Chasing Destiny

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2011 by Nikki Rittenberry

All rights reserved.

Manufactured in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1466338562

DEDICATION

To my incredible husband, Erik:

Thank you for your patience and support. You are my destiny and I am truly blessed to have found you.

 “The real test of a man is not how well he plays the role he has invented for himself, but how well he plays the role that destiny assigned to him.”

-Jan Patocka

PROLOGUE

“Is this seat taken?” he asked. She looked up at him and smiled. Her big, hazel eyes sparkled and for a moment, her beauty took his breath away.

“It is now,” she replied.

He sat down and offered her his hand. “I’m Jacob Nelson.”

She firmly shook his. “Cassie Warner. Nice to meet you,” she replied.

“You come here often?”

“Every day… It’s by far the most peaceful place on campus.”

Jacob observed his surroundings. They sat on a wood bench under a
colossal, Laurel Oak tree, overlooking an
expansive, green lawn and a large pond with a fountain in the center. He listened as the manmade geyser erupted in a
rhythmic pattern.
The rise and
fall of the
water was the perfect accompaniment to the birds chirping overhead and the heavy thump in his chest. He was
nervous
—an emotion almost foreign to him.

There was something about her that intrigued him. Initially it was her appearance. Her long, wavy blonde hair was swept back into a loose ponytail, drawing attention to her bright, hazel eyes and voluptuous pink lips. Her yellow sundress hugged her petite body in all the right places and the only improvement her sleek, toned legs needed
in order to be perfect was his waist. Visions of
those gorgeous, tan legs wrapped tightly around him sent warmth across the surface of his skin like a sweltering New Orleans summer day, but somehow his attraction toward this beautiful creature went deeper. She was intelligent, refined, genuine, and she had the most infectious laugh he’d ever heard.

They sat and talked for over an
hour—Jacob even missed his class
.
Somehow by the end of their first
encounter, he knew she was unlike any
girl he’d ever met
before. They continued to meet at the same location everyday for the next week. He used his charismatic personality to reel her in, but she wasn’t
falling for it
like all the girls from his
past.
That was alright, though; he liked a challenge. After several weeks of consecutively rejecting his advances, she finally agreed to have dinner with him.

Cassie was hesitant about starting an exclusive relationship; however she couldn’t ignore his charm. Soon they were spending every spare moment together. They loved to eat Chinese take-out and then cuddle on the floor, surrounded by a multitude of pillows and talk about their future. They envisioned Jacob securing a position at a prestigious architect firm and working his way to the top as partner. Cassie would finish her last semester of college and then join Jacob in New York City. Manhattan typically had hospitals with physical therapy opportunities available year round.

Everything seemed to be falling into place when Jacob received notification that he was accepted to intern at the Anderson James Architect Firm in New York City.

“Can you believe it?” he asked. Cassie placed her hands on each side of his face and pressed her forehead against his.

“I’m so proud of you, Jake.”

“It’s happening, babe… it’s
really happening—just like we planned.”

Yeah, it was really happening.
She was elated, although she couldn’t help but think about how difficult the next six months would be. She wasn’t looking to fall in love, but she fell hard for Jacob. He assured her that everything was going to be alright and that they would find a way to make their long distance relationship work. He was scheduled to leave for the city in three weeks, which didn’t leave much time for them to spend together.

Late spring in New Orleans was a magical time of year. Jasmine lined the streets and perfumed the historic city with the sweet scent of heaven. Jacob acknowledged that falling in love here had changed him. He was going to miss Cassie, yes, but he was also going to miss the beautiful landscape he had called home for the past twenty-five years.

They did their best to carry on with their lives during the weeks leading up to his departure; picnics in the park, beignets and coffee at
their favorite French
Quarter cafe, live music at some of their
favorite blues joints.
As their days
became numbered, they found
comfort in each other’s embrace. Their impending deadline lurked behind every
corner and revealed itself far too soon.

CHAPTER ONE

She was standing in the gift shop reading
Glamour Magazine
. Jacob sat at a nearby café at
the airport, sipping his chicory coffee and
examining her from a distance. Staring at
Cassie’s
beautiful body was one of his
favorite pastimes;
he loved watching her. He could interpret her body
language like a professional
and the constant need to tuck her hair behind her ear could only
mean one thing
… she was anxious and afraid.

They’d met by chance ten months earlier. He remembered waking up that morning with a tremendous amount of stress. He’d been up late the night before,
preparing for one of his
upcoming presentations, and felt an overwhelming urge to take a jog. He’d veered from his
usual course, deciding to take a narrow,
winding path underneath a canopy of oak trees and stumbled upon a petite, blonde stranger…
Cassie.
Their chance
meeting had changed
his life, filling
a void
he never knew existed. Thinking about that first day and all of the days in between brought a smile to his face.

He stroked the stubble along his jaw with the back of his bent fingers and savored the last drop of chicory coffee on his tongue. He was doing the right thing, he repeatedly reminded himself. He’d known he’d wanted to pursue a career in
architecture ever since he was in
elementary school. He remembered how he would spend hours playing with Lego’s, stacking the colorful, plastic blocks into buildings, creating his own personal city. Acceptance into the Anderson James Architect Firm, arguably one of the top firms in the country, confirmed his talent and justified his lengthy journey, but he had one more obstacle to overcome. Pursuing his dreams meant leaving Cassie behind; his biggest cheerleader, his best friend,
his heart
.

Jacob stood up from his seat and walked toward the gift shop. He snuck up behind Cassie and swaddled her waist with his strong arms. He kissed the back of her head and let out a deep sigh. “I must be out of my mind for leaving you,” he whispered.

Cassie smiled. He always had a way of making her feel incredibly special. She turned around and wrapped her arms firmly around his neck. “I can’t believe this day is finally here”, she said while still enveloped in his embrace.

“I know. But I don’t want you to worry. We’re going to make this work.”

“Can you please explain to me how you’re able to remain so positive?”

“There is an old saying… ‘
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
’ This journey that we’re about to embark on is only going to strengthen what we already have, alright?”

Cassie shook her head in agreement. She desperately prayed that he was right.

“
May I have your attention, please—”
the intercom announcer
began
“—flight fourteen twenty-nine to New York City is scheduled to begin
boarding in twenty minutes. If this is your
departing flight, please make your
way to gate seventeen. Thank you.”

After placing the magazine back on the rack, they left the gift shop and headed back to the security area. Jacob’s knees became weaker with every step he took, threatening to buckle beneath him. He reached for her hands and pulled her closer. He pressed his lips against hers and hugged her so tight; her feet came off the ground.

“I want you to remember this is only temporary”, he whispered. “You’re going to be so busy; you’ll hardly have time to miss me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She attempted to laugh, although it came out sounding more like a sob. She could feel the back of her eyes beginning to sting and she gave herself a silent pep talk to prevent the tears from falling. She had plenty of time over the next few months to shed tears and she didn’t want his last
memory to be of her falling to pieces
.

After one last embrace, Jacob picked up his bag and placed it on the conveyor system. He traveled through the metal detectors and retrieved his luggage and after completing the security process, he looked back one last time at Cassie. She stood with her hands in her front
pockets and a brave smile adorned to her
beautiful face. He appreciated her fortitude—it gave him the strength to leave, but it broke his heart knowing that as soon as he traveled out of sight, her courage would falter and she would inevitably crumble. He raised his hand and waved goodbye just as she blew him a kiss. Raising his hand above his head, he caught the imaginary kiss and placed his fingers on his lips. He mouthed the words
I love you
and then turned and walked away.