Clan Ross: His Heart's Desire Part 9

"Did you hear me, la.s.s?" Braden was frowning.

"I'm sorry. I was woolgathering. What did you say?"

"Would you like to take a tour of my home?"

"Yes. I'd like that a lot."

Braden stood. "Come." He turned to Elspeth. "The contractors will be arriving shortly and will be going directly to work. A member of the Trust made calls earlier during the meeting. I want all of the wiring updated."

"Aye, Braden. I will take care of all the details. It will be nice to see this old castle restored to its original splendor." Elspeth slipped her arm through Alec's. "Why don't you come and help me with the contractors? You look like you could use something to do besides annoying our laird."

Cat tried not to laugh at the shocked look on Alec's face.

"Do you mean for me to work?"

"Oh for the love of . . ." Braden smiled. "You're not going to go to work like a laborer. Although I fail to see how that would be a problem." He held up a hand. "Except perhaps one should not dismiss the fact you know nothing about modern day plumbing or electricity."

"Good point, my friend." Alec smiled.

"Come along, Alec. I'll show you a wonderful new invention called the Internet. I think you'll enjoy this a great deal." Elspeth dragged Alec behind her.

Cat fiddled with the hem of her sweater as the two left the great room. She didn't know why she was overcome with nerves. This was ridiculous.

"What is wrong, Catrona?"

Braden's softly spoken question startled her. "Nothing is wrong."

"You're a poor liar."

What was she supposed to say? Please don't want to live here. Yeah, that would go over real well. She didn't own him or have a claim on him. He was free to do what he wanted, wherever he wanted to do it.

"Come, we have much to discuss and much I would like to share with you." Braden held out his hand.

Cat offered a small smile as she twined her fingers with his. "I'd like that very much." They walked out of the great hall and down a long hallway Cat had yet to see. There were beautiful works of art hanging along the walls. They were landscapes and what looked like original artwork by Tissot and Leighton. She took a closer look and, sure enough, both artists' signatures graced their canvas. Cat stood in awe as she took in the beauty of the paintings.

"You like those, Catrona?"

"Yes, aren't they beautiful?"

"Not as breathtaking as you are."

His words made her heart skip in her chest. Why did he have to be so romantic and say the right things? Leaving him behind would be so much easier if Braden thought belching and scratching were forms of art, and his idea of beauty was a six pack and a remote all to himself.

Cat didn't know what to say to such flattery. Her cheeks burned and, instead of saying anything, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly. "Show me your castle."

"Much has changed since I was laird. The members of the Trust informed me there are now two ballrooms, a music room and a conservatory, just to name a few rooms that have been added over the centuries. And the scullery is now attached to the keep."

Cat nodded. She could only imagine how strange it must be to finally be home but see so many changes. Braden was handling this new time very well, all things considered.

"Why don't you look at me, la.s.s? Are you ashamed of what we shared last eve?"

His words surprised the h.e.l.l out of her. This was a first-a man who wanted to talk about emotions. And how could he think for a second she was ashamed of what had gone on between them? "No. Never, Braden." She took hold of his hands. "Last night was incredible."

"Aye, it was. So why are you acting so daft?"

"Daft?"

"Aye, you are not speaking, and I sense that something is wrong."

"I'm fine, Braden. A great deal has happened in the past few days. I'm just processing it all. I don't regret last night, and I'm enjoying spending time with you now." She meant to give him a sweet kiss of rea.s.surance, but the moment their lips touched, she realized she was looking for hope and comfort.

With reluctance Cat pulled away from the embrace. "So show me your castle, Braden."

"The pleasure will be all mine."

As they wandered around the castle grounds in the glooming, Cat spied a patch of white among the purple and pinks of the heather that covered the surrounding hillsides with their vivid color.

"'Tis white heather, a very special bloom indeed." Braden came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "It has a very special legend surrounding it-a story of love and loss."

Cat pulled him down beside her on an old bench and snuggled into his warmth. "Tell me your tale."

"Long, long ago in Scotland, the famous Celtic bard, Ossian, had a daughter called Malvina. She was beautiful and sweet-natured. She won the heart of Oscar, a handsome warrior. Eventually they became betrothed, but Oscar left in search of fame and fortune."

Cat said, "Fame can be very intoxicating."

"Aye." He traced a finger down her cheek. "But no' as intoxicating as holding the one that you love in your arms." He bent and placed a kiss upon her upturned lips. Pulling back, he continued his story.

"Malvina pined for him and sought solace by telling her father how much she loved her brave warrior, Oscar. Then one autumn day, the two were sitting on a hillside not unlike this one, when a ragged messenger staggered toward them. He brought the terrible news that Oscar had been killed in a mighty battle. After delivering his sad news, he held out a spray of purple heather to Malvina-the last gift from Oscar. He then divulged that Oscar had died whispering her name and pledging his love."

Braden hugged his Catrona close. "In her grief, Malvina ran over the hillside, weeping bitter tears at the loss of her dream-her heart. Where her tears fell, the purple heather turned pure white. When she saw this, she said, 'May this white heather forever bring good fortune to all those who find it.'"

Plucking a sprig of white heather, he tucked it behind Catrona's ear. "To this day, white heather is given as a token of good luck."

"Oh, Braden, that was a wonderful tale. Sad, but at the same time so very romantic."

They sat in silence and watched as the sun finally slipped below the horizon. The day had been a beautiful one and he'd enjoyed it a great deal. "Come, we should return to the keep." Braden stood and then helped his la.s.s to her feet.

He had a feeling he knew what was bothering her but didn't know how to address the problem. Did she worry about her place in his life? Braden, better than anyone, knew how fickle fate was, and he refused to let this final chance of a happy ending escape him.

"Braden, I wasn't totally honest with you earlier." Cat twined their fingers together and held tight.

"I ken that, la.s.s. Are you ready to speak to me and tell me your worries?"

"Yes."

They continued their walk. Mist began to thread its way along the landscape. The scent of the sea was muted the closer they came to reaching the castle.

"Talk to me, mo chridh."

"I have to return to New Orleans in a few days."

The whispered words sliced his contentment like a dirk.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Cat watched as emotions chased themselves across Braden's handsome face. Her heart clenched. Speaking the words aloud cracked the fragile gla.s.s that held her dreams. Literally. Here was her dream man standing in front of her. He was a living, breathing soul, and she wanted nothing more than to turn her back on everything and live the fairytale happily ever after with him. But that would be foolhardy; she wasn't sure exactly what the future held or exactly how long Braden would even be allowed to stay in this time. So many questions. So few answers.

The problem with fairytales is they're as make-believe as Disney and Grimm's products. She was not Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, and even though Braden was Prince Charming and a white knight rolled into one, this simply did not have realistic future written all over it. Then again, stranger things had already happened, and her heart nudged her mind not to discount the possibilities.

"I confess, I never thought when I came here and did what I did that you and Alec would appear. I actually thought I was giving you peace by releasing you into the spirit realm, or wherever trapped spirits go when they're not trapped." Cat shut up and nibbled on her bottom lip. "I'm rambling, aren't I? I always do this when I'm nervous, well, that and pace around like a caged lion." She tripped over an untied shoelace and came to a wobbly halt.

"La.s.s, slow down." He led her into a formal sitting room. The rooms were covered in beautiful blue damask silk. Braden sat in one of the overstuffed chairs near the fireplace and pulled her down onto his lap.

In the silence of the moment, the crackle of the fire soothed Cat and her muscles began to relax. "I'm sorry." Cat wiggled a little bit and got more comfortable. "I was acting like a twit."

"I'm not sure what a twit is, but it sounds like an appropriate description." He kissed her mouth.

Cat smiled. Leave it to Braden to put everything into perspective. Yet this wasn't something they could ignore. She literally had forty-eight hours left in the country with Braden before she had to return to her life in the States.

"Why can't you stay here a little longer, my Catrona?"

"Because I have responsibilities back home. I have friends, a job, a cat, and bills to pay." She didn't mention the fear of holding onto that which she wanted most in the world.

"But, what of me? Us?"

"You could come with me to the States. You'd need a pa.s.sport, but I'm sure that could be expedited with enough money."

Cat fancied she could hear a clock ticking off the seconds. She truly didn't expect Braden to leave Scotland and accompany her back home.

"I suppose I could request Alec . . ."

"Ask me what?" Alec strolled in, pointing over his shoulder. "Have you seen the library yet? Wall-to-wall books."

"Don't you ever knock?" Braden said.

"Sorry." Alec drew out the word. "How was I to know you'd be doing whatever it is you're doing? You know there are like a dozen other seats in here. The la.s.s would probably be more comfortable sitting on a cushion rather than your hard lap." He smiled at Cat. "How are you, la.s.s? Did you enjoy your walk?"

Cat laughed. She loved Alec's smart a.s.s comments. "Yes, the castle grounds are amazing."

"Not as much as they used to be. I took a turn around the gardens. They're manicured within an inch of their lives. That's what Elspeth says anyhow. And while I'm on the topic, what shrub grows in a spiral?"

"Many people enjoy a very manicured garden."

"Why? The beauty is in the wildness of how things grow."

Alec threw himself into a settee, and Cat waited to watch the thing collapse under his less than graceful movements. "So what were you going to ask me?"

"Catrona needs to return to her home in Louisiana. I would like to accompany her on her journey," Braden said.

"Oh. I wish to come too. I was on the Internet today. It is a great invention, Braden. There are things like search engines, called Google, and you type in whatever you want to look at or learn; it brings up all these different pages. I Googled New Orleans, and this is a place I very badly want to see."

Braden once again pinched the bridge of his nose. Cat realized he did this a great deal when he dealt with his cousin. It was rather endearing, she decided. "I think that would be a great idea. Don't you, Braden? I could show you where I live."

"Who will take care of the upgrades and make sure the men hired are doing their jobs correctly?"

"If you'll trust me, I'd be happy to oversee the renovations." Elspeth came into the room carrying a tray of cola cans. "Here you go, dear boy. I had someone fetch you more of this drink." She handed the lot to Alec.

"Thank you, Elspeth." He popped the top and took a long pull. Elspeth reached over and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Aren't you going to offer to share?" Elspeth took the remaining cans away from him. "Would you two care for something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine." Cat laughed. "You can let him have the rest."

"Thank you, la.s.s. I find this beverage intoxicatingly delicious. It's not like a good ale or our uisge-beatha. Nothing compares to that, but still, I understand why this company is so very successful."

Elspeth turned her attention away from Alec, who at this point was cracking open his second can. "Would you permit me the honor of taking care of the renovations so you may go on your trip?"

Cat held her breath. She so wanted Braden to join her in New Orleans but at the same time knew how selfish her desire was. He had a great deal to do here in Scotland, and this was his home. He'd just returned after eight centuries.

"That will be fine, Elspeth. I'll go over the details with you later." Braden hugged Catrona close and she smiled.

"You'll have a great deal that needs to be done. I'll contact the family solicitor and see about getting you and Alec your pa.s.sports."

"Thank you," Braden said.

Cat stood and brushed her hands down her legs. "We'll also have to book the flight for both of you."

"You can use my computer if you'd like," Elspeth offered with a smile.

"That would be great. Hopefully I'll be able to get them on the same flight I'm on, otherwise I'll have to re-book, and I do need to get home."

Alec stood with two crushed cans in his hands. "I hate to interrupt your plans but when are we going to be able to eat the evening meal? I'm fair starving."

"You and your belly." Braden shook his head. "We'll eat in a bit."

"Why don't you come and watch how you book an airline?" Elspeth returned to Alec's side and pulled him along.

Cat watched as the two quit the room, leaving her and Braden alone. Were they really going to come home to New Orleans with her? How long would they stay? Part of her wondered if leaving Braden behind would be easier now than later, after they spent more time together.