AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jordyn sniffed and elbowed him. “Come on, love. It’s not so bad. I’m sure you and Ryland will have a lot of fun. And if it becomes too spooky, you’ll just have to step in and protect us from harm!”
That caught Brandon’s attention. “Spooky? Harm?”
At the potential danger, his body tensed, but Leanna was quick to intervene. “Don’t worry, Brandon. I’ve made reservations for a private ghost tour. It’s a small company but with rave reviews. And all proceeds go to a local non-profit, which for me was the selling point.”
Jordyn leaned forward. “Leanna works at Houston Cares, so she’s biased. Why don’t you come with us, Brandon? It’ll be lots of fun.”
Brandon was tempted. He had nothing else to do, no one to go home to. Working hard at preventing an image of Noelle from invading his thoughts, the decision was easy to make.
“I’m sure it’ll be fun. Thanks! At least you’ll have three guys at your disposal if ghosts and vampires decide to come after you.”
CHAPTER 5
Humidity still filled the night, but as soon as the sun had set, the temperature cooled, and a soft breeze made everything more comfortable.
Noelle had chosen an emerald green flowy dress. With its long skirt, bell sleeves and cinched waist, she loved how it fit her luscious curves perfectly, enhancing her best features while giving her that romantic and ethereal look she was going for.
With her hair falling down her back, she walked toward the meeting point with a spring in her step. Tonight was precisely what she needed to empty her mind and make her world right again.
At night, she adored how the city switched energy, vibrating with a kind of magic that couldn’t be found anywhere else.
In the tiny side street, she slowed down, enjoying the deep perfume of a magnolia shrub peeking from behind a fence. She tore a delicate blooming branch of white flowers and twisted it into one of her long tresses, making sure not to be seen.
Lost in the moment, it was the vibrating phone in her bag that dragged her back into the present.
“Hey! Noelle! I’m so glad you picked up. Marina and I are going out for a drink if you’re interested. I wasn’t sure if you were scheduled to work tonight or not.”
It was impossible not to smile at Roseline. The loveable goof had the mind of a machine at work and of gruyere cheese away from her beloved computer. “I can’t remember the last time I didn’t work a Friday night, Rose. You know how much people love ghost tours, and that formula, with the private tours, is bringing more money in than any of our other fundraising efforts.”
“Not to mention that people love the way you present the tours.”
The praise warmed her heart. “If the group I’m heading to isn’t into it, I’ll join you later. No promises, but you never know. Text me the address, just in case.”
“Will do! Have a good tour, and if you see Dominique, say hi for me!”
Noelle giggled. “If I do, she’ll probably send you a love potion again, so be warned. Bye!” From an early age, she had a special attachment to New Orleans’s history and its magical lore. The poor little girl from the bayou, living in utter squalor, saw the big city as some new Eden, where all her dreams were possible. She believed in magic, and it helped her hold on to her hope and courage to finally seize the life she wanted for herself.
As she took a deep breath with a smile, Noelle rounded the corner and saw the group of people waiting on the corner. The reservation said Mrs. McSheehy and a party of four, but she saw five people. Not that usual.
“Hello! I’m Noelle, and I’ll be your guide for this ghost tour of the French Quarter.”
Her welcome held strong until one of the participants, a tall blond man, turned and looked at her with undeniable surprise.
“Lieutenant Turner! What are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing. I’m here with my friends. They reserved the tour.”
That brought her back to the task at hand. “Sorry about that. We received a reservation from Mrs. McSheehy?”
A lovely brunette stepped forward. “Me! It’s me. You know Brandon?”
Before she could get her words in order, Brandon nodded. “Yeah, we work together. Noelle is part of the CSI team.”
As if that explained everything, the four people with Brandon lightened up and started shaking her hand. In a joyful cacophony, they each introduced themselves to her. There was Mrs. McSheehy, Leanna, who was the wife of one of the two gentlemen. Ryland McSheehy had a firm handshake and a warm smile with glittering eyes that went to Brandon as if he knew a secret.
Jordyn, the other woman with kind eyes and a soft smile, was charming and beautiful, but maybe a little less chatty than Leanna. The man by her side had a light hold on her. He was as tall as Brandon and had a tattoo on his left arm, but the energy emanating from him was steady and robust. “I’m Nico Maldonado. Glad to meet you, Noelle.”
Brandon stood slightly apart as they chatted, hands in his pockets, and a definite air of worry in his eyes.
