River's Destiny (River's End Series, #8)

by Leanne Davis

  River’s Destiny

  by

  Leanne Davis

  River’s End Series, Book Eight

  www.leannedavis.net

  Table of Contents:

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Other Titles by Leanne Davis

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Dear Reader

  My Other Titles

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  River’s Destiny

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Leanne Davis

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: dvsleanne@aol.com

  Publishing History First Edition, 2018 Digital

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-941522-53-0

  River’s End Series, Book Eight

  Edited by Teri at The Editing Fairy (editingfairy@yahoo.com)

  Copyediting: Jeannie Brooker

  Cover Designer: Steven Novak (novakillustrations@gmail.com)

  Dedication:

  In memory of Tyler

  So many summers of you and your family at the property.

  So many years our friend.

  You were taken far too soon, and far too unexpectedly.

  We will miss you every single summer,

  and especially on all those fishing and camping trips that you should be part of.

  But in our hearts, you will always be there still.

  We will miss most those quiet, little “Tyler” statements that left us laughing for hours.

  I’m so sorry you are gone.

  Fish on, dear friend.

  Other Titles by Leanne Davis

  Diversions

  River’s End Series

  River’s End

  River’s Escape

  River’s Return

  River Road

  River on Fire

  River’s Lost

  River of Change

  River’s Destiny

  River’s Rescue

  The Sister Series

  The Other Sister

  The Years Between

  The Good Sister

  The Best Friend

  The Wrong Sister

  The Years After

  The Broken Sister

  The Perfect Sister

  The Lost Sister

  The Remaining Sister

  The Step Sister

  Daughters Series

  Christina

  Natalie

  Melissa

  Emily

  The Zenith Trilogy

  Zenith Falling

  Zenith Rising

  Zenith Fulfilled

  The Seaclusion Series

  Poison

  Notorious

  Secrets

  Seclusion

  Chapter One

  STARS SHONE OVER THEIR heads like a black blanket covered in silver dust. Cami Reed tilted her head back, staring up and up and up. The universe went on forever. Then she lost her balance and started to fall back… and back… She expected the jarring thud of her landing on the ground, but instead, she was suddenly upright after being caught by Charlie Rydell. His arms circled behind her and supported her. She giggled at his catch and tipped forward long enough to regain her balance. They stood there, staring at each other, gazing into each other’s eyes before her giggle started to fade. Her huge grin started to dim.

  What was this?

  Charlie kept staring at her and she at him, but they weren’t letting go of each other or blushing or stuttering at the suddenly odd and intense exchange. Rarely did things become awkward with them. They were best friends. They laughed and joked all the time. They made fun of their parents and all the people who worked at the ranch. They boldly mocked and ridiculed the people they saw at school. They weren’t very popular with the rest of the students and only had each other to make it through those awful years.

  That’s why, of course, they attended the Senior Prom together earlier tonight. And now, they were standing in a field up in the hills above Charlie’s ranch. His family owned and operated a thousand-acre ranch that spanned most of the town of River’s End, a tiny hamlet in eastern Washington State. It was mainly horses and farming, with plenty of orchards and alfalfa pastures.

  Today, she allowed her stepmom, Kate, to do her hair and makeup since she rarely bothered. Braided tightly, her hair was swooped up in the back before cascading in a cushion of curls. Lots of hairspray and makeup were professionally done and perfected to appear like she wasn’t wearing any makeup at all. Her black dress was long, and it dipped down her back. Being small-breasted, she wore no bra and her perky breasts were firm enough that they did not need the support. She wore heels, which pinched and hurt her feet, so she quickly ditched them about five minutes after they arrived at the dance.

  All she had to show for the experience were some pretty pictures her dad and Kate, as well as Charlie’s dad and stepmom, Erin, had taken. Proms made all the parents so happy. Far more than she felt going to one. It was the only dance she ever attended in high school. She hated her years at high school. So did Charlie, but for different reasons. This was her senior year’s last dance, so everyone wanted them to go, and so, here they were. Hanging around the dance for an hour, they took the more formal pictures and said hello to a few friends before they left, driving back towards the ranch. They swiftly bypassed it and disappeared into the hills above it. A maze of endless dirt roads cut up and across the hills and mountains, connecting dozens of miles for residents who lived up that way. There were only a few people. Charlie hadn’t passed any other cars and only a random light here and there indicated any residences. They pulled over after going down a long, unused road and parked so they could look down on the Rydell River Valley. The twinkling stars far outnumbered the house lights they saw.

  They got out, and Cami was barefoot so she kept tugging her dress up to keep the hem off the dry, packed dirt. They walked around to the front of the car, and she was clutching the bottle of Jack Daniels she’d stolen earlier that night from Kate.

  They sat down on the tailgate of Charlie’s truck and she uncapped the bottle and downed a long gulp, coughing and sputtering when it hit her taste buds. With a loud laugh, she almost spat it out. Yes, this would help.

  She offered the bottle to Charlie who shook his head no, exactly as she expected. She knew Charlie better than just about anyone else. He didn’t drink, smoke, swear, or have sex. Charlie had a 4.0 GPA and was off the charts with his SAT scores. After being accepted for freshman year at a half dozen colleges, he chose Stanford University in California. So far away. She dreaded him going because she had never been on the ranch without Charlie. But he’d decided. He was extraordinary. Only five percent of applicants got into Stanford and Charlie from their little town was one of them. It was impossible not to be impressed while simultaneously intimidated by Charlie’s intelligence. But it also meant he was hardworking and serious
and he acted with purpose in everything he did.

  She well knew that Charlie Rydell would shake his head politely and decline the bottle. She tilted it up again and let the burning nectar slide down her throat. He didn’t frown on it or try to admonish her, and she liked that about him. He wasn’t judgmental and never tried to control, change, or monitor her behavior. Charlie was simply her friend. She was prone to drinking and breaking the rules so having Charlie around often helped her stay out of trouble. Although it didn’t always work.

  Sitting there, they stared out over the valley, content to be together. Charlie eventually turned his truck back on so the music could play. They talked some more, and she drank until she stared back at the stars.

  Now however, Charlie just held her and wouldn’t let her go. She had no idea what to make of it. He kept a tight hold on her. She became acutely aware of his hand on her bare back. His skin was warm and smooth. She was very short, but Charlie wasn’t too tall, so their height difference was comfortable. Their bodies matched somehow. His hands slid down towards her waist and he stood nearer to her while bringing her closer to him. Middle-to-middle. Almost confused by his touch, Cami became completely immobile. Naturally, she recognized that move from other guys, but was shocked when Charlie did it. He didn’t behave like typical guys. He wasn’t like any other guy she knew. They all tried to cop a feel or kiss her, but not Charlie. He’d always been different.

  Her breath hitched and through the haze of her buzz, she slid her hands around his shoulders. He held onto her, his hands pulling her more to his front. She could feel him, but it was gentle and tender. Nothing about Charlie was ever loud or demanding.

  The music played an oldies song that was slow and reminded her of her mother. She was a woman hardly anyone had very good memories of, but Cami still had a few and her mother’s love of oldies was one of them.

  He held her tightly against him. Relaxing, she rested her head on his chest. It felt so nice. Charlie’s chin was resting on top of her head as they swayed to the music. The song changed three different times before Cami finally lifted her head. His hands slid back up to the bare part of her back and felt clammy. Was it caused by nerves? Between Charlie and her? They had been hanging together for the past five years. What was going on?

  “Charlie?” Her voice wavered, and she felt odd. How could they suddenly be exchanging confusing signals? They never did that. They were friends, the best of friends. They were…

  “Yeah?” His tone was as soft as hers. She licked her lips. His hands were around her mid-back, touching her bare skin… and he didn’t seem as friend-like as before. Nervous energy churned her insides. What was this? Did she want it? It was Charlie. They didn’t touch like that. They didn’t hold each other. They also didn’t wear pretty clothes or go out like this either.

  “What? I mean… maybe we should get back. Don’t want to miss curfew. AJ threatened me if I did it again, he’d set me on the curbside with my bags packed.”

  “AJ wouldn’t do that. Besides, he trusts me.” Her dad didn’t have custody of Cami until she was thirteen, after her mom died and the state managed to locate him. Although he’d been very good to her and she cared about him, as well as his wife, Kate, she had a hard time calling him Dad. Perhaps because that ship had already sailed. She and authority figures clashed quite often, which ended by creating dysfunctional relationships.

  “AJ would so. He’s determined to make me behave. I can’t be a screw-up.” She giggled. “Although the half bottle of Jack Daniels probably isn’t what he expected tonight.”

  “Like you ever did what he expected.” It wasn’t the words he said, but the way Charlie’s mouth suddenly dropped down closer to her face. And his lips nearly grazed her skin.

  She stared up at him, her throat burning dry. “You and he wish I would behave better, huh?” Her tone was flippant, but she fastened her eyes on his, which made it sound heavy, unsure, and confused.

  He leaned closer. Her head felt light. What was he doing? Why? He was holding her. Touching her was a rare event to begin with, but so closely? And what about the odd timbre to his voice? She wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I’m not your father. I don’t wish anything like that.”

  “Wh—what are you doing?” she whispered as his mouth began hovering over hers.

  “I’m kissing you, Cami.”

  She stared up at him, unsure if she should say something. Charlie was never like that. He was not a direct or take-charge kind of guy. He had zero experience with girls. Went on a few dates, but nothing more. Cami was sure he’d never done more than just kiss a girl. Two girls, to be exact. But now he was telling her what he intended to do, and his words made her face heat up while her breath stalled. She had sex long before she ever met Charlie and with several partners. Well, at least more than two. But not Charlie.

  He was her friend. Her best friend. She’d always been teased and harassed in school. She was never one to fit in with the River’s End locals. Not even now. With only three more days left of school before graduation, she was so anxious to leave it, she could not wait.

  But at the ranch, the Rydell ranch that was owned by Charlie’s dad and his uncles, she was unconditionally accepted and cared for. No one said she was different or acted like she was anything but what she was. She was never bullied or made fun of. She was safe there. And the key reason was Charlie, who had always been there for her. He took her under his wing the first summer when she showed up and the two of them had been inseparable ever since. He was quiet and reserved in school, with little interest in the animal care or working around the ranch. He was so unlike the rest of the men in his family. He felt destined for a future that was far more exotic and interesting than this rural valley or farming.

  But despite all of that, Cami and Charlie became friends. The best of friends. What was he doing now by saying he intended to kiss her? They never kissed before. Never. She didn’t know how to kiss Charlie. It would have been awkward to say the least and…

  His lips touched hers. She stood stock-still with her back rigidly upright and her eyes wide open. What was this? But all at once, it became different. He leaned over her and dipped down to fit his mouth better on hers. His hands cupped her face and her eyes fluttered shut when his lips moved over hers in the gentlest, softest kiss she could have imagined. His thumbs rubbed her skin in a soft caress. Her arms crept up around his neck and she pressed herself closer to him, going up on her tippy-toes until her lips reached his. His hands let go of her face and he drew her closer as his mouth opened over hers. He seemed to sip on her lips and tongue in a soft and gentle swordplay with his. She was shocked when a zap! of feelings and nerve endings suddenly rushed through all of her senses. She didn’t expect to like it so much. She also didn’t expect for Charlie to suddenly dip his head down and plunge his tongue fully inside her mouth. In response, she reciprocated with as much force as he used.

  They silently moved around each other with their mouths fused and their tongues melding together. Everything she thought she knew about being kissed fled, along with everything she thought she knew about Charlie.

  She pulled back, breathing hard, her blood warming and her body turned on. She stared at him with her eyes wide in surprise. “Why did you do that?”

  “Because I’ve wanted to do it for years.”

  “Years?” she pushed back from him. “Is that why you’ve been pretending to be my friend? You were just hoping to have sex with me eventually?”

  “No. I was your friend because I like you. I wasn’t planning to get anything from you. And somewhere along the line, I guess I fell in love with you. You were just usually too busy for me, dating someone else or trying to.”

  “So… why tonight?”

  “We look so good together. School’s ending. Maybe it felt like the time had finally arrived for us.” His shoulders twitched. “But if not, then I guess I’ll be gone to college soon anyway.”

  Her eyes grew huge and she completely extricated hers
elf from his embrace. Staring out over the valley, she began rubbing her arms at the chill his last words caused in her. “What? Are you saying that if I don’t like you back, we aren’t friends anymore?”

  “No. No, of course not. We’ll always be friends. I just feel a lot more for you now and I guess, I just wanted you to know that. You have to decide what you want to do about it.”

  “Me? You think you feel…”

  “I know you better than anyone else. It’s not a matter of thinking, but of knowing.”

  “But…” she started to pace before she stopped. Her gaze found his. “But what if it doesn’t work? It could ruin us too. I mean, I can’t lose you, Charlie. I can’t risk that. I have to have you in my life—”

  “Why? Why do you have to have me, Cami?”

  “Because…” her thoughts instantly scattered. There was no one reason why, but he couldn’t leave. He was the one she always called when AJ or Kate pissed her off or tried to get too close to her. She found their efforts too hard to return. He was the one she always looked for after school when she needed to vent about the mean-girl treatment she received, or when she felt she had to get away from the ranch. She always took him with her to go anywhere. Whether they hid up in the hills and partied with the other school kids or just to be alone. Charlie always made sure she was okay. And she liked to think she did the same for him. She could make him stop being serious and quiet. She knew how to drag him back into real life.

  “Because I can’t imagine spending even a single day without talking to you. Needing you. Laughing with you. You make me feel normal, and I’ve never felt normal before. No one else does that for me.”

  He reached forward, setting his hand on her arm and drawing her to him until their foreheads touched. “You do the same for me.” His lips dropped down and pressed on hers again. Just a soft sliding of his lips over hers. “I love you. We’re not kids anymore.”

  That sent a shudder through her spine. It was easier when they were kids because then, she could blame her bad judgment on their youth. The thought of being eighteen and suddenly getting thrust into the category of adulthood didn’t exactly thrill her. She wasn’t ready for that yet. Adult decisions and the idea of graduating from high school were major events in her life. The one guy she always liked and relied on was Charlie.