Kayla gave her one more fierce hug then wiggled out of her arms. Beaming, she rushed from the room, closing the door noisily behind her. Destiny pulled off her boots and the rest of her clothes, then slipped into the full-skirted, peasant-styled dress, her emotions mixed. Since Kayla's mother had died, it was natural for the child to see Destiny in that role, but if things didn't work out with Cole, Kayla would lose this relationship, too. She didn’t want the little girl to be hurt.
Enough gloom-and-doom, she chided. What was she expecting to go wrong, anyway? Cole and she were good together – whenever their schedules permitted. And tonight she'd get the chance to know his adorable daughter, one to one.
Only a tiny bit nervous, Destiny uncoiled a rainbow-colored belt and cinched it around her waist, clipped on gold bangle earrings, then stepped into her gold-tinted flats before checking the mirror. Festive. Cheerful. Casual. Did she look like a mommy?
When she stepped into the hall, she immediately heard Cole call out, "We're in the kitchen! To your right."
His instructions took her to a gleaming cavernous room, all white and green and stainless steel. Lots of windows with healthy plants in every one. Plants on the counters, too, some wearing pink buds, some purple. It was a house made for memories. A home. More questions about Kayla's mother niggled at Destiny's thoughts. Had Cole and Lanni laughed together in this kitchen? Had he swept her into his arms and carried her up the curved staircase, a la Rhett Butler?
Destiny couldn't squelch the jealous hope that he had stumbled and dropped his Scarlett on her tush, which had probably been as perfect as this house.
She let her gaze skid across the expanse of tile floor to oak table and chairs. An unfinished puzzle took up three-quarters of the tabletop. A large tupperware bowl filled the remaining space; its contents held both father and daughter's attention. But as Destiny entered, they glanced up. Cole's eyes widened.
Kayla's dark eyes radiated adoration. "You look beautiful! Doesn't she, Daddy?"
A belated whistle made it past his lips. "Maybe I should drive you, drop you off, pick you up," he croaked, then cleared his throat, his neck turning red. "Two such beautiful ladies should have an escort."
Amused and pleased at his reaction, Destiny smiled. "Sorry, from what I understand, this is ladies-night-out. Don't they have a father-daughter dinner during the year, too?"
Kayla nodded, looking worried. "It's just us girls this time, Daddy."
“You’re absolutely, positively, sure about that, Pumpkin?” he asked as he dug out his car keys. Destiny plucked them from his fingers. He laughed and drew her into his arms. "I hate to let you out of my sight – either of you – but I know when to surrender."
"Do you?" she teased.
"Oh, Lordy, yes." His gaze was smoldering. Seeing the fire in the depths of his blue eyes, Destiny shivered with delight, warmth spreading everywhere they touched.
Kayla tugged impatiently on her skirt. "Time to go," she whispered, pulling away from Cole's heat and slinging the strap of her gold wallet-on-a-string over her shoulder. She took Kayla's hand and let the little girl lead her through the door into the garage.
Cole followed like a lonesome cowboy. "The garage door opener is clipped to the sun visor," he said as though reluctant to let her go. Destiny slid behind the wheel of the Lexus. She waved at him in acknowledgment, and started the car. Kayla blew kisses as they drove away. Destiny glanced back once, saw Cole standing halfway down the drive.
Ten minutes later they were at the school. Destiny felt like a butterfly about to land for the first time. Kayla's gaze clouded as they crossed the busy parking lot. "You really don't mind taking me, do you?"
Swallowing her jitters, she squeezed Kayla's hand. "I've been looking forward to this all week, Kayla. So let's go have some fun."
They were barely inside the cafeteria when Kayla squealed, "Cindy! Cindy!" and broke away, dashing off in the direction of a petite tow-head in a frilly lace dress. Destiny raced to catch up, aware that the tall, slender redhead at Cindy's side stared openly.
The redhead extended her hand, her green eyes brimming with curiosity. "Hi, I'm Sylvia Abel."
"Destiny Moon." Breathless with a sudden attack of self-consciousness like she hadn't experienced since her first year away from the reservation, she gave the woman's hand a quick shake.
Sylvia smiled towards the two six-year-olds who were chatting merrily. "They act like they haven’t seen each other in six months, instead of...” she checked her watch, “about sixty-six minutes. But it looks like they're content, so why don't we claim table space together?"
Before Destiny could respond, an energetic, middle-aged woman announced the buffet was ready. "Everyone, get in line, please. And eat up. Right after the meal, we'll be showing off the students' art work, and announcing the top three ribbon winners from each grade."
"That's Mrs. Wilson, the principal," Sylvia said, then introduced Destiny to some of the mothers as they joined the line. Destiny couldn't decide about the attractive redhead. Was she just what she seemed--friendly and out-going? Or a devious, deposed sweetheart, plotting poison for Cole’s new interest?
She felt herself bristle, unable to believe that for a second time in the same night such uncharacteristic emotions held her in their claws. First, over a fictitious Scarlett and, now, over a very real redhead. The woman was gorgeous. Maybe Cole needed his eyes checked if he’d overlooked this alabaster beauty.
"So, you're a doctor, too, Cole tells me," Sylvia prodded as she filled half her plate with salad and french bread.
Before Destiny had a chance to answer, Sylvia turned to help Cindy with the gelatin, which kept sliding off the serving spoon.
Destiny addressed Kayla instead. "Want me to serve your plate, or you want to do it yourself?"
"I can do it," Kayla said in a grown-up tone.
She smiled at the beaming child, moving in tandem down the food counter. Fried chicken and green salad, orange gelatin, milk or punch. "Quite a feast, Kayla," Destiny murmured as they searched for seats at the long, low table.
She banged her knee. "These tables were definitely designed for midgets," she joked, feeling like an awkward colt. Perhaps Cole's clumsiness was contagious. If so, they'd been at the cabin, they'd soon be referring to her as the Klutz Queen.
Sylvia slid gracefully into the chair across the table. "Better not tell Cole what we're eating," she said, eyeing her own heaped plate.
Was there a proprietary note in the way she said Cole? Or was Destiny misreading the woman?
"This stuff's bad for hearts," complained Kayla, peeling the crisp, delicate brown coating from her chicken leg before taking a bite. "But the rest– " she took another bite "is yummy."
Destiny followed Kayla's lead, once again impressed at the little girl’s knowledge. "Did your daddy tell you that?"
"No, I learned about it in science camp this summer. We made models of hearts, filled them with whipped cream until they got all clogged up." Cindy scrunched her face into a mirror of Kayla's comical display. "I didn't tell Daddy about eating the cream."
Destiny's heart lurched; Cole's little girl was so precious. "I don't think he'd mind, do you?" Destiny gave her an affectionate squeeze.
"Pro'bly not, but it’s a good idea to start healthy habits young."
Sylvia’s eyebrows rose with amusement. "Let's just enjoy the meal, okay? No more dietary declarations for awhile? I’m all too aware of the two pounds I gained last Christmas. At the rate I'm going, I can sub for jolly old St. Nick this year.”
Destiny gave a silent groan. If this woman was overweight, Destiny Moon was the USS Nevada. She pushed away her plate. The two children were talking Power Rangers. She had absolutely no idea what a Power Ranger was.
She looked to Cindy's mom for assistance, gave a bewildered shrug, but the redhead had other things on her mind. "I've never seen Cole so excited as he was a few weeks ago when Kayla spent the night at my house," Sylvia said, lifting a perfectly arched, speculativ
e eyebrow. "He said he was going to his cabin, taking someone special..."
Destiny felt her face flame. "Have you known him a long time?"
"A long time?" Pink polished nails clicked on the tabletop. "Going on three years. But I never met his wife. She died before– "
Destiny fought to keep her face blank as Sylvia’s conversation veered. "I met him in a pre-Kindergarten class for parents of first-time students." She laughed. "He was the only man there, couldn't escape fast enough! You should have seen the ravenous looks all those women were giving him!"
"But not you?" The words were out of Destiny's mouth before she could pull them back.
Sylvia paused. Pain flickered in her eyes, then vanished so fast, Destiny wondered if she'd imagined it.
"I was married then. That unholy union limped along for about eighteen more months."
Stuck my foot into that, Destiny thought. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. He was a– " She glanced toward Cindy. "Let's just say divorce has its good points."
Destiny ducked her head, brushed imaginary crumbs from her lap, and prayed she wasn’t being too transparent, her curiosity about Sylvia's and Cole’s relationship too obvious.
Sylvia lowered her voice. "I'm looking for a low-key love affair, no strings. Cole's looking for Ms. Right. Does that answer your question?"
Destiny found herself mentally pairing the woman with Web. The two struck her as archetypes who would either love each other on sight, or commit mayhem on their first date.
She felt a wicked grin tease her lips. Kayla pulled on her arm. "They're opening the curtains. Everyone's supposed to go up on stage and look at our pictures before they announce the winners."
Obediently, Destiny took Kayla's hand and followed her into the crowd of mother-daughter duos gathering on the stage. As they viewed each classes' artistic achievements, Destiny couldn't help reveling in the feel of the little girl's small hand in her own. She bent down, giving Kayla's fingers a squeeze. "Which one is yours?"
The childish artwork was colorful and energetic, ranging from pointy mountains and lop-sided trees to stick people. Kayla dragged her toward a drawing of a man, a woman, and a little girl. The little girl's ponytail hung down to her feet, a self-portrait, no doubt, although somewhat exaggerated. The man would be Cole, a brown crayon squiggle depicting his hair. And the woman with the long black braid–
"That's you!" Kayla enthused.
"Me?"
"Uh-huh." Kayla rolled up on her toes. "Do you like it? I made it after the air races!"
"Oh, Kayla!" Destiny blinked rapidly, more touched than she would have believed possible. What was the little charmer doing to her? Any more surprises like this one and I'll be weeping, Destiny thought. Kayla will never be able to get rid of me – no matter what Cole's ideas might be on the matter. "It's great, honey! Are you going to be a fighter pilot and an artist?"
"Sure. And a scientist, too."
"Well, if you find time to do all three, be sure to tell me your secret."
"It's easy. I'll fly during the day, do painting at night, and science exploring on the weekends. Daddy and I go exploring a lot. We find lots of great stuff."
"That sounds exciting. Like what?"
The principal's voice suddenly filled the room. "Please take your seats, ladies and...ah...ladies. The judges are ready to announce the winners."
The awards started with the sixth grade winners and progressed down to the lower grades in a blur of clapping and congratulations. At last, it was time to announce the ribbons for first graders. Mrs. Wilson's gaze flicked across the crowd, found Kayla, then lifted to Destiny and narrowed, confusion replacing her smile.
What is this? Destiny wondered, beginning to feel like a sideshow freak. She’d caught the look on Sylvia’s face, and now the same peculiar expression again. Anyone would think they’d never seen a real, live, flesh and blood Paiute before. Living in Nevada, you’d have to be blind for that to happen. Maybe she had tumbleweeds stuck in her ears.
She shrugged away her uneasiness as the first grade winners was announced – Third Place winner – Kayla Jackson.
Kayla's face lit. She jumped up, then tugged Destiny to her feet and onto the stage.
"Congratulations, Kayla." The words had to make past a huge lump in Destiny's throat, her heart pounding. She couldn't have been more thrilled. Forget the strange stares. Forget the ravishing redhead who was Cole’s gorgeous friend. The warmth of the moment claimed her, reminding her of when her brother had graduated from college, herself from med-school. This event was just as important to Kayla. And it was a moment only she and Kayla shared.
*****
By nine, Cole was pacing the kitchen, restless, waiting for Destiny and Kayla to return. He stopped at the table and peered down into the big plastic bowl, studying his and Kayla's latest trophies, two minnows and a small crawdad. Kayla had built the little guy a shelter of rocks. On Sunday, when they went exploring again, they would return the critters to the river.
The crawdad was shy, looked asleep. About to pick it up, Cole heard the garage door open. Hurriedly, he moved to the living room, dove into his recliner and opened a massive historical novel about historic Virginia City and the Comstock Lode silver mines.
Earlier, he'd re-read the first chapter ten times before giving in to nervous pacing. Had Kayla given Destiny a hard time? Sometimes when she and Cindy got together they got wild. Was Destiny going to bolt as soon as she washed her hands of Little Miss Too-Smart-For-Her-Own-Good? Kids threw tantrums at the worst times. In front of half the school would certainly be one. Kayla was a great kid, didn't act up often, but she wasn't perfect.
"Daddy!" Her happy shriek brought him to his feet in time to catch her flying leap.
He swung her around until the walls spun. "Whoa!" he pleaded, setting her down. "Did you have a good time, Pumpkin?"
"Yes, yes! Look! My picture won!" She held out a big blue satin ribbon printed with gold letters – THIRD PLACE.
"Wow!" He knelt and hugged her again, so proud. "Congratulations!" Looking up, he caught Destiny's smile. The dinner must have gone well.
Kayla skipped about his legs. "Don’t I deserve a sandwich hug?"
At Destiny's perplexed look, Cole explained. "We're the bread, she's the peanut butter."
"Peanut butter?" She grinned. "Well, peanut butter, better watch out!" She wrapped her arms around Kayla and grabbed Cole's shoulders, squeezing the giggling girl in between.
With a squeal, that silly peanut butter wriggled down and to one side, leaving just the bread, two heated slices stuck to one another. Cole could only stare at Destiny, unable to voice the emotion which welled up inside. Could she see the love in his eyes?
Destiny's off-the-shoulder yellow dress showed an enticing amount of smooth, copper skin. Memories of what lay beneath the gauzy fabric sent lightning zigzagging through him. He peeled himself away from her and stepped back, afraid he'd shock his young daughter with an early exhibition of the mating habits of frustrated widowers. "It’s time for night-night," he forced out.
Destiny grinned. “Who, me?”
He choked.
"First I want Destiny to see Mr. Claw," Kayla insisted.
"Mr. Claw?" he mumbled, too distracted to think straight. Lord, the woman looked good enough to eat. Hmmm.
Kayla threw him an exasperated look.
"Oh, yeah, Mr. Claw...your crawdad." As a dad, he wasn’t functioning too well at the moment. He hurried through the introductions. But it wasn’t going to be that easy – Kayla wanted Destiny in on night-night, too.
"Not tonight," he said, his voice firm. It would take twice as long to get Kayla to bed and, darn it, he was ready for some quality ADULT time with Destiny. "Enjoy the fire," he called over his shoulder as he hustled Kayla upstairs. "I'll be finished in fifteen minutes."
It was closer to twenty, but still one of the shortest night-nights on record.
From the top of the stairs, he could see Destiny seated on the floor n
ext to the fireplace, her legs stretched out in front of her, her hair loose, flowing down her back like an ebony waterfall. "And now for dessert," he murmured as need zapped him again.
"What did you say?" She gave him a drowsy, dreamy look.
He almost fell down the stairs. "Wine! I asked if you wanted any wine?" Her lips looked more intoxicating than any bubbly.
She shook her head. "It'll put me to sleep faster than knock-out drops. This has been one crazy work week."
Dropping to the floor beside her, Cole nodded in agreement. "I've missed you," he whispered, nuzzling her neck. "The past few nights have been hell." He brushed her lips, his brain foggy with passion. "Destiny..."
She eased away, her gaze unreadable, her voice soft. "Cole, about Kayla..." Her eyebrows drew together.
He stiffened. "What about Kayla?" he said, suddenly defensive, his desire fading.
Destiny turned away to stare into the flames. She sighed. Was that an unhappy sigh or just thoughtful? "She's...”
He braced himself. Too much to handle? More than I bargained for? Maybe she didn't want kids, or hadn't realized how much work they could be.
The silence writhed in his gut like a snake in the throes of death. "What about Kayla?" he forced out.
She seemed to choke on some emotion he couldn't tag. What had happened at that darn dinner? Had Sylvia said something? That woman never thought before she opened her mouth. He'd wring her neck!
“Well– it’s just– " Destiny rose to her feet. "I’m not so sure I should stay the night. What if she wakes up? Won’t it be awkward?”
“Awkward?” He heard his own strangled voice. “No. She’s a sound sleeper. And didn’t you say you had to leave at three am?" He moved close and wrapped her in his arms. “Please stay.”
Slowly, her lips curled in a soft smile. “The things you do to my pulse rate, doctor.” She brushed his hair back from his forehead. “And I thought Kayla was the one who had me wrapped around her finger.” Her own fingers traced her brow. "I'm falling in love with your daughter, Cole."
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