Shaping Destiny Read online

  “Kay, see you in a bit.” She barely looked up from typing frantically on the computer.

  I walked out of the dorm and crossed the street to walk on campus. A light dusting of snow drifted from the sky, but it didn’t stick to the ground. The roads were slushy and wet. It wasn’t too cold, and to my skin, overheated from the warm dorm rooms, it felt good.

  Although it was Saturday, I wasn’t expecting things to be so quiet. I guess the normal person wouldn’t spend their weekend walking through school, but part of me was still expecting to see the determined students anxiously bustling. I kept my arms across my chest to keep the extra breeze out while walking to clear my head. Finding it hard to feel relaxed I looked up to find the reason why. A shiver ran through my body, and my arms drop to my side.

  Move, Leah, move. The more I told myself to turn and run, the more my body couldn’t react. The mystery man started to get closer and closer, running so fast he looked as if he were floating. He was still far off; I could easily get away, but like a stupid girl I froze. Just like a slow-motion nightmare, I took a few steps backward only to back up against someone else. A thick arm enveloped me, just under my bosom, and a hand covered my mouth. My hands darted to my face, pulling at the hand that prevented me from breathing properly. Gasping for air enough to keep up with my erratic heartbeats started to make me light-headed.

  I took one last glace at my mystery man, who was still making his way toward me. Knowing he was just a backup in case I put up a fight, I didn’t have much hope. I bit down hard on my captor’s hand.

  “What do you want from me?” Kicking and screaming was getting me nowhere. He was much too big of a man.

  “Shut up, devil!” He began dragging me toward a white SUV while I stumbled to find my feet.

  He was a large man, and his bicep bulged beneath his tight, brown shirt. Boots covered his feet, which he slushed in the street. Blond hair was buzzed on his scalp, and thin lips pushed together tightly at his mouth.

  “Let her go!”

  I didn’t dare look behind me to see who it was, but part of me knew already. But why? My captor slowly turned with fire in his eyes. “Move along, punk.”

  “I said, let her go.” More intensity sounded in his voice this time.

  My head pounded as my captor threw me into the side of his vehicle. “Is that what you want, hero?” He took a step forward. “I’ll let her go for you.”

  Thunder filled the sky, or at least I thought it was thunder. With my head spinning from the blow it was hard to be certain. Through glossy eyes I noticed what the mystery man’s expression bespoke. Pure anger and hatred filled his soul. I closed my eyes, not able to focus any longer. A moment later all was silent, and at another I was being lifted, cradled in someone’s embrace.

  “Leah? Wake up,” his voice pleaded. “You can’t fall asleep. You may have a concussion.” He held me up with only one arm, while he gently smoothed back tangled hair from across my forehead. “Leah, please open your eyes so I can see if you’re OK. I promise I won’t hurt you. Don’t be afraid.”

  His voice was kind and confident, but I held much uncertainty about this mystery man. I opened my eyes slowly to reveal piercing green eyes staring into mine. With our stare unbroken he slowly sat me down on the grass while he knelt in front of me. He had a medium build and messy, short, dark brown hair. He wore the same black sweatshirt as before. He was handsome, even with his brow furrowed.

  Like a rubber band stretching to hold things together, I felt a need to draw this man in. The need to know him was almost unbearable.

  “Who are you?” I whispered. “How do you know my name?”

  He looked away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be here. I have to go.” He stood. “Go home now and rest. Forget about what happened, and don’t say anything to anyone. I know it doesn’t seem right to not tell anyone but please trust me. You’re safe now.” He turned to go.

  I nodded, but no words would come out as he jogged away.

  Go home, trust him, and don’t tell anyone? What is going on? Tears came rolling down my face. Now being alone, crying was all I could do. So this is what the outside world has to offer? Never having left my hometown, I guess I didn’t know what to expect. I watched the news from time to time, but realization never kicked in that I could be in danger.

  My father had sheltered me, but I thought it was because I was the only girl born in the whole Hawk family in over a hundred years. Stories were passed down through generations that Great-great-grandmother had been an outcast in her own town and was forced to relocate in Pagoda, Colorado. She felt safe there, and it’s where she met my great-great-grandfather. Our family line had been there ever since. Father would never express why Grandma had to leave, no matter how many times I asked. He would say, “You’re the first girl that has been born since Great-grandma Hawk, and you’re very special. She would be very proud of you. Girls are rare in our family. We love you very much, Leah, so please be careful.”

  Grandmother’s story and my father’s words came to me now. Sitting here in the grass I wondered if Grandmother’s life was anything like what just happened to me now. I knew nothing about her because of the lack of information my father was willing to share, but at least I wasn’t forced out of this town yet.

  Standing took more of an effort than I expected. Being dragged on the ground and smashed into metal was not at all comfortable. With a slight limp and a few scratches on my hands and face I made it to the dorms again. Remembering my agreement not to tell anyone what happened, I tried to straighten my posture. Why was I doing this? And why did I trust a total stranger? Thinking about him only sent butterflies coursing through my body. Fear and gratitude are what I felt for him. I feared him because I knew absolutely nothing about him. For all I knew he could still be a bad guy. On the other hand he had just saved my life.

  “Leah!” Jared said as I came in the door and shut it behind me. “I tried calling you, but you never answered. Gretchen said you went to get fresh air, but that was over two hours ago.” He frowned and came closer to get a better look at me, moving a strand of hair away from my face. “What happened to you?”

  His caring tone made my throat tighten. Tears threatened to overflow again, but I had to keep my composure. How could I not confide in my best friend? I had to tell someone and who better to tell than Jared?

  “I went for a walk . . . ” A vision of beautiful green eyes came rushing into my thoughts. Pushing them back I continued to tell Jared what had happened. “I couldn’t get myself to relax, I just felt so jittery, but then I saw . . . ”

  The mystery’s man’s kind voice and handsome face appeared in my mind. He’d saved my life, and even carried me off the hard ground to check for injuries. He told me I wouldn’t understand but to trust him and not tell anyone.

  I shook my head. “I saw . . . ”

  He’d made me feel something that was unexplainable. When I’d opened my eyes to reveal him looking down at me, he’d felt familiar. Even though my brain didn’t trust him, every other part of my body did. I had to go along with what he told me, at least for now.

  “I saw nothing, and it was so quiet. I expected the campus to still be busy. I went to cross the road, and it was so wet I slipped and hit my head. I’m surprised this is all I got.” I walked past Jared, hoping to move on with something different. “Oh, and my phone is still in my room. Sorry. I must have left it.”

  Did I really just lie to Jared? I would have never thought even in my wildest dreams that I would tell Jared anything but the truth. But there was no time to backtrack even if I wanted to. What have I done?

  “Well you seem OK, but if you hit your head you should really see a doctor.” Jared followed right behind.

  “No, that’s not necessary; I’ll just grab Tylenol and be as good as new.”

  Jared seemed to accept my lie that a bump on the head would heal on its own.

  We practiced our ballroom routine for a while and visited with my roommates most of the af
ternoon.

  “Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?” Jared asked me.

  “Yes, that would be great.”

  “Mexican?”

  “You know me too well.”

  I grabbed my dirt-streaked coat, and Jared put on his brown one. He held my hand as we walked to his truck, and let go only to open the door for me.

  “The biggest hangout place is the Mexican restaurant.” Jared started the truck.

  “And how do you know this already?” I had a sideways grin, knowing his outgoingness and socialization gave him the information.

  “It’s the talk of the town. Everyone knows about it.” Sarcasm filled his tone, followed by a dashing smile.

  His smile only brought back memories.

  ***

  We’d known each other since we were babies. We’d been at the same schools, played on the same playgrounds, and, when we were old enough, driven everywhere that our small town had to offer together. It was just in the last part of our sophomore year of high school that we became more than friends. It was the last dance of the school year and he asked me to go with him, and I couldn’t think of anyone else I would rather go with.

  Going to the dance was the best date of my life. Jared didn’t get his beautiful truck until his senior year, so when he needed to drive somewhere he would use his parents’ Buick Century. It was a comfortable car, but that is all I could say for it. He drove up to my ranch-style log house and walked up to the door in his black suit and blue tie that matched my dress. I’m not the type to keep a man waiting or be fashionably late, so I got to the door before my father did and yanked it open.

  It wasn’t long before my dad had slipped in front of me and faced Jared with those concerned eyes that all parents give to the boy that’s taking out their daughter. My parents had always been concerned about boys and wanted to meet every boy I knew. So when I’d actually started dating, they went overboard.

  My dad had met Jared many times before, but I guess the whole dating thing got him a little wound up.

  “Dad,” I said, “It’s Jared. Can you please let him in?”

  He stared into Jared’s eyes for what seemed like minutes. He wasn’t a man of many words, but you knew what he was feeling a lot of the time. Dad was a chubby man, but claimed it was all muscle. He passed along his dark eyes and hair to me, but although I had those aspects of my father, most people thought I looked like my petite and beautiful mother.

  “Hmm,” Dad said. He inched his way to the side but kept his eye on us. Jared put a corsage on my wrist, and I pinned a flower onto his jacket.

  I looked toward my dad and said, “So, Dad, I’ll be home when the dance is over.”

  He finally spoke up. “Wait, when is that? You know your curfew is midnight.” He sounded a little on edge.

  Then Jared cut in. “I’ll have her home by twelve, Mr. Hawk. Don’t worry.”

  Dad nodded and gave the look that told me he better see me walk in those doors not a minute past midnight.

  Dad was really a big, soft teddy bear, but when I looked back at my memories I was glad that Jared had been the only man I’d brought home.

  When Dad nodded, that was our sign to leave. Jared and I walked out onto the wood porch that wrapped around my home. He took my hand as we walked down the steps to his car. Just like a gentleman, he opened my door for me and waited to see if I had my dress out of the way. He hurried around to the driver’s seat and gave me his big smile that always made my cheeks heat up.

  “You ready, cutie?” he asked.

  Cutie is the name he always called me, like honey or sweetheart. I’ve always loved it when Jared calls me cutie. It’s like he is giving me a compliment every time he speaks to me.

  The dance was held at the gym in our high school. Balloons were up and streamers were hung.

  Jared and I had been dancing together since our freshman year on the ballroom dance team, but everything had always been choreographed. It was refreshing to get out on the dance floor and really dance. Music played, lights flashed, and people circled around us. It was a fairy tale come true and the best first date ever.

  Time always flew when Jared and I were together, and it was midnight before we knew it. As we pulled up to my small home, the lights were shining through the front windows. Jared walked me to my door and gave me a kiss good-bye on the cheek.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Jared!” a spunky boy called over when we walked into the restaurant. “What’s up, man? Is this not awesome or what? Come let me introduce you to the gang.”

  My one eyebrow raised in question toward Jared. “The gang?”

  The inside was decorated with sombreros, and the walls were lined with lights shaped like chili peppers. The booth seats and chairs were red and the tabletops were beige. Karaoke was playing in the corner, and the music and lighting gave it a nightclub feel.

  “Jared, you know Mark.” Jared and Mark shared a quick nod, and introductions continued from left to right. “And this is Dawson, Greg, and Meg. And for your lovely lady, I’m Steve.” He bowed toward me with a hand on his chest.

  “Hey guys, I’m Jared, and this is my girlfriend, Leah. Your buddy Steve and Mark here talk about this place all the time. We’re in trig together.”

  “I am not the only one who has an obsession,” Steve said with a wink. “Leah is the talk of the whole class.”

  Blush filled my cheeks, but Jared didn’t leave that comment hanging for long. “Just in case you want to embrace me further, we’ll grab the booth behind you.” Jared patted his friend on his shoulder.

  The whole table, along with me, started to laugh as we took our seats.

  “Hi, I’m Joan, and I’ll be your waitress.” She handed us menus, water, and chips and salsa. “Do you need a minute to look at the menus?”

  Jared put his menu on top of mine. “No, we know what we want. Two enchilada dinners with rice and beans, please.”

  “All right, I’ll have that right out for you.”

  I sat there quietly and smiled at Jared.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, it’s just amazing that you didn’t ask me what I wanted to eat.”

  He looked worried. “Did you want something else?” He started to rise from his seat. “I can get the waitress back. It’s not too late.”

  “No, no. It’s not that. If I were to order for myself I would’ve ordered the same thing. It’s just funny that you know that.”

  Jared relaxed and put his hand over the table to hold mine.

  “So tell me, Leah. Have you seen any more of that creep guy?”

  My heart skipped a beat and my palms started to sweat instantly. Butterflies filled my whole being. I knew exactly who he was asking about. I’d lied to Jared once already. Could I do it again?

  “Leah, you’re shaking. Are you OK?” Jared put both of his cool hands over my one.

  “Oh, umm . . . I . . . I need to go to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

  What was wrong with me? I made it to the restroom, grateful that no one was at the sinks. Turning on the water, the cold felt so good to my hands. I saw my reflection in the mirror and noticed my neck and cheeks flushed. It felt overheated. Or was it hot flashes?

  I’m overreacting. There is nothing wrong with me, I’m fine. Just calm down and breathe and everything will be fine. I’m just panicking, that’s all. It’s because I’m lying to Jared, that’s all it is. And I guess I have some crazy attraction to a stranger . . . and I was attacked today.

  “Ah!” I slammed my hands down on the sink, releasing my frustration. I realized then I wasn’t alone.

  “Miss, are you OK?”

  Now I felt stupid. “Yes, fine, sorry.” I walked out of the bathroom. Running away from Jared’s question only led me to run away from my embarrassment in the restroom.

  The front door of the restaurant was close to the restrooms, and I went through it to get some fresh air and to cool down. A rush of breeze passed me as I walked down the side of the buil
ding.

  “You know you shouldn’t be out here in the dark all by yourself.” The smooth, kind voice that I secretly hoped to hear again filled my senses.

  I jumped back in surprise. I continued to step back slowly as if I were escaping a wild animal.

  “Why are you here? I did what you asked. I haven’t told anyone, I promise.”

  He looked wounded. “I’m not going to hurt you, Leah. I’m glad you haven’t told anyone, but that’s not why I’m here.”

  “Then why are you following me?”

  He ran his hand through his dark hair. “I just wanted to make sure you were OK, after what happened this morning.”

  My overheated body had cooled, but my brain had not. “How did you know where I’d be?”

  He looked up, took in a deep breath, and turned his head to the doors. “Please remember, I’m not here to hurt you. I have to go.”

  “Who are you?” I yelled after him.

  “Leah?” Jared said behind me.

  Startled, I turned quickly. “I . . . I’m sorry. I just needed to get some fresh air. I had this weird wave of sickness come over me.”

  “Steve told me he saw you leave. Are you feeling better?” He put his hand on my arm.

  “Yeah, the air did me good.”

  “Our food is at our table now, if you feel up to eating.”

  My stomach growled, reminding me of dinner. “I’m ready. Starving.” I placed a hand on my stomach as we walked back into the restaurant.

  “We didn’t mean to scare you away,” Steve said as we passed his booth to sit in ours.

  “It wasn’t that. I just needed some air.”

  “Yeah, Jared can be a handful. I would need some air too if I were you.” He laughed at his own joke. “But kidding aside, you are going to love the food!”

  Our food sat in front of us, and it smelled wonderful.

  “Thanks. So is this your second year at college?” I asked Steve while his other friends held their own conversation and Jared and I started our food.