Sharp pounding at the door sent her stomach plunging with fear.
“Destiny!”
Then the banging got louder.
She knew that voice. It was Cynthia.
Jumping up from the bed she ran for the door, which she locked earlier. Her fingers scrabbled with the lock until it finally gave way. She yanked the door open.
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Cynthia.”
“Are you okay?” Her gaze carefully swept the darkened room beyond her shoulder. “You screamed.”
It had been her that had screamed. “I did?”
Feeling foolish for alarming everyone, she tried for a smile. Her lips quivered. “I’m sorry. I guess it’s everything that has been happening lately. It was another dream about Stanley coming after me.”
Cynthia smoothed a hand over her hair. “He can’t hurt you now and if anything happens the police will be able to handle it. No one is going to hurt you.”
She wanted to believe that. Needed to believe that. “You can’t make that promise. That’s not something you can control.”
Her eyebrows drew together in a frown. “I understand that, but God can do everything; he will protect you.”
“I know that, and I prayed before going to bed.” She squeezed Cynthia’s hand.
“God is in control.” Dropping her gaze to the front of her pajamas she almost whispered.
“Lord, sometimes, it’s so hard to…remember and trust. Help me do both.”
Confessing that out loud lifted a weight off her shoulders. She hadn’t realized how much she needed someone in her life she could talk to without feeling she’d be judged. Cynthia wouldn’t judge her. She was sure of it. Adam had been right—counseling was good but she needed the help of friends as well.
Cynthia gave her a wry smile. “Believe me, I understand.” Cynthia hurt for her, for the pain she carried because of her abuse. Cynthia looked her in the eyes and said,
“We’re quite a pair.” Turning she gave her sister friend a hug.
“You should try to get some sleep,” she said.
This time Destiny didn’t lock the door. If she trusted God then she had to have enough faith to believe he would keep her safe.
She had made Adam angry last night. Worse, she didn’t know if he’d given up on her.
Destiny paced her bedroom, her mind racing with a million thoughts, none of them pleasant. If it weren’t Sunday she would have stayed in bed wallowing in pity. Had she done the right thing with Adam? She wasn’t sure, didn’t dare to speculate it was over and she had been honest with him.
She wanted to blame stress on her lapse in judgment. But the truth was, Adam had a way of making her forget all the reasons why getting involved with him wasn’t a good idea.
“God, can you help me out, tell me what to do? That’s all I want. Some hint that will help me understand why You brought him into my life.”
But she knew God didn’t work that way.
Frustrated, she walked into her bathroom to get ready for church. She couldn’t spend all morning thinking about him. But she did and now she had to rush to morning service.
As she opened the door to leave the house, she was thankful for the light of day. She was ready for a wonderful worship experience. As she drove she bobbed her head to the gospel song on the radio “Oh, Happy Day,” which brought back a memory of her childhood with her aunt as they prepared to go to Sunday school. She’d been thirteen, old enough to be in the adult choir, and they sang that song on several occasions.
Reaching for and opening the sanctuary door, she let her gaze wander to the crowd inside. A typical Sunday morning at Greater Community with people passing by in the lobby, some hurrying to find places to sit and others meandering, talking about the weeks they’d had.
A young boy dawdling behind his mother stopped to stare at Destiny. She’d seen him on several occasions. She smiled and he lifted his hand in a shy wave. With a short laugh, Destiny turned her attention back to sanctuary. She walked in looking for a seat close to the front.
He’d been keeping an eye on her this morning, but she seemed to have recovered from his impromptu visit. Adam didn’t think he’d ever forget the flash of relief he’d seen in her eyes when she’d walked through the door of the sanctuary and looked at him. I can’t lose her, not when I’ve just found her. He wasn’t sure where that thought had come from and there was no time to analyze his feelings. He’d played it cool for her sake, but he’d been hard pressed not to do something foolish like leaving the pulpit to acknowledge her presence, especially since he wasn’t even sure she was going to come this morning.
The only thing that mattered at the moment was his sermon, but Destiny was there right now. He thought to himself, “Please, God, please, don’t let her end what you’re trying to do before we began.” He didn’t know what would happen, but as he walked to the podium he vowed he’d ask her to accompany him to his parents weekly Sunday dinner.
Chapter 27
It took some fancy footwork but he had convinced her to join him at his parent’s house for dinner. He reflected on what she said immediately after he asked. “Before we leave, I wanted to say something about yesterday.” He had groaned theatrically and clutched his stomach as they stood in his outer office.
Giving him a short chuckle, she said, “I’ll be quick, I promise. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me since I moved to Seattle and for last night. The way I was feeling could have been a disaster for us, a huge setback, but I can truly say God spoke to me through the sermon you preached this morning. “‘Finding Strength from God in the Dark’ it really gave me the courage to walk in this season of my life. All I’ve ever wanted was to be independent. A new relationship never crossed my mind. This thing that’s happening between you and I, wasn’t my dream, but since I’ve been saved, I see that God orchestrates things for our good. Although I was comfortable in my past, it was comfortable discomfort. No longer will I be a slave to my past. I will always remember the kindness and generosity you showed me last night. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say, ‘thank you.’”
She stood there looking at him. He was watching her with warm eyes.
“Destiny, all I want is what’s best for you. I want to be in your life, but I’m willing to wait. I want you to trust me and trust us. The only way you will be able to do that is for me not be overbearing and let you move in this relationship at your own pace. I’m willing to do that.”
So a half hour later here they were at his parents’ house with him opening her car door. Destiny was happy that Adam decided they would arrive ahead of the other guests for the Sunday dinner with his family. She had seen them on several occasions and even exchanged hugs, but she still had not been officially introduced as Adam’s friend. Destiny could do nothing but stare in disbelief at the beautiful home. It was a large two-story brown brick home. The windows were large with beautiful shutters, giving the house a warm curb appeal. There were columns that surrounded a wraparound porch.The hedges and trees were trimmed beautifully. She wasn’t surprised by the beautiful home, but she was surprised to see his parents coming out to greet them.
Adam’s mom, Mary, was wearing a floral sundress with a pair of gold slides. Her hair was styled with curls. Destiny admired the fact that her movements were so graceful, like she was royalty. It was intimidating knowing that this was the woman who had given birth to Adam. If she was nervous before, she was even more so now.
Bill seemed relaxed. He had strong, broad shoulders, looking very distinguished in his white shirt and loose, dark jeans. His alert eyes, the same as Adam’s, were trained on her, and a smile was in place on his face. However, she felt as if he were watching everything about her to see if she was just as relaxed and comfortable as they were. His hair had a touch of silver around the edges. He was a very handsome man, and she knew where Adam and Marvin got their looks.
“We are so excited to have you here, Destiny,” Adam’s mother sa
id, moving from under her husband’s protective arm to embrace Destiny. She made Destiny feel as if she was already a part of their family. She couldn’t help but notice utter happiness on his mother’s face.
“Mom, she’ll be here the rest of the day. So you can relax,” Adam stated, surprising himself as he spoke those words.
“Oh, I’m just happy, Adam!” Mary replied as Adam’s father made his way over.
“You both come on in the house. I was just about to take my roast out the oven. Adam, I want to chat with Destiny before you steal her away!”
Destiny smiled when she saw the small smile coming from Adam’s father.
“Welcome to our home, Destiny. You have to excuse my wife. She’s excited about your visit today.” When Destiny’s eyes made contact with Bill, he was watching her. Leaning in to whisper, he said, “She picked you out for her son some months ago before she met you.”
Mary rolled her eyes while playfully hitting his arm. She started leading Destiny inside the house, talking fast about her meal and the day she had planned for all of them. Something about Mary made Destiny feel very welcome and very at peace, so she didn’t feel too awkward or uncomfortable.
Destiny’s eyes widened as she entered the foyer. “Mrs. Wheeler, you have a lovely home. Did you decorate it yourself?”
“Yes, the boys built this house for us a couple of years ago. To say we were surprised is an understatement. It was such a wonderful thing for them to do for us. We’ve never asked them for a thing. It was their way of saying they loved us, as if we didn’t already know it.” Mary watched her husband and son walk in behind them. “Adam told us that your friend Tina Wilson and her family will be joining us for dinner today. I’m glad. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a gathering this large.”
“Yes, Adam invited them after service. I hope it’s not an inconvenience.” She looked a little anxious as she watched Mary shake her head.
“No, I’ve cooked plenty. I asked Sara to come after Sunday school, but she told me she had plans with your father.”
“They do have plans. My father is taking her downtown for dinner, and then they’re going to a movie.”
“Well, she’s welcomed here any time, even your father. I would love to get to know Sara better. It’s wonderful to have a husband and sons, but sometimes, I’m positively sick of only male companions. Don’t get me wrong. I love them, but they absolutely refuse to go shopping with me.”
They both laughed as Destiny followed her farther into the house without saying much. She looked and listened as Mary showed off her home, stopping by the gourmet kitchen to take the roast out of the oven.
Adam, along with his father, went toward the back of the house. Mary sat on the sofa as Destiny followed suit. Relaxing on the sofa, Mary spoke. “Adam has done nothing on his visits but talk about you, Destiny. I must say, he really is smitten by you.”
Destiny smiled, pulling a strand of hair from her face. “I have to admit, he’s a special man. You and your husband raised a wonderful son, Mrs. Wheeler.”
Mary looked curiously at Destiny. “It was easy because both of my sons had the support of a mother and father. I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“That’s the way I want to raise my children when and if it happens.” Sighing, Destiny looked everywhere but back at Mary.
Reaching out, Mary placed a hand gently on Destiny’s arm. “Adam has always wanted children as well. I’ve watched you, Destiny, over the last several months, admiring what I’ve seen. Not every woman would have been as low key as you have been, getting the attention of the pastor of a ministry like Greater Community.”
Laughing, Destiny replied, “The one thing I know, Mrs. Wheeler, is that Adam needs a strong, confident saved woman in his life. He’s a good, sold-out man of God who only wants to glorify his Father in heaven. I believe I’m a good woman. I know for sure I’m saved, and yes, all I want to do is please God. There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other, but in time we will because I don’t want us to have secrets that will cause hurt or pain later. I don’t want us to have any skeletons in our closets. I could love your son if I don’t already, but I want to make sure we have a good foundation.”
Mary smiled with a look of relief. “I knew there was something special about you, Destiny.” Getting up from the sofa, she looked at Destiny and asked, “So are you ready to help me in the kitchen?”
Destiny’s eyes lit up as she stood. “Just lead the way. I’d be glad to assist you. I love to cook.”
Mary took Destiny’s hand, pulling her close in a warm hug. “And you like to cook. Adam always did have a good head on his shoulders.”
Chapter 28
Did it always rain in this God-forsaken place? Stanley thought as he drove away from the hotel in his rental car. He’d been in Seattle for three days now and it was time to get out of this city. Finding the house was easy with the GPS in his rental car. He’d even been able to watch the comings and goings of the residents from down the street. The first time he saw Destiny caused his heart rate to increase.
She seemed happy each time he saw her. There wasn’t that scowl on her face that he’d seen so often. He saw her leave home a couple of nights ago with the man he’d read about in his packet—the pastor. She was dressed like she was going on a date. It had been late when they returned.
Now he was on the road again, his report indicated that she attended the church of the pastor she was seeing. Since he had an address and a picture, finding it would be easy. His heart raced with anticipation. Maybe today he’d be able to speak to her.
There was no denying that Destiny was gorgeous. If she weren’t, he’d never been bothered with her. She had moved on with her life as if he never existed but for the last seven months, he had been laughed at by all of his friends for being doped by a silly immature woman. If she hadn’t fought with him that night, he would have never left her to go out with his friends. It was her fault he had to hit her with so much force. She was a woman after all. He wasn’t trying to kill her, just teach her a lesson.
Stanley looked at the directions then at the street sign. One right turn and he’d be there.
Then he smiled as he looked at the church ahead of him. Once he had her with him alone, he would be able to convince her that he loved her and she’d come back home. He got out of his car at the church and stood looking at the building knowing she was inside. He breathed in the memory of her sweet smell and felt a flicker of something in his memory. He put a hand to his head, frowning as he tried to concentrate on Destiny instead of his pounding head. All of this thinking and planning was giving him uncontrollable migraines.
Stanley began heaving with each ragged pant he took through his nostril. He knew it would be just a matter of time. His fists were uncurling and his hands dangled at his sides. Destiny was always trying him. She had no right leaving him the way she did. He shook his head as if to make sense of it all. She should have known better. He was a big man, six-one, two hundred and twenty pounds. She couldn’t wiggle out from his hold, let alone try to keep him from taking her back to South Carolina.
For three years he tried everything to drive her crazy, but she’d endured his subtle taunts, his jealousy and control issues, all his passive-aggressive forms of emotional abuse. She’d even made excuses to her friends for not being around them. There was no woman who could replace her in his mind and he wasn’t going to try. He wanted her back. As far as he was concerned, she’d be with him when he left this god-forsaken state next week.
He didn’t like being outmaneuvered. He’d run out of options until he’d gotten that mysterious call and hired a private investigator. The woman’s name was Regina and they were going to meet later this week. Two days after she contacted him, he reached out to her. She’d told him everything she knew from the beginning to end with a timeline and, most importantly, names and descriptions. Stanley had contacted his own private investigator to see what he could find out about this Regina and Pastor Adam
Wheeler. After a lengthy conversation Regina showed some interest in him and his money; it didn’t matter she was just a means to an end. Maybe he’d been wrong to take such a drastic measure, but he’d been desperate to find Destiny. He was determined to bring her back and he could use all the help he could get.
So today was the beginning of his plan. He wouldn’t stop or leave Seattle without Destiny. He had become obsessed with her movements around the city, even memorizing her work schedule. The opportunity would come, then he would have to move quickly. A smile lit his face. The same beaming smile he’d donned when he’d gotten the message about her being in Seattle. His thighs relaxed, he flexed his hands. Things were getting better by the second. Anticipation roared like a wild beast in his veins. Stanley hid his disgust when he thought about the information his private investigator had given him. Irritation etched into his aged features.
“I’ll show Pastor Adam Wheeler who she belongs to, if he gets in my way.” He was squeezing his fist so tightly, blood pooled in the center of his hands. “There’s something between us and he’ll see it when we are together again.” His restraint snapped like an elastic band. He walked back to his car to wait. They’d be out soon. The only way he’d go into a church would be in a coffin, and that wasn’t going to happen for a long time.
Chapter 29
Cynthia picked her son’s up after school. She had breathed a sigh of relief when their last meeting ended, wanting to get to her parents home before it got too late. As she was about to leave the office, Marvin stopped by. He had gotten back from Atlanta the day before after finalizing his business deal. She reminded him she was going to her parents’ house today. He was very caring knowing this was going to be a day of reconciliation for her and her parents. She had prayed about it this morning but some days she just felt tired, and today was one of those days. Yes, she loved God but she just felt burden, but God showed her he hadn’t given up on her when Marvin suggested they pray for God to intervene on her behalf. Still dazed, she watched Marvin as he moved to escort her to the elevators. Picking up her purse, she quickly joined him.
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