisa grinned, glancing upward. “I’m talking about that awful hair color they put in your hair.”
Destiny laughed, and Lisa joined in.
“You told me, ‘never in a million years’ once, remember?” Lisa beamed in triumph.
“You cheated—using a nine-year-old’s birthday party to trick me into coloring my hair.”
Lisa shoved her again. “Tricked?” she scoffed. “I don’t think so. I saw you two. You went willingly.”
“Like a lamb to the slaughter.” Destiny conceded.
Lisa chuckled. “No, actually, it looks good on you. I think you should wear it like that all the time.” She looked around and saw Bill walking toward them. She turned to Destiny and added teasingly, “Just wait until he finds out that his daughter’s color won’t come out for several washings.” A stunned Bill stood before her, as she sat with as straight a face as she could. “Oh, hi.”
Destiny bit her lips to keep from smiling.
Finally, Lisa could contain her laughter no longer, and it burst forth from her mouth. “Just kidding.” Lisa slapped his arm playfully.
Bill exhaled dramatically. “Thank God,” he gasped, relieved. “That wasn’t nice,” he added, glancing at Destiny.
“Told you she was trouble,” Destiny said, nonchalantly. “But you wouldn’t listen. You said you wanted to invite her.” She stood, stretched, and walked down the stairs.
Lisa watched as Bill walked with Destiny, his hand at her back. “Hmm,” she hummed to herself before turning back to watch Sydney nuzzling with her pony. Most of the kids had walked off, joined by their parents as they collected their goody bags and other belongings. Lisa watched the children and parents thank Bill and Destiny, as though they were a couple.
When the last of the families had left, Sydney moved to the presents and asked her father to put her new saddle on her pony. The purple saddle looked perfect on him. And Sydney, dressed in purple as well, with hair almost the exact color as Lisa’s, sat astride him, proud and tickled… well… purple. Bill and Destiny began picking up party remnants while Jessie and Charlie collected their yard games to put into the barn, in the event the distant storm took a projected turn. Lisa gathered the rest of her hair and nail products—her staff long gone before Sydney opened her presents. She stored them in the back of her car, then helped the others before collapsing into one of two swings on the extended outdoor covered porch.
Jessie and Charlie walked by her and stopped.
“You look tired,” Jessie remarked, a bag of trash in her hand.
“I forgot how exhausting a child’s birthday party can be,” she replied. “I’ll just sit here for awhile if that’s okay with you.”
“How about a drink?” Charlie offered her, opening the door for his wife.
“On the other hand, I think I can make it a few more steps.” Lisa jumped from the swing. She stopped momentarily, watching Bill and Destiny as they helped Sydney with her new pony. She smiled to herself and followed them inside.
Chapter 40
Sydney didn’t have to beg to take Peanut out. The sun was still out, mostly, and though the storm looked like it was turning their direction, it was far off in the distance. Bill set her new watch and told her to be back in an hour and to stay where he could see her. She took off like an old pro, breaking in her new saddle until she was on the other side of the gate, galloping through the pasture.
Bill turned, Destiny by his side, traveling the length of the road; Bill untying balloon strings and handing them to her as they walked the fence line. They didn’t speak; the only sound was the crunching of the ground beneath them or the occasional breeze through the trees. They arrived at the end of the dirt and grass pathway, where it emptied onto the paved road that split to a neighboring farm. They turned left and continued, collecting the last of the balloons on the fence that fronted the house.
“Are you okay?” Bill asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” Destiny smiled faintly. “I am.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Destiny furrowed her brow. “Of course, I was going to come.”
“Well, you know, you really didn’t have a choice,” he added. “Considering how Syndey would have made your life miserable if you hadn’t.”
Destiny looked down at her boots.
“What I meant to say, was,” he stumbled, “it was very courageous of you.”
“You going to tell me it was brave of me to color my hair blue, also?”
Bill grinned. “Actually, I like the teal look. It’s kind of sexy,” he teased.
Destiny kicked a larger rock across the road.
“No, I mean, I know it couldn’t have been easy. Coming to a kid’s birthday party,” he continued, nervously.
Destiny took another balloon and then looked back down. “I was scared to death,” she admitted.
“You did a good job of hiding it,” he observed. Bill cast a glance over his shoulder to assure Sydney was still visible, before turning to untie the last balloon. As he did, he handed it Destiny, his hand sliding down the ribbon, touching hers; holding it for just a moment longer until she faced him again. Suddenly he looked away and then blew out two breaths nervously. “I think you are incredible and exciting, you are unimaginably beautiful, and you are absolutely the most courageous—“
“Stop,” Destiny insisted, looking down, embarrassed. “I’m none of those things.” Slowly she lifted her eyes until their eyes met and she blushed. She kicked pebbles awkwardly, then turned to walk back to the farmhouse.
Bill took her arm, stopping her. “You’re all of those things,” he said, stepping closer to her. Destiny looked down again, but he lifted her chin with his finger until she was looking him in the eyes, balloons bouncing around their heads. “Ever since the first time I saw you,” he began, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. “I knew.”
“You knew what?” she asked faintly.
“I knew I had to meet you. I knew I wanted to get to know you. I knew I wanted to…” he stopped suddenly, taking her face in his hands. Then he kissed her sweetly, gently. Much like he did the first time he had kissed her. His hands moved from her face to her shoulde
rs and down her arms and to her back. They parted only for a moment, and then he kissed her harder, deeper, his tongue pressing past her lips, her teeth, exploring her mouth, hungrily. Her mouth was still sweet from the cake and ice cream. Minutes later they parted again, each wiping their mouths.
Destiny looked down, and he pulled her to his chest. She closed her eyes, welcoming the beating of his heart against her ear. When he released her, and she looked up again, he leaned in to kiss her, but the balloons blew in between them, pounding their faces as the wind picked up. They both laughed as she moved the strings from one hand to the other. Bill kissed her forehead, then wrapped his arm around her. They took their time walking down the fence line, retracing their steps from before. Eventually, they turned the corner, where the gravel ended, and the dirt road began. She slowly moved her hand to his back, holding onto him by his belt loops. They could hear Peanut running up beside the fence but couldn’t see clearly for the balloons blowing behind them. As the pony trotted past them, they both turned and stopped suddenly. Sydney wasn’t in the saddle.
They released each other immediately, and Bill jumped the fence, running to Peanut. He grabbed the pony’s reins as he frantically called his daughter’s name. Destiny looked around, not seeing Sydney anywhere. She let go of the balloons immediately, the wind tossing them carelessly into the sky, and raced up the path to the barn. Bill ran inside the fence, calling Sydney’s name over and over, pulling the pony behind him. He ran straight to the house, tied Peanut to the post outside and rushed inside.
Destiny raced into the barn, to the first stall that had a horse in it. Thankfully, it was Daisy. She grabbed the lead and hurriedly pulled her to the tack room, where she bridled and saddled her in record time. Bill, Lisa, Jessie and Charlie arrived as she climbed into the saddle. “I’ll start looking for her.” She looked at Bill’s face. She knew that look. She knew that feeling. “I’ll find her,” she said, before turning Daisy and heeling her harder than she ever had before. The mare responded, darting into a gallop from the start as if released from a chute at the rodeo.
Destiny by chance: A Contemporary Romance Fiction Novel Page 22
