Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins Read Free Book Online

“Maria woke up in the middle of the night screaming. I think she had a bad dream, and of course, once she calmed down she didn’t want to go back to sleep. The sun was coming up before she finally drifted off.”
    â€œYou look tired, too, Billie.”
    â€œI am. Having trouble getting a full night’s sleep. I think it may be the baby. Drew’s been getting up with Tonio so I can sleep in a bit and that’s helped immensely.”
    Billie’s baby was due next winter. Alanza could hardly wait to greet her newest grandchild.
    â€œWhere are my sons?” she asked as she walked over to eye her beautiful gold gown on the headless dress form.
    â€œLogan is working in town.”
    â€œDrew’s at the bank.”
    A few weeks ago, a deadly arson fire destroyed most of the buildings in town. In the midst of the ensuing chaos Billie and Tonio were abducted by a dangerous man from Billie’s past. Drew finally found them but only after Billie freed herself from the man’s clutches and Tonio was given to a couple in a false adoption. Everything turned out well in the end, and now, every man in the area was helping to rebuild the businesses that had succumbed to the fire. Max and Logan were heading up the construction crew and Drew, whose license to practice law had been laid low by bigotry, was now the town banker, a role he seemed to enjoy.
    Once Billie and Mariah finished their coffee, Alanza’s nearly completed gown was taken from its form and she donned it carefully to avoid all the pins. Mariah’s dressmaking business was thriving. She had a plethora of orders from shops as far away as San Francisco and Seattle but she’d dropped everything in order to bring to life the creation she’d designed for her mother-in-law.
    â€œThis is the most beautiful gown, Mariah,” Alanza gushed while viewing herself in the large stand-up mirror.
    â€œStand still, Mama, please,” Mariah instructed kindly around the pins in her mouth. “We don’t want this hem to look like your granddaughter had a hand in it.”
    Properly chastened, Alanza complied and added, “Speaking of hands in things, Max said he asked you to make something for me.”
    Mariah paused and looked up. “He did.”
    â€œI promised him I’d not fuss at you for keeping it a secret, or ask what it might be, so how about you simply show it to me. That way I won’t break my promise.”
    Billie chuckled.
    Mariah took the pins from her mouth. “Nice try.”
    â€œPlease?”
    Mariah replied with a smile and carried on with the hemming.
    Alanza sighed dejectedly and pouted dramatically.
    Billie’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Now I know where Tonio gets that. His abuela .
    Alanza stuck her tongue out at Billie, who laughed.
    Alanza tried again. “If I’m to wear it I think I should be allowed to see it beforehand.”
    From her spot on the floor, Mariah replied, “Understandable, but you aren’t going to. Have you heard from Noah?”
    â€œI received a wire a few days ago. He’s in Havana and should be on his way. Please let me see it.”
    Billie cracked, “She’s persistent if nothing else.”
    â€œThat she is,” Mariah spoke. “So while I pin this hem, this would you answer her, please?”
    â€œSure,” Billie replied. “No, Mama.”
    â€œI’m beginning to hate you both.”
    Billie got to her feet and placed a kiss on Alanza’s smooth cheek. “We hate you as well. I’m going to free the inmates and take them for a walk. Have fun.”
    For the rest of the time at the shop, Alanza continued her quest to extract answers from Mariah, who shook her head at her mother-in-law’s persistence but held on to Max’s secret and continued pinning away.
    H oping to hear something about his stolen ship, Noah cooled his heels in Havana for three more days, but each day, when he went