Call It Destiny

wrapped around her narrow waist.
    This time when she glanced into the mirror there was no trace of a glowing bride. A proud, coldly angry woman stared back at her. A woman who looked as though she could take care of herself in a man’s world.
    It was exactly the image Heather needed to see in that moment. Deliberately she turned away and headed for the door.
    She found Jim Connors hanging around the back of the hotel kitchens, enjoying a soft drink with some of his friends as he took a break before the lunch rush. When she offered him fifty dollars for temporary use of his new motorcycle he stared at her.
    „Don’t worry, Jim. I know what I’m doing on a bike. And the fifty will go a long way toward gas.“ She smiled at him with a cool imperiousness that made him obey. Uncertainly he dug the keys out of his jeans.
    „Uh, the wedding?“ he asked hesitantly, clearly out of his depths.
    „The wedding is on schedule as far as I know.“ She plucked the keys from his hesitant grasp and replaced them with fifty dollars in cash. „Thanks. I’ll make sure you get it back in one piece.“
    „Miss Strand, I don’t know about this,“ the teenager said worriedly.
    „Oh, one more thing. Would you mind if I borrowed your leather jacket? For safety purposes.“
    „Well, no, I guess not. It will be a little big. Look, Miss Strand, maybe you should borrow the bike another time?“
    „Now is exactly the right time.“ She shrugged into the leather jacket. The desert sun would rapidly make the garment uncomfortable but she could live with that.
    The massive black motorcycle accepted her unprotestingly. She mounted automatically from the left side, her jeaned leg swinging expertly over the seat, and the helmet stowed behind. The twisting grip that was the accelerator fit perfectly in her right hand. It had been a long time but when she experimentally took the powerful bike around the employee parking lot everything came back, including the incomparable rush of excitement and independence. The feelings were a drug in her veins. Without further hesitation Heather headed the bike for the exit. She didn’t glance back at Jim’s anxious face.
    The narrow path that wound picturesquely up to the little chapel was almost empty. Most of the guests were already seated or standing around in the gardens, chatting as they waited for the service to begin. Bright flutters of colorful dresses were scattered like flowers. The men’s clothing was not quite as bright but it certainly reflected the sunbelt dress code. Everyone looked cheerful and light and pleasantly excited.
    The politely threatening but subdued roar of the black cycle made everyone turn toward Heather as she rode the bike slowly up the path. For a moment no one recognized her, including her parents and Jake who were standing together on the front steps of the chapel.
    Jake realized first who it was. He didn’t move as she drove the big bike to the bottom of the steps and halted it. One booted foot bracing herself and the machine, Heather flexed her fingers on the handlebars and focused only on the man who waited for her. She refused to look at the mingled shock and anxiety on her mother’s face or the stunned outrage on her father’s.
    Jake watched her as though she were a sorceress who was about to cast an evil spell on him. His hard face revealed nothing of what he was thinking. He stood impassive and remote as he awaited the bolt of lightning she was about to throw. Of all the people gathered there only he seemed to realize exactly what was happening.
    „I understand there’s a wedding here today,“ Heather remarked so that all could hear. „I just wanted to come by and congratulate the groom. I understand he’s the new owner of the Hacienda Strand. The news came as something of a shock to the bride, I’m afraid, so if I were you I wouldn’t stand around waiting for her. She’s a bit indisposed at the moment. Feeling like a manipulated idiot will do that to a woman. Especially on her wedding day.“
    „But don’t let that little fact ruin the celebration. I’m sure the groom is quite capable of carrying on without her. After all, he’s got everything else, including the bride’s inheritance. I know he can make do without the bride herself. As for the bride, well, she’ll be okay, too. She’s had a lot of experience taking care of herself and she intends to apply it. You all have a good time now, you hear?“
    She twisted the accelerator in her