Heartfelt

by Lynn Crandall

  “Oh. One of her big shindigs with all the upper crusts of Laurelwood? And she wants her little prince to make nice, right?”

  Conrad glared. “Yes. It’s her spring shebang. She wants to impress all the uppity ups by showing me off as one of her successes.” He glanced down at the table. “I want you to go with me.”

  Asia choked and sputtered on the water she’d just sipped. “What? I think we know I am not your mother’s idea of the right kind of woman to impress her friends.”

  “You shouldn’t underestimate yourself.” He held her with a sharp gaze. “You’re an accomplished journalist, well known in Laurelwood for your work. You’re independent. You’re attractive.”

  Asia snickered. “You think I’m attractive?”

  “You clean up nice.” He avoided her eyes and gulped a mouthful of water.

  “And, I’m a commoner, by her queenly standards, not to mention, I’m a moggy. She’s a pure and so are you. And it matters to her. Moggies are the mutts of the were-cat world. To her, they are less capable, less trustworthy, less, less, less than pures.”

  He sighed, and rubbed his forehead. “None of that matters to me. You know that.” He lifted his gaze. His eyes pleaded with her.

  “Why me?” He’d never asked her on a date before. Their relationship was casual. She couldn’t say he was like her big brother, but they’d purposely remained just friends for a number of reasons. His parents’ disapproval of her was one of the reasons. When he was younger and his parents had learned of his relationship with her, they’d held all the strings. They were merciless, unrelenting parents who expected Conrad to be perfect. A moggy and at the time poor friend was out of the question for their son’s reputation and lifestyle, so they’d threatened to send him to boarding school in Switzerland.

  They’d also threatened to cut off his trust fund and disinherit him.

  Asia’s stomach clenched, considering that his parents would rather their son become a serial dater of human females he cared nothing for than enjoy a meaningful friendship with a moggy.

  He was no longer an eighteen-year-old and he had his own money. But wounds from their harsh expectations still lingered.

  “Can’t I just want to spend the evening with my friend?” He chewed on his bottom lip.

  “Sure. But there’s more to it than that. Your family get-togethers have always been off limits to me.” She slanted her head at him. “Are you trying to shock your parents?” Her heart dropped. Conrad had suffered from depression years ago, feeling disconnected from his life and living according to his parents’ values. But he’d beaten the depression and returned to his brash ways.

  “This time is different.” He turned to stare out the kitchen window.

  “Different how? Geez, Conrad. It’s like pulling teeth.”

  His sober expression hurt when he turned back to face her. “My parents are planning to introduce someone to me at the party. She’s the socialite daughter of some bigwigs in England.”

  “Oh. Someone special, I take it. Someone they’ve hand-picked for you to hook up with. A perfect woman for their perfect son. So is she a were-cat?”

  “Of course. Her father is their colony’s leader. Old money and ancient lines.” He shook his head. “I told my mother I’m not interested in meeting the English woman, but you know my mother. She’s determined to make us a match.”

  “She can’t make you do anything, Conrad.”

  “I know. I want to make that perfectly clear and bring my own date to the party.” His eyes glistened playfully.

  “So you want to use me to make your statement? That’s crazy.”

  He ran his fingers through his blonde hair and her eyes followed. “I don’t consider it using you. I think of it as my friend spending an evening with me.”

  “Like I said, it’s crazy. Crazy fun.”

  “Then you’ll do it?” It lifted her heart to hear the enthusiasm in his voice and see it on his face.

  “I will. But you will owe me,” she teased.

  He bear-hugged her and danced with her around the kitchen.

  Both their cellphones twirped. Asia grabbed hers and read the text out loud. “It’s Casey. ‘Colony meeting tomorrow morning. Eight o’clock. My house.’ Is that what your phone says, too?”

  Conrad looked up from his phone. “Yup. Guess we better call it a night.” He looked down at her and smiled. “Thanks, doll face. You’ve given me hope.”

  She punched his arm. “That’s what friends do. Besides, you helped calm my mind tonight. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad. We’ll work more on that later. I have some ideas.”

  She sighed, the weight of the text heavy on her heart. “Colony business takes precedence.”

  Conrad grabbed his coat from the floor and shrugged into it. “You say that as though it’s a burden. It’s just a part of our life, Asia. Something may have happened with TNG. Maybe the database has popped up. That’s a pretty big deal.”

  Asia brushed her hair back behind her ears. “I know. It’s fine.”

  She closed the door behind Conrad as he walked to his red Range Rover Evoque. Why was it so hard for him to understand that she just wanted a normal life?

  Chapter Three

  Conrad climbed out of his vehicle and breathed in the fresh spring morning air before heading to the front door. He was late to the meeting and everyone else was inside already. He knew that by the cars parked in Casey’s winding driveway. The colony cats all were very conscious of their environmental footprint, hence the line of fuel efficient, low emissions vehicles.

  And then there was his Range Rover. Rated lower in efficiency than the others, his vehicle still made him feel pretty good about doing his part for the environment. It had been a gift from his parents, who were considerably less concerned about responsible choices than he was.

  He didn’t bother to knock on the front door. He shoved it open and stepped into the foyer. “Hey, it’s just me, Conrad,” he yelled to the chatter coming from the living room. He knew Casey and Michelle’s house like it was his own. Colony meetings frequently were held here. The setting was secluded and the home was spacious. Very fitting as a colony leader’s home.

  “Get your butt in here. You’re late.” Casey’s voice was welcoming and teasing. A smile took over Conrad’s face.

  He sauntered casually into the living room. “Sorry. Did I miss breakfast?” The scent of eggs and bacon wafted throughout the room. “There’s got to be coffee somewhere.”

  “Help yourself, Conrad. There’s plenty for you, including the coffee.” Michelle stood behind the large island in the adjoining kitchen. “They just started eating, so don’t let them rag on you.” Her smile made a nice addition to her beautiful face and long blond hair. Though human, Casey’s fiancée Michelle was a good person and a member of the colony, too. Her special ability of seeing images of possible things to come and her strong empath skills fit right in with the special abilities of each colony cat.

  His plate piled high with scrambled eggs and bacon, he took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs in the living room, nodding to hellos from all the cats: Kennedy, Asher, Booker, Quinn, Tizzy, Shaun, Lara, and Asia. He loved his parents but these members of the colony were his family.

  Casey whistled. “Okay, everyone. We have business to discuss and I know you all need to get to work, so let’s get started.” He waited for chatter to die down and for some to take their dishes to the kitchen.

  Conrad shoved the food down quickly, then set his dishes aside and peered at Asia. She smiled at him and looked away toward Casey. At that he pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly, assuming her smile was a good sign that she wasn’t being bombarded by thoughts.

  Casey cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re all aware that it’s been four months since we’ve had any encounter with The Nexus Group. They haven’t popped up on our radar. Kennedy has been monitoring their network, but it’s been quiet.” He leaned back into his chair.

  “Do
you think we shut them down?” Quinn, a redhead in human form, and a russet lynx with russet eyes, ran his fingers through his thick shoulder-length hair.

  Kennedy sat up straight. “No. Absolutely not. That may be what they want us to think, but they will not ever stop.”

  Kennedy would know. She’d been raised by adoptive parents Jonathon and Kathryn Novak, who belonged to TNG and headed an illegal drug project that aimed to turn humans and were-cats into warriors. They’d even put Kennedy into the project. Luckily, the project came to the colony’s attention and they had rescued Kennedy just in time. Another were-cat the colony had rescued, Adrian, hadn’t survived the drug project. Conrad shuddered. That could have been Kennedy.

  “Kennedy is right,” Casey said. “We don’t know what they’re up to right now, but we can’t wait to find out. We have to be proactive.”

  Conrad swallowed a gulp of his coffee and looked around the room. Each were-cat knew as well as Kennedy did that it was certain TNG had gone underground but were still actively working to grab resources, wealth, land, and power in the region. For now. Ultimately, the end game would be to take over the country. “One thing we know for sure, they’ve got our database. With that they can find every colony in the U.S. and around the world.”

  Asia nodded. “I should tell you I’m covering a press conference today scheduled by Senator Sage. According to his press release, he’s going to announce plans to open an animal preserve in the county. His release mentioned support for the preserve is partially coming from TNG. He’s bringing the secret group out in the open.” She rubbed her forehead and Conrad imagined the thought of putting herself close to those people sent tension coursing through her body. No doubt their thoughts would be diabolical, painful. His stomach clenched at the thought of Asia going through that.

  Casey rubbed his thumb against his chin. “That should be a revealing press conference, Asia. Be sure and keep us informed. Funding an animal preserve wouldn’t be a philanthropic endeavor of that group. There’s got to be an angle.”

  Michelle walked into the living room and took a spot near a wall. “Have you had any time to look into their financials, Conrad? I don’t know how one goes about checking out a secret organization’s assets and liabilities but you know, I’m sure.”

  He rubbed his chin, his insides twisting. “I did start but, no, I haven’t found out anything useful yet. Could I have your help with that, Kennedy?”

  She pulled at lock of her dark hair. “Help? What do you need?”

  “I need your computer expertise. If you can help me, we can discuss the details later.” Guilt plucked at his nerves. Failing at his part of learning more about the missing members of TNG was unacceptable.

  She nodded. “Sure. It sounds interesting. Do you have time today? You could come over to my house. I’m set up pretty nicely for some snooping, if that’s what you’re referring to.”

  Snickers rounded the room at Kennedy’s assumption, but Conrad didn’t correct her. That’s exactly what he had in mind.

  He checked his cellphone for messages and the time. His office and his parents had left voicemails. Casey caught his eye as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

  “Do you need to get to the office, Conrad?”

  “I have a little time yet. My ten o’clock appointment should be showing up soon, though.”

  “I understand,” Casey said. “We can wind up the meeting.” He tented his hands and looked around the room. “Everyone stay vigilant. TNG is likely watching us surreptitiously. Report to the group any suspicious activity. We all need to be on the same page.” He stood and walked to Michelle, who was leaning against a wall near the expansive windows. He wrapped his arm around her waist. “Lovely breakfast, Michelle. Thank you for fixing it.”

  Asia waved her hand in the air. “Excuse me, I have something I need to bring up.”

  “Sure, Asia. Quiet everyone.” Casey remained near Michelle but focused on Asia.

  Conrad couldn’t wait to hear the other cats’ reactions to her expanding ability.

  “For some reason, my telepathy is changing.” She paused and Conrad shot her a glance. Her eyes smiled at him and she continued. “Whereas I have always been able to connect with the minds of animals, I’ve never had telepathy with humans. As of the last few days, that has changed.”

  “Oh my gosh!” Tizzy exclaimed. “You can read humans’ thoughts? Is it different from what you experience with animals?”

  “It is different. I’m trying to adjust. When I’m near humans their thoughts enter my brain randomly.” She grimaced. “It’s quite overwhelming. So I apologize in advance if I seem flustered or distracted. I’ve been pretty stressed. It’s crazy.”

  “So are you all right?” Casey’s eyes on her shone with concern.

  Asia nodded. “Yes, I’m managing, but it’s hard.” She gestured toward Conrad. “Conrad has been working with me to get control. I don’t know why it’s happening.”

  Conrad did, but he was not going to announce it to the room. His heart racing, he glanced at Asia. She’d brought it on herself by getting emotionally involved with a human. She’d opened the door to telepathy with humans. He didn’t want to bring it up with her, expecting hot rebuttal. It didn’t seem right not to share his theory, either. It was tricky, and more so with his growing desire for her.

  “Maybe it’s just part of your evolvement,” Casey suggested. “Perhaps you’ll learn that under control, it is an asset.”

  Asher smiled, mischief seeping out. “Maybe it’s something in your water, Asia.”

  Shaun tossed a throw pillow at his head. “Maybe you’ve got something in your water, Asher. Something that makes you crazy.”

  Tension eased in Conrad’s shoulders. Clearly the discussion about Asia’s expanding telepathy was over and the meeting would soon be concluded.

  “Okay, everyone. Let’s keep in touch.” Casey sauntered out to the kitchen and began loading dishes into the dishwasher.

  Everyone in the room gathered their things, saying their goodbyes.

  Conrad held back until Asia headed toward the door. “How are things this morning with, you know … ”

  He held the door for her as she tossed back her head and laughed heartily. “You mean my crazy, bombarded brain?” She dropped her gaze to his. “I’m fine so far. Of course, I haven’t been around any humans except Michelle. She’s not having that effect on me. Maybe she is more aware of boundaries because of her psychic abilities.”

  They stepped out into the spring day and Conrad raised his face to the sunlight. Nature offered an array of sensations that at once enlivened and soothed. Right now he took in the scents of the forest and fields and let them brighten his spirits.

  “What, no quip, no comeback?” Asia stood at her car door and slanted her head at him, waiting for an explanation, he suspected.

  He ruffled her dark hair. “I’m glad you’ve found calm this morning. But I wouldn’t get too complacent. Just so you know, I’m available if you need help today with your new skill.”

  “Thanks, Conrad. I’m still a bit shell-shocked, but I’ve got work at the paper I can’t ignore. In fact, I’ve got that press conference to cover.” She shook her head. “It might be hard to concentrate.”

  “You’re a work in progress right now. Remember to ground and breathe.” He shot her his best confidence-in-you smile, even though inside his nerves jangled for her. The thought of her going out among humans with her heightened telepathy made him clench his teeth. “You conquer, you always have.”

  She nodded and slipped behind the wheel. “See you later.”

  He opened his car door and climbed in, heading for his office at the First International Bank of Laurelwood.

  • • •

  Asia drove directly to the Laurelwood Gazette office, her assignment at the forefront of her brain. She couldn’t help but pause to appreciate Conrad’s support. She agreed with him. She’d never faced a problem she couldn’t solve, an obstacle she couldn’
t overcome. This particular issue—humans’ thoughts overwhelming her mind—would simply have to be just another problem to manage.

  She parked in the newspaper’s employee parking lot and walked inside through the employee entry. She headed toward her desk in the newsroom, avoiding direct eye contact with anyone.

  It was as if a gigantic wave crashed over her, nearly swamping her.

  I wonder if I turned down the thermostat at home.

  This source is lying to me. How am I going to get this story filed on deadline?

  Oh my god, is today my wife’s birthday?

  Asia didn’t say hi to me when she walked in. What did I do?

  I wish I hadn’t yelled at Robbie this morning before he left on the school bus. Maybe I should text him.

  Asia did as Conrad had suggested. It took all of her concentration just to breathe in and out slowly. It didn’t do any good to pull inward. There were all those unbeckoned thoughts jamming her brain. She closed her eyes and focused on her feet. They were flat on the floor, connecting to the ground. She didn’t want to know who was struggling with regret for yelling at his or her son. She couldn’t take care of the person she’d apparently snubbed when she walked in. She was too overwhelmed to focus on staying calm.

  She ran her hands through her hair, frantic for a place of quiet. Quickly, she grabbed her cellphone and marched outside, grabbing big pulls of air.

  Asia backed against a brick wall of the building and punched in Conrad’s number. It rang twice, then his voice on the other end came to her.

  “Asia, what’s up?” The baritone of his voice penetrated her anxiety easily. But around the edges she detected his concern.

  “Wouldn’t you know, the newsroom is full of thoughts. It’s probably the last place I should be right now. But I have to work. And in a couple hours I’ve got a press conference I cannot miss. Senator Sage is going to announce plans for a preserve. I can’t help but suspect it has something to do with TNG.”