Destiny Calls. Linda Hudson-Smith

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СКАЧАТЬ causing Dakota to groan softly. During her times of bittersweet reflection she didn’t like to talk on the phone. The frequent calls she received from the health facility didn’t give her the luxury of ignoring the phone. She checked the caller ID. Ethan.

      “Did I call at a bad time?” Ethan asked.

      “You didn’t. I’m stretched out on the sofa and reflecting on some things. What’re you up to?”

      “I was into some deep thinking, too, thoughts about you. Do you roller-skate?”

      She laughed. “Yeah, but I haven’t skated in a long while. I was pretty good at it. Are we talking about roller-skating or in-line?”

      Ethan chuckled. “Plain old roller-skating.”

      Dakota had fun conjuring up an image of sophisticated Ethan on skates. “It’s really been a long time. Hopefully it’d be just like riding a bike, something we don’t forget how to do.”

      “How about joining my friends and me this evening at On Four Wheels, a roller rink located in my neighborhood? I’d like to introduce you to the folks I hang out with.”

      “Are you willing to risk total embarrassment? Like I said, I haven’t skated in years. You could spend the entire evening picking me up off the floor.”

      Ethan grinned broadly. “I’d love to play your hero.” He’d have to get used to his sudden desire to be gallant. A hero, he wasn’t. “Whether you’re on your feet or falling on your sweet bottom, I won’t be embarrassed. I can pick you up around six-thirty.”

      Dakota laughed. “I haven’t agreed yet, but if I do, I’ll just meet you there. And thanks for saying I won’t embarrass you. But if I fall on my butt, I’ll feel enough shame for us both.” She glanced at her watch, knowing she really did want to be with him.

      Ethan decided not to question her comment about meeting him at the rink, but it had aroused his curiosity. “Come on, now. Be a good sport. If you prefer not to skate, you don’t have to. But I’d still like you to be a part of my evening.”

      “You’ve just made the offer more tempting. I’ll seriously consider the skating part, but you can count me in as a spectator for now. Thanks for thinking of me. Care to tell me a bit about your friends and what I should expect?”

      “A little worried about my buddies perhaps?” Ethan queried.

      “Just want to know if I should worry or not.”

      “I understand perfectly. My friends are great. You can expect genuine, down-to-earth folks who all care about each other. In some capacity, we’re all employed by the California education systems. Everyone is single and close to becoming thirty. We all hang out regularly. I can assure you everyone is friendly.”

      “Sounds like a great start to the evening. I’ll see you at the rink, Ethan.”

      “I can hardly wait. See you there.”

      As Dakota hung up the receiver, she thought about meeting Ethan’s friends. Even though they’d dated only a short time, he hadn’t gone into any great detail about his buddies. She was curious about them. He’d said they were great, so she wondered why he hadn’t told her more about them before now.

      Perhaps he hadn’t said much for the same reason I hadn’t mentioned Danielle.

      It was just too soon for Ethan to meet her sister. From what she knew about the dating game, couples meeting family members didn’t come prematurely. When it did happen, it was normally after a couple’s relationship had turned serious.

      The thought of what to wear entered Dakota’s mind. Jeans were more appropriate, just in case, she considered. Even if she had been a pretty good skater in her youth, she shouldn’t count on that. In fact, she couldn’t recall the last time she’d been roller-skating.

      Dakota remembered her first boyfriend and skating partner, Anthony Qualls, as she rifled through her closet. He had hurt her feelings during her junior year in high school, when he’d been stolen away by the pretty and vivacious Jasmine Walters.

      Well, no one could’ve stolen him away had he really been mine.

      Anthony had gotten a big payback. Less than two months later Jasmine had ended up leaving him for the buff football captain.

      Justice had prevailed.

      Dakota gave a fleeting thought to all the people she’d lost in one way or another, which were attributed to many of her fears. Boyfriends and girlfriends would come and go, but the loss of parents and grandparents was incomparable.

      After removing a pair of freshly laundered boot-cut blue jeans from a hanger in her cramped closet, Dakota found the navy-and-burgundy striped V-neck sweater. Navy leather flats were chosen over sneakers. After choosing a coordinating dark blue sweater, in case the rink was cold, she laid everything out on the bed and went into the bathroom to shower.

      Ethan rolling around on his own shiny black skates held fast Dakota’s attention.

      She thought he was an excellent roller skater and he looked so good. Strictly coincidental, he also wore dark blue jeans and a Sean John navy-and-burgundy striped shirt, open at the collar. He appeared relaxed and confident. Because she hadn’t decided on skating yet, she eyed other patrons to see how well they maneuvered. A polished wooden railing skirting the entire perimeter kept spectators separated from the skating surface.

      The idea to bring Danielle there one day to watch the skaters quickly skipped across her mind. Maybe she could learn to skate, too. If nothing else, she knew her sister would be excited by the mere possibility. Dakota could already envision the flaming show of fireworks in her baby sister’s eyes if she simply mentioned it.

      Dakota waved at Ethan and smiled as he rolled by.

      Ethan quickly exited the floor and came over to where Dakota stood at the spectators’ railing. Taking her into his arms, he gave her a warm hug and a passionate kiss. “How long have you been here? I’ve been watching out for you.”

      “Long enough to check out your skating skills. You’re good.”

      “Thank you.” Ethan looked around when he heard his name. “Those are my friends. Everyone is dying to meet you.” He took her by the hand. “Don’t be nervous.”

      Ethan’s group came right over to meet the woman their friend was so taken with.

      Ethan bumped one of the guys with his shoulder. “This is Maxwell Harper, my best friend since kindergarten, the comedian in the bunch. He’s also a great world history teacher at a high school magnate program.”

      Smiling, Dakota extended her hand to Maxwell. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

      Ethan pointed at one of the women. “Charlene Rhodes, Max’s girlfriend, is a special-education teacher. Dakota is working toward a career in the same field. You two already have something in common,” he said to Charlene.

      “That’s great to hear,” Charlene said. “There is such a shortage of good teachers in special ed. If you ever have any questions about the field, please feel free to ask me.”

      “Thanks, Charlene. I’ll probably СКАЧАТЬ