Fated Hearts (15 page)

“Come with me, gorgeous. I’ll get you settled.” Rissa locked arms with Carter and pulled him toward the front desk. Henley smiled and followed. Rissa snapped her fingers, and a young man appeared at her side. She handed him a keycard. “Please take Dr. Elliott and her things up to room 310.” She looked at Henley. “I’ll handle your check-in. Go rest. You’ll need your strength for that wedding.”

“Thank you, Rissa.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Brunch?”

“Sounds lovely.” She touched Carter’s arm. “I’ll meet you here in the lobby. Say three hours?”

He nodded as Rissa continued pulling him toward the front desk. Henley laughed and accepted the bellboy’s offer to carry her overnight bag. It only took minutes for the boy to show her to the door and refuse her proffered tip. “No, thank you, I couldn’t accept money from a friend of Miss Marissa. Enjoy your stay, ma’am.” Henley hung the new dress she’d purchased in the room’s closet. She laid out her accessories and cosmetics on the vanity along with her bathroom kit. She returned to the bedroom and considered her suitcase. She didn’t see the need to unpack for one night beyond what she’d already accomplished. She originally thought she’d want to shower after the flight—traveling usually left her feeling grimy—but not this time. She knew she needed one before she started getting ready, but first she wanted to lie down. With an audible groan, she threw herself down on top of the coverlet.

She couldn’t ignore the kind generosity of Carter’s presence. He’d known this would be hard for her and had arranged to provide her with support. Sure, she knew his request to return the favor with his family was genuine. But it wasn’t what motivated him. He desired her. But he also liked her. And he made her feel things she long thought scrubbed from her emotional repertoire. Henley didn’t need her gift of clairsentience or years of medical training to recognize that they were building a relationship. An unusual one, but a relationship nonetheless. And any relationship required a certain degree of interdependence, honesty, and trust. Whatever she and Carter had dove into felt deeper than her previous surface acquaintanceships. Still, Henley hesitated to explore her thoughts beyond acknowledging that she was in a relationship.

The unease she’d experienced in those final weeks before fleeing her home and career, unease she had fully expected to rear its head as the plane approached Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, had been absent while she’d been with Carter or thinking of him. But now, alone with her insecurities and uncertainties, the enormity of where she was and what she planned to do that evening settled over her, and her shoulders tensed. She always ran. Ever since Jacob. She sprang from the bed, fists bunched and stomach churning. Henley marched into the bathroom and started the shower. She’d need strength and clarity when she walked into her sister’s wedding. Lying in bed awash in self-pity, allowing old ghosts to haunt her, wasn’t healthy or wise.

Following a nap and shower, Carter had shaved and dressed. With a half hour to spare, he decided to wait in the lobby, where he reclined in one of several leather club chairs staged around an empty fireplace, sipping a glass of fine whiskey courtesy of the discreetly appointed taproom. He was checking the time—had Henley changed her mind?—when the elevator opened.

He was struck dumb when she stepped out; an arrow of desire shot through him, settling deep within the pit of his stomach. A small smile graced her lips. He was grateful of the moment it would take her to cross the room as an opportunity to compose himself. Although watching her move, hips swaying, the shimmery jersey of the dark gray dress clinging in all the right places, shifting over her curves with every step, was enough to make him swallow his tongue. He stood and focused on her face. As she neared, he noticed the subtle change she’d created with cosmetics. The smoky tint she’d applied to her bedroom eyes provided a sultry cast. Her lips seemed fuller, as though already plumped from his kisses and begging for more. She’d twisted her long hair up into a complicated knot that made him stare at her neck like it was the juicier sections of a centerfold. Her fluttering hands were the only indication of the nerves hidden inside the seductress before him. He found himself staring at her fingers, their restlessness erotic. And the habit reassured him that this was indeed “his” Henley in strappy, sexy heels.

A few feet before she reached him, he held up a hand in silent command. She halted, her hesitation showing. He stared as her breasts rose and fell with each breath under the rhinestone- studded halter, her only adornment.

“You’re beautiful.”

Her smile, happy but shy, spread across her face, wrinkling the corners of her eyes. His pulse thudded.

“Thank you, Carter. You look very handsome.”

He knew the dark suit and dark blue accents complemented his features. But holding out his arm to her, he felt inferior. She deserved more, better, than him. Men stared as he escorted her from the lobby and out onto the street where their rental waited curbside. He supported her as she slid into the passenger seat, the slit in her dress falling to the side and exposing a long expanse of bare leg. She smiled up at him, the shyness he’d detected before having faded. And he knew he’d be damned before he stepped aside for another man.

“Stop staring,” he advised the valet as he slipped the young man a tip.

“Did Rissa find you a room?” Henley asked as he pulled away from the curb.

“She did and at the special rate.” She told him where to turn. “She’s a marvel.” Rissa had personally escorted him to his room. On the ride up, after probing for the information Henley had given him regarding the events leading up to her departure from Cleveland, Rissa had quietly confided her perspective. She wanted her former boss to be happy. And she let him know in no uncertain terms that he would answer to her if he hurt Dr. Elliott. He’d been amused and impressed in equal turns. He was also grateful Henley had someone on her side. “She reminds me of Mags.”

He was treated to one of Henley’s rare laughs. “Oh, you’re so right. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. Next left.”

“How long have you known her?”

“About nine or ten years now. It was just me and her, but she ran my practice. She was more concerned about me than herself when I closed the office. I kept apologizing, but she told me not to worry, that she’d been offered a job here and if I ever needed anything all I had to do was call.”

“Never called before last week?”

Henley shrugged. “I thought it was just a thing people say when they’re trying to be kind. I didn’t realize she was a friend before today.” She pointed. “It’s up ahead about two blocks, on the right.”

He noticed she was fidgeting with her small black purse. He didn’t need a super power to know that nerves were eating at her. He eased to a stop at the red light. “We don’t have to do this, Doc. We can just drive right on by and go have dinner somewhere.”

She looked at him, just looked at him, and he knew there was something between them. He didn’t want to put a word to it.
She’ll run if I spook her.
And he was enjoying their journey at this pace. He hadn’t touched her since she’d stepped out of the elevator—he’d been worried what his emotions would reveal.

Henley leaned in close, put her hand over his, and smiled. “The light is green, Carter. Come on, we’ve got a wedding to crash.”

“Yeah we do.” He grinned, and she sat back, her hand falling away.

After they arrived, they slipped effortlessly through the crowded room. Carter thought he saw some people glance their way, recognition lighting their faces. But no one approached her to say hello. He spread his fingers over the small of her back. It was meant as a supportive gesture, but the contact steadied him as well. Every wedding he’d attended in the past, even the ones where he knew the marriage wouldn’t last for long, had held an undercurrent of celebration. The room’s chic architecture was elegantly decorated in white tulle and purple lilies. The walls were exposed brick adorned only by naked arched windows stretching from the floor to the lofty ceiling that invited the evening skyline inside, but the tension in the air defeated the clever design.

“What is this place?” he whispered.

“Used to be the FirstEnergy Powerhouse—generators fed electricity to the streetcars back in the 1900s. Now it’s an aquarium and banquet center. And this
is
one of my favorite buildings in the city.” Henley looked around the room. “They did a great job rehabbing it.”

“Thought maybe it was an old slaughterhouse.”

She laughed quietly. “Feel like a lamb being led?”

“Honestly?”

“Henley?” A thin older man approached them. Based on the tuxedo and cheekbones he’d passed on to his daughter, Carter assumed he was about to meet Mr. Elliott. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, Dad.” She didn’t reach for her father nor did he attempt to embrace her. “I think that’s obvious -I’m here for Michelle’s wedding.”

“We weren’t expecting you.” He glanced around the room, as though checking to see who may be looking. “Are you on medication?”

“No. I’m not.” She put a hand on Carter’s arm. “This is my friend, Carter McAlister. Carter, this is my father, Professor Bradley Elliott. You look good, Dad. The tux is nice.”

Carter held out his hand. The older man looked at it as though weighing danger. After an uncomfortable pause, Henley’s father returned the polite exchange.

“A great many of the guests have probably seen you already, recognized you. It’ll cause a stir if you leave now. I guess you should sit with your mother in the row reserved for the bride’s family.” He gestured toward the front.

“I can sit in the back, Dad, if you’re uncomfortable. It’s not a problem.”

“And what impression do you think that’ll make on the guests, Henley?” He shook his head slightly. “You were a smart girl—think.”

“I think she is the most intelligent and fascinating woman I’ve ever met,” Carter interjected. He couldn’t stand silently accepting her father’s unmasked disdain; a look of repulsion spread over the older gentleman’s face, as though a pile of horse crap had landed at his feet. Carter was confident he’d earned the professor’s dislike. The thought brought a smile to his face. He applied a little pressure where his hand sat on Henley’s back. “Come on, Doc.”

“He’s just standing there, staring at us. I don’t think he knows what to do,” Henley whispered, her eyes dancing, as they turned into the first row.

“It’s like when the computer freezes loading a webpage. Look at him.” Carter glanced back. “He’s working, working.”

Henley stifled a laugh behind her hand.

“Henley.” A skinny woman with silver hair and in a modest gown addressed them. She didn’t stand or smile but demurely gestured to the seat beside her. Henley sat, and Carter took the chair next to her. “I can’t tell you how glad I am you decided to see reason. It would’ve been completely unacceptable for you to miss your sister’s wedding.”

“Hello, Mom. Everything looks beautiful.”

Though her mother’s welcome wasn’t warm, it was decidedly less unhappy than her father’s. Regardless, Carter couldn’t believe the woman insinuated Henley’s absence would have been Henley’s fault when he knew the woman was aware this daughter had not been invited.

“Your sister has worked herself to the bone making sure the wedding planner got everything just right.” Carter recognized the note of pride. “You should’ve told us you were coming. We don’t have place settings for you.” She sighed deeply. “We’ll figure something out.”

“I didn’t know, for sure, I was coming until this morning. And I thought it might be a nice surprise.”

Her mother reached out, hesitated, and settled for patting Henley awkwardly on her leg. “We’ll make do.”

“Mom, this is my friend, Carter McAlister. Carter, I’d like to introduce my mother, Eliza Elliott.” Carter noticed Henley ignored her mother’s odd gesture of affection. He’d thought the woman condescending, but he had already irritated one parent and didn’t see the sense in alienating the other. He tilted toward the woman and held out his hand.

“Mrs. Elliott, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I can see where your daughter gets her good taste. You look lovely.”

She delicately placed the tips of her fingers in his palm. Her skin was paper-thin, fragile. He hoped she didn’t expect him to kiss her hand. He drew the line at that. But she removed her hand after the barest of contact.

“McAlister? The name is familiar. Is your family local?”

“No, ma’am. I’m from Philadelphia. I don’t believe I have relatives in Ohio.”

“Mom, I’ve mentioned Carter on the phone before,” Henley provided.

“I don’t think you have. Wait. The sheriff?”

Carter nodded.

“Oh, Henley,” she condemned. “You brought your employer?”

The music began, cutting off any further conversation. Every head turned toward the back of the room as notes from a soft, lilting piano solo filled the air. Carter took a moment to look at Henley. Her back was stiff, her shoulders rigid. He could only imagine how she felt at that moment. She had warned him this wouldn’t be a happy reunion. But he’d thought she’d underestimated her loved ones, just as she’d underestimated Rissa. It pained him to realize he’d underestimated Henley.

An unattractive woman in an unfortunate bridesmaid dress of deep purple reached the front of the room. Mendelssohn's wedding march echoed romantically throughout the space, and a collective gasp sounded as the bride and her father appeared. Carter had eyes only for Henley. He wrapped his arm around her waist and gently pulled until her back rested against his chest. He kissed the top of her head and felt her shoulders droop as she relaxed her weight against him with a choppy sigh.

The bride reached the end of the aisle. She glared at them before turning to her groom.

Ah, shit.

• • •

“Are you going to lose it again? Because I swear that was the most entertaining Winter Ball. Ever.”

“I heard, the following year, they sold a record amount of tickets because everyone had heard about the meltdown and was hoping for a repeat performance.”