Finally Found (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10)

The band took a break, and they left the dance floor for a quiet table. “This whole night has been amazing, but I’m not sure my legs can hold up for more dancing.”

“We got breaks, but you didn’t.” Josh took a sip of his water.

“I didn’t want any breaks. I’ve never enjoyed dancing so much. I really like country music, too.”

Jacob gave her a kiss, and she melted into him. “And now that you’re a champion at the two-step, we’ll be sure to take you as often as you want. I wish we could stay all night, but all three of us have to get back for the big paintball event tomorrow.”

“Yes, we do,” she said. “I’m going to unseat Ethel as champion.”

“If anyone could, sweetheart, it would be you. But trust me, Ethel is quite the competitor. She won’t go down without a fight. What time do we need to leave for the airport, Josh?”

“If you two are ready, I think we should go now.”

Excited to be back in the air, she jumped to her feet. “I call copilot seat.”

They both laughed.

“You got it, Carrie.” Josh put his arm around her shoulder and they walked out of the steakhouse.

Sitting between Josh and Jacob inside the limo, she took their hands. “Thank you for such a fantastic evening.”

“Our pleasure, sweetheart,” Jacob said. “The truth is I’ve never had this much fun on a date in my whole life.”

“Me either,” Josh said, stroking her hair.

She looked out the side window. The full moon illuminated the landscape in a cool blue hue. It looked like a place out of a fairy tale.

“This is my first time in New Mexico. I had no idea how beautiful it was.”

“Not as beautiful as you,” Jacob said, kissing her cheek.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and continued taking in the countryside. The limo passed a small church that looked painfully familiar to Mrs. Kearns’s church. Painted white with a tall steeple. A picket fence surrounding the building. An arched double door that led the members inside.

Her mind flashed back to that painful time, and she closed her eyes, trying to will it away. But it wouldn’t go.

“Everything okay, Carrie?” Jacob said.

“Yes. I’m just a little tired is all,” she answered, not wanting to spoil the good time they’d had together. How could he read her so easily? She didn’t know.

As they entered the plane, she still couldn’t shake off the memory of Bronte, Texas. Willie had been the one to con those people, not her. And yet she felt responsible in some way. What could she have done? Nothing. She had only been a little girl. But knowing the facts was different than feeling the past.

“I’m going to start the pre-flight. You two relax.” Josh left her alone with Jacob.

“Are you thirsty, Carrie?” Jacob opened the little fridge. “There’s bottled water. You want one?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

He handed her the water and gave her a sweet kiss.

She felt tears well in her eyes.

How can I be so selfish with him and Josh? I’m no good for them. This can’t end well. Bad things follow me. They always have. They always will.

“What’s wrong, Carrie?”

“Oh Jacob, this is so wonderful. It’s just that…I’ve been running from darkness for a very long time. It’s all I’ve known. And since I came to Destiny, since I found my brother and a whole new family, and since meeting you and Josh…I’ve never experienced such happiness. I’m just afraid this will all end.”

“I promise you everything will be all right.”