His Heart's Desire (16 page)

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 h
e 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.”

Braden shook his head. “What of the lass you’re staying with?”

“Meagan? She’s wonderful. I really like her a great deal.”

They walked in silence for a few more blocks, each trying to absorb what the place had to offer. Alec stepped into a
small shop and Braden followed.

Instantly Braden went on alert; his hair stood on end. He wandered along the different shelves of candles and charms. This was a mystic shop and he wanted nothing to do with the place. He was in the process of grabbing Alec and pulling him out when the strange woman with the purple streaks in her hair stepped out from a beaded curtain. She was the same female that had stopped him the other night in Jackson Square.

“Have you come to hear your fate? You must heed what I have to tell you,” she said in a deep almost mesmerizing voice.

“Braden, do you know this woman?
” Alec stepped in front of him.

“I can take care of myself, Alec.” Braden moved from behind Alec’s protection. And no, I don’t know this person.”

“She seems to know you.”

The woman came up to them. “You both come from a time long ago and there is danger here that you both should be aware of, otherwise sadness and danger will be your companions.”

Her words were eerily on target. And after what he’d spoken about the day before with Cat regarding the curse, this new information was not welcome in the least. “I don’t know who you think I am, but you’re wrong.”

“Your fear causes you to lie. But you lie only to yourself and by doing so,
you put your heart in danger.”

“What is your name?” Alec asked.

“I’m Constance and I can help you.”

“We’re not in need of help, lass. But thank you for your concern.” Braden grabbed Alec. “Come, cousin, we’ll be late if we don’t get going.”

Alec followed Braden out into the bright sunlight. Braden took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it out slowly.

“She’s the woman from the other night!” Alec turned and peered back into the store. “She seems a little more unusual today.”

“Aye.”

“Maybe we should have listened to her, Braden.” Worry colored Alec’s voice.

“To what end? We both know the duration of our time here is uncertain.”

Alec frowned. “The lass seemed rather intent on imparting her news. Maybe, since our situation is so precarious, we should listen.”

Braden didn’t want to hear what Constance had to say. He already felt it in his gut that something was very wrong here in New Orleans and that he’d have to keep his wits about him.

“Let’s go.” Braden stalked away from the disturbing store and the equally unsettling owner.

* * *

Cat spent the morning with two clients and then drove to Slidell to pick up fabric for one of the dresses. She ran home to see if Braden wanted to come along but found the house empty. She didn’t worry as she had a feeling he was with Alec. Jotting a quick note to Braden letting him know she’d be back in a few hours, she decided Braden needed a cell phone. Perhaps they could pick one up for him later in the evening. At least then they could talk to each other when she was working and hopefully diminish any worries Braden may have.

The trip to Slidell was without problems but traffic going into the city was bumper to bumper for several miles. She reached for her cell and dialed home to let Braden know she’d be late. She thanked the stars above that she’d started a roast in the crock-pot before she left so she didn’t have to worry about dinner.

“Hello,” said Braden.

She smiled hearing his voice. “Hey, you. How’s your day been?”

“Alec and I spent the afternoon wandering around the Quarter. Seems he’s already familiar with the delights your home has to offer.”

His voice sounded detached and Cat worried. “Is there something wrong, Braden?”

“No. I’ll see you when you get home.”

Before she could say anything else, the phone disconnected.

*
* *

Braden closed his eyes and prayed for forgiveness. This was stupid. He was acting like an ass and none of this was going to chase the forebodi
ng that weighed heavily on him.

He paced around the townhouse like a caged tiger. Did Constance have a warning for Catrìona? If Cat’s life was in danger, he needed to protect her this time. He couldn’t live with himself if she came to harm again.

Stalking over to the phone, he checked the time. How long until she came home? He hadn’t even asked how she was doing, let alone heard the reason for her call.

He needed to speak with Constance and he needed to do it before Catrìona came home. The sooner he did this, the sooner he’d be able to find his place beside his love. They deserved a happy ending without the cloud of unce
rtainty hanging over them both.

Grabbing the set of keys Catrìona had given him earlier in the day, he locked the door behind him and made his way down the crowded sidewalks.

He couldn’t remember the street where they’d found the magic store so he wandered around aimlessly until he turned a corner and saw it. The store front was decorated with an Autumn theme, but otherwise the interior was dark.

Braden pummeled on the door but to no avail. He cupped his hands around his fac
e and peered into the darkness.

He was determined to get some answers and was about to look for another way to enter the store when a light came on in the back. A small figure made its way through the shop and to the front door.

“I’ve come to hear what you have to say.”

Constance disengaged the lock and opened the door. Braden slipped in and waited for her to secure the door once again.

“Follow me, Laird Ross. Every second from here on out is critical.”

*
* *

Morgana couldn’t believe her eyes. Braden Ross. Fate clearly had a twisted sense of humor. She smiled. For centuries her family had been told the sad tale of how this bold Highlander had broken the heart of her namesake. The realization that she alone had the power to make sure this man never had a happy ending was heady, intoxic
ating and too potent to ignore.

The woman plastered herself up against the brick wall as she watched him step into the mystic shop. She’d cursed the fact that the monster was alive. Her ancestress had cursed him to a loveless existence. So why was he walking around the streets of the French Quarter? When she had spotted him the other day, she was sure she’d been mistaken. But after she’d followed him and saw he was with Catrìona MacDougall, her worst fears had been confirmed. Well, she knew what she had to do. She needed to make him pay. Clearly his suffering was at an end since he was among the living ag
ain. And that just wouldn’t do.

Morgana Comyn rubbed her hands together. Some families passed on paintings and other cherished mementos from a bygone time. Her family had inherited deep hatred for Braden Ross and the responsibility to make sure he never found his peace or love. She’d failed by not having strengthened the curse, thinking foolishly that there was nothing to worry about. The time had come to set things right. But first she needed to prepare herself for the task that awaited her. And when she was ready, Braden Ross would never see the light of day again and, more importantly, he’d never be able to visit his love even in her dreams.

* * *

Cat stepped into the house and knew instantly she was alone. She looked for a note from Braden but couldn’t find one. With a shrug of her shoulders and disappointment weighing heavily, she decided to get to work on her new commissions.

Flipping the light on in her large study, she walked over to her antique desk. She loved this room that had once been a servant’s quarters. It was perfect for designing.

The walls were painted a soft shade of rose, with lace curtains hanging off several of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Throw rugs in shades of cream, rose and green covered the hardwood floor. In one corner stood a well used sewing machine. Sketches and fabric samples were hanging on the wall or sitting on the oak desk. There were four dress forms which were currently clad in dresses that were finished except for the final fittings. All four dresses were simple, with clean lines and very little adornment. She was proud of her work and sa
w her signature style evolving.

She sat at her desk and pulled out a sketch pad in order to design the costumes for her and Braden for th
e upcoming ball.

Stephen’s parties were normally high octane entertainment. Cat planned on dressing up as a Can-Can dancer. She’d spoken to Meagan earlier and found out the party wasn’t going to be too big this time; a little more intimate. She looked forward to seeing Remy again. Four months had pa
ssed since she’d last seen him.

Cat began to diligently work on the outfits. They’d have to be easily put together since she didn’t have a whole lot of time to work on them, but on the other hand, she didn’t want them to be cheesy.

She was so caught up in the creative process, she didn’t hear Braden return. When he poked his head into her study, she almost jumped out of her skin.

*
* *

Braden walked into the elegant yet feminine study and watched Catrìona at work. It was the first time he’d actually watched her work and was surprised by how calming it was to see her creating her unique designs. “Hey, beautiful, you ready to take a break?” He walked around her desk and started to rub her tight shoulders.

Cat dropped her head and arched into his touch as he worked the tension slowly from her shoulder. Eventually she stood and gave him a kiss. “Yes, I am, as a matter of fact. So how was your day?” She led the way into the kitchen for something to drink.

Braden blew out a sigh. “Long. I was with Alec. He’s enjoying his time here in New Orleans. He told me earlier that he has found a job as a bartender at a place called The Cat’s Meow.” Braden tugged her closer, and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Oh, I’ve heard of that place. It’s a karaoke bar on Bourbon Street. We’ll have to go and check it out one night.”

“Yeah, that’s the place. He took me down, and introduced me to his new co-workers.”

He nuzzled her. “And how was your day, sweetness?” Braden drew her into his arms for a kiss. The kiss was slow and gentle and absolutely perfect.

When it finally ended, Cat was able to answer his question. “Actually, I was able to get a lot accomplished.” She stepped back and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is there something wrong? You were awfully short on the phone earlier.”

“I’m glad that you were able to accomplish something.” He moved around the room almost like a caged lion. “Sorry if I seemed upset on the phone, I was busy with Alec and you know how he is. So, are you hungry?”

“I’m starved. I didn’t eat much today. Do you want to eat in, or do you want to go out? I started a roast but I can put it in the fridge.

“Let’s go and pick up dinner. My treat. Funds have arrived from Scotland.”

Cat laughed. “Yes, dinner out would be fine. Let me get my purse.”

They agreed on a chicken restaurant. They placed their to-go order and, while they waited, Cat talked about her latest dress designs. Soon their meal was ready and they gathered the required utensils and napkins before they left.