Call It Destiny

love of my family because I didn’t know how to keep my family from controlling me.“
    „But now you can handle it all? Is that what you’re saying?“
    „I’m a woman now, not a child. I’ve proven myself.“
    „And you know which battles are worth fighting.“
    „Yes.“
    Jake regarded her intently. „Heather, this battle over the clause I crossed out of the contract is not worth fighting.“
    „And if I happen to believe differently?“
    „Then I shall have to decline your kind offer.“ He smiled rather wistfully. „You’re not the only one who’s come home, Heather. The Hacienda Strand is my home now, too. Your parents have made me feel almost like a part of the family. Your father trusts me completely. Your mother thinks I’m going to make you an excellent husband. You yourself plan to work with me day in and day out running the Hacienda. And unless you plan on running off again with some punk on a motorcycle, we’re committed, you and I. We’re in this together for the duration. But if I’m going to link my life and my career with yours then I want a full, 100 percent commitment. I don’t want a ridiculous sham of a marriage. I want the real thing. Hearth, home and family. In exchange for agreeing to all of your terms, I expect you to agree to mine.“
    Heather caught her breath, suddenly fiercely aware of the strength in his hands and the unyielding intensity of his eyes. The morning sun beat warmly down on the gardens, coaxing an earthy scent from the rain-moistened ground. That scent seemed to combine with Jake’s clean masculine essence, making her overwhelmingly conscious of him in a way she instinctively knew was dangerous. It was difficult to marshal her thoughts into logical arguments.
    There were many things she could have said; should have said. She ought to have pointed out that his career at the Hacienda could be terminated at any time by her. She could have argued that she hadn’t actually ruled out intimacy in the marriage; merely postponed the decision. She might have stressed her refusal to be pushed beyond certain limits. After all, returning prodigals were willing to be cooperative up to a point, but only up to a point.
    Instead she heard herself say crisply, „We’ll talk about it later. I’m late for that tour of the kitchens and it’s been my experience that first-class chefs hate to be kept waiting.“
    „We’ll talk about it now, Heather. This is my future as well as your own we’re discussing. I want this aspect of it settled.“
    His stubbornness threatened to trigger her carefully buried instinct to rebel. With an extreme effort of will, Heather reminded herself that she had nothing serious against which to rebel. She was in charge here. It was up to her how much territory she decided to yield.
    „You’re the one who’s nervous, aren’t you?“ she challenged softly. „It’s your future here at the Hacienda that’s on the line, not mine. Well, I can understand that.
    After all, you’re not a full-fledged member of my family. Only marrying me can give you that status.“
    „Let’s just say I’m willing to work hard to get the feeling of having roots and a family and a place to call home. All the things you once threw away so casually and have come back to claim.“
    „I didn’t realize marrying me was going to be such hard work!“
    „I’m beginning to think it’s going to be the hardest job I’ve ever undertaken.“ But he was smiling again and Heather was beginning to realize just how much she liked that strange little half smile.
    „Even more of a reason not to add the extra burden of doing your husbandly duty in bed!“ she retorted briskly.
    He sobered. „Heather, I’m not going to rush you into giving me anything you’re not prepared to give. All I’m asking is that we don’t set deadlines on something as private and personal as this aspect of our marriage. You have my word I won’t demand my so-called rights. In return I’d like yours that you’ll let things happen naturally without restrictions and contractual clauses. Is that too much to request?“
    She stared up at him wonderingly, startled by the genuine honesty in his voice. He was so close, so intent and quietly insistent that she didn’t know how to handle the situation. She needed time.
    „Jake – “
    Heather got no further in her demand. Jake lowered his head, a smoky quality invading the gray depths of his eyes, and the next thing Heather knew her mouth was