Page 10 of When Love And Destiny Collide

Dinner is a whirlwind of activity. Jon and Sharon’s family updates fill the room with laughter and chatter. Their three daughters, Katherine, Loren, and Laila, are all married. Katherine and Adam have three kids: Tori, Jon, and baby Adam. Loren and Aaron are expecting twins to join Holly and Peter. That'll soon be seven young kids in the family—eight if you count Davey. Laila is in Boston, finishing her medical residency with her new husband, Sam.

The warmth and love in this house are palpable, yet all I can think about is the woman across the table. Her smile is perfect, and her laugh is infectious. It's the kind of laugh I could listen to for the rest of my life. Not only is she stunning, but she's also intelligent and wise beyond her years. She's sweet and kind, with a natural warmth that draws people in. She loves children and has helped raise most of the Linder kids since they were little, becoming a cherished part of their lives.

"Have you talked to your dad lately?" Jon asks Lily, breaking my reverie.

"I spoke to him two days ago," Lily replies. "He promised to visit this summer."

"Where does he live?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"He lives in Mérida."

"Mérida, Yucatán?" I say, a hint of excitement in my voice. "I've been there."

"You have?!" Lily asks, her eyes widening in surprise.

"I attended a writer's conference there about six years ago. It's a beautiful city and close to the beach."

"A writer's conference?" Jon's question reminds me Lily and I are not alone.

When I glance at Jon and Sharon, their puzzled expressions also remind me that they have no idea I've changed careers. Little do they know that I wrote half the books in my son's playroom.

"I have a confession to make," I say, watching Jon lean back in his chair and cross his arms while Sharon's eyes fill with curiosity.

"I started writing twelve years ago. What began as a hobby quickly became a passion. When Davey was born, I realized I wanted to be home with him, to witness his first smile and step. So, I quit my career and started writing full-time."

"Are you kidding me?" Jon laughs, unable to hide his surprise. "What do you write?"

"Children's books."

"We have five grandkids under the age of ten," Jon says, "I've never seen anything written by Noah Linder."

"I use a pen name."

"You just paid cash for Mom and Dad's house," he adds, "so I'm assuming you're doing very well as a writer."

"I am."

"What's your pen name?" Sharon asks.

"Shay David," I say.

Recognition lights up on not one but three faces. If my goal was to shock them, I've succeeded.

"Well, I'll be!" Jon exclaims, shaking his head in amazement.

Sharon's eyes well up with tears as she realizes her profound impact on my life. Because of her, choosing a pen name was easy.

Lily is momentarily speechless, and then her eyes widen with realization.

"I love your books!" she exclaims. "How you wrote each series to captivate audiences from toddlers to teens is absolutely brilliant. You've touched so many lives, including mine. I bought them for Aaron's daughter when I started babysitting her in Boston and as gifts for the rest of the kids. They're in Davey's playroom!"

"I know," I smile, "I saw them in there last night. Thank you." Is that admiration I see reflected in her sapphire eyes?

"Did Mom and Dad know?" Jon asks, a touch of melancholy settling in his gaze.

"Yes, they both knew."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Sharon asks, her tone free of criticism.

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