Fate and Destiny Read Online Free PDF

on
the first of February, and I know it didn’t take ten days to get me
here.”
    Shadow, sensing her
despair, leapt onto the bed where she sat, her good leg folded
under her, the other leg stretched out. Carefully avoiding her
injured limb, the dog managed to lay his head in her lap. She
absentmindedly scratched behind his ear, as large brown eyes
flicked back and forth from the woman to his master. Andrew leaned
forward, placing all four chair legs steadily on the ground, not
quite sure what to say. He couldn’t explain anything to her except
for discovering her the morning before, and that was no
help.
    “ His name is
Shadow.”
    “ What?” Startled from her
thoughts, Destiny looked back at Andrew.
    “ The dog,” he explained,
“his name is Shadow.”
    She looked back down, just
then realizing he was there, a slight smile flitting across her
face.
    “ I like that. Shadow. I
think it suits him very well.”
    Andrew was glad to see her
smile, temporarily ceasing her disturbing thoughts.
    “ Originally, his name was
Bear, but as a puppy, he would follow me everywhere. I couldn’t
even take a shower without him sitting outside the door and
whining. He was my own little shadow, and the name just kind of
stuck.”
    Andrew couldn’t take his
eyes off her as she watched the dog. Shadow rolled around slightly,
exposing his soft underbelly, which she obligingly scratched.
Andrew hoped she would share another of her sweet smiles with him,
but she sat stiffly, lost in thought.
    He urged her to lie back
down and get some sleep while he tended to chores yet to be done.
She gratefully agreed and Andrew called the dog. Shadow reluctantly
jumped down and stretched before looking back up at the woman with
longing. He hated to leave his warm spot, but he did as Andrew told
him.
    The storm outside was once
again in full force, the cabin dark from the low clouds and the
weakening fire. Destiny snoozed on the bed while Andrew put another
log on just to make sure that the fire didn’t go out completely. It
was important to keep the heat level up. After cleaning up the
cabin and the breakfast dishes, he showered and shaved.
    Running a towel over his
damp head, Andrew emerged from the bathroom, spotting Shadow curled
at Destiny’s side, snoring. Damn traitorous dog, turned by a pretty
face. Shaking his head, Andrew smiled at the picture of the
beautiful woman and the shaggy mutt sleeping peacefully
together.

5.
    Hours later, Destiny woke
to the smell of food and the sounds of static and music. Her head
didn’t throb nearly as badly as the first time she woke up in the
little room. Propping her heavy head on her arm, she watched Andrew
dancing in the kitchen with his back to her. He swayed gracefully,
his feet turning so she could see him in profile as he sang into a
spoon. She closed her eyes to slits, but it was useless. The smile
on her lips betrayed her. Locking his eyes on her, he began to
perform in an exaggerated fashion for her
amusement. 
    The small light in the
kitchen allowed her to study his features clearly for the first
time. He was very handsome, with short brown hair and smooth skin.
His golden brown eyes twinkled when he smiled captivatingly at her.
She could not help herself and smiled back, which seemed to make
him smile even more. Although he wore a thick pullover, she could
remember how finely sculpted his back and chest were from the last
time she had seen him standing in that same spot.
    Averting her eyes, she
pretended to look for Shadow so Andrew would not see her blushing.
Despite her efforts, he noticed. Her attempts to hide her
appreciative glance made him smile even more. Her green eyes
twinkled, her smile lighting up the corner of the room where she
rested. A familiar stirring coursed through his chest and down to
his legs. He quickly pushed the thoughts away, adjusting the
channel to limit the static on the radio. If she realized the
effect she had on him, she would close herself off again. She