Sweet Destiny. Rochelle Alers

the Textile Heritage Museum in Burlington, North Carolina. Thankfully, my paternal grandfather was the last one to work as a coal miner.”

      Mia smiled. One of her questions had been answered. Selena’s father and Kenyon’s mother were siblings. There were a few more questions Mia wanted to ask, but she decided it would be impolite to pry. She didn’t know what it was about Kenyon that elicited more than a passing interest. Although he hadn’t worn a ring, she didn’t know if he was married, single or committed to someone. And, if he was committed then the woman could count herself lucky to have snared such a gorgeous male specimen.

      The object of her musings chose that moment to walk into the bedroom carrying her luggage. He’d removed his jacket, and the long-sleeved waffle-weave shirt couldn’t conceal the power in his upper body. Her eyes went to the silver buckle on his belt, but she wasn’t close enough to read the inscription on the ornate piece.

      “Thank you for bringing up my bags.”

      Kenyon nodded, and then set the tote and Pullman on the floor next to the door. “If you’ve made plans to go to Jonesburg tomorrow, then scrap them.”

      A slight frown appeared between Mia’s eyes. “Why?”

      “I just got an email that because of blizzard conditions the governor has declared a snow emergency for Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming counties. Only emergency vehicles carrying essential personnel will be permitted on the roads.”

      Mia folded her arms under her breasts. “Can’t I ride along with you? Dr. Lyman is expecting me Monday.”

      “No, you can’t ride along with me, because I’m staying here until the road is clear.”

      “But…but aren’t you the sheriff?”

      A slow smile spread across Kenyon’s face, the expression making him even more appealing. “I do have deputies who are more than capable of filling in for me. Once the roads are plowed I will give you a police escort to Jonesburg.”

      Mia lowered her arms. “I suppose I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

      “No, you don’t.”

      Selena glanced at her watch. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m going to try and get at least four hours of sleep before I have to get up and start baking. Mia, you’re a guest, so you can sleep in as late as you want.”

      Mia wanted to tell Selena she doubted if she was going to get up late because she’d slept during the flight from Philadelphia to Pikesville. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

      “It’s already morning,” Kenyon said, reminding her that it was after four in the morning.

      Selena took Kenyon’s arm. “Let’s go, wise guy. Mia, the bathroom is the middle door in the landing.”

      “Thanks.”

      “There’s no need to thank me. After all, we are family.”

      After all, we are family. The five words stayed with Mia as she opened her luggage to retrieve a nightgown and grooming supplies. Selena may have considered her family, but she doubted whether Kenyon did. There was no doubt he thought of her as an outsider, an interloper who should’ve stayed in the big city. Well, it didn’t matter what he thought or how he viewed her, she wasn’t going anywhere. She’d come to Mingo County to practice medicine and no one—and that included the law—would stop her from fulfilling her commitment to give the residents of Jonesburg the best care she could provide.

      Even though the attic bedroom was warm, the lace-trimmed silk garment was definitely not warm enough for West Virginia’s winter. It seemed as if she would have to trade in Victoria’s Secret for L.L. Bean. She took out a matching robe, placing the garments on the foot of the large bed. Sleeping in the bed draped with yards of fabric must have made Selena feel like a princess.

      Walking out of the bedroom with the quilted pouch filled with toiletries, Mia opened the door to the bathroom. A light came on automatically when the door opened. The space was small, but homey. A claw-foot bathtub, with a shower attachment, pedestal sink and a commode harkened back to a bygone era. A bleached pine table cradled an assortment of towels, cloths and bottles of shampoo, conditioner and bath gel.

      She turned on the faucets, and added a dollop of bath gel under the running water, and within seconds the distinctive scent of lavender filled the space. Mia brushed her teeth and cleansed her face, rinsing it with cold water, before she stripped off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub. A soft moan escaped her parted lips as she sank lower in the warm water. It was the perfect way to end what had become a very long day.

      Eyes closed, the back of her head resting on a folded towel, Mia mentally counted the number of married Eatons. All of her Uncle Dwight’s children were married—Myles, Belinda and Chandra. Married only months apart, Denise and Xavier had made their mother, Paulette, deliriously happy. Two of Uncle Solomon’s sons were married. The exception was Levi. Then there was Uncle Raleigh, who was now on his fourth marriage. His daughter, Crystal, who lived with her longtime boyfriend, refused to marry because of her father’s inability to remain in a committed relationship.

      That left her and Levi. Not only were they the last two unmarried Eatons, but they also had chosen medicine as their career. Dr. Levi Eaton and several other doctors had set up a medical practice in an affluent New York suburb. He’d invited her to New York for a housewarming celebration after he’d purchased a condominium in a luxury building overlooking the Hudson River.

      It was Levi and not her father Mia had talked to when her anatomy professor predicted she would never become a doctor. Levi told her that if she did nothing else, she had to prove not only would she become a doctor but also a very good one. She studied longer and harder for his class than the others combined, and when she saw her final grade she called her cousin, screaming that she had done it. She’d earned the highest grade in the class. She knew there would be roadblocks in her life, but Mia hadn’t expected someone to dislike her on sight. The experience made her even more determined to accomplish her goal and earn a medical degree.

      The water was beginning to cool when she picked up a bath sponge and lathered her body. She stood up and, using the retractable shower attachment, rinsed off the bubbles. It was another fifteen minutes after she’d patted her skin dry, slathered on a scented moisturizer and cleaned the tub before she walked out of the bathroom. The scent of lavender trailed behind her as she entered the bedroom and pulled the nightgown over her head.

      Peering through the lacy sheers at the window she encountered a wall of white. The falling snow obliterated everything. She was snowbound, but she realized it could have been worse. She could’ve been stuck in an airport, sleeping on a chair or curled up on the floor for hours or maybe even days.

      For some reason the bath revived her instead of making her feel relaxed. Reaching into her tote, she retrieved her laptop. Turning on the lamp on the bedside table, she sat up in the middle of the bed and waited for it to boot up. She inserted the USB modem and went online. Mia clicked on her mother’s email address:

      Hi Mom, Made it to Matewan safely, but will be delayed going on to Jonesburg because of a blizzard. Will hang out with Xavier’s in-laws until roads are passable. Call or text me once you return to Dallas. Hug and kiss Dad for me.

      Love,

      Mia.

      She clicked on her New Mail folder, smiling. The man she’d dated off and on while in medical school had emailed her. Dr. Jayden Wright had moved to Denver to work as an acute care physician. He was a third-year resident when she began her internship. A year into their relationship Jayden proposed and Mia turned him down, saying she wasn’t mentally and emotionally equipped to juggle marriage and career at that time. They’d parted amicably but continued to see each other whenever they needed a date. Their casual relationship ended once Jayden accepted a position in Colorado.

      Hey Mee-Mee,

      Hope you’re doing well. Thought about you and decided to write. Let me know what you’re up to. Love always, Jay