DESTINY'S EMBRACE Read online

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  DESTINY’S EMBRACE

  A Western Time Travel Romance

  Suzanne Elizabeth

  Contents

  Also by Suzanne Elizabeth

  Praise for Suzanne Elizabeth’s books

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  WHEN DESTINY CALLS

  DESTINED TO LOVE

  DESTINY AWAITS

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Also by Suzanne Elizabeth

  When Destiny Calls

  Fan The Flame

  Kiley’s Storm

  Destined To Love

  Till The End Of Time

  Destiny Awaits

  Destiny In Disguise

  Writing as SUZANNE LEONHARD…

  The Goliath Code (Book One)

  Praise for Suzanne Elizabeth’s books

  WHEN DESTINY CALLS

  “This amusing, fast-paced time-travel romance combines some wonderful elements: humor, action, wild adventures and romance. A delightful, original read.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  “Packed with snappy dialog and hilarious mishaps, the laughs never stop. Destined to become a classic in the time-travel genre. Don’t miss the chance to add this book to your keeper collection!” –A Little Romance

  FAN THE FLAME

  “Fast paced adventure and humorous escapades. A light, fun read.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  KILEY’S STORM

  “A warm-hearted romp. The action is leavened with a generous helping of humor, and the heroine is feisty enough to match her red hair. This is a good book to warm up a winter’s day.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  “An entertaining, energetic romp.” –Stella Cameron, New York Times best selling author

  DESTINED TO LOVE

  Winner of the Reviewer’s Choice award for best Historical Time-Travel Romance Of The Year

  “The most delicious, thrilling, rambunctious time-travel adventure to come along in a long time. Readers will love the spunky heroine and the macho hero, and be delighted by their entertaining battle of tempers.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  DESTINY AWAITS

  “Funny, enchanting, refreshing and delicious, Suzanne Elizabeth has written a witty tale full of memorable, likable characters that will delight readers time and time again. ” –Romantic Times Magazine

  “Everything we’ve come to expect from Suzanne Elizabeth: Unforgettable characters, believable stories of the outrageous, and laugh-out-loud humor. Ms. Elizabeth pens some of the best dialogue in the business.” –A Little Romance

  TILL THE END OF TIME

  “A light-hearted, humorous romp of a tale. This fast-paced romance makes for a pleasant evening’s read.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  DESTINY’S EMBRACE

  “Miss Elizabeth has a wonderful writing ability that keeps readers mesmerized while drawing a tear or two from their eyes. Destiny’s Embrace is a wonderful frolic in time.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  “Nothing short of fabulous! All the spunk and sassy wit we’ve come to love from the Destiny series is delivered in spades in Destiny’s Embrace. With non-stop action, real-life emotion, and side-splitting humor, here is a book only Suzanne Elizabeth could have written. Please, please don’t let this be the last we see of Stella and her Guides!” –A Little Romance

  DESTINY IN DISGUISE

  “Ms. Elizabeth continues her “Destiny Series” with a humorous vision of heaven and angels, leading her readers on an action-packed ride.” –Romantic Times Magazine

  “Irresistible reading.” –Old Book Barn Gazette

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 1996 by Suzanne E. Witter

  Copyright © 2018 by Suzanne E. Leonhard, 2nd edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Cover art by: SelfPubBookCovers.com/ FrinaArt

  Resistance was futile….

  Prologue

  The business of fulfilling destinies is a tricky and by no means unerring science. Stella had spent her entire custodial career reminding herself and others of that. When dealing with the unpredictable and sometimes irrational dispositions of human beings, there simply were no guarantees, only honest to goodness best intentions.

  But sometimes even heaven made mistakes.

  Occasionally an earthbound soul was born in the wrong place or even in the wrong time, something other than what was contractually agreed. Thus placement hearings were not uncommon in the Department of Spiritual Affairs. Every guide without something pressing to deal with attended, not only out of curiosity, but to be sure that their clients weren't affected by the outcome.

  This day was no different. The Celestial Auditorium was packed to overflowing with eager, apprehensive angels as Stella stood twiddling her thumbs to keep herself calm. Maximillian, the Director of Spiritual Affairs, brought the meeting to order from behind his high, white bench and Stella struggled to hide her anxiety. She'd defended at several of these hearings during her long, illustrious career, but this would be her toughest case yet. For the sake of her floundering client, she had to persuade Maximillian to see things her way.

  “Stella,” the director greeted with a nod.

  She smiled politely and tried to put some meaning to his casual tone, give herself some shred of hope that he might be on her side in this matter. But, as usual, his formidable expression was unreadable.

  “I understand you've put in for a promotion to management,” he continued.

  “Yes. Yes I have.”

  “Your record is impeccable. I'm sure you'd make a superb guidance supervisor.”

  “Thank you, sir. I hope you'll keep that in mind while deciding this case.” She wanted this hearing over and done with as quickly as possible. Frankly, she was afraid to leave her client alone down on earth any longer than was absolutely necessary.

  “Is this woman your last assignment?” Maximillian asked.

  "Yes, sir, she is." And thank heaven for that, Stella added to herself. After dealing with Lacey Guarder for the past twenty-five years she was due for a long vacation at the very least.

  Maximillian smiled. "Nothing like going out with a bang, is there?"

  The representative of the opposing side smacked his hands down onto the disputer�
�s table and stood. "This is all very interesting, but if we could please get on with—”

  Maximillian frowned down at the young angel. "Sit down, Nelson," he commanded. “I’m fully aware of the urgency concerning this little problem."

  The tall, cleft-chinned angel smiled wryly. "I beg your pardon, sir, but calling Miss Lacey Guarder a little problem is a rather large understatement."

  Maximillian's frown darkened. Nelson promptly sat down. "How are things in San Diego, Stella?" the director continued.

  Stella blanched at the question. With all her heart she wished she still had the human capacity to lie. "Things?" she repeated. "I, um, I'm afraid they're not so good, sir."

  "Then you're still not seeing any signs of spiritual progress?"

  "No. Not yet," she was quick to add.

  "Not yet?" Nelson scoffed. He stood from his chair again. "Sir, Stella has been hoping for progress for seven years, now, leaving other guides to worry over whether or not this spiritual catastrophe of hers is going to be set loose on their clients in the nineteenth century. It’s time we all accepted the truth: Miss Lacey Guarder is irredeemable."

  "Irredeemable?!” Stella burst out. “What gives you the authority to make such an offensive supposition?"

  "The woman has no conscience—"

  "She wouldn't hurt a fly!" Stella defended.

  "I agree. She'd be far too busy stealing the poor insect's wallet!"

  The auditorium broke into muffled laughter. Maximillian cleared his throat and that was all it took to bring things back to order. He looked straight at Nelson, who paled visibly. "I will not stand for this sort of inflammatory display. You are not the only disputer in this department, Nelson, and if you cannot stick to the facts and control your opinions then I can easily have you removed from this case."

  Nelson smiled grimly. "I apologize.” He sank back down into his chair.

  Stella was relieved to see that Maximillian's expression softened when he settled his attention back on her. "I understand you're here to request a relocation."

  "Yes," she said confidently. "I feel the time has come."

  Nelson made a grumbling sound. Maximillian turned his attention to the disputer's table. "And, obviously, you are here to dispute it?"

  "Yes, sir," Nelson replied. "That's correct, sir."

  "Then let us proceed. Stella, you may state your case."

  Stella took a deep breath. "Thank you." Maximillian hated long-winded speeches, so she knew her best bet was to make her point as quickly and concisely as possible. "My case is very simple," she began. "As is standard, my client received a valid contract from us before leaving to begin her temporal life. She agreed to certain conditions, and we agreed to certain terms. However, the moment her placement error occurred, the very second she was born in the late twentieth century instead of the nineteenth, we failed to live up to our end of the bargain. Why, then, should we expect her to live up to hers?”

  That said, Stella sat down in her chair behind the defender's table and took another deep, calming breath. Maximillian simply had to agree to a relocation. If he didn't, Stella wasn't sure she'd be able to save her client from certain disaster.

  Maximillian nodded thoughtfully at her, and then he turned to Nelson. "You may now proceed."

  "And proceed I will, sir.” The well-dressed angel rose dramatically from his chair. "Why then, Stella asks, should her client be expected to live up to her end of the bargain? Why? Because she's been given a conscience like everyone else. Because she's been given morals like everyone else. Because she knows the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, and yet chooses—chooses, mind you—to live this lovely little scoundrel's life she's carved out for herself. And now her faithful spiritual guide wishes for us to place her back into the century where she rightfully belongs, hoping that this will magically correct the woman's villainous scruples. Well, I say, what about the others? What about the clients of all the successful guides in attendance here today who will be directly affected by Miss Guarder's nefarious presence? Don't we have contracts with all of those souls as well? Weren't they promised certain ways of life and liberties? Frankly," he added, chuckling, "I'm surprised by Stella's single-mindedness in this matter. One might think she's lost her perspective after all these years."

  Stella glared at Nelson. He smirked at her and then sat back down in his chair. Lucky for him, she was an angel filled with the peace of Heaven.

  Maximillian leaned back and sighed. "Stella, I have read your reports on this young woman, and find I can understand why you've taken this case so much to heart. Because of this placement error, your client's life, thus far, has been an unfortunate one. Still, she has displayed a consistency toward making unfavorable choices, and I hesitate to place such an unpredictable presence in the midst of others who are struggling to walk the straight and narrow."

  "But her mission!" Stella interjected. "The happiness of others is at stake if she isn't relocated."

  "Stella, you know as well as I that many times spiritual missions can be accomplished in other ways, and with almost precise accuracy. Relocations are rarely ever imperative for anyone but the client."

  Stella's hopes began to slip. She thought of Lacey Guarder, of her inability to trust and to love, and shook her head sadly. "Refusing this relocation would be very tragic, sir."

  "I agree. And you must understand that I want to give this woman a chance. But the opportunity for her to do something destructive is so vast—"

  "Not if I'm allowed to advise her.”

  The director blinked at her in surprise.

  "Objection!" Nelson jumped to his feet. The entire auditorium erupted into loud chatter. “Advising a client is prohibited! It is strictly forbidden by Section 23 of the Code of Guardians. I absolutely protest!"

  Maximillian leveled his gaze on Stella. “What basis do you have for making such an extraordinary request?"

  "You've read my reports," Stella replied. "This is a most extraordinary situation. If I'm allowed to be a continuing presence in Miss Guarder’s life through this process, to remind her of her innate goodness, then perhaps she will begin to recognize it on her own. Sir, this young woman has been either abused or abandoned by every person in her life. No one has ever bothered to offer her a moment of productive guidance. Allow her this one final opportunity to turn her life around."

  "Sir," Nelson pleaded, "agree to this preposterous request and you will be making a serious mistake. Relocating this woman could cause irreparable harm to those she'll be coming into contact with. I've said it before, and I will say it again: This woman is irredeemable."

  Maximillian sighed. "Nelson," he began slowly, "you haven't been with us long, so allow me to remind you of something: It isn't for us to judge them, it is simply our job to guide them. Miss Guarder may yet surprise us all."

  "And if she doesn't, sir? If she continues on this path of duplicity and begins to destroy the lives of others who have been promised things as well?"

  Maximillian nodded slowly. "That is why I'm going to grant Stella's request to act as advisor.”

  "But, sir—"

  Maximillian held up a silencing hand. "Stella, you may relocate your client and interact with her directly as needed. You may also inform the young woman of her mission which she will be expected to complete to the very best of her ability within one week.” Nelson gasped in outrage. Maximillian ignored him. “If Miss Guarder refuses to complete her mission,” he continued, “or if she interferes in any detrimental way with the lives of the others around her, you are to return her to the twenty-first century and to the circumstances in which you found her."

  "Yes, sir," Stella agreed. She was relieved beyond description.

  Nelson, however, wasn’t ready to give up. “I request this decision be stayed until such time as an appeal can be registered with the higher court,” he demanded.

  Maximillian glowered at him. “Request denied.”

  Nelson shrank back. Stella took a deep, relieve
d breath. One week. Heaven willing, that would be enough.

  Chapter 1

  San Diego, 2018

  Lacey Guarder snapped her gum and scrutinized the man sitting across the table in the small attorney conferencing room. He was a typical public defender: overweight, watery-eyed, with a choir boy haircut and too much cheap cologne. The man’s ill-fitted suit and knock-off Rolex didn't exactly inspire confidence, and Lacey congratulated herself on her good fortune; everything about her public defender screamed “inept,” and the more helpless she appeared in court the better her chances were of beating the latest addition to her illustrious criminal record.

  Paul F. Baker tugged the handkerchief from his breast pocket and began cleaning his Harry Potter glasses. “How do you intend to plead?" The man’s monotone suggested he'd already posed the question a hundred times that day, and Lacey added overworked to the plus side of her public defender’s pros and cons list.

  She glanced up at the ceiling and saw the standard, too-bright, recessed lighting. She wondered if all the jails on the west coast had been decorated by war criminals; the rooms all had the atmosphere and charm of 20th century gulags. She knew the nonexistent decor was designed to intimidate, but the effect was lost on her: she'd done this dance so many times before that the stark, grim place almost felt like home.

  Her burned-out public defender leaned back in his chair until the metal creaked in submission. “Okay, Miss Guarder…” He slipped his glasses back onto his bulbous nose. “We’ll enter a plea of guilty...” he went on, “and try for a lesser sentence."