The older woman put down her bag and helmet and sat at the table. “Cat dear, I have been going to Teach’s now for about a month. They’re such a nice group of boys. They’ve been very supportive of my new change.”
Cat couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her sweet, should have been gray-haired, adopted Nana was now hanging out at a biker bar and riding a Harley? Well, she shouldn’t really have been surprised. Nana thrived on doing anything and everything she could to drive Cat and her grandson crazy. She always told them she was going to have plenty of time to rest and relax after she made it into the hereafter, so why waste good time on earth doing nothing? She did have a point, but still . . .
“Well?” Nana stood up and walked to the cabinet where Cat kept the glasses, then turned to the refrigerator and pulled out the pitcher of lemonade Cat always had on hand. After pouring a frosty glass of the tart drink, she turned and leaned up against the counter and waited.
“What?” Cat asked.
“What’s your news, darlin’?”
“I don’t have anything to tell you. I thought you had something to share.” Cat hedged.
“Catrìona Marie MacDougall.” She pointed her finger at her. “Quit lying to your Nana. Your little nose is growing.”
Cat was amazed by how easily Nana managed to reduce her to a little girl. She resisted the urge to squirm; she’d been doing that a great deal lately. “I’m not fibbing, Nana.”
“Oh, really. How do you explain the fine example of male perfection standing behind you?”
Cat closed her eyes. Well, damn. The man bathed faster than she thought he would. Turning, she faced Braden and the rogue had the audacity to wink at her. He was going to be impossible now.
But that wasn’t her largest worry . . . no, nix that, it wasn’t worry. The emotion was called fear. The fact that Braden looked identical to his portrait was an understatement.
Nana knew of the painting, knew of Cat’s fondness for it since she was a little girl. What would she think seeing him standing there? A flesh and blood man, breathing—alive? Nana knew how old the portrait was, and no one aged that well. How was Cat going to explain this one?
“Hello, I’m Nana.” She held out her hand. “I don’t know where Cat’s manners have gone.”
“‘Tis a pleasure to meet you, Nana. I’m Braden Ross.”
“I know who you are, young man.”
“You do?” Cat and Braden asked at the same time.
“Of course, I do.” Nana sat in a kitchen chair. “So how did you do it, cherie?”
Cat shook her head to clear it. “How do you know him?”
“Dear, I may be in my sixties, but I’m not blind. This man was painted into that portrait you haul around with you everywhere.”
Cat followed suit and sat. “I know, Nana. It’s just a lot has happened in the past few weeks and I haven’t processed it all yet.”
Nana patted her hand. “Time will sort out the details.” She turned and looked at Braden. “Have a seat, young man; don’t make me strain my neck by having to look up at you.”
Braden sat beside Cat and took her hand. He slowly rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, soothing her instantly.
“Uh. Well, the way I did it was actually by accident. I was trying to perform a release ceremony and instead of releasing him, I brought him here, to me.”
“This was no accident, Cat, and you know it.” Nana took a sip of her lemonade. “It was fate.”
There was that word again. Fate. Cat wasn’t terribly sure she believed in fate. She found it easier to believe in ghosts and faeries than in fate. She had no idea why.
“Well, I have a little news myself. Remy is coming home.”
Remy was a Navy SEAL, and spent a great deal of time away from the family. “Oh, that’s wonderful. When does he return and for how long?”
“He’s on leave for the next three weeks. He should be here later tonight.”
“I’ll have to make sure that I stop by and say hello to him.”
“Steven Boucher is holding a masque ball for him, since he missed Hallowe’en. It’s next weekend, so you have six days to come up with a costume for both you and handsome here.”
Steven was a childhood friend and threw one of the best parties during Mardi Gras, rivaled only by his Halloween soirees. Since she’d missed this year’s because she was in Scotland, Cat looked forward to the weekend. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Nana stood. “Well, I’m off. I have to go to Slidell this afternoon and help Maple with her granddaughter’s science project.”
Cat walked the older woman to the door. Outside, gleaming in the sun, was the latest Harley Davidson had to offer. Nana might look the part of a frail woman but when she straddled the bike and kicked up the kickstand, any worries that she may not be able to handle the machine disappeared. “Travel safe, Nana.”
“I will, darlin’. Now take care of that man of yours.”
Cat watched as she rode off.
“That is one incredible woman.” Braden pulled her close.
“Yes, she is.” Cat rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She was at peace and wanted nothing to intrude on these feelings.
“Come with me, mo chridh.” Braden entwined their fingers and they returned to the house. “We need to talk. It’s time I finally told you all of the story about our past.”
Foreboding took hold of her stomach. She was finally going to get some answers to her questions, but was she really ready to hear what he had to say?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Braden led her to the balcony overlooking the busy street. Once he seated her in one of the wicker chairs, he pulled up the matching footrest and sat in front of her.
“I know I haven’t been very communicative about the things you’re worried about. For that, I’m sorry.”
“No, Braden. It’s me, I tend to push and that always gets me into trouble.”
“You deserve answers and I’m going to attempt to give them to you today.”
“O . . . okay.”
“I’ve already told you about our past together. But there were some details that I left out. Details of my curse.”
Catrìona sat still as stone. He chaffed her fingers between his hands, needing the physical contact. He knew she was strong and could handle what he was about to tell her. Once this burden was off his shoulders, he could deal with his very uncertain future.
“You had a great many questions regarding the future and the curse put upon me.”
Catrìona nodded. “You’re correct. It’s not every day a girl brings the man of her dreams into reality.”
Braden managed a chuckle. “Verra true.”
They stared at each other for a moment. The sounds of the street, people talking and laughing, drifted up to their secluded spot on the balcony. Braden took a deep breath and then began his story.
“When Morgana placed the curse on me after your soul departed this earth, I admit to not really listening to her rant. At that point I pretty much didn’t care what happened to me.”
“Then how did you learn the details?”
“Shh.” He brushed a stray curl off her cheek. “I sat with your body in my arms for a dozen heartbeats. I didn’t want you resting on the cold, hard earth. But at the same time I couldn’t make Morgana pay for what she did to you—us—while I held you.” He cast his gaze away from Catrìona. He didn’t have the courage to look her in the eye for the rest of the telling.
“You see, I failed you in the most basic of ways. I didn’t keep you safe.”
Braden’s mind went back to that horrible time. His stomach roiled with the oily nausea that left him clammy and chilled. The same wretched emotions held him in their razor sharp grip. Yet he forced himself to relive the moment in order to explain to Catrìona the things he wanted her to understand.
“I was overcome with grief. I grabbed my broadsword and charged Morgana. A foolhardy action, but my mind had disconnected from any rationality I may
have possessed. She wasn’t alone and it wasn’t long before her minions had me under control. I can still hear her cackling laugh ringing in my ears at my attempt to kill her. Morgana was a woman scorned and this empowered her.”
“I don’t understand. Why was she scorned?”
“Once again I was a fool. Morgana was well known in our clan. A respected druid priestess. She aided my people on many occasions. What I didn’t ken is she held an affection for me. Deep feelings I couldn’t return. I requested a blessing for a safe journey and a blessed future with you.”
“That doesn’t sound so horrible, Braden.”
“You don’t understand, lass. I didn’t believe in her magic. I humored her and gave her leave to practice and help my people, because it gave them peace of mind to think one so powerful was on their side. I’d never approached her. But you meant so much to me that I asked her that which I’d never asked before.”
Braden turned and faced Catrìona. “I didn’t ken how much she cared for me; how this request hurt and angered her.”
Catrìona stood and made her way to him. “That wasn’t your fault, Braden. The fault lies with her.”
Braden stepped away from the comfort she offered. He noted the pain in her eyes at his action but he felt he truly didn’t deserve her understanding.
“That was the beginning of my nightmare. After I foolishly rushed her, she had members of the Comyn clan hold me at sword point as she began to torture me. I prayed for the sweet release of death but when the killing blow finally came, I was catapulted into my own private hell. A misty place that was cold and unwelcoming. But instead of being alone as she intended, Alec was cursed as well. He has always had my back and that brutal day was no different. She found cold comfort in knowing he was able to draw her blood before he received the killing blow.”
Catrìona had returned to her chair. When he finally worked up the courage to face her, he expected to see disgust, hurt and anger. He didn’t expect to see understanding and compassion on her beautiful face. He didn’t deserve it; he deserved only her contempt. He had failed her. Because of him, she had been killed.
“Alec had managed to try to stop me from my foolish behavior. He had listened as Morgana cast her evil spell, damning me to a life without love. That is, until your soul returned to the world.”
Braden remained silent for a moment. “I don’t know if the curse is broken, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to age alongside you. Morgana was careful with what she did.”
“So that’s why you behaved so strangely when I said I could spend the rest of my life with you in bed?”
“Aye. It reminded me that my future is uncertain.”
Catrìona began to laugh. That wasn’t the reaction he expected. He was also caught off guard when she smacked him alongside the head. “You’re an ass.”
“What?” He rubbed his head.
“Life doesn’t come with guarantees. Why would you think you’d be any different? Talk about arrogant Scottish males.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said? I allowed you to be killed. I didn’t protect that which was most important to me.”
“Yeah, I heard it the first time. Hmm. Hello? Didn’t you say this happened because you were trying to protect me? You’re an idiot. So your plan was to walk away from our second chance at a happy ending?”
When put that way, he did sound like an ass. “You’re not worried that I could be taken from you at a moment’s notice?”
“Of course I worry about that. But worrying won’t change anything. I love you and—”
“What did you just say?”
Catrìona stood and walked to him once more. Her sweet feminine scent wrapped itself around him. Standing on her tiptoes she placed a butterfly soft kiss against his slack mouth. “I said, I love you.”
“Even after everything I’ve told you? Admitted to?”
“Yes, Braden. Even after what you told me. I don’t think you’re responsible for my death way back when. Morgana was responsible, not you.”
Braden’s heart picked up its tempo. Could he really be looking at a happy ending?
“You’ll have to forgive yourself, Braden. You didn’t do anything wrong. You loved me and did what you thought was right.”
“I love you forever, Catrìona Marie.” He sealed his pledge with a kiss. Several heartbeats passed before passion exploded between them. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to bed.
* * *
Cat left Braden sleeping. She knew he was wiped out from their earlier conversation. She had a great deal to process. This wasn’t your average courtship. Most people meet, go out on a date, then more dates and a happy ending. No one went to Scotland to release a haunted soul and came back with a centuries-old love. No doubt about it, she was setting a new and strange trend. Still, she wouldn’t trade her time with Braden for anything in the world and she’d deal with the uncertainty of their future when it came.
His story on the balcony had left her shaken. Her heart broke when she heard the pain in Braden’s voice. If she could, she’d snatch Morgana bald if she were in front of her.
She dressed and wrote a short note, placing it on her pillow. They needed food and she couldn’t afford to keep eating out. Besides, the next day she had to go back to work and wasn’t sure when she’d get a chance to run to the grocery store.
She was sad that she had to return to reality and deal with persnickety brides-to-be. But that was how she paid the bills and the sooner they fell into a normal routine the better it would be for both of them.
Thankfully the trip to the store was uneventful and blissfully quick. Heading home with her purchases secured in the back of the Jeep, she noticed the storm cloud that had moved in while she’d been inside the store. It was a little unsettling to see the ominous black clouds hanging heavy in the sky.
By the time she reached the Quarter, the rain was coming down in a viscous downfall. Even her wipers couldn’t keep up with the copious rain. Thunder rumbled and lightning lit the sky with a bluish glow. A shiver of dread danced up her spine, leaving goose flesh pebbling her skin. If she was given to believing in signs, this was a humdinger.
Braden was sitting on the couch watching television, waiting for her to return. Since it was late and Cat was tired, she decided to call out for pizza. She had no idea how the day had got away from her but it had and now it was gone. Braden grabbed the grocery sacks and Cat placed the phone call for their dinner.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” Braden asked as he pulled milk and eggs from the soggy paper sacks.
“I wanted you to rest.”
Braden gave her a funny look but said nothing.
“I have to go back to work tomorrow.” Cat pulled plates down in preparation for their dinner to arrive. “I shouldn’t be gone too long; it’s the initial meeting with my newest client.”
“What do you do, lass?”
Cat laughed. “I guess we have a lot to learn about each other. I design wedding dresses.”
“A perfect occupation for one so romantic.” Braden wrapped his arms around her and leaned against the counter.
“I never thought about it that way. I’ve just always loved wedding dresses. That and fairytales. Will you be okay while I’m away?”
“I’m not a bairn, Catrìona. Don’t worry about me. I think I’ll go and pester Alec for a change.”
The doorbell rang and Cat went and paid for their dinner. She laid out the cheesy sausage pizza, breadsticks and salad. The kitchen filled with the warm yeast scent of the breadsticks. They filled their plates and carried them to her family room, where they sat side by side to watch television.
“I was thinking. Did you want to attend Stephen’s party? If so, I could design our costumes.”
“I’m not sure what a masque ball is, but if you say it’s going to be fun I would like to accompany you.”
Cat clapped her hands together. “Great. You’re going to make a great pirate.”
“Pirate, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. A dark, sexy pirate with a hot Scottish accent. I’ll be the envy of all the women there.”
Braden laughed. She loved the sound of his laughter. “What’s your costume going to be?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I like surprises.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
“Well, you’re going to love this one.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Braden kissed Catrìona goodbye before he walked the few blocks to where Alec was staying. He wanted to make sure Alec had enough money to ease his time here in New Orleans, plus he wanted to bedevil his cousin.
Alec was lazing around on the couch when Braden arrived.
“Where’s Meagan?” Braden asked as he took a seat at the other end of the couch.
“She had to go to work.” Alec continued to flip the channels with the remote. “I’m bored.” He tossed the remote on the table in front of the sofa.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Come on, Braden, let’s go and wander around. It chafes to be sitting around like an old lady.”
Braden had to agree. He had always managed to stay busy when he’d been alive so long ago. He didn’t like that Catrìona worked while he did nothing. She may have been willing to forgive him his ability to protect her, and she may even not mind that he didn’t work, but he didn’t share her opinions. Surely there was something he could do to earn his keep.
“I agree. Oh, did your lass make mention of a party we’ll be attending together at the end of the week?”
“Aye, she thinks I should go as a Chippendale dancer. I’m not sure exactly what that is but she said I’d be the hit of the party.”
“Sounds like something you’d do.” Braden smiled.
“Do you ken what a Chippendale dancer is?”
“Nae, but how bad could it be?” Braden shrugged his shoulders. “Catrìona is making me a pirate costume.”
“This should be a good time.” Alec stood and grabbed his house key. “Are you ready?”
The two men walked up and down the various streets. Alec was very interested in the sights to be found on Bourbon Street. “We’ll have to come down here in the evening.”
His Heart's Desire Page 16