Claimed for Destiny

by Brenda Jackson

  “It doesn’t matter,” Jessica said softly. “Chase let me know things are over between us.” After a brief pause she said, “I’ve made some decisions.”

  There was a short silence, then Jennifer asked, “What sort of decisions?”

  Jessica took a deep breath. “I met with a real estate agent today. I’ve decided to sell this place and move back to California.”

  “And return to law?”

  “Possibly, but it won’t be as a corporate attorney. I’m thinking of becoming a consumer attorney specializing in product safety.”

  “Do you think running away will solve anything, Jessica?”

  “I’m not running away. I’m protecting my heart from further damage.”

  There was a brief pause again, and then Jennifer said, “Well, I think you and Chase need to sit down and talk things through.”

  “So do I,” Jessica said quietly. “But before he left I got the distinct impression that he doesn’t want to see me again. And since our businesses are separated by only one building, there’s no way we can avoid seeing each other. One of us will have to leave. It might as well be me.” After a brief pause she added, “Hey, I’m a survivor. You know that.”

  She sighed deeply. She had let Chase become too important to her. She had done the one thing she’d always promised herself she wouldn’t do, give her heart and soul to a man. That made it harder to walk away. But walk away she would.

  “What do you mean she’s selling her place?” Chase asked staring hard at Donna. He had come straight to the restaurant from the airport to find Delicious Cravings closed in the middle of the day with a For Sale sign in the window.

  Donna leaned back against his closed office door. “Rumor has it that she’s moving back to California.”

  A chill of fear ripped down his spine. God, he’d been a fool to think the worst about her. He had done a lot of thinking over the past three days, and in his heart he knew Jessica loved him. He had been a complete idiot to accuse her of all those things. Unlike Iris, Jessica couldn’t relate to greed.

  Donna cleared her throat. “I know this might not be a good time but there’s someone here who insists on seeing you.”

  Chase lifted an eyebrow. “Who?”

  “A woman named Darcy Evans.”

  Chase’s brow lifted higher upon remembering the name. He sighed deeply. “Please show her in.”

  A few minutes later, Darcy Evans walked into his office. Although she had only worked with his grandfather for a short while, no more than six months, he remembered her. She had been quiet and kept to herself, much as Donna was inclined to do.

  Chase crossed the room to shake her hand. “Ms. Evans, it’s been years. It’s good to see you again. Please have a seat.”

  When she had taken the chair across from his desk he met her gaze and asked. “What can I do for you?” Chase couldn’t help noticing that she appeared nervous.

  “I wanted to talk to Ms. Claiborne but her place is closed up. She came to see me a couple of times during the past month.”

  Chase knew he looked puzzled and confused. “Jessica came to see you?”

  “Yes. She didn’t believe her grandfather took those recipes from your grandfather and wanted the truth. It’s my understanding that she talked to me, Donald Schuster, Paula Meyers and Theodore Henry.”

  Chase recognized all the names except one. “Theodore Henry?”

  “Yes, he was the cook for Schuster at the time I worked for your grandfather.” She sighed deeply before saying, “Theodore and I were lovers.”

  Chase’s eyes widened and he leaned forward from his desk. “You were?”

  “Yes,” she admitted. “We were together for almost a year, but we kept things a secret. He felt his job as a cook with Mr. Schuster was on shaky ground and was desperate. He asked me to find a way to take those recipes. At first I wouldn’t do it. I liked Mr. Graham for getting me the job and I thought your grandfather was a nice man, although he could be rather bullheaded at times.”

  Chase nodded. He knew his grandfather could definitely be that. “But you eventually took them, Ms. Evans?”

  She nervously clutched the straps on her purse as tears filled her eyes. “Yes. I’m the one who gave them to Theodore. I got upset that Mr. Westmoreland let Mr. Graham go and wanted to do something to lash out at him. One day he left his recipe book out on his desk while he was out making deliveries. I made copies and passed them on to Theodore.”

  Chase was surprised; usually his grandfather had kept the family recipe book under lock and key. The old man must have had a lot on his mind that particular day. “I appreciate you coming and telling me the truth. It’s finally put a lot of ill feelings to rest.”

  “Then it’s not too late?” she asked, wiping her tears.

  He reached across his desk to hand her a tissue. “Too late for what?”

  “You and Ms. Claiborne. She told me that she loved you and wanted to tell you the truth, but had wanted to prove her grandfather’s innocence first so that you would believe her.”

  Chase leaned back in his chair, feeling lower than low. Jessica had tried to tell him the truth but he hadn’t listened. A bad feeling erupted in the pit of his stomach. What if she wouldn’t forgive him for not believing her? What if she didn’t want any part of him? “Mr. Westmoreland?”

  Chase took a deep breath and realized he hadn’t answered the woman’s question. “No, it’s not too late. I love Jessica and together we can work out anything.”

  He had said the words, and he hoped to God that they were true.

  Jessica noticed Chase’s sports car the moment she pulled into the parking lot. Her stomach fluttered nervously as she gathered her purse and shopping bag to go inside her shop.

  Moments later, barely after she’d gotten inside and closed the door behind her, there was a knock. She opened the door to find an older gentleman standing there. “Flowers for Jessica Claiborne.”

  Jessica smiled. It would be just like Jennifer to send her flowers to cheer her up, she thought, gazing lovingly at the huge vase of beautiful red roses. There seemed to be two dozen of them. “Thanks,” she said. “If you wait a moment I’ll get you a tip.”

  The old man grinned. “No need. It’s been taken care of.” His grin then widened. “He’s never sent a woman flowers before. At least not from our shop.”

  Jessica lifted a puzzled arched eyebrow. “Who?”

  The man chuckled. “I can’t say, but he signed the card, and since he’s aware of my wife’s penchant to gab, I’m sure he knows that word of this delivery will be all over Atlanta before the sun goes down today. But evidently he doesn’t care about that. Good day, ma’am.” And then the man walked off and Jessica watched him get into a van from Coleman’s Florist.

  Closing the door behind her, a puzzled Jessica walked over to the counter, put the flowers down and pulled out the card.

  Love makes you do and say foolish things.

  I’m sorry,

  Chase

  Jessica didn’t move. She barely breathed. Chase had sent the flowers to apologize! Before she could gather her thoughts there was another knock on her door. She quickly crossed the room to open it and found Donna standing there smiling.

  “Hello, Jessica. I have a delivery for you, compliments of Chase’s Place,” she said, handing Jessica a huge bag. The aroma let Jessica know that whatever was inside would be delicious.

  Jessica smiled, accepting the bag. “There’s enough food here to feed two people.”

  Donna chuckled. “I think that’s the idea.”

  Before Jessica could say anything, Donna was gone. Closing the door behind her, Jessica walked over to the counter and placed the bag of food next to the flowers. Before she could take a look inside, there was another knock at the door. For a moment she didn’t move. Her heart knew. Her body knew. Her soul knew.

  It was Chase.

  Taking a deep breath she forced her body to cross the room. She exhaled deeply before gripping the hand
le to slowly open the door.

  He stood there, leaning in the doorway holding a bottle of wine in his hand. He looked sexy, good enough to eat. Out of habit she licked her lips and watched his gaze move to her mouth. Her stomach clenched and her pulse spiked.

  He didn’t appear angry. That was a good thing. She inhaled deeply, knowing she needed either to ask him in or to ask him to leave. “Would you like to come in?”

  “Yes.” He hadn’t hesitated in responding.

  She swallowed hard and stepped aside to let him in. Where was extra oxygen when you needed it? she wondered, closing the door behind him. She leaned against the closed door knowing if she took one step she would fall. Her knees were too weak to support her. At this moment, she thought Chase looked more devastatingly handsome than he’d ever been before.

  “Thanks for the flowers,” she decided to say. “And for the food.”

  “You’re welcome, and this is for you, too,” he said, handing the bottle of wine to her.

  She took his offering. “Thanks.” It was only then that she forced herself away from the door to walk across the room to place the bottle of wine next to the flowers and delicious food. She slowly turned around and he was there, next to her. She hadn’t heard him move. The look in his eyes was filled with regret.

  “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. I should have believed you,” he whispered brokenly.

  “I’m sorry, too,” she said as a lump filled her throat. “I should have told you the truth as soon as I knew who you were.”

  He took another step to close the distance separating them. “I had three days to think about things. To think about us. And I want there to be an us, Jessica. What happened between our grandfathers is in the past. And you were right. Carlton didn’t take the Westmoreland recipes. Darcy Evans came to see me earlier today. She came here first and found the shop closed. She wanted you to know the truth. She was the one who took the recipes. She and Theodore Henry were lovers and she took them to get back at my grandfather for letting your grandfather quit.”

  Jessica tensed and took a step back. She met his gaze. “Is that why you’re here? Because Darcy’s words proved my innocence?”

  Chase shook his head. “No. Even before Darcy came to see me I had made up my mind about us. I knew that I loved you. You don’t have a deceitful or unethical bone in your body. You’re nothing like Iris and I’m sorry I ever thought it. Please forgive me.”

  She met his gaze. They had both made mistakes. “I’ll only forgive you if you forgive me for not being completely honest with you from the beginning. But I was so determined to prove my grandfather’s innocence. I promised my grandmother on her deathbed that I would.”

  “And you did.”

  Jessica was filled with emotion at the thought that she truly had. She inhaled deeply as Chase covered the distance between them and reached out and lifted her chin with his finger.

  “I love you, Jessica. I love you so much.” He gathered her into his arms and whispered, “And I want forever with you. I want to put an end to the bitterness between our families. I want to form a new Westmoreland and Graham partnership. Please marry me. I want to give you my babies, love you, protect you, till death do us part and even after that.”

  “Oh, Chase,” she said as tears burned her eyes. “I want all those things, too.”

  The smile Chase gave her would endear him to her forever. And then she felt herself being lifted into big strong arms. “We’ll eat later,” he whispered against her lips as he carried her up the stairs.

  She shivered with need as he placed her on the bed. Then he was on the bed with her, kissing her, removing her clothes. She was filled with desire and love; her pulse skittered with need so overbearing it took her breath away.

  When she was completely naked he stood to remove his own clothes. But she wanted to do more than watch. She wanted to help. She eased out of bed and helped him take off his sweater. Next was his belt. Then she unzipped his pants so he could strip out of them. When he stood before her wearing nothing but a sexy pair of briefs, she reached out and skimmed her hand down his chest, moving lower to his stomach, needing to touch him to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  And then she eased down on her knees to remove the last piece of clothing that shielded his body. She took her time, easing the briefs down his legs. Then she placed a kiss on his navel before leaning back and meeting his gaze.

  “Come here,” he whispered hoarsely, holding his hand out to her.

  He gently tugged her to her feet, held her close in his arms and she felt his engorged arousal press into her quivering stomach.

  She met his gaze. “I wanted to—”

  “I know,” he said, cutting off her words and pulling her closer. “But had I allowed you to do that, things would have been over before they’d gotten started. You’re still new at all of this, and I’m going to enjoy spending the rest of my life exploring things with you.”

  He grinned down at her. “There will never be a dull moment at our house. You are and forever will be my most delicious craving.”

  Jessica’s entire body swelled with love. “Make love to me, Chase,” she whispered hotly against his lips.

  He swept her back into his arms and placed her on the bed and joined her there. She shivered as need, strong and potent, raced through her. He pulled her into his arms, promising her a voyage into ecstasy and she knew that he was right—there would never be a dull moment at their house. And that they would spend the rest of their lives together.

  She might be his delicious craving, but he was definitely her most ardent chocolate delight.

  Epilogue

  Two months later, Christmas Day

  Jessica smiled at her sister who was asking questions a mile a minute. It was her wedding day and she couldn’t wait to join her life with Chase’s. They had decided that since all the Westmorelands came home for the holidays, today would be perfect. And it was.

  “Slow down, Savannah, and let me answer your first question,” she chuckled. “His name is Durango Westmoreland and he’s Chase’s cousin. He works as a park ranger in Montana.”

  She watched the interest in her sister’s eyes. It had been there since the rehearsal dinner last night when Durango, whose plane had been late, had arrived at Chase’s Place, proving without a doubt that all the Westmoreland men were sexy.

  “Now are you going to help me put on my veil or are you going to continue to stand there in a daze?” Jessica asked her sister.

  Savannah laughed as she stepped behind Jessica and tugged the veil in place. “You look beautiful, Jess.”

  Jessica smiled. She actually felt beautiful. She glanced at Savannah’s reflection in the mirror. Her sister was beautiful too, with hazel eyes, skin the color of caramel and long, wavy black hair that flowed down her back.

  Jessica had also noticed Durango checking her sister out last night, but he’d kept his distance.

  “Durango doesn’t like city women,” she said, turning around to face her sister.

  Savannah lifted a brow. “Why?”

  Jessica shrugged. “Something to do with an old wound. And sister of mine, you’re definitely city.”

  It was Savannah’s turn to shrug. She then smiled. “I guess he’ll have to learn to like us. Because after seeing him, I’ve decided I definitely have a thing for mountain men.”

  Jessica raised her eyes to the ceiling. She didn’t know who would need her prayers more: Durango or Savannah. Deciding she didn’t want to dwell on that, she smiled, knowing she only had a few moments left before she became Chase’s wife.

  She and Chase had wanted a small ceremony, but it seemed the Westmorelands didn’t know the meaning of small—three hundred plus guests had been invited. With everyone’s help they had pulled things off in two months. Savannah was her maid of honor and Chase’s cousin Quade was his best man.

  The two sisters hugged. “I’m happy for you, Jess,” Savannah whispered brokenly.

  “Thanks. Chase i
s a good man. I’m getting the best.” She pulled back and gazed lovingly at her sister. “One day it will be your time.”

  Savannah chuckled and a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. “Let’s not hold our breath for that to happen.”

  Oh, God, she’s beautiful, Chase thought as he watched Jessica walk down the aisle toward him on her brother’s arm. He was filled with emotion and had to fight back the lump in his throat and the mistiness in his eyes.

  When she reached his side he saw her tears of joy, lifted her hands to his lips and whispered, “I love you.”

  He saw her smile through her tears. She was making him the happiest man on earth today by becoming his wife. Together, they turned to face the minister. Before he started speaking, Chase spoke up and said, “I do.”

  The minister lifted a brow. “You do?”

  Chase nodded. “Yes.”

  The minister, who had known Chase since birth smiled. “I haven’t asked any questions yet, Chase.”

  “Doesn’t matter. ‘I do’ to all of them.” At his side, he heard a snort and knew it had come from Quade.

  The minister’s smile widened. “Nevertheless, we will go through the ceremony as planned.”

  A short while later the minister said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Chase.”

  And he did. He turned and gathered Jessica into his arms. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. He totally ignored the fact that he was standing before three hundred guests as he devoured his wife’s mouth.

  Durango…or maybe it was Storm…tugged on his tux tails and said, “Leave something for later, will you?”

  Chase let go of Jessica’s mouth and looked at her, then returned her smile and whispered, “I couldn’t help it, sweetheart. You’re simply delicious.”