Dance With Destiny

by Louise Crawford Ramona Butler

  Near dawn, fatigue drew her into sleep. But Cole followed her into her dream world, his blue eyes becoming the eyes of a white wolf, watching her, calling her to him...

  She awoke with a start, the apartment dark and quiet. Lonely. Empty. What was the dream's message? Was she supposed to go to Cole? Or was she reading into the dream only what she wanted?

  *****

  Cole slept late, not wanting to get up and face a lonely Sunday, nor think about his confrontation with Jake. The man was so insufferably biased. How could he have ever thought Jake might help him in any way, shape, or form?

  "Whites are all right as long as they stay away from my sister," Jake had warned at the end of what Cole had thought was a fairly civil conversation. The man had looked as though he might help, all right – help Cole right into a coffin. Cole had itched to deck him, wipe the arrogant smirk from his face. One minute they'd been talking, the next...

  All hell had broken loose.

  Cole couldn’t remember who'd gotten in the first blow. But there he'd been, rolling around in the dirt with a wild man. Then, suddenly, he'd been flat on his back, nose to nose with Jake. They'd taken a good look at one another – and both of them had burst out laughing.

  Cole chuckled. Jake was okay – just quick on the trigger. Cole hadn't been any patient preacher, either. Laughter had smoothed their parting to almost amicable.

  "Darn the man, anyway," Cole muttered, sliding from bed. Wildman Jake was just going to have to accept Cole in the family, because he, Dr. Colorado Jackson, was determined to marry Destiny. If her brother wouldn't help convince her, he'd figure a way himself.

  He yanked on his robe, stomped across the hall to Kayla's room, and plopped down on her empty bed. She was spending the night at his parent’s house and he missed her. He picked up one of her stuffed bears, but the framed photograph on the dresser drew his attention. Lanni. Kayla. Him. Such easy smiles back then. Broken Hoof had fallen head over heels in love with Lanni and her tribal family. Then with his infant daughter.

  And now with Destiny.

  He started across the room. It seemed only fitting that his foot connected with a hard object. “Dr. Klutz,” he muttered as Kayla’s magic ouija board went sliding under the bed.

  Grateful it hadn't been something like a bowling ball, he dropped to his knees and fumbled through the dust bunnies for the board and the plastic toy. Feeling foolish, he glowered at it. "Okay, you plastic blob, what do you have to say for yourself? Lay it on me. I can use all the magic I can get. Will Destiny and I get back together?"

  As though making wishes on birthday candles, he closed his eyes a moment then let the piece move under his hand wherever it seemed to want to go.

  No thunder and lightning, no booming voice from the netherworld. But the piece stopped over the YES.

  If only he believed it.

  Disgusted, he tossed the toy onto the bed. It had to be defective.

  Still wrestling with ideas of how to convince Destiny of his love, his gaze fell on the feathers Kayla kept clipped to her mirror.

  His mind skipped to the ones Destiny had held aloft as she danced at the powwow. How lovely she had looked. The image was etched in his heart forever. He could still see her fringe swaying, still hear the drum beat...

  And suddenly he knew. The answer was risky, yet so simple he almost laughed.

  *****

  When Kayla came home, he enlisted her help. Her eyes lit up as he explained the plan. Then he called Web to find out Destiny's work schedule.

  Web sounded downright giddy. "Tomorrow's her last day. I'm taking her out to lunch, sort of a graduation gesture."

  "Then what?" he demanded, recalling that Web's lunch dates were usually preludes to some heavy breathing and wanton bedroom antics.

  "Then nothing. I've found a certain redheaded woman who would take my hide if I even thought of turning lunch with Destiny into a romantic rendezvous."

  Cole found himself grinning from ear to ear. Romeo Baker was beginning to sound like a fellow who'd been roped and tied. No doubt about it though, Sylvia would make one helluva jailer. And Web displayed signs of being downright eager to throw away his own key.

  The sudden picture of his old pal as a docile husband was enough to make Cole laugh. "I guess, then, Dr. Baker, for everyone's sake, you better make sure you have Destiny back to the hospital by three."

  He would swear on a stack of Web’s little black books that he heard the man giggle.

  “Not to worry, Cole, I will. I have a hot date with Sylvia and Cindy. We're going to McDonald's and then take in a Disney movie."

  Web Baker, Esquire, devotee of caviar and french champagne, was dining at the Golden Arches? Cole shook head in disbelief. "Oh, Lordy, Web, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy."

  Cole said a hasty goodbye, then immediately hit redial. "One more thing, Web, old buddy. Name the first one after me, okay?"

  The man was still sputtering denials as Cole hung up the second time.

  He dashed to the closet, shoved suits, shirts, jackets out of the way, found what he was looking for in the back. Eagle feathers and buckskin, ancient Paiute apparel. What there was of it.

  He held it up, puffing out his chest, sucking in his already flat belly. He wasn't in quite the same shape as he’d been ten years ago. Still, he worked out three days a week, was careful what he ate...

  He pulled the leather off the hanger. Camping outside Destiny's apartment for five days in little more than a loin cloth? He was certifiably crazy to do it, but she’d asked him to dance. The ancient Paiute courting ritual was the one way he knew to convince her he loved her. He would have to trust that the Spirits would make her see the truth. Heck, why else would he run the risk of double pneumonia, another broken toe, or frostbite?

  He held up the small scrap of buckskin. Sheesh, he just might get arrested.

  Well, maybe not in Nevada where almost anything was legal. But arrested or not, he intended to dance outside her door. And maybe – hopefully – she'd open that door, along with her heart.

  Before her neighbors complained about the noise.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Destiny drove by Cole's on her way home from work, but no one was there.

  Uncertain of what else to do, she continued to her apartment and fell into bed, exhausted. She dreamed of the blue-eyed white wolf again. This time he had a dark-eyed wolf huntress as a companion. But then something strange happened, the forest grew dark, mist thickened to a dense fog she couldn't penetrate...

  She awoke feeling cold. Was the mist her own confusion? Were she and Cole meant to be together?

  Darn it, she could hear Coyote laughing at her.

  She kicked off the sheet and climbed from bed, still tired, but relieved that this would be her last shift as a resident. “After tonight,” she promised herself, “I'm going to sleep for a week.” All she had to do was get through this shift. And after lunch with Web, she'd be free for two months!

  "Hurray!" she yipped, tossing her pillow in the air, trying to manufacture some enthusiasm.

  It didn't work.

  Her enthusiasm landed with a dull thud. Two months without seeing Cole didn't sound like much of a vacation when all she hungered for was him.

  Actions did speak louder than words. She believed that. Doubts about how Cole still felt about Lanni notwithstanding, she loved him. Jake didn't know what he was talking about when it came to heart-stopping, soul-searching love. The dreams meant exactly what she wanted them to. She was not going to second-guess the spirits any longer. This was her last day as a resident. As soon as her shift ended, she would call Cole. And if he said, “I love you,” she would believe him.

  But would he even talk to her?

  She suddenly felt a twinge of anxiousness. Had she pushed him away one time too many?

  *****

  Cole's heart skipped into double time at the shrill ring of the kitchen phone. Under Kayla’s excited gaze, he picked it up. It had to be Web.

&nbs
p; The connection reverberated with excitement. "Okay, good buddy, the ball's in your court. I just dropped Destiny off at the hospital. She said she was going straight to your place, but I tried a delaying tactic, suggested she change first."

  "Thanks, pal. I'm on my way."

  "Good luck. And if you need a best man, I'm available – as long as I can wear my tux. It brings out all my good points."

  “Thanks, old buddy.”

  With a chuckle, Web clicked off.

  Cole glanced at Kayla. He’d fasted and prayed – Paiute fashion. He was as ready as he'd ever be. “Your turn at bat, little lady. Call Destiny. If she doesn’t answer, keep hitting redial until she does. Then keep her on the phone until you hear me banging on her door."

  Dark eyes glimmering with childish happiness, Kayla kissed his cheek, careful of his body paint. The fancy paint job was her work, with the help of the new housekeeper who had laughed like another six-year-old as she and Kayla brushed on the ancient symbols and designs.

  Cole slipped on sweats over his other apparel, climbed in the Lexus and called Jake from his cellular. The young brave and his family were stashed at Taco Bell. Dressed in full ceremonial garb, it was safe to say they were probably attracting a fair share of attention. The group would be providing accompaniment for Cole’s performance – and for the engagement celebration to follow.

  At least, he hoped there'd be an engagement to celebrate!

  If I don't faint from embarrassment or break another toe--or end up in the county jail.

  His knuckles were white on the steering wheel. He'd never been so nervous in his life. Nor so determined to do whatever it took to convince Destiny that he loved her.

  And he didn't care if the whole state of Nevada watched, just as long as she got the message--he loved Destiny Moon and they belonged together.

  *****

  Destiny wiggled into her dress, then french-braided her hair. Now, where were her sandals?

  Down on her knees, she was fumbling under the bed when the phone rang. She found one slip-on and scrambled to her feet. "Let it be Cole," she whispered to the emptiness, racing to answer.

  "Destiny?" It was Kayla.

  Destiny dropped into one of the folding chairs. "Kayla. What a wonderful surprise!" Cole had to be home! “Have you convinced your father about Top Gun yet?”

  Kayla giggled. “Yes.”

  Pleased to hear the child’s voice, she realized how much she’d missed her – almost as much as she'd missed Cole.

  "He said I could call."

  Her heart leapt. "Is he there?"

  "Well... not right now. But he'll be home later, maybe tomorrow."

  "Tomorrow? Where'd he go? Who's with you?"

  "Our new housekeeper, Mrs. Campbell." Her voice lowered. "She reminds me of Grandma."

  "You like her, then?"

  "Oh, yes!"

  Destiny spotted her other shoe under the table. She stretched her leg out and snagged it with her toe. "Do you have a number where I can reach your dad? I need to talk to him."

  "Well, let me ask Mrs. Campbell."

  A long wait ensued. Destiny tapped the table impatiently, willing the child to hurry, eager to know where Cole could be reached. She had to talk to him.

  There were giggles coming from the receiver. Who else was there?

  Kayla came back on the line, her voice sounding off-key. "He isn't near a phone right now, but he will be in a little while."

  "Is he at the cabin?" She dropped the one shoe and began flipping through her address book.

  A loud banging on the front door made her jump. She ignored it. "Is he at the cabin?" she asked again.

  "No– "

  The distinct sound of a deep drum captured her attention. Tribal music? It was coming from outside.

  "Hold on, Kayla. Something is going on out front. I’ll be right back."

  One shoe on, the other foot bare, she opened the door and stepped out on the landing. At the bottom of the stairs, seated around a large drum were Jake, Little Joseph, his mother and father, his grandmother and Skye. All of them dressed in ceremonial regalia.

  "What– ?" She started down the steps. The concrete was cold beneath her one bare foot. She halted abruptly when she saw the tall figure with the feathered headdress.

  A painted warrior in moccasins – and little else.

  "Cole?"

  Knees bent, body crouched, feathers held high, feet tapping in perfect time to the drum beat, he looked like a true warrior. Bright yellow, red, and black paint slashed across his face, his broad chest bare. He dipped low to the ground, then whirled, matching the drums as their tempo increased. He whirled again. Lunged. Whirling, stomping, whirling. All grace and fierce elegance. Powerful leg muscles under magnificent control. His near-naked body steamy in the chill. Cloudy puffs of air escaped his lips as his chest rose and fell.

  No blunders. No mis-steps. His interpretation dynamic... potent. Oblivious to his surroundings, he danced as though connected to the earth, praising the spirits with every step.

  Destiny could only stare, transfixed. Her heart twisted. He was so beautiful!

  She moved down the last few steps, then paused, suddenly aware that an audience was gathering. Jake, of all people, was in charge of crowd control. What kind of miracle had Cole performed to get her brother involved?!

  Destiny focused on Cole--the white wolf in her dream. He was calling for her.

  The music stopped abruptly and Cole froze for a brief moment, then slowly straightened, pinning her with his gaze, his sapphire eyes filled with longing.

  Her breath caught.

  "You never stumbled once," she murmured.

  His lips curved, his eyes crinkling in that warm, delicious way she loved. She threw her arms around his neck and rolled up on tiptoe to meet his lips. "Oh, Cole."

  A loud roar of approval erupted from the crowd of onlookers as a siren sounded in the distance.

  Cole broke the kiss and scooped her into his arms. "I know that traditionally I'm supposed to camp out here for five days– "

  "Out here? For five days? In that?! You'll freeze your feathers off. Snow is forecast for tomorrow night."

  Blood rushed in her ears. Five days? No way she'd survive the wait.

  *****

  Cole eyed Destiny's ripe berry lips. His heart soared. Her eyes said Kiss me. Holy Magnolias, if he tasted those luscious lips, they'd never make it back up to her apartment.

  He swallowed a groan. More stairs! The ones at his Tahoe cabin had almost been the death of him. But that darn siren was getting closer.

  He managed the first step. "I love you, Destiny.” Her satin skin made him tingle. “I’ll dance for you every night. Just say you’ll marry me."

  Like star-filled Nevada nights, her dark eyes shimmered.

  He brushed his lips across her brow. "Say yes."

  When she hesitated, he thought his heart would explode right through his ribs.

  "Yes," she whispered.

  He faltered mid-stride. "Yes?"

  "Yes!" This time she shouted it.

  The spectators clapped and stomped their feet. Cole took the last few steps in two quick leaps, got the door open in one try, and kicked it shut behind them as a sheriff's vehicle pulled up out front.

  "I like the paint job," she said, smiling. “It’s perfect with your headdress.”

  He’d almost forgotten the headdress. He set it on the table, then grinned. "I believe this is where the warrior stakes his claim."

  "I believe you're right," she murmured, giving him a saucy look. A strong woman with more facets than the diamond ring he'd bought.

  He caressed her lips lightly with his thumb. In her eyes, he saw forever. "I love you, Destiny Moon."

  With goddess-like grace, she leaned over and brushed her lips against his, scuttling any plans he had to answer the loud knock at the apartment door.

  "I love you, Dr. Colorado Jackson," she murmured.

  He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her ti
ght against him. For a moment, he heard the Coyote howl above the chants and drums, telling everyone present this wasn't luck – it was Cole's way.

  And Destiny's.

  Forever.

  END