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~ Destiny ~

Destiny Cross grinned when she turned on her van's windshield wipers as snowflakes transformed the sky at night. The snow would normally annoy her, but today was different. Christmas Eve was the one day of the year that she looked forward to the most.

She checked her clock and realized she'd be right on time to see Frank, with only twenty minutes before midnight. Her heart skipped a beat whenever she laid eyes on his estate.

"Ms. Cross," Frank, the founder of the Making Miracles Happen Organization, said as she stepped out of the car. "You hit the jackpot. Several contributors kindly provided Christmas presents."

"God bless them." She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his wrinkled cheek. "How much are they?"

"That is something I've told you year after year. Payment for donations to the organization is not necessary." Tears brimmed her eyes as he sighed. "Don't start crying around me."

"Really, Mr. Frank, I'm at a loss. You are truly amazing."

"So are you. All I want is for these kids to have a holiday present to look forward to," he said, looking her in the eyes. "Let's get you loaded up and on your way."

Ten minutes after Frank let her go, they loaded her van with thirteen presents, three-inch trees, and homemade meals that would brighten the season for a few families.

Once they finished, Destiny jumped into the driver's seat, rolled down her window, and turned on the engine. "I wish you a wonderful rest of your night. Have a great holiday season, Mr. Frank."

"You too, Ms. Cross."

He smiled as she sped through the gates, playing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

Destiny's heart pounded as she neared Millbrook Farm, feeling the winds of fate guiding her path.

"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bell swing─" Her singing stopped when the van's tires swerved. She screamed, slammed on the brakes, and skidded off the road and into a ravine after fishtailing.

Her head hung low over the wheel, and she was out of breath. When she heard a loud pop, she jumped to her feet.

She cried out, "No, no, no!" as she heard the hissing sound and noticed smoke coming from the hood. Destiny wasted no time unbuckling her seatbelt and cracking open her door, just in case the van exploded. She grumbled when she jumped out.

The snow Mapleton encountered in the small North Dakota town was so deep that it made walking difficult, rising past her thighs.

After a couple of minutes, Destiny finally made it to the side of the road, and then she stayed still when she surveyed her van and saw exactly how much damage it had sustained. Tears filled her eyes. The front right tire was practically bent inwardly, making driving tricky, and no rental businesses were available.

Destiny breathed and studied the pitch-black road in both directions. She lowered her beanie and reached for her phone. A groan escaped her lips as she realized she was without service. She wanted to yell in frustration, but she knew that wouldn't help.

After putting on her gloves, she began walking. With a phone signal, Destiny could call for a tow truck. If she was lucky, they might even let her rent a vehicle so she could get everything done before dawn.

While feeling the snow on her face and her wet dark hair against her pale skin, she thought she experienced cold weather before. Not even twenty-three minutes of walking had passed when she began to freeze. Lights reflecting on the snow made her stomach drop. She looked backward. She found that the cab driver behind her was Christian González, the only man in town who could affect her positively and negatively.

As Christian came closer, Destiny hoped her shiny jacket, white cap, and gloves would hide her appearance. But that failed miserably. She chastised herself for her unfortunate circumstance when he called her name, knowing that her prayers would go unanswered.

She stopped in her tracks to face him as he pulled up next to her, acknowledging that she was vulnerable in his presence and afraid that her Radley Londons wouldn't keep her toes from getting frostbite.

"What in the world are you doing out here, Destiny?" His teeth clenched, making her writhe. Christian opened the passenger door and let the car's light show his attractive face. He looked handsome with his trimmed beard, charming lips, captivating brown eyes, and styled hair. This guy had ignored her for as long as she could remember, but she still had a crush on him.

"Well, my vehicle broke down a few feet back." Destiny waved toward the van. "And I didn't have any signal on my cell out here, so I was on my way to town." She pushed her icy fingertips against the warm air vents while hopping into the passenger side.

"I haven't seen your Volkswagen anywhere."

"I own two vehicles."

"For real?"

She nodded.

"When did you get a van?" he asked.

Destiny avoided Christian's sharp gaze while waiting for him to drive. She let out a sigh and turned to face him when he didn't budge. "About two days ago. What's your deal?"

"I saw you yesterday morning at the community center, and you never once mentioned that you bought a van."

"Well, you and I aren't together, and I don't owe you anything."

Christian scoffed. "That's rich coming from you."

"I bought a van, so why is that a big deal to you?"

"Look. To put it in the best way possible, I think of you as a friend. Why are you driving on Christmas Eve?"

She gnawed at the inside of her gums. "Because tonight felt like a good night to look at Christmas lights."

"Yeah right. It's cold."

"Why are you out after midnight on Christmas Eve?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.

"I own a cab company, Destiny. I've been picking up and dropping off people all night. Chauffeurs don't care about the holidays. Not when we need money."

Yes, of course. Everything made sense. She didn't think of that.

After taking a deep breath, Christian turned his head to look back at her. "Now why are you out, and what happened to your car?"

"Nothing happened to my car." When Destiny licked her lips, Christian looked closely at her, which made her stomach drop. "I needed something bigger for my expedition tonight."

"If you want me to help you, I need to know what's going on." He sat in the driver's seat, gripping the wheel firmly, seemingly frustrated by her silence.

"Come on, Christian. Let it go." Destiny had kept this a secret for three years because she didn't want anyone to know that she was the person everyone called Mapleton's Santa. She should explain everything to him and ask for his help, but her pride was getting in the way.

"Let me hear it." Christian's pupils narrowed. "Are you running from the law?"

"What? I certainly am not."

"Then explain to me why you're walking around on a snowy night, Serendestiny."

"Can you stop calling me that?"

"The name is a combination of destiny and serendipity, so no. Every time we run into each other, it doesn't seem like a coincidence. If I may say so, this experience is enjoyable."

Destiny curled up in her seat and breathed a sigh of relief as the warm air hit her. "God," she whispered.

"Destiny," he chirped, and she just stared at him, which didn't help at all. "Start talking."

"Only on one condition."

"Okay."

"Anything I say here remains confidential. Is that clear?"

Christian nodded, and her eyes met his. "Prometo."

She arched a brow. "Huh?"

"Don't worry─our conversation will stay private. I promise. Cariño, you have my word."

"Ugh! Would you stop speaking in Spanish around me?"

Christian chuckled. "I can't. It's in my genes."

"And you're getting on my nerves."

"Hmm. That sounds... thrilling."

"You know what? Nevermind. I'm going to town to get help."

His warm hand on hers prevented her from reaching for the door handle.

"Destiny, I'd love to help you. I'll listen and stay quiet."

"Please, Christian. I mean it. No one can know. Nobody─not even your familia."

"See? I knew you spoke Spanish." The ceiling light illuminated his smile.

"I know some if that helps. The few Hispanic people I work with at the center have taught me some things."

"Not to mention, we've known each other since middle school, so you were bound to understand my first language." Christian moistened his lips. "Can you please tell me why you're out so late?"

"You won't say anything to anyone?" she asked.

"I said that I wouldn't," he replied, and she studied his face carefully before laying it all out.

She told him everything. As a counselor at the community center, Destiny knew about the financial challenges faced by many families around the holidays. She didn't want to become involved in their personal lives, and she was upset to see some kids whose families couldn't afford Christmas presents. She told him the story of how she couldn't imagine ever stopping her act of goodwill after secretly delivering gifts by placing them inside the recipient's garage or next to their front door.

While recounting her story, Destiny brushed her damp jeans without looking at him. She exhaled while staring at her lap. "I chose thirteen homes to deliver Christmas presents. So I bought a van. Since it's now stuck in a hole, I'll have to rent something in town. Maybe I'll be able to do my magic in the next─" She fought tears as she checked the time. "─four hours."

"Destiny." While Christian whispered her name, he held one of her hands in his own. "Look at me, please." She gasped when she met his gaze. "You've done so much that I have no idea how you did it alone." He smiled. "I know you helped Teresa and Pedro last year when they were about to lose their farm. You funded their entire property."

She pleaded with her parents for the money to help a family in need, and her father, Michael, gave her a check without batting an eye. He praised her for becoming a compassionate woman at twenty-five. That acknowledgement assured her of how lucky she was to have her family in her life.

Destiny took a deep breath and looked back at Christian as she begged, "Please don't tell anyone what I told you. I beg you."

"I'm not going to say anything. I really admire what you're doing. Now, tell me what we need to do."

As the air inside the car became humid, Destiny uttered, "What?" She needed his help, but the thought of being with him for the next few hours made her feel nervous instead of calm. "Sorry, but you don't have to do this. I can do it by myself."

"Destiny, it's after midnight on Christmas Eve. You won't be able to find another car. Let me help you."

Christian was right. He was the only person she could count on to help her pull off tonight. "All right." She caved. "We need to take everything out of my van. Then we have to hurry before the sun rises."

"Okay then. Let's get this show on the road." Christian put the taxi in drive and spun it around.

Destiny hoped he could keep her secret as they drove back to her van. She looked forward to doing this deed every year more than anything else.

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