UNSEEN

by Felicia Mires

  "I'm going now, Zack, before they throw me out. Call me if she needs anything."

  He nodded, and Destiny wandered out.

  After Caleb loaded Jeffrey Seymour in the ambulance with a uniformed officer, he looked everywhere for Destiny. Where was that woman? He even sent a bank employee in the ladies' room. She had disappeared. Considering that he was holding a metal box with human remains, there wasn't a lot he could do about finding her. His responsibilities would keep him occupied for some time. He set up a perimeter around the scene and finished going over protocol with the bank manager. When he left the bank, he had Seymour's application for the deposit box and all the security footage.

  Once he got in his car, he picked up his phone. Destiny's went straight to voicemail. He didn't care for this uncomfortable feeling of loss. For the past few days, he'd known her whereabouts at all times and could see her whenever he wanted. Not knowing where she was, even how she was, after all she'd been through, wasn't a feeling he liked. Was she somewhere crying? Was she hurt? Perhaps she had gone to the hospital. He called Zack.

  "Have you seen Destiny?"

  "She left about an hour ago. Laurel's fine. Thanks for asking."

  "Sorry, buddy. I figured or you would have called. I'm glad she's ok. Is she awake?"

  "She was…briefly. They gave her more meds, and she phased out."

  "Probably better to rest. Tell her I'll be by later with some Reese's cups. By the way, did Destiny say where she was going?"

  "Not a word. You know, Caleb, that's one crazy broad?"

  "She's definitely something."

  "You gonna shake some sense in her or marry her?"

  "I don't think shaking will help."

  Zack laughed. "That only leaves one thing. Call me later."

  Caleb drove straight to Destiny's house. Was there only one thing left to do with a woman like that? He couldn't get her off his mind, had gotten used to worrying about her. But, what if she wasn't coming back? What if she'd gotten everything she needed for her book?

  When he saw Jeffrey holding a gun on her, he thought his heart would stop. And her! With a gun! Who gave that woman a gun? First thing, he'd have to take her to the gun range and make sure she knew what she was doing.

  What was he thinking? He no longer had a reason to see her. Could he think of a way to keep her around? His thoughts reeked of desperation. And he was, desperate to have a life with Destiny. He was in love with Destiny Knox, the Christian romance novelist. He loved her. He loved her craziness. He even loved talking to her about God. He slowed for a red light.

  Perhaps it might be better if he actually talked to God. It all came back to that moment when he saw Destiny alone with Jeffrey. Whatever he'd thought about God before, he knew Destiny would die if God didn't help him. And he knew he believed.

  God, I'm sorry. I don't know how to make things right with you. Destiny would probably say I don't have to do anything, just ask. So, I guess…ok. I believe. Please show me what comes next.

  He pulled into the driveway and walked to the door. She'd never raised the blinds, which meant she probably wasn't home. He knocked at the door and waited then he jiggled the knob. Nothing.

  Caleb sighed and let his gaze travel the front yard. Her place was well-kept with close-cropped grass and perfectly trimmed hedges. Did she do it all herself or pay someone? There were so many things he didn't know about her. If he didn't find her, he would never know.

  He got in the car and drove to the station. Maybe she had gone to search for him. The thought that she might be trying to find him lightened his load. By the time he reached the precinct, he was imagining their reunion. Should he ask her out? Kiss her? Then he thought of the mountain of paperwork involved in an arrest. With Zack at the hospital, Caleb would be held responsible.

  He walked past his empty desk toward the captain's office. It might be prudent to discuss recent developments. Caleb had discharged his firearm, so there would be a review. Considering the circumstances, he had no worries there.

  When the door opened and Destiny's grandfather walked out with the captain, Caleb's stomach sank. What now? But Michael Knox slapped Caleb on the back, smiling all the while.

  "Detective Forest, I'm so grateful. My granddaughter tells me congratulations are in order."

  "Yes, sir. Jeffrey Seymour is in custody."

  Captain Jonas rocked on his heels. "I hear things were iffy for a moment. You had to take the shot."

  "In the shoulder. He'll be fine to stand trial."

  "Well, I was just going up to see Destiny in the lab," said her grandfather. "Care to tag along?"

  Captain Jonas held out his hand. "Thanks for stopping by, Michael."

  "I enjoyed it. You did a fine job of helping Destiny out with her little problem."

  "Any time the department can be of assistance."

  Little problem? Caleb smiled. Going to jail for murder wasn't a little problem, but Michael Knox appeared rather indulgent where Destiny was involved. Caleb led the way to the elevator and pushed the button.

  "What in the world was Destiny doing there alone?"

  Great. The question he'd been dreading. How did he explain that he'd let this man's sweet darlin' face a cold-hearted murderer on her own?

  "I'm very sorry, sir. She wasn't supposed to be. It just…happened."

  Her grandfather groaned. "I can imagine. Girl's got a mind of her own."

  "She does. I've been learning to anticipate her thought processes, but this time…she got away from me."

  Mr. Knox laughed. "Have you now? That's saying something none of her other young men have been able to accomplish."

  The doors slid open, and Destiny stood before them, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. "Grandpa…I was just coming down."

  "No need. I spoke with the captain. You're completely in the clear. I suppose you can go home now and write another best- seller."

  "I…uh…have to finish the footage of the bank's security cams, but I'm almost done, Grandpa. Maybe we can go to dinner tomorrow."

  "Sounds good." He turned to Caleb. "What's this I hear about you spending the last few nights with my granddaughter?"

  Destiny gasped and turned bright red. Caleb felt his own face grow warm. "Well, sir, I provided police protection."

  "When do you plan to make an honest woman of her?"

  "As soon as I can get her to say yes."

  "I think it's time you left, Grandpa. I still have lots to do, and it's been a long day."

  The old man chuckled. "Anxious to be rid of me?"

  Caleb shook his head. "Not at all, sir. You're welcome any time."

  The elevator doors closed, and Destiny whisked away from Caleb.

  "Hey, where are you going?" he called after her.

  "Just like I said…I have to finish this. I think I found Jeffrey's car."

  He followed her to the computer screen. If she didn't want to talk about what her grandfather had said, he wouldn't push. How long could she avoid mention of the elephant in the room? He couldn't believe he'd said it himself, but he meant it. As soon as he could propose, he would.

  Destiny pointed at a license plate. "It's only a partial because a woman is standing in front of the ATM, but that's Jeffrey's car and half of his license plate. What are the odds that another black SUV has a similar plate?"

  "With all we have now, there's no way Jeffrey will walk."

  She pulled out a SIM card. "I got him to confess, and I recorded it on my phone."

  "Destiny Knox, I think I love you."

  "Well, Detective Forest, I think you should make an honest woman of me sooner, rather than later. My grandfather is not a patient man. He proposed to my grandmother the day after they met."

  "Guess I'm a little slow." Caleb turned her toward him and wrapped his arms around her. She was such a perfect fit. "I really do love you, you know."

  "Are you sure? It's been…" She glanced at her watch. "Four days, six hours, and twenty-seven minutes."

  "Has it now?" />
  "I just made that up, but it sounded good."

  "You know what sounds better? The next seventy or eighty years, longer, if we live that long. I love you, Destiny. I want to know everything in your heart and share mine. I think you're one of those people who likes to meditate on things for a while. So, will you date me until you're sure you want to marry me?"

  "Can you handle me? Sometimes I can be a little nuts, and sometimes I stay locked in front of my computer for days on end."

  "As long as I get to coax you out." He kissed her forehead then the edge of her eye and the tip of her nose. "When I saw Seymour with that gun, do you know what it did to me?"

  She sighed softly. "Tell me."

  "I don't know that I can. Everything I wanted was standing in front of me and some lunatic was threatening to take it away." He left a trail of kisses down the side of her face.

  "Everything?"

  "You. Your faith. Our life together. Kids. Tell me that's what you want. Will you marry me someday?"

  "Yes…as long as you kiss me and stop that teasing."

  "Lady, I'd be happy to oblige."

  Caleb put one hand at the back of her head, holding a handful of her silky hair and slowly lowered his face to hers. He wanted to remember this moment for the rest of his life. "I love you, Destiny Knox, and you're gonna be my wife."

  "Yes."

  That was the last they spoke for several minutes. When Caleb finally pulled away from her, his heart was pounding in his chest like a runaway train.

  "You really make me crazy."

  "In a good way, right?"

  He laughed. "In a good way."

  ~The End~

  If you enjoyed Unseen, I would be honored if you would tell others by writing a review.

  Thank You!

  ~Felicia Mires

  Felicia loves to hear from her readers by email: feliciamires@yahoo.com

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  Look for other titles by Felicia Mires:

  Fantasy: The Lands of Elohan series

  Fairies and Fantasy

  Elves and Dragons

  Once Upon a Fairy Tale

  A Dream Come True

  Adventure: Natasha's spy series

  Diamonds Are For Eden

  The Syrian

  The Blood Plague

  To Save a Jew Pt. 1

  To Save a Jew Pt. 2

  The Traitor Within

  Without a Traitor

  Romance:

  A Garden for Sarah

  Bachelorettes On Parade

  Madeleine and the Mind

  Seven Blind Dates

  Would You, Could You

  Wind series

  Wind on the Sand

  Whirlwind of Betrayal

  Winds of Change

  Mystery:

  Unseen

  Era/Historical:

  Gypsy Duke (regency)

  All Things New (WWII)

  Recommended reading:

  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is my all-time favorite

  Dee Henderson, the O' Malley series & the Uncommon Heroes series

  Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig

  Descended ~ Jett by Dana Pratola

  About the Author

  Felicia Mires is the author of over twenty Christian novels: historical, fantasy, and contemporary (all with a bit of romance). She loves all things literary, and when not writing, spends time editing for other authors and judging writing contests…so she can read more books. Felicia and her husband Gene reside in Orange, Texas. They have three children, as well as numerous children in the Lord at Life Church, Port Arthur, where they pastor young adults. Felicia is thankful for her family and the gift of writing for the heavenly Father. Relationship is what matters.