She’d got caught up in building this life, and she was proud of her tours, that she knew how to make her stories both accurate and fun. Even her weird ability to see the dead had worked out for her because she could add bits and pieces of lore she had learned from the ghosts she sometimes found wandering through the city.
“Why aren’t you being more helpful now?” she whispered aloud, to no spirit in particular.
She didn’t know. But as she lay there, she realized she would have been awake all night if Dan hadn’t stayed.
She heard when he checked the front door, and she knew he checked the rear door, too.
And she heard him when he came up the stairs and softly closed the door to the guest room.
She was tired, so tired. And now she had showered, and the hot water had been delicious, and she felt wonderfully comfortable, and while her thoughts raced, she was relaxed.
And she even wondered at herself.
He’d made her laugh a few times. He’d made her feel competent and important...
She let out an oath of aggravation with herself, slammed her pillow and curled around again to get comfortable.
She wished she had more experience with men. After moving to New Orleans, she’d dated a boy named Len Trotsky in high school, but that had faded away her first year of college; she’d been a dedicated student. And Jeremy had been like a watchdog, and maybe people even thought she was strange, if they knew her history.
She’d had a couple casual relationships with men who had come and gone; both had been musicians, and their schedules had gotten in the way...
Relationships were scary for her because of her ability to see the dead. She’d learned to hide it in everyday life, pretend she was talking on her phone so she could converse with a spirit, but to live a full life with someone... It would be such a lie to omit something like that about herself. And if she revealed it? Surely they’d back away faster than they could say boo.
Nothing had ever ended badly. No one had broken her heart. They had just faded away, and she had known she had just been biding time. She had never allowed anything more than friendship to develop between her and Matt or their friend Benny. Friendships were hard to come by, and they were good friends.
And now... She laughed inwardly at herself and smiled in the darkness.
She didn’t really know how to handle herself with a mature male. Especially one she never thought she’d tolerate, much less come to like and respect.
She gave her head a shake. Maybe she was doomed to being likable and maybe even a bit charming—and alone.
Whatever...
It had been a long day. A hard day. But she had seen Jennie. And it seemed Dan believed her. George was here, and Dan was respecting his promise regarding George.
And still...
She felt she was living and breathing pure tension.
But over that, exhaustion.
Finally, she felt the comfort coming, the inability to open her eyes, the sweetness of sleep.
It must have been a deep sleep, because when she opened her eyes, she didn’t know why.
Then she heard it. Movement downstairs.
She shot out of bed, barely daring to breathe, terrified at first, and then remembering Dan was down the hall. She paused on the landing, her heart thudding so she was sure it could be heard all the way down to Bourbon Street.
“Katie.”
She heard his voice as he spoke her name quietly.
“You can come to me. I’m at the foot of the stairs.”
She pattered down quickly. He was just inside the front door. He had on his jeans, but his chest and feet were bare.
He had his gun in his hand.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“Someone was here,” he said, and he let out a sigh. “Around back. He was going for the back door.”
“But—”
“I heard him, but he heard me coming. He was gone before I could reach the door and get out. I’ve called Ryder and Axel. They’ll start a search of the neighborhood.”
She nodded. “Thank you,” she said. He was telling her a killer had come for her; the killer had been at her back door.
And she couldn’t seem to distract herself from his chest. He was very tightly muscled. He was bronze, and in the soft light, his muscles seemed to ripple and gleam.
She inhaled and exhaled. “You’re sure...you’re sure there was someone there?” she asked. “Monty might have let the dogs back out. They always like to check and see if I have a bit of a treat for them or something.”
“It wasn’t the dogs.”
“Maybe an ordinary intruder?”
He shook his head.
“How do you know?”
“He left a calling card. There’s an axe by the back steps.” He was quiet for a moment. “This wasn’t his only stop. There’s blood on the axe.”
The forensic teams went everywhere. Through the house, around the house, through and around the yard, and on to Monty’s place.
Luckily, it had been close to dawn by the time Katie woke and came down, and now it was getting light. Dan had already called in what had happened, and the teams quickly arrived.
Monty, up and over when he saw the commotion, was worried.
“It’s my fault! I let the boys stay in the house when I was out last night. I should have had them in the yard. It’s a mistake I won’t make again. And let the cops tear my place apart. If there’s anything to be found, I will be relieved and grateful to help in any way.”
He had an arm around Katie as if he were her father. Katie was trying to be appreciative and extract herself at the same time.
Lorna arrived for her carriage and mule, but once she heard what had happened, she joined Monty in
