CLAIMED FOR DESTINY
NEW YORK AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
BRENDA JACKSON
CLAIMED FOR DESTINY
CONTENTS
JARED’S COUNTERFEIT FIANCÉE
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
THE CHASE IS ON
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
Dear Readers,
When I first introduced the Westmoreland family, little did I know they would become hugely popular with readers. Originally, the Westmoreland Family series was intended to be just six books—Delaney and her five brothers, Dare, Thorn, Stone, Storm and Chase. Later, I wanted my readers to meet their cousins— Jared, Spencer, Durango, Ian, Quade and Reggie. And finally, there were Uncle Corey’s triplets—Clint, Cole and Casey.
What began as a six-book series blossomed into a thirty-book series—and counting—featuring the Atlanta-based Westmorelands and the Westmorelands of Denver. I was very happy when Kimani responded to my readers’ request that the earlier books be reprinted. And I’m even happier that the reissues are in a great, two-books-in-one format.
Claimed for Destiny includes Jared’s Counterfeit Fiancée and The Chase Is On, books six and seven in the Westmoreland series. When Jared and Dana meet, business becomes pleasure. And Chase and Jessica prove that the kitchen isn’t the only place to stir up something hot and delicious. Both stories will have you yearning for a Westmoreland man of your own.
I hope you enjoy these special romances as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Happy reading!
Brenda Jackson
JARED’S COUNTERFEIT FIANCÉE
In whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
—Colossians 2:3 KJV
To my husband, the love of my life and my best friend, Gerald Jackson, Sr.
To everyone who wants to meet those Westmoreland men, this book is for you!
Prologue
Jared Westmoreland glanced up from the legal document he’d been reading when he heard a commotion out side of his office door.
He heard his sec re tar y say, “Wait a minute, miss. You just can’t barge into Mr. Westmoreland’s office unannounced,” moments before his door flew open and a gorgeous but angry woman stormed in.
Jared’s heart rate quickened and his pulse accelerated. He forced back the blatant desire that rushed through him as he walked from behind his desk. The woman was absolutely stunning. Even her apparent anger didn’t de tract from her beauty. In one smooth glance, he took in a mass of dark brown curls that framed her face and the smooth, creamy texture of her skin—the color of rich mahogany. Then there were her beautiful dark brown eyes with perfectly arched brows, a delectable pair of lips and rounded cheeks with dimples that not even her anger could hide. A sleek, curvy body in a pair of slacks and a tailored blouse completed the vision of beauty.
“Mr. Westmoreland, I tried to stop her but she—”
“That’s all right, Jeannie,” Jared said to his secretary, who had raced in behind the woman.
“Do you want me to call security?”
“No, I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Jeannie Tillman, who’d worked for him for over five years, didn’t look too convinced. “Are you sure?”
He stared at the seething woman who was standing with both hands on her hips, glaring at him. “Yes, I’m sure.” Jeannie gave him a hesitant nod and turned to leave, closing the door behind her.
Jared turned his full attention to his beautiful intruder. He was fairly certain that she was not a client since he didn’t for get a beautiful face. In fact, he was sure he’d never met her before.
Dana Rollins met Jared’s stare and tried to keep her in tense reaction to him from showing. She had heard about Jared Westmoreland, Atlanta’s hot shot, millionaire attorney. Now she was seeing him for herself and it seemed that all she’d heard was true. He was definitely the stuff dreams were made of. A sharp dresser, all the way down to his expensive-looking leather shoes, he was tall, with a body that was well built. Solid as a rock. He had coffee-colored skin, dark brown eyes, a solid jaw, straight nose and close-cut black hair. They were hand some features on a sensual face; the kind that would definitely make her do a double take. But she couldn’t dwell on how sexy he looked. She was here for business and nothing more.
“I’m sure there’s a reason why you barged into my office, Miss…”
“Rollins,” she supplied sharply. His words reminded her of what that business was. “And yes, there is a reason. This!” she said, pulling an envelope out of her purse. “I received this certified letter from you less than an hour ago demanding that I return my engagement ring to Luther. I tried calling him but was told he’s out of town so I immediately came here to get an explanation.”
Jared took the letter from her and looked at it. The assessment didn’t take long. He glanced back at her. “I gather you have a problem with returning the ring, Miss Rollins?” he asked.
“Of course I do. Luther decided he wasn’t read y to give up his single status and called off our wedding a week before it was to take place. Besides the embarrassment and humiliation of everything—explaining things to my friends and returning shower gifts—I was left with all the wedding expenses. And to pour salt on the wound, I received that letter from your firm.”
Jared in haled deeply. Evidently she hadn’t yet realized that Luther Cord had done her a favor. “Miss Rollins, I suggest you consult your own attorney to verify what I’m telling you, but my client has every right to ask for the engagement ring back. An engagement ring represents a conditional gift. The proposition is that the condition is marriage and not a willingness to marry. Thus if the engagement is bro ken, for whatever reason, the expectation is that the ring is returned, just as you returned the wedding presents and shower gifts,” he said.
He watched as she crossed her arms over her chest and the angry frown on her lips deepened and turned rebellious. “I refuse to give it back. It’s the principle of the thing.”
Jared shook his head thinking that principle had nothing to do with it. The law was the law. “Unfortunately, Miss Rollins, you’re faced with a losing battle and a very costly one. Do you want to add a bunch of legal fees to everything else right now?”
He knew the mention of finances would help make her think straight. And knowing he had her thinking in the right direction, he pressed for ward. “I know what you’re going through must be painful, but my advice to you is to try and put this episode behind you and move on. You’re a beautiful woman, and I believe there’s a man out there who’s truly worthy of you. Evidently Luther Cord isn’t. Perhaps you should count your blessings.”
Jared knew his words weren’t what she wanted to hear but he wanted to be as honest with her as he could. There was only so much he could say, considering the fact that Luther Cord was his client. In fact, he had said too much al read y. But for some reason he wanted to help end her heartache as soon as possible.
Moments passed and Dana didn’t say anything, but he could tell she was thinking about what he’d said. Then he watched as she pulled a small white box from her purse and
handed it to him.
He met her gaze when she said softly, “I appreciate your advice and al though it’s a bitter pill to swallow, I’ll return the ring.”
He flipped it open and saw the dazzling diamond solitaire before placing the small box on his desk. “You’re doing the right thing, Miss Rollins.”
She nodded and extended her hand to him. “The last thing I need is to get into more debt. Luther isn’t worth it.”
He accepted her hand, liking the way it fit neatly into his. “I hope things work out for you,” he said with complete sincerity.
Dana gazed intently into his eyes and smiled appreciatively. Although she hadn’t wanted to hear what he’d said, she couldn’t help but be grateful for his honesty. In her experience, compassion and kindness were two emotions attorneys seldom possessed. “Somehow they will. I know I interrupted your work by barging in here the way I did and I apologize,” she said.
“You didn’t interrupt anything,” Jared said smoothly. “And as for my advice, consider it a favor.”
The smile that touched her lips widened. “Thanks. Maybe I’ll be able to return the favor some day. I owe you one.”
As he re leased her hand and watched her turn and walk out of his office, Jared thought to himself that Dana Rollins was as sensual as a woman could get.
One
A month later
Jared Westmoreland was having one hell of a morning.
It began with the message his mother had left on his answering ma chine last night, reminding him that his father’s and his uncle’s birthdays fell on Easter Sunday this year and requesting that he set an example for his five brothers by bringing a date to the huge dinner party she and his aunt Evelyn had planned.
His cousin Storm’s recent wedding had made his mother, Sarah, take stock and realize that her six sons had yet to show serious interest in any woman. And of course, since he was the eldest, she felt he should be the first and had every intention of prod ding him in the right direction. It didn’t matter that he and his brothers were successful and enjoyed being single. She felt that the only way any of them could truly be happy was to find that special woman and tie the knot. The only one who wasn’t experiencing the heat was his brother Spencer, whose fiancée Lynette, had died in a drowning accident three years ago.
Jared rose from his chair and walked over to the window. To add to the annoyance of his mother’s call, he had arrived at work an hour later than usual because of traffic. And as if things couldn’t get any worse, he had just received a phone call from entertainer Sylvester Brewster, who wanted to file for a divorce—from wife number three. Sylvester was good for business, but it was hard to watch him involve himself in relationships that didn’t last.
When Jared heard the buzzer sounding on his desk, he turned around and sighed heavily, wondering if the morning could get any worse. Crossing the room he picked up the phone. “Yes, Jeannie?”
“Mr. Westmoreland, your mother is on the line.”
Jared shook his head. Yes, his morning could get worse. It just did. “Go ahead and put her through.”
A few moments later after hearing the connection, he said. “Hi, Mom.”
“Did you get my message, Jared?”
Jared raised his gaze to the ceiling before saying. “Yes, I got it.”
“Good. Then I’ll be setting an extra plate out for dinner next Sunday.”
Jared wanted to tell her in a nice, respectable way that if she set out the plate there was a strong chance it would sit there empty. But before he could get the words out, his mother quickly added, “Remember, you’re the oldest and I expect you to set an example. Besides, you’re not getting any younger.”
She made it seem as if he was fifty-seven instead of thirty-seven. Besides, his mother knew how he felt about the institution of marriage. He was a divorce attorney for heaven’s sake. He ended marriages, not put them together. He’d handled enough divorce cases to know that marriage wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. People got married and then a lot of them eventually got divorced. It was a vicious cycle; one that made him money, but sickened him at the same time. Although there were long-lasting marriages in the Westmoreland family, he considered them exceptions and not the norm. It would be just his luck to have the first failed marriage in the family and he had no intention of becoming a statistic.
“Jared, are you listening?”
He sighed. When she used that tone, he had no other choice but to listen. “Yes, but has it occurred to you that Durango, Ian, Spencer, Quade, Reggie and I like being single?” he asked respectfully.
“And has it ever occurred to any of you that your father and I aren’t getting any younger and we’d love to have grandchildren while we’re still of sound mind to enjoy them?”
Jared shook his head. First, she was trying to shove marriage down their throats and now she was hinting at grandchildren. But he was smart enough to know that the last thing he needed was to butt heads with caring, stub born Sarah Westmoreland. He would rather face an uncompromising judge in the court room than oppose his mother. It was an uphill battle that he just didn’t have the energy for right now.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he finally said.
“Thanks, Son. That’s all I ask.”
“Really, Dana, I wish you would think about going with us.”
Dana Rollins glanced up at Cybil Franklin, who stood in the middle of her office with a determined frown on her face. Cybil was Dana’s best friend from high school and the primary reason she had relocated from Tennessee to Atlanta three years ago to take a position at Kessler Industries as a landscape architect.
“Thanks, Cybil, but I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that three’s a crowd. I don’t think going with you and Ben to North Carolina this weekend is a good idea.”
Cybil rolled her eyes. “It’s just a camping trip to the mountains. I feel awful knowing you’ll be spending Easter alone.”
Leaning back in the chair behind her desk, Dana smiled easily. “Hey, I’m a twenty-seven-year-old woman who can take care of herself. I’ll be fine and I have no problem spending Easter alone.” It will be just like every other year since Mom and Dad died.
None of the holidays were the same any more since her parents had been killed in a car accident on their way to her college graduation five years earlier. Since she had no other family, their deaths had left her truly alone. She’d thought all that had changed when she met Luther. They began dating in early spring and after six months, he had asked her to marry him.
“It’s times like these when I’m tempted to find Luther Cord and kill him,” Cybil said angrily. “When I think of what he did to you, I get so mad.”
Dana smiled softly, no longer able to muster up anger when she thought about Luther. He had paid her an unexpected visit last week to tell her that he was moving to California. He told her that his decision not to marry had nothing to do with her, that he’d come to terms with his sexual preference, and that in his own way he loved her, but not in the way a husband is supposed to love his wife. At first she had been shocked, but then she’d acknowledged that the signs had all been there. She couldn’t, or hadn’t wanted to see them. Dana hadn’t told anyone about Luther’s confession, not even Cybil.
Dana turned her attention back to her friend. “I told you that I’d be fine. It won’t be the first or the last holiday that I spend alone.”
“I know but I wish that—”
“Cybil, let it go. You need to get out of here if you’re meeting Ben for lunch,” she said, trying to propel her out the door.
“Okay, but call me soon?”
As soon as Cybil left, Dana re leased a huge sigh.
Since her break up with Luther, Dana put all of her time and energy into her job. Work wasn’t a substitute for having a family and a personal life, but it did take her mind off her loneliness.
She glanced at the calendar on her desk. It was hard to believe next week was Easter al read y. Her parents would make every ho
liday special and even while in college she enjoyed going home during spring break to spend Easter with them. She remembered their last Easter together. They had gone to sunrise church service and later they had feasted on the delicious dinner her mother had pre pared, not knowing it would be the last holiday meal they would share together.
She sighed deeply, not wanting to relinquish the memories just yet but knowing that she had to. Somehow she would get through another holiday with out her parents. She had no other choice.
“What would you like to order, sir?”
Jared studied the huge menu posted on the wall behind the counter and made his decision. “Umm, give me a ham and cheese all the way on whole wheat, an order of French fries and a glass of sweetened tea.”
“All right. Your order will be read y in a minute.”
Jared nodded then glanced around. Usually he met clients for lunch at restaurants that served the finest cuisine; and at other times he would order in and eat lunch at his office. But he had decided to take ad vantage of how beautiful a day it was and walk the block from his office to the deli.
The place was crowded and he hoped that he would be able to find a seat by the time his lunch was ready. He was even willing to share a table or booth with some one if the person didn’t have a problem with it.
As his eyes scanned the crowded restaurant, he tried to find some one sitting alone. Abruptly his gaze stopped on a familiar-looking woman at a booth, who was reading a book while leisurely munching on a French fry. A memory suddenly flared in his mind, jump-started his senses and instantly stirred heat with in him.
Dana Rollins.
It had been a month since she had stormed into his office, but he vividly recalled the impact she’d made on his male senses when she’d barged in that day. He felt blood race through his veins, reminding him that he’d been so bus y at work, he hadn’t been with a woman in over eight months.
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