Read Online Destiny's Chance by Cara Bristol - Free Book Online Page A

sister. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Her near faint had befuddled her, created the impression a secret conversation went on over her head, like she was a child in a roomful of spelling grown-ups. I want to talk to Z-O-E . Only no one had spoken.
    “Are you sure you’re all right?” Chance rested his hand on her shoulder.
    “I’m fine.” She leaped to her feet, then struggled to conceal that the world tilted.
    “I’ll take care of her,” Laura said. “We’ll be back in a flash.”
    Laura grasped her elbow to steady her, and Destiny restrained herself from flinging her arms around her sister and hanging on for dear life. “This way.” Laura led her away from the milling people, across the wet grass.
    “Where are we going?” Destiny asked.
    Laura pointed toward a block enclosure walling in large metal Dumpsters.
    “To the trash?”
    “Behind it. Where people can’t see.”
    “Why?”
    “I want privacy when I cry.” They rounded the enclosure, and Laura made a beeline for a stand of trees, the low branches creating an illusion of privacy.
    “People expect you to cry. You lost your sister,” she said.
    Laura halted under the canopy.
    She faced Destiny, and as she’d predicted, tears welled in her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. “No, I didn’t. Almost. But I didn’t. Destiny .”
    “You see me?” She hardly dared to believe it. Couldn’t survive the disappointment. Her vision blurred. Somebody who loved her recognized her. Hope trickled into the void.
    Tears streaming down her face, Laura nodded.
    Destiny grabbed her sister in a hug the way she’d been longing to do and let her tears fall. They clung to each other, laughing and crying. Laura shoved her away to search her face. “You nearly scared me to death.” Then hugged her again.
    When they broke apart, Laura dug a packet of tissues from her purse and tore out a couple for each of them. Happiness required a two-tissue blow.
    “How did you know?” Destiny asked at the same time Laura said, “Why didn’t you call me?”
    Destiny waved her arms. “You were on vacation! In the middle of the Caribbean.”
    Laura planted her hands on her hips. “And if I’d gotten the message that my sister had been killed, you thought I’d what? Roll over on the beach to tan my other side? You needed me, and then you didn’t even contact me.”
    “I’m sorry. I called Mom and Dad from the hospital, and they thought I was some whack job making a prank phone call. Dad threatened to sic the police on me. Then I checked the mirror. I couldn’t believe what had happened. How could I expect someone else to? Have you heard of anyone switching bodies?”
    “Only in the movies,” Laura conceded. “But maybe when it happens, the person keeps it a secret. Like you did.” She glared accusingly.
    “If you sensed I was alive, why didn’t you call me?”
    “I couldn’t find you! I camped out at your apartment, at the photo studio, hoping you’d show up.”
    They’d always been close, been each other’s best friend, yet they argued. Even through death and mourning, they bickered. Destiny giggled.
    “It’s not funny!” Laura snapped.
    Her chuckle turned to gut-wrenching laughter. Her muscles tightened, and her body shook. “I-I come back…come back f-from the dead and—” Destiny doubled over. “The first thing…we do…is argue.”
    The corner of Laura’s mouth twitched, and she pressed her lips together. Her scowl melted into a twinkle, and she tittered.
    They laughed like they hadn’t done in years, staggered and fell on top of each other. Destiny would get control, but one glance from Laura and she’d fall apart again. “Stop…looking at me,” she cried.
    “You-you started it.” Laura clutched her stomach.
    Now they were arguing about laughter. Destiny convulsed again. Hoped she didn’t wet her pants.
    At last they wound down. Her body felt drained but at peace. Still, a burning question demanded answers. She glanced at her