Read Online Destiny by chance: A Contemporary Romance Fiction Novel by Margaret Ferguson - Free Book Online Page A

inches, holding out his hand, taking deep breaths in between sentences.  “Lisa tells me,” he began, drawing breath from his portable oxygen tank.  “This is your first time here.”
    Harry, one of the oldest men there, wore a baseball cap with “American Veteran” sewn across the front, adorned with assorted pins and flags, from various units and states.  He also wore a vest with “Veteran of Foreign Wars” embroidered across the back, plus more pins, and several patches.  “Can’t understand why two lovely young ladies like you would want to hang out with a bunch of old geezers like us rather than going out with some young whippersnappers.”
    “Ah, Harry,” Lisa smiled, kissing his cheek.  “You know I like older men.” She winked at Destiny.  “Besides, with you guys I don’t have to worry about anyone hitting on me and then disappointing me.”
    Destiny grinned.
    Ralph laughed, causing himself to cough.  “Speak for yourself, Harry,” he gasped, then coughed once more.  “I, myself, like the attention.”  He drew in a deep breath.  “This is the most action I get all week.”  He looked at Lisa and tapped his cheek.  She obliged him by kissing it.
    “You fellas thirsty?”
    “I’ll take a margarita,” Harry grinned.
    “Make mine a double,” Ralph added.
    Lisa narrowed her eyes.  “We’ll see what we can do.”  She turned to Destiny and took her by the arm.  “Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
    Destiny stopped walking and cringed.  “Aww, Lisa.”
    “Quit whining,” she interrupted, tugging her back into motion.
    Destiny pursed her lips as she allowed Lisa to drag her to the concession stand. 
    When they arrived, Lisa refused to release her friend’s arm, holding her firmly in place.  They stood behind two women with a handful of one-dollar bills, eager to fill their bellies with whatever junk food they could afford.  The man behind the counter took their order and glanced just past them.  Destiny looked up just as his eyes met hers.  They held hers for just a moment before he smiled and looked back to the women in front of her, who were still deciding what they wanted.  Destiny felt her face flush.  She couldn’t remember the last time that a look by any man had brought about that reaction.  She quickly looked down at her feet.
    “I think you’re going to like this guy,” Lisa continued.  “He’s smart, he likes the outdoors, and he’s not hard on the eyes.”
    Destiny looked away, feeling extremely awkward.  “By the way, where’s Grandpa?”
    “Cruise,” Lisa answered nonchalantly.
    Destiny’s mouth hung open as she turned back to her friend.  “Cruise?”
    “Yeah, didn’t I tell you?”
    Destiny narrowed her eyes.  “No.  I guess you forgot that little detail.”
    Lisa tried to avoid her friend’s glare.  “Oops,” she smiled.  “Must have slipped my mind.”
    “Mmm,” Destiny murmured, arms crossed, realizing she’d been tricked.
    The women in front of them grabbed their large popcorn, Nestle’s Buncha Crunch, hot dogs and large sodas.  They squeezed past Destiny and Lisa, their arms overflowing.
    “Hey, Lisa,” the man behind the counter smiled.
    “Hey, Bill.”  She looked over at her friend nervously.  “This, is my best friend, Destiny.”
    When Destiny’s eyes met his again, she blushed.  “Nice to meet you,” she said, her eyes staying on his only for a moment longer.
    “Nice to meet you, too,” he replied, offering his hand.
    Destiny slowly took it and shook it.
    “What happened to the nose?” Lisa motioned with a nod of her head.
    “Long story,” he sighed.
    “I’ll bet it’s a good one,” she teased.  “Can’t wait to hear it.  Two margaritas, please.  Make one a double.”
    “Ralph and Harry?”  Bill chuckled.
    Lisa nodded.
    “Two Seven Ups on the rocks, coming right up.”
    “Do you want anything?” Lisa asked her friend.
    Destiny shook her head.  She just wanted to get