Call It Destiny

laughter. „I hope you realize you’re marrying a rather strong-willed female.“
    „Takes after her father, I’m told,“ Jake said nodding. „But I’m as much a victim of her charm as everyone else around here, so I suppose I will let her lead me to the altar regardless of whether or not she lets me have any cake and eat it, too.“
    „If I let you have cake> you’re going to have to compromise on a few other issues.“ Heather got to her feet and waved the contract at him. „If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go have a look at the kitchens. I promised myself a tour of them today and all this talk about food has whetted my appetite to speak to the chef and his staff.“
    „Heather, as your mother just told you there’s no need for you to rush around before the wedding. There will be plenty of time to get to know Hacienda Strand again after the honeymoon.“ Paul frowned at Jake. „Won’t there?“
    „All the time in the world,“ Jake agreed equably, polishing off his croissant. „On the other hand, perhaps a tour of the kitchens would keep her out of trouble. I saw her eyeing a motorcycle one of the busboys just bought.“
    „A motorcycle!“ Ruth looked momentarily stricken.
    Heather saw the shadow of remembered anguish that passed in her mother’s eyes and instantly paused beside the other woman to drop a quick affectionate kiss on her cheek.
    „I’m a businesswoman these days, remember? Soon to be married to a solid respectable man. I don’t do wild and reckless things anymore,“ she assured Ruth with gentle humor. „I’m home.“
    The last two words hung in the air for a moment and then Ruth Strand smiled lovingly and caught her daughter’s hand in her own. „Yes, you’re home, aren’t you? A fully grown woman, a successful businessperson in her own right and about to be married to a wonderful man. What could be more perfect?“
    „Jake’s turning red,“ Paul Strand interrupted lightly. „All this talk about his wonderfulness is going to his head. Better go on to the kitchens and have that tour, honey.“
    „Don’t worry about my ego,“ Jake growled as he took Heather’s arm. „Solid respectability has never been much of a compliment. I’m not likely to let such praise from my future wife go to my head.“
    „Oh, but it’s not just your respectability that I admire,“ Heather shot back guilelessly. „I’m vastly impressed with your business talents, as well.“
    „That certainly reassures me,“ he said dryly. „Come on. Let’s go tour the kitchens before you sweep me off my feet entirely.“
    Paul Strand’s satisfied remark as Heather left the terrace on Jake’s arm followed them down the steps. „I told you they were going to make a terrific team, Ruth.“
    Beside her, Jake’s mouth twisted in amusement. „I think he means a perfect management team,“ he murmured so that only Heather could hear. „What do you think?“
    „That he might be right. So long as both members of the team remember which of them is ultimately in charge.“ Heather kept her words light but gave the remark a definite emphasis that could not go unnoticed.
    „Is that the main reason you came home, Heather? So that you could be in charge of the family hotel?“ As they walked through the lush grounds, Jake glanced around at the elegantly designed complex. The main lodge, as well as the outlying cottages and facilities, were all done in a warm Spanish style. Heavy white stuccoed walls were accented with dark beams and graciously arched windows. The grounds were an oasis in the Tucson desert, rich and green from years of meticulous care. Crushed-gravel walks wandered randomly throughout the hotel gardens and there were guests out enjoying them in the fresh morning.
    It was not the peak season for the Hacienda Strand. That would come in winter and spring when the freezing winds and blankets of snow up north drove those who could afford it to take a vacation in the balmy Arizona climate. It was a good time to be planning a wedding and learning the ropes of running the hotel, Heather had decided. By the time the busy season approached she would be completely settled in her new life.
    „I didn’t come home just to run the place,“ Heather informed him evenly. „I could have had that opportunity at more than one hotel in California. I’m here because… because I’m ready to be here.“
    „And you weren’t ready when you were eighteen, is that what you’re saying?“
    „That’s