Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods

Author:Sherryl Woods [Woods, Sherryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2004-10-19T22:00:00+00:00

“Thanks for leaping to my defense,” William said, startling Destiny when he appeared at her side within seconds of Chester’s departure.

“Is that what you heard me doing?” she asked irritably. “I thought I was merely leaving room for doubt.”

“I prefer to take a more optimistic view of your words,” he countered. “Now, shall we have a drink and toast the success of your first confrontation with the old Carlton management?”

“It wasn’t a success. I still don’t know who was behind that photograph.”

“But you do know one person who wasn’t behind it, and it seems you’ve found a real ally in the process.”

She regarded William with surprise. “You felt that, too?”

He nodded. “Yes. I think Chester’s exactly what he claims to be, a man who’s a pragmatist, loyal to a fault and not quick to retaliate for hurt feelings.”

“That was my impression precisely,” Destiny admitted.

William’s expression turned oddly nostalgic. “Remember how we used to do this after every gathering we had in Provence? We’d stay up late, after everyone else had left or gone to bed, and compare notes. We always agreed, always had the same impressions of the newcomers.”

Destiny smiled at the memory. “So we did.” Sometimes those quiet, late-night postmortems on the parties had been the best part. They’d shared gossip they’d picked up, laughed at the often drunken foibles of some of their guests, and a time or two commented on the vibes they’d gotten about a marriage in trouble or an affair about to begin.

She glanced at him. “Have you ever been back?”

He shook his head, his expression sad. “Not since I closed up the house for you. Have you?”

“Never.”

“Why? Somehow I envisioned you taking your nephews there for summer vacations. I almost went in August one year in hopes of running into you by chance.”

“I never took them,” she told him.

“Not even once?”

“Never.”

“But why? You loved it so.”

“I suppose I was afraid they’d see how sad it made me and blame themselves.”

William smiled. “Boys are rarely as intuitive as that.”

“You’re right, of course. But there was another reason,” she admitted.

“Oh?”

“I didn’t want to be there without you. I think that would have been the most painful thing of all. Even though I’d lived there on my own before we met, once you became a part of it, it would never have been the same. I would have felt your presence in every room, seen you every place I turned in town. I’ve actually thought of selling it in recent years just to avoid all those haunting memories.”

“But you haven’t?” he asked.

She gave him a rueful look. “No. I couldn’t bring myself to do that, either. I’ve paid for the upkeep on the house and for the gallery. It seemed important to me to know they’d be ready if I ever chose to go back.”

“Perhaps we can go back together one day,” he said. “I’d like that.”

Destiny hesitated, conditioned not to bare her soul, but at last she took the risk. “I’d like that, too,” she said softly.

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