Destiny
Chapter Three

The next afternoon Caleb walked in the back door of the boarding house, he was about to announce his presence when he heard the hushed conversation between Loris Holt-Crower and Dr. Matt. Curious, he stood listening to see if he could pick up on the conversation between them.

"I'm telling you, Loris, you didn't see him the way I did with her. I think that he really cares about the girl."

Loris cast a doubtful glance over to her husband as she finished filling their bowls from the pot on the stove. "Matt, it's hard for me to believe that as much evil and hatred as I've seen in that man that he could care about himself, let alone this woman."

Loris looked at her husband sharply. "Besides that, you want to tell me exactly why you're singing this girl's praises to me. You attracted to her or something?"

Matt reached across the table, taking his wife's hand in reassurance. "Now you know better than that, honey. It's just that I can't really explain. Take Caleb for example. He doesn't really take to anyone right?"

Loris nodded her head in agreement of his statement. "Yeah, he's lost so much he's afraid to get close to anyone."

Matt nodded, "Right, but he took immediately to her, I mean from the moment he met her. When he saw her in the hospital he even gave her a hug. Now when was the last time you saw him demonstrated affection for anyone?"

Loris looked at her husband questioningly. "Okay so she's likable, what are you getting at?"

Matt explained, "That's my point. She has this personality that draws people to her. I mean I'd lie if I said she's not pretty, but to me she reminds me of a little sister. I guess I feel that way because of her mother."

Satisfied that this girl posed no threat to her marriage, Loris asked in concern, "What do you mean about her mother?"

Matt knew he really wasn't supposed to say anything, but he knew he could trust Loris. "Her mother is dying from terminal lung cancer and Dara takes care of her with Mrs. Adams help, she sits with Gwenna while Dara works. She moved her to Trinity for the peace and quiet and because there were some problems with her older brother. He's the leach type; anyway her mother isn't going to be here much longer, and it's really showing a strain on Dara, she's really close to her mother. I've been seeing Gwenna, as a matter of fact I saw her yesterday and believe me she isn't going to last much longer."

Loris considered her husband's statement, feeling shame for suspecting the poor girl of posing a threat to her marriage, and sympathy for what she must be going through at the moment. "Well why all the secrecy about it, Matt? I don't understand."

Matt gave the same explanation he had been given. "Dara told me that as long as she could remember, her mother has never had any peace, there was always some kind of squabble with her older brother. He went through Gwenna's life savings on one scam or another, and then when their mother became ill, he decided he couldn't be bothered. And according to Dara, he's a vulture when it comes to someone's death. Dara wants her mother's time left to be as peaceful as possible, that's why the secrecy. Plus, I've learned one thing for certain, she hates pity."

Loris considered this new information for a moment. She knew as well as Matt what Lucas Buck was capable of. When he wanted something, he stopped at nothing to get it. "So where exactly does Lucas Buck fit into the picture? Do you think he knows about her mother?"

Matt paused before answering. "I really don't know, Loris, but I will say this; there isn't a doubt in my mind that he truly cares about her. He knows there's something going on with Dara, but so far as I've heard he hasn't tried to strong-arm anybody into finding it out. He seems to be respecting the fact that she doesn't want to share it. Not to mention, you notice who he hasn't been seen keeping company with for the past few weeks?"

Loris, remembering the interchange she had witnessed earlier in the week, nodded. "Yeah, I ran into her in the grocery store the other day. Somebody asked her why wasn't she and Buck weren't going out anymore, all she would say was that it was over. That they decided there wasn't anything there for them and that she was moving on. And you know Selena, if she were the one doing the separating she would definitely advertise it. So my guess is he's the one that did the parting."

Matt agreed, "Yeah, but not only that, Mrs. Adams despised him. I mentioned something about him the other day and she told me that she had no doubts that he truly cares for her."

Loris shook her head in exasperation as she stated, "I just hope that girl has her eyes wide open if she goes into anything with that man."

Caleb slipped back out the door unnoticed to sit on the porch and contemplate what he had just learned. [So that's why Dara cancelled a couple of appointments. He momma's dying.]

Caleb shook his head in sympathy. He knew how much the death of a loved one hurt, but having to watch that person suffer in agony and pain, he knew that would add to the grief.

Caleb wondered if he should tell Lucas about what he now knew, but remembering what Dr. Matt had said about her reasons for the secrecy, he decided to keep it to himself.

Shaking his head sadly, Caleb prayed aloud, "Poor Dara, she's going to need somebody strong for her. Lucas, I hope you really do love her, and won't hurt her like my mamma or my cousin, Gail."



Just then Dara was reading through the hospital files of Merlyn and Judith Temple's death reports, as well as those of Gage Temple and Gail Emory.

She wasn't a forensic expert, but she had studied enough medical courses to know that the impact of the blow to Merlyn's head wasn't enough to break her neck.

Nurse Stacey walked by Dara's open door, and poking her head in she asked brightly, "Doing some research?"

Dara's head came up with a startled look on her face. "Yeah, I was trying to understand the Temple family's tragedies better. I thought it would help me with Caleb's sessions."

Dara didn't miss the frown that appeared on Stacey's face as she cautiously explained, "I really don't know why you'd want to dredge up all that old business, nothing but pure bad luck anyway. Gage Temple always was a drunk, he made poor Judith's life miserable from the time he married her."

Dara asked innocently; "Is that why she had an affair with Lucas Buck? Why not just leave Gage? I understand she ran a shelter for street kids; she would have had a place to go. Why stay with a man that monstrous?"

Stacey's face took on a pleading look. "Look, you seem like a really nice lady, so I'm going to tell you this for your own good. Don't go probing around things that are dead and forgotten. Only thing it gets you is a lot of grief." Stacey turned to leave. When she opened the door, standing there was Lucas Buck.

The look on Stacey's face was one of panic as she mumbled, "Hello, sheriff."

Lucas looked at the woman with a knowing look. "Hello Stacey, how's everything going? You feeling ok tonight, didn't forget your 'medication' did you?"

Stacey blanched at the subtle reminder of her carefully hidden habit. "No sheriff, I don't think I'll be needing it tonight."

Lucas smiled down at her. "Good, I'm sure your supervisor would be glad to know you're getting better." Stacey rushed out past him, certain that she definitely wouldn't be giving any further advise to the hospital counselor.

Dara looked up at Lucas, smiling brightly. "Hi, what brings you out to the hospital today?"

Lucas walked around her desk and pulled her up from her chair as he wrapped his arms around her before replying, "This." With that he bent down to place a long-deep kiss on her soft-full lips. After he finally released her from his hold, he sat on the corner of her desk as she sat back in her chair.

Noticing the files on her desk he picked one up. Recognizing what they were he carefully asked her; "Darlin, why on earth are you reading over these things for? I didn't think counselors read over coroner's reports."

Dara took the folder from his hand as she replied. "I thought that maybe if I understood their deaths, that I might help Caleb deal with his family's tragedies better."

Lucas looked at her, careful to guard the concern in his eyes. She was treading on dangerous ground here. He didn't want her to put anything involving him and the Temple family together.

"Lucas, can I ask you a question please?" Bracing himself, Lucas sighed heavily, as though he were expecting the worst, but her inquiry wasn't that troubling. "You admit to being Caleb's father, right?" At his nod she continued, "I have to know, if her marriage was so miserable, why didn't Judith just leave? She ran a shelter, so she wouldn't have been out on the street." Blushing she finished her line of inquiry; "And why did you have and affair with her when she was married?"

Lucas, who was visibly glad that she had asked nothing worse, looked her in the eyes. "I had known Judith since we were kids. We cared about each other back then, somewhat. She got into the shelter work; and I helped her out and bought the house for her to start it. She was alone, she had no parents they had died in a flood, and her sister had been killed in a fire. She felt alone so she married Gage Temple. He had been in love with her sister and thought he could replace her with Judy. He was a drunk and after their daughter was born she was miserable, partly because he was abusive and partly because she really didn't love him. I went by for old time's sake one night to see if I could help. One thing led to another and that was how Caleb came into the world."

Apparently satisfied that he had told her enough of the truth to satisfy her curiosity, he watched the look on her face as she took in this new information.

"One thing I don't understand, why didn't she open the window first? I mean I can understand jumping from a window, but why didn't she open it first?"

Lucas looked at her, the fear masked on his face, afraid that she would piece it all together somehow. "Did you read her report? She had a bad pregnancy, a worse labor, and after she had Caleb she was probably insane from the postpartum depression. I don't think opening the window made a difference to her."

Dara considered a minute as she took the folders to place in her out basket. And much to his relief stated, "I've had enough morbid thoughts for today."

Lucas smiled at her in obvious relief. "Good, how about some coffee and lunch in the cafeteria?"

Lucas held open the door for her to precede him, admiring the sway of her hips in the pretty teal dress she was wearing.

He had to admit that she didn't dress with the flair of Selena or the down-to-earth way Gail, Sabbath, and Judith had, or with the sophistication Sarah had displayed. She definitely had a style of her own. The teal dress wasn't long or short, it hung to just above her knees in a full skirt, which was belted at her waist by a silver chain belt. Lucas watched her appreciatively, she wasn't flashy, but she definitely had style.

Dara, catching the look in his eyes, asked, "What are you thinking?"

Lucas turned and looked at her. "I'm thinking how pretty you look in that dress, that's all."

Dara smiled at him. "You know, flattery will get you everywhere?"

Lucas, catching her playful mood, grinned at her leeringly a he asked, "Everywhere? Promise?"

Dara shook her head, smiling at him. "Well, maybe not exactly 'everywhere'."

Lucas held the door to the cafeteria open for her to enter. Catching sight of Matt, Dara smiled and waved at him. "Hi Matt, how's everything going?"

Matt looked at Dara; he really didn't want to see her at that moment. She wasn't going to like what he had to say, but most of all he didn't want to have to say it in front of Buck.

Matt walked over to them and addressed Dara, "Can I talk to you a moment? Then, casting a glance at Lucas added, "In private."

Dara looked up at Lucas, knowing he wasn't thrilled with the exclusion, but understanding the necessity of it. "I'll only be a second, okay?' With that she left him standing there to follow Crower over to the couch along the farthest wall.

Lucas clenched his fists in apparent aggravation at once again being excluded. He found a table near enough to allow him to keep them in his line of sight. He noticed that Dara paled considerably, and that she began wringing her hands nervously. He had picked up on her habit of unconsciously wringing her hands when there was something she didn't want to deal with, yet had no choice. He only wondered this time at what that 'something' was.

Lucas had been very careful in his courting of her. He had continued to enter her dreams, but he never allowed himself to go too far. He wanted the final consummation to come when she was totally his, spiritually and legally. And although she didn't actively pursue it as he did, she had found her way into more than one of his dreams.

There was satisfaction, however, in the fact that they were drawing closer together. She had allowed him to take her out a few times in the past weeks, and she was no longer shy when he kissed her openly. He knew, through her confession in one of her dreams that she did love him. He didn't, however, know what it was that she was keeping hidden to herself.

The fact that Crower was privy to that information was evidently eating away at Lucas more than he liked. He never pursued the issue with Dara, heeding Mrs. Adam's words of advice. He didn't ask Mrs. Adam either, but he had decided that as soon as possible he would have a talk with Crower. He felt he had more right to whatever she was hiding than Crower did.

Dara joined him at the table with a look of hopelessness in place of her earlier smile. He noticed the sparkle evident earlier, had left her eyes, which were devoid of anything but sorrow. "Lucas." She began quietly. "I'm sorry but I'm going to have to pass on lunch today. There's something I have to take care of."

Lucas, becoming infuriated with her quick dismissal, rose and grabbed her arm. Clenching his teeth together in anger, ground out; "It's not that simple, darlin. We need to talk."

Too stunned by this sudden show of anger in him to act, Dara allowed him to lead her, by her arm, back to her office.

When he closed the door and turned to face her however, the shock had more than passed to be replaced by seething anger and frustration. "Just what in the hell do you think your doing, Lucas Buck? I am not a sack to be manhandled, by you nor anyone else."

With his own irritation running high, Lucas replied, "I might ask you the same thing, Ms. Chambers. I've waited patiently, but you haven't been inclined to let me in on your little conferences with the good doctor. So now I'm asking straight up, what in the hell is going on? I have a right to know."

Dara glared at him, her anger evident by the ice in her eyes. [How dare he!] "You're jealous, is that it? I discuss something with Matt in private and you can't stand it, can you? And let me inform you as to your rights. What Matt and I were discussing has absolutely nothing to do with you, and is therefore none of your business. Is that plain enough for you to understand, Sheriff?"

Lucas narrowed his gaze on her. "Anything that concerns you is most certainly my business, darlin. So I want some answers."

Dara, having reached her patience end, walked calmly over to the door. Opening it she looked back at Lucas. "As I said before, this is none of your damned business. And when you come back to your senses, then we can talk. Until then, I suggest you leave Sheriff."

Lucas walked to the door and looked down into her icy eyes. Defeat showing on his face as he stated, "You know something lady? You can be an absolute cold-hearted bitch when you want to be." With that he walked out hearing Dara slam the door with enough force to rattle windows.

His decision apparent by the scowl on his face, Lucas went in search of Crower. Time to find out some information. Seeing him in his office, Lucas walked in and sat down.

Matt looked at him questioningly; he was expecting Dara. She had said that after she called Mrs. Adams and let her know what was taking place that she could let him know so he could make his arrangements. Seeing Buck sitting across from him, he knew he was about to be in for a fight.

Lucas inquired smoothly, "Tell me something Harvard, what were you and Dara discussing earlier?"

Matt sighed heavily; he knew that sooner or later this was definitely coming. "I told you Buck, what Ms. Chambers and I discuss is in confidence and therefore not subject to anyone else's inquiries."

Lucas narrowed his gaze at Matt. "You know, I let your escape from Juniper House slide. Not to mention your marriage to Loris Holt. Now I suggest that if you want to continue with your happy little life, that you start sharing some information. I don't care for being left out. Now, what's the big mystery here Crower?" Lucas took in the look on Crower's face, but was shocked by what he saw.

Matt was looking past Lucas towards the open doorway, where Dara stood gaping at Lucas.

Lucas knew the minute he saw the hurt look on her face and the tears in her eyes what was coming.

Dara stood there a second staring at him, then softly spoke. "Dear God in heaven, it's true isn't it? All of it, everything I've heard whispered. All the gossip, everything people have told me about you, everything I've tried to ignore, and it's true. My God to think that I could love you how could you be this maniacal?"

Matt, deciding that he had no right to be here decided to take his leave by asking, "Dara? Have you taken care of it?"

She turned to look at him, and the look he saw in her eyes broke his heart. She simply nodded at him, not even bothering to wipe away the tears streaming down her face.

Matt turned and glared at Lucas. "I have something to attend to. I'll close the door." Then, directing the statement at Dara stated, "Call me if you need me, I'll be just outside." With that Matt walked out, pulling the door to, shaking his head.

Poor Dara, she didn't deserve this much misery. With that thought mirrored in his eyes, he walked over to the phone to make the transportation arrangements for what would be Gwenna Chambers' last hospital stay.

Dara turned and looked at Lucas, "How could you be so evil? Everyone tried telling me and I ignored them. I didn't think you could possibly be anything like what they described you. So I guess now that makes me the fool, doesn't it?"

Lucas looked into her eyes, seeing the absolute naked pain in them, he rose and walked over to her. He attempted to place his hand on her cheek when she looked up at him and begged, "Please, don't touch me."

Lucas felt like someone had just kicked him. He looked at her calmly; "Dara, sweetheart, please listen to me. I was furious, you were hurting and I didn't know why. I've waited for you to share it with me and let me help you work through it, but you never have. I wanted to know. I was wrong to say what I did to Crower, but please don't do this."

Dara, remembering something she overheard about Lucas' supposed powers looked at him with realization in her eyes. "My God, you did it, didn't you?"

Frightened that she had finally connected the Temple family tragedies to him, he asked her slowly. "Did what?"

She looked up at him. "You came to me in my dreams, didn't you? Somehow, I don't know how, but somehow you did. You made me fall in love with you, didn't you? Damn you, how could you do that to me, why?"

Lucas, grateful that that was the only thing she realized, took her hands in his and led her to a chair to sit down. Beginning carefully, he replied. "Yes darlin, I did come to you in your dreams. I'm sorry if that upsets you. But no, I didn't make you fall in love with me; it doesn't work that way, Dara. You did that on your own. I wouldn't want your love if it were not given freely. Can you please forgive me?"

Dara looked at him, not believing it could all be true. "Why in my dreams Lucas? I don't understand."

Lucas knelt in front of her looking into her eyes. "Darlin, I did it because in your dreams you do things that you would never do in reality. Would you have ever admitted love for me this soon? Or would you have let me get this close to you if I hadn't come to you in your dreams?"

Dara looked at him in uncertainty, "No, I suppose not. But I feel as if you've invaded me in some way."

Lucas nodded his head in understanding. "If it's any consolation to you, you've been pretty busy at night yourself in my dreams."

Dara looked at him in astonishment. "But I haven't done anything, I swear."

Lucas shook his head in denial of her statement. "I'm sorry, but that isn't exactly true. You've found your way into my heart and soul. Didn't you notice anything strange about your dreams?"

Dara considered a moment, and then began blushing as a sudden thought occurred to her. "You never, you know what I mean."

Lucas completed the statement for her. "Consummated the relationship? Do you have any idea as to why I never went that far, even in you dreams?"

Dara shook her head; everything had taken such a confusing turn.

Lucas, seeing the frustration and confusion in the perplexed look she now had, explained carefully. "Dara, I know that if people have been whispering that you know about the other women, don't you?"

Dara nodded sadly, the sorrow evident in her eyes. She had heard things but she ignored them, apparently using his current actions and behavior as a rule by which to judge him.

Lucas continued his explanation, seeing her inner conflict. "Darlin, I haven't even thought of seeing another woman since I set eyes on you. I swear it, on Caleb's life. The reason I never went that far even in your dreams, is because I don't want you like those other women. I want you for the rest of my life and I want to marry you, I don't want you in body only but in spirit as well."

Dara simply stared at him. Without a word, she got up out of her chair, with Lucas still kneeling down when she turned to him. "I have to think about this Lucas. Very hard, I have a lot going on right now, and I can't think about it at the moment. I need to put everything into perspective. I don't know if I can live with what you are. I'm sorry, I just don't know." With that she turned and walked through the door.

Crower entered as Lucas was standing to leave. He looked at Lucas in sympathy. "I'm sorry Buck, but understand, I couldn't and still can't tell you what you want to know. But let me give you some advice, don't push her, be here if and when she needs you. But don't push her, or you will lose her. Right now, you still have a shot, for your sake don't blow it."

Lucas looked at the man as he was heading out the door, before leaving he turned and looked over his shoulder. "You know something, Harvard?"

Matt sighed, shaking his head. "What Buck?"

Lucas glanced over his shoulder as he walked out the door. "I hate it when you're right."


Caleb had been spending his afternoons at the sheriff's station with his father since his sessions with Dara had been put on indefinite hold.

It had been two weeks since he and Lucas had seen anything of Dara, but Caleb knew, from listening to Dr. Matt's conversations, that Dara's mother was in the hospital dying, and that she was always by her side. He also knew that she and Lucas had had an argument of some kind.

Caleb had seen her once when he went to the hospital with Dr. Matt. She hadn't even looked like herself; her eyes were shadowed and had nothing but sadness in them. She had lost more weight than Dr. Matt said was good for her. Loris kept sending home-cooked food with Dr. Matt for her, but she only ate a little, then went back to sitting next to her mother's bed. The only time she left was for a quick shower in the nurse's lounge.

Caleb walked into the office and spotted Ben sitting behind the desk, waving and smiling in greeting to him. "Hey Caleb, how you doing?"

Caleb returned the greeting, heading towards the broom closet to find something to do.

Ben was glad he was here, maybe now Lucas wouldn't be so irritable to live with.

He didn't know what, but something had happened between Lucas and Dara. He hadn't seen her in at least two weeks; Ben knew that because that was how long Lucas had been unbearable to be around.

Lucas opened his office door to inquire, "Ben, any coffee there?"

Lucas saw Caleb coming up the hallway with a broom in his hand. "I thought you were supposed to see your counselor today, son." That was another difference in Lucas, he never referred to Dara by her name anymore, it was always the counselor, or Ms. Chambers.

Caleb looked up at his father. "Yeah, well I was, but she had to cancel. She said that she'd have to wait and see what happened, then she'd start seeing me again."

Lucas considered in irritation, [Damn her, she's supposed to be helping him, not taking little vacations.] Lucas just shook his head. "That woman is the most inconsiderate, irresponsible, selfish person I've ever seen."

Caleb threw his broom down with a loud enough clap to startle both Ben and Lucas.

Glaring at his father, he fumed. "Don't you talk about her like that, she had to cancel. She's got her own problems right now, and it aint right you talking about her like that."

Lucas looked down at his son in concern. "What are you talking about, Caleb?"

Caleb scowled as he came to a decision. "Well, I aint supposed to say anything, but it aint right you talking about her like that, so I guess I have to. Her mother is in the hospital; she's dying from cancel. I heard Dr. Matt and Ms. Crower talking, and they said that she's on machines now, but she had to come off them by tonight. Dara hasn't left once, I seen her the other day and she didn't look too good either. She's lost a lot of weight and all she does is sit in a chair by her mom's bed holding her hand. I heard Dr. Matt tell Ms. Crower that she doesn't want anyone to know. Why wouldn't she tell us?"

Lucas remembered something that Mrs. Adams had said. Looking at Caleb he stated, "Because she hates pity, Caleb." Lucas looked at Ben. "I'm going to the hospital, Caleb you stay here."

Caleb and Ben watched him walk out the door and smiled at each other. "About time, wouldn't you say so Caleb?"