Going All Out (19 page)

When one soul recognizes another, the result is magic.

He shrugged. “I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry. I was trying hard to play by the rules, to let things progress naturally, when all I wanted to do was share how I’ve been feeling. I already made the arrangements to extend my stay indefinitely. I figured if we had enough time together…”

Love follows rules that have nothing to do with time or place.

“But when I knew you weren’t going to tell me what was happening, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, not without knowing what was wrong. Not if you were in danger.”

So he’d charged in to play the hero, taken the decision out of her hands because he hadn’t liked the way she’d handled it.

Had she really left him another choice?

Not a man like Lucas. He wouldn’t give up what he wanted.

He wanted
her.

Would she have wanted him to?

The gentle strength of his embrace answered that question. The way she felt in his arms overrode the past. Had she explained the situation, he could have helped her deal with Jude, but she hadn’t wanted him to think less of her.

Then it struck her that Lucas hadn’t judged her at all—she’d never given him that chance.

Bree had been judging herself.

She’d wanted him to believe she was an independent woman who handled her life on her own terms.

And he did.

She was the one who hadn’t believed.

“How much do you know?” she asked.

“Only that the police investigated you for some scam Robicheaux was involved in. I know you were cleared. I checked out what he’s been up to and found out about a bunch of Internet scams he’s been running with a partner that might make Tally’s treasure and your connection to it look attractive.”

“No surprises there. He saw an angle. That’s all he wants.”

“I don’t think that’s all he wants.”

She heard amusement in his voice and, surprised, she slanted her gaze his way to find him smiling.

“He’s male, Bree. An idiot, true, but still male. I’m sure the treasure isn’t
all
he wants.”

She recognized his attempt to lend humor to the moment, to lighten what was such a painful place for her.

He understood and he loved her. She believed that. He’d shared his feelings openly, even unsure how she would react to his interference. She hadn’t been nearly so honest—to him or to herself.

Now Bree was left to decide what she wanted.

All it takes is believing yourself worthy.

“Jude was a way out of a difficult situation—or so I thought,” she said, taking a leap of faith and giving Lucas that chance. “I was young and life seemed impossible sometimes. My mother left when my brother was fourteen, but she’d never been around much even before that. Tally
and I had been on our own with him forever. Not that we minded. We had each other and that was all that mattered, but we could never seem to get ahead. When Jude came along…”

Honesty came so much easier than Bree had ever imagined, and as she explained the situation, she felt as she had the other night with Tally—relieved.

Lucas listened, didn’t blow any of his own reactions or emotions over her. He seemed to sense she had enough of her own to deal with right now.

She explained how Jude had narrowed her world down to him and how she was in so deep by the time she recognized the problem she hadn’t known how to get out. But luck, in the form of Jude’s bad deal, had saved her.

“He needed to leave town fast, which would have meant me leaving Tally and Mark. Jude wanted that, of course—he and Tally hated each other—but I wouldn’t leave my family. So he skipped town and left me to deal with his mess.”

“Did he ever hurt you?”

Never so much as having to answer this question did.

But Bree reminded herself not to give past mistakes too much power. Would she really want to change the past if it meant not becoming who she was today?

“Not physically, if that’s what you’re asking,” she said. “He was subtle, controlling.”

“Is that why you didn’t call the police? You wanted to tough it out?”

She shook her head and decided she owed Lucas the truth whether it sent him running or not. “I didn’t want him to think he could intimidate me. Then there was you. If he knew I was involved with you, he’d know he couldn’t compete and move on.”

A double-edged admission if ever there was one, but in typical Lucas fashion, he took her admission in stride. He didn’t seem to need to hear this wasn’t the only reason she’d gotten involved with him, and to prove it he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her, just held her.

“I had no clue why Jude came to town, Lucas. I saw him for two minutes in the den, and he didn’t tell me. I’d suspected he turned up because he heard about Tally and the treasure and I had decided to go to the police after you left.”

“Why after?”

“The job promotion. You. I just needed a week. I’d know who had the job and you’d leave. I didn’t want you to know about him, about…” She heaved a sigh. “I refused to give that man one second of time I could be spending with you.”

Those strong arms maneuvered her around until she had no choice but to face him.

“You didn’t think knowing about your ex-bum would influence how I felt about you, did you?” He hooked his finger beneath her chin and tipped her face toward him.

The emotions in his beautiful green eyes made her insides melt, made all her doubts fade beneath the truth she saw there.

She was the only person afraid of the past.

“At first I thought it might,” Bree admitted. “But after I got to know you, I realized it was more about me feeling bad about me.”

Lucas didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to because his actions said everything. Lowering his face to hers, he caught her mouth and kissed her with a heat that made the past fade back where it belonged and assured her the only thing that mattered was the here and now and being together.

So with a sigh Bree sank into his embrace, tasted the promise in his kiss and let herself take the advice of her ghostly ancestor.

To believe.

“Y
OU KNOW
,” B
REANNE
said as she snuggled against Lucas, their auras flashing the vibrant colors of a rainbow. “Since you’ve extended your stay indefinitely and we’re already missing the parade, we’ve got some free time until the ball tonight. I’m thinking it wouldn’t hurt to make a trip to the precinct to report that Jude’s back. Care to join me?”

Lucas, who looked like no self-respecting pirate Gabriel had ever seen in his tight black trousers and flowing white shirt, kissed the top of Breanne’s head and sent those rainbow hues sparking in a fabulous display. “Let’s go.”

Gabriel brushed absently at a crease on the sleeve of his top coat. Not that the crease would smooth away, of course. It had been his constant companion for nearly two hundred years. Had he known he would die wearing this top coat, he’d at least have seen the thing properly cleaned.

But when he saw the peaceful expression on Breanne’s face, he thought he just might forgive Lucas the absurd costume. After all, the fellow hadn’t actually been there when pirates and privateers had sailed the seas.

“Look at those auras flash.” Gabriel laughed.

“Impressed with yourself, aren’t you?”

The sound of
belle grand-mère
’s voice sliced through him as sharp as a rusted sword.

Gabriel turned toward the sound. “Honestly,
belle grand-mère.
Are you not tired of this infernal nothingness yet?”

She scowled but didn’t reply. Gabriel found that encouraging.

“Come on, old woman. Not even you can deny they’re in love. So much for ambition. Breanne barely flinched when she lost her job promotion, and look at them together. They glow.” He watched the young couple head out the front door with a feeling so different than the familiar pride that had bolstered him in life. He was proud, to be sure, but of the outcome his machinations had wrought. A pride that felt much more like pleasure for the two people beaming at each other right now.

“Ha! What do you think of my parlor tricks now?” He could not stifle his enthusiasm, although he knew he would get no compliments from
belle grand-mère.
“Did you see me lob that statue from the wall? And my aim?”

“You almost killed the boy, pirate.”

“What?” Gabriel demanded indignantly, ignoring her insult and gliding to the door where the boy in question stood.

He inspected Lucas’s head, saw no hint of a bruise, even if the red mark from his impeccable aim and impressive force hadn’t yet faded. He passed his hand through the fading mark. “Do you mean this? ’Tis nothing. I didn’t even addle his wits.”

Gabriel hoped, because Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, frowned and ran a hand along his forehead right where Gabriel’s hand had been.

“Are you all right?” Breanne asked.

Lucas rubbed his temple harder. “Just a chill, I think.”

“A chill?” Breanne asked. “Really?”

Lucas nodded, and with a laugh Breanne looped her arm through his, glanced over her shoulder and mouthed the word,
Thanks.

Gabriel exhaled another satisfied sigh as he watched the two lovebirds saunter off to tackle the trouble together. ’Twas a concept he was only just acquainting himself with.

“Thank you,
belle grand-mère.
” He turned back to the old woman who stood behind him, an old woman who somehow didn’t look nearly as bitter as she did tired, he thought. “Thank you for helping me protect Breanne and bring these two together. And for giving me a chance to see past myself to this.” He swept a hand toward Breanne and Lucas as they closed the gate behind them, hands clasped.

“So the curse has become a blessing, pirate?”

“I suppose,” he said slowly, considering. “In some ways it has.”

He didn’t know what surprised him more—his own change of heart about these wasted years or
belle grand-mère
’s reaction.

Wrapping her arms around herself tightly, she let out a wail so loud he winced. “You suppose, pirate? I suppose this means I’ll now spend my eternity reminding my softhearted granddaughter not to let you run roughshod over her.”

Gabriel didn’t know how long he stood there staring. He couldn’t seem to wrap his thoughts around the old crone’s words. Was she saying that after the curse was over he might stand a chance of winning back Madeleine?

The anguish on her face was his answer.

“Belle grand-mère.”
He extended his hand, a gesture of peace he hoped she would accept in the spirit he meant. “On my honor, if I have earned a chance for a real eternity, I will devote every minute to earning your granddaughter’s forgiveness.”

“Earning? Do you think yourself capable?”

Gabriel didn’t answer quickly. Indeed, he considered what he’d gleaned of his choices gone bad, of lessons he’d learned while watching his two strong descendents put aside their ambitions to take their chances on love.

“I do.” And he had never meant anything more in his life—or his death. “What I do not yet know, I shall learn.”

She considered him gravely, but something in those bead-black eyes flickered. “This I shall like to see.”

Then
belle grand-mère
accepted his hand, and if Gabriel had expected fireworks and fanfare when the curse finally broke, he’d been mistaken. There was a glint of light beckoning from beyond the court, a diamond sparkle like the sun on the waves.

A welcoming warmth filled him, pulled him toward the light, and he felt…eager to see what a real eternity would bring, and for a chance to convince his beautiful Madeleine that he had indeed learned the value of love.

L
UCAS SAT ON THE
front steps of his childhood home, sipping his morning coffee and reminiscing about a lifetime of awakening to the sight of Court du Chaud in all its glory. In the winter the lush greenery might fade, and the pavement in summer sizzled beneath a heat so complete the humidity sucked the breath from his lungs, but he was home.

There was no place in the world like it.

Number Sixteen had passed from his parents to Josie and now would become his—if he and Josie ever ironed out the details of the sale so they could close the deal.

He had no doubt they eventually would because his little sister was eager to have her family back in her world. Lucas in Number Sixteen. Max in Number Seventeen. The only difference—Josie had finally crossed the alley the way she’d always wanted.

All was right in Josie’s world.

All was right in his, too, Lucas thought as Bree strolled down the walkway toward his gate, sipping a cup of Café Eros’s jet-fuel java, looking as if she could take on the world.

Just the sight of this woman filled him with a sense of excitement, made him grateful he’d come home. He loved Bree whether she was dressed to the nines and sitting in
his bushes or wearing her historical finery. He loved her den-ready in worn jeans and tight sweaters. He loved her best naked.

This morning she looked stylishly professional in a scarlet slacks ensemble that hugged her slim curves. She’d pulled up her hair in an elegant sweep that let him admire the lines of her face and made him think about kissing her.

Maneuvering the gate open one-handed, she slipped through, a fluid move that made him think of sex.

Everything about Bree seemed to make him think of sex.

“Good morning, beautiful. All set for your first day?” he asked as she strolled up the walkway.

Reaching the bottom step, she twirled on her pumps for his perusal. “Do I look the part? Toni said she wants me to work on the floor at first. See how the place runs and meet customers.”

“You look good enough to eat.” He set his cup on the step beside him and stood. “Having any second thoughts about the career change?”

“Not a one. It’s high time to shake things up.” She smiled up at him. “I’m excited, Lucas. I’m going to be a designer. No more endless nights. No more running around in a frenzy catering to overindulged men.”

Reaching the bottom step, he extended his hand to caress her cheek, unable to believe that this one beautiful woman had completely changed his life.

Change was the last thing he’d expected when stepping off the plane for his stint as Max’s best man. He’d been amused that Josie had finally caught her lifelong target, but he hadn’t understood. He hadn’t believed in the magic of love then.

Another change for the better.

Bree leaned into his touch and let her eyes flutter shut, and he thumbed her lower lip, couldn’t stop from leaning down to welcome her with a kiss.

“I’m hoping there’s still one overindulged man you want to cater to.” He breathed the words against her mouth.

“I happen to specialize in what that man wants.” She caught his lip with her teeth. “Mmm. Missed you last night.”

“Me, too.” He kissed her again.

“Madame Alain’s watching.”

“We’ll give her something to talk about. She’s already buzzing because you’re moving in with me, and you’re not even here yet. Sure you don’t want to sneak out the back so she can’t catch you and make you late for work?”

“And scale that wall in this outfit? Thank you, no.”

“Not even if I give you a boost?”

“You just want to peek up my skirt.”

Unable to resist, Lucas caught her around the waist and pulled her against him, loving the feel of her in his arms, the way her expression softened right before they kissed.

“You’re not wearing a skirt.”

She arched her eyebrow. “Details.”

He liked this expression, too, looked forward to learning how she looked during every second of every day as they merged their lives together. A process they’d already begun.

Jude Robicheaux had been officially relegated to the past now that the police had picked him up. From what the detectives said, no one would be hearing from him for a long time.

Bree had resigned her position at Toujacques to accept an exciting offer from Toni Maxwell.

Lucas would buy Number Sixteen from Josie, who’d moved in with her new husband. Bree and Tally would keep Number One for their brother Mark when he came home from college.

They’d already begun moving Josie’s things over to Max’s and Bree’s things here. California could wait. He had a lot of loose ends to tie up there, not the least of which was an office to relocate and an assistant to convince there were more available men than women in the Big Easy.

The most important change in Lucas’s mind was Bree agreeing to marry him. They hadn’t set a date, still had details to smooth through. But for right now he was perfectly content to put a ring on her finger and have her take over his house.

And look forward to a big wedding celebration.

Everything was falling into place, and he had no doubts the process would continue. “If I get this sale settled with Josie.”

“What’s the trouble?”

“I can live with her asking price, but I can’t live with the attic. She wants to leave everything for me to deal with.”

“All your trophies and her dance ribbons?

“Everything.”

“What if I agree to help you sort through it all? Never know what you’ll find around here. Look what Tally found under the piazza.”

She fluttered her lashes in a sexy look, so Lucas locked her tightly against him, felt the quick thump of
her heartbeat. He’d already found everything he wanted in Court du Chaud.

Life with the woman he loved.