Destined to Change

by Harley, Lisa M.

  Jaxon

  I had been trying to call Lor all morning. I couldn’t understand why she was ignoring my calls. I was getting a little worried. Today was the day that we were supposed to get the results of the paternity test and I think we were both a little on edge.

  I heard someone pull up outside. I went to the door and saw Lor’s jeep. She got out and started toward me. Her eyes were all red and swollen. She had been crying, a lot. I ran to her. “Babe, what’s wrong? Did you get the results?” She was sobbing. She put her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest.

  The crying was breaking my heart and it told me all I needed to hear. “We knew this was gonna happen, Lor. We knew it wasn’t mine. It’s okay. We are still going to be a family. We will handle of this together. Please stop crying.” I put my hand on her chin and raised her head up to look at me.

  She opened her eyes and met mine. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  She was killing me. I couldn’t stand to see her hurting. “It’s okay, babe.”

  She let out a little giggle, which was really weird because she still had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I had to tell Cade. I had to tell him...that the baby is yours. We’re having a baby, Jaxon!” I was shocked. I couldn’t speak. I stared at her. She put her hand on my cheek. “Did you hear me, baby? We’re having a baby. We made a baby together. Jaxon, are you okay?”

  I lost it. I had never been so happy in my life. I picked her up and pulled her into my chest. I swung us around in circles and prayed that this moment wasn’t a dream.

  Epilogue

  Six Months later....

  I loved days like today. Days spent with our family down by the pond. The kids were fishing. My and Declan’s parents were there to help keep the kids in line. Jaxon and I were walking around the pond, holding hands, laughing, and enjoying each other.

  It seemed like not too long ago, we didn’t believe we would get to this point - the point where we were in love and about ready to have a baby together.

  I never believed that I would find love again. After everything that happened with Cade and Stacy, I didn’t think Jaxon and I would end up together. But it seemed like we were meant to be. Everything kinda brought us together. Destiny…maybe?

  It was starting to get dark and my parents offered to take the kids home so Jaxon and I could spend some time together. The crickets were chirping their evening lullaby, and the fireflies were sparkling out across the pond. I couldn’t think of a more romantic setting than this.

  Jaxon spread an old blanket out on the bank. He sat down and easily pulled me onto his lap. “I am so fat. But you love me anyway, right?”

  Jaxon laughed. “Baby, you aren’t fat. You’re having a baby. Our baby. My baby. That makes you the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, shut up and kiss me.”

  I did just that. We sat in each other’s arms for a long time, just enjoying the beautiful evening.

  All of a sudden, Jaxon started humming a very familiar Elvis song. I smiled as he started to sing I Can’t Help Falling In Love.

  While he was singing to me about how he couldn’t help falling in love with me, I turned around in his arms. I had to see that sexy mouth while those words were escaping his lips.

  He sang about how this was how we were supposed to be. Life had brought us together and no matter what we had done, it couldn’t have been helped. We were made for each other, made to be together, and made to be the parents of this baby.

  Jaxon sang about being a fool and moving too fast, but that he just couldn’t help himself. His feelings were so strong, that it couldn’t be avoided.

  I placed soft kisses all along his jaw while he sang. He giggled when I made my way to his mouth. “How am I supposed to keep singing this sweet love song when you’re attacking me with kisses.”

  I placed my hands on his shoulders and pressed him down into the blanket. “I guess you’ll just have to stop singing then, won’t ya?”

  Very gently, but quickly, he turned me over on my back and started to kiss me. He placed light kisses on my cheeks, across my jaw, down my neck, and started to unbutton my shirt. I stopped him. “Um, no. Not right now. I want to go for a walk.”

  He looked up at me through those long dark eyelashes. “Excuse me? A walk? Now?”

  I shook my head. “Yes, a walk. Now help me get my fat pregnant butt up off of this blanket.”

  He helped me up, and I went to my purse to get something out. I hid it in my pocket as we started walking around the pond. The moon was shining down on the pond, making it glisten. The stars were out. It was a beautiful, clear Missouri night. We were holding hands and slowly walking, not really heading anywhere, just enjoying the view.

  When we got to the other side of the pond, I stopped. I turned toward Jaxon and he looked scared. “Everything okay, babe? Is it the baby?”

  I hadn’t realized it, but I guess was crying. “Jaxon, I never thought that I could love again. I never truly believed that I was meant to be anything more than a daughter, and a mother. I didn’t even know I wanted you, until you showed up that day - my pierced, tattooed knight in shining armor.”

  He was smiling at me. He secretly loved it when I called him that. “You have taken your time with me. And I appreciate you so much for that. I love you Jaxon. Forever and always, I love you.”

  He leaned in and wiped the tears from my eyes. “I love you forever and always too, Loralei. There had always been something missing in my life. I just didn’t know what it was, until I met you and the twins. We’re having a baby together now. That’s something I thought I would never be able to do. You have given me that, Lor. We are going to be the parents of three kids, crazy, huh?”

  I really didn’t think I could love him more than I already did, but that did it.

  I dropped, slowly, I mean I was nine months pregnant, to the ground on one knee.

  Jaxon dropped with me. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  “Um, Jaxon, please stand up. I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

  I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. I reached up and grabbed his hand. “Jaxon, I love you. I have a question to ask you. I was wondering...would you be interested in being my pierced, tattooed knight in shining armor for the rest of our lives?”

  With those words, I pressed a shield charm into his hand. With the initials “J” and “L” engraved on it. “I thought that would be a good addition to my bracelet.”

  Jaxon pulled me to my feet. “Babe, don’t you know by now. My answer to you is yes, it’s always yes.” He kissed me, a long, sweet, loving kiss that told me that everything was going to be okay. We were meant to be.

  And that is how my destiny was changed forever.

  Look for Cade’s Story Coming Summer 2013

  Destined to Succeed

  Prologue

  Cade – Six months ago

  That was that. I wasn’t the daddy. I was so damn sure that baby was mine. I was already picturing us on the ranch. Her ridin’ horses and me teaching her how to be a real little cowgirl. Lor had shattered that dream when she knocked on the door that day.

  I could tell she had been cryin’. Her eyes were all red and her cheeks were tear stained. I opened the door, and I just knew. I knew what she was about to tell me.

  “Hon, it’s okay. I can tell by the look on your face, what you’re about to tell me. I’ll be gettin’ outta your hair, now.” I started to turn and walk away. I couldn’t help the tear that was streaming down my cheek. Damn, I wanted that baby to be mine. More than anything in this world. I knew I had lost her momma, but I was hopin’…well, it didn’t matter what I was hopin’. It wasn’t gonna happen now.

  “Cade, I’m so sorry. I know how much you wanted it to be yours.” Lor started to cry again.

  “Hon, I know you’re happy that it ain’t mine, so quit your cryin’ and go on home to asshat.” I said with a chuckle. I was tryin’ to tease her. To make her smile. And she did. She gave me a very small, sad smile. T
hen she turned and walked away. That was that.

  Present

  Goddamn, I was tired. It had been a hell of a day on the ranch. It was birthing season and we had the vet out all day. That was gonna cost a small fortune, but it was worth it when you saw those new calves and foals bein’ brought into the world. I was sore. I was getting’ too old for this shit. All I had been able to think about all day, was getting’ home, takin’ a shower, and crawling into bed.

  When I walked around the front of my house, I saw Clay’s truck parked out front. What the hell was he doin’ at my place. He was screwin’ up my plans.

  I walked in the living room, hung my Stetson on the hat rack, and that’s when I heard it. That fuckin’ little bastard.

  I flung the door to my room open. There he was. Screwing that little blonde hussy, Ana. What the fuck?

  “Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me, right now?” I hollered as I ran toward the bed.

  “Get the fuck out man. Can’t you see I’m a little busy?” He didn’t even stop what he was doin’ to say that. I grabbed him by the hair of the head and pulled him off of her.

  “You. Get the hell out.” Normally, I wouldn’t have talked to a woman like that. But this chick was a pain in my ass. She was only screwin’ Clay to get to me. She had tried everything in the world to hook up with me. It wasn’t gonna happen. So, now she had moved onto him. I’m sure she was thinkin’ about me the whole time. It was probably her idea to do it in my house, and my bed.

  “Cade, baby.” Ana said, biting her lip seductively. Then she curled her finger at me. “Join us?”

  “You have got to be fuckin’ kiddin’ me…can you not take a hint. I will never screw you. You are not what I’m looking for.” I was looking for a wife. Not some cheep ass floozy that just wanted to screw me to get my ranch.

  “Ya’ll have five minutes to get your shit and get the fuck out of my house. Tick-tock.” I started toward the kitchen. I needed a beer. I grabbed a cold one out of the fridge and took a seat at the table.

  All of a sudden I heard the front door slam and said a little thank you that they were gone. They weren’t. I looked up and my cousin Cord was standing in the doorway.

  “I need one of those too. Had a hell of a day,” he said as he grabbed a beer out of the fridge and took a seat across from me at the table.

  “You and your damn brother seem to think this is your house.”

  “Well, it kinda is, right? I mean you’re like our brother. Mi casa, su casa?” He grinned and continued to suck down my beer.

  “Why was your day so hard? Have a hard time pickin’ out your tie?” I loved to give him a hard time. He was the only one in our family that had a job. Meaning, he didn’t work on the ranch. He was a lawyer. I always knew he would make somethin’ of himself. Now, that brother of his was a whole other story.

  “Asshole. I’m working on a big case. I’m going to have to go to Dallas next week. Why don’t you come with me? It’d be good for you to get away from the ranch for a bit.”

  That actually sounded great. I hadn’t had a vacation in years. This ranch meant everything to me. Since my parents had died, I had worked my ass off to make it the success it had become. But I trusted my farmhands. I knew they could handle it if I was gone for a few days.

  “How long you gonna be gone?” I asked.

  “Three days. Come on, it’ll be like the old days. We used to have fun together, remember?”

  “Yeah, that was before everyone in town knew you were a lawyer. That totally ruined your reputation.” I laughed and threw my bottle cap at him.

  Dallas would be fun. I needed to have some fun that didn’t include visiting the local tavern and takin’ home whatever girl I chose for the night. That shit was getting’ real old, real quick. Loralei Harper made me realize I wanted a wife and a family. I wasn’t gonna get that with one of those floozies down at the bar.

  All of a sudden, I heard Clay screamin’. I ran out to the porch and saw what he was yelling about. I took off running toward the horse barn. What the hell was goin on? How did this happen? The farmhands were screamin’ and runnin’ out of the barn carrying the new babies we’d spent all day birthin’.

  Clay, Cord, and I got to the barn about the time it happened. Flames were everywhere and then there was an explosion. I heard screamin’ and cries of all of the animals that we couldn’t get out. I tried to run in. I tried to save them. Cord and Clay pulled me back. I fell to my knees. Dear God, why, why? Were there people in there? Oh my God, where’s Colt?

  About the Author

  Lisa M. Harley

  I grew up in a small town in Missouri. Very similar to the fictional town I wrote about in Destined to Change. I moved to the big city right after I graduated. I work full-time and I am mom to a beautiful little girl.

  I started writing in October 2012 when a Facebook group I am in had a prologue contest. I didn’t win the contest, but everyone who read my prologue asked for more of my story. I decided I had to finish it and get these characters that were in my head out on paper. During the writing process it became clear that this was going to be more than one novel. It had to be a series. I have at least two more novels planned in the Destined Series. I also have an idea for a YA novel based on one of the characters in Destined to Change…hint, hint.

  I am a really boring person, so this bio is really short. I love music and honestly couldn’t have written this book without my Spotify playlist. I am kinda obsessed with frogs (not real ones) and office supplies are my downfall! I could spend my whole paycheck at the stationery store…boring, didn’t I already say that? Lol

  Also, I am slightly addicted to Facebook and Voxer. Please message me on either one…I would love to hear from all of you.

  Contact Information:

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Destinedtochange

  Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lharley77

  Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182066-destined-to-change

  Spotify (Link to DTC playlist): http://spotify.com/Destined to Change (Book 1 of the Destined Series)

  Blogger: http://lisamharley.blogspot.com/

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Destined to Succeed Prologue

  About the Author