“The only reason any of you came out of the paintings is because you were in the presence of your fated true love. The only reason.”
Her words poked at his tender heart. He’d known he was in love with Jade. Was fate so cruel as to make him love someone who didn’t love him in return?
“Let it go, Seda,” Hugh said, seeing his anguish. “It will work out if it’s meant to. And if it’s not, he’s still free. That’s all you’re responsible for.”
“What do you mean, that’s all she’s responsible for?” Daniel asked.
Seda did something to make the car lurch and she looked anxiously at Hugh. “Yes, well, about that,” she said.
“It’s none of your affair,” Hugh thundered.
Daniel had only asked his question to get Seda to stop badgering him but this odd reaction chiseled through his self-pity and curiosity flared.
“If it has to do with me, it certainly is,” Daniel said. “How is it that you know so much about the curses that were set upon us?”
Seda put her hand on Hugh’s arm and looked back at him. With a deep sigh, she pulled into a side street and parked beside the curb.
“You may want to get out after I explain things,” she said sadly. “The reason I know so much about the curses is because I’m the one who placed them.”
Before Daniel could digest this bizarre information, Hugh whipped around and pinned his shoulder to the car seat. “Do not think of retaliating,” he said menacingly.
Daniel blinked, too confused to have thoughts of revenge. How was it possible? Was the wicked creature immortal? And why was Hugh still in love with her?
“How could you possibly forgive her?” he asked. It was the only question that could get past the dazed jumble of thoughts crashing around in his head.
“Have you heard of reincarnation?” Seda asked, twisting in her seat. “Hugh, let him go, he’s not going to kill me. Are you?” She said it only half jokingly. He shook his head and Hugh released him. “It’s a belief— well, I know it to be true— that a person’s consciousness can continue on after they die, by being reborn in a different body. Most people never remember their past lives.” She shook her head disgustedly. “Unfortunately, I happened to remember this particular past life and all the nasty things she did.”
“It’s fortunate for us, darling,” Hugh said, looking at her lovingly before turning to Daniel. “She found our paintings and rescued us by matching us with our true loves. It seems the witch had a twisted sense of humor.”
“True love is what freed me?” Daniel asked. He didn’t feel angry with Seda. It was clear she didn’t want the witch’s memories. And Hugh was right. It was the very best fortune that she’d found them. “But there must be another reason. Jade and I aren’t in love.” It hurt to say the words.
Seda put her head in her hands for a moment before restarting the car. “I just don’t understand it,” she said. “You’re sure you’re not yearning to be with her?”
He was yearning to be with her but he’d roll out of the moving vehicle before admitting it. He gave her a haughty look until she faced the road.
“Perhaps the witch cursed Daniel differently,” Hugh said when Seda kept muttering and shaking her head. “It’s clear he has no feelings for Jade.”
“No feelings whatsoever?” Seda demanded.
He’d be a cold-hearted bastard to say he had no feelings whatsoever and she’d never believe him.
“I only worry because of the escaped convicts in her neighborhood. She’ll be all alone,” Daniel said.
Seda infuriatingly looked back again. “Those guys were caught early this morning. She should be fine.” She gave him a long, searching look, as if daring him to admit he was more than concerned.
“Well, that’s good, then.” He looked out the window silently for the rest of the ride.
They pulled into a tidy house near the beach, albeit quite a way down the beach from Jade. He stood on the back deck and looked at the cliffs in the distance, still beautiful despite the fact they’d nearly stolen Jade from him. He shaded his eyes and tried to make out which of the houses dotting the craggy hillside was hers, but he couldn’t and eventually gave up.
Hugh brought him a plate with a sandwich on it, turkey and avocado, the same as what Jade had first made for him. Even the simple repast made his chest constrict. He pushed the plate aside.
“Don’t be a fool,” Hugh said. “Eat.”
“I’m grateful for your kindness,” Daniel said dully. “I’ll endeavor to be out from under your feet as soon as I can.”
“Stop being a ninny. You’re welcome to stay. Seda would have a fit if you left before she thought you were ready. And believe me, you’re not. I’ve been in this time three months and only just procured the necessary papers to gain employment. It’s a convoluted time, my friend.”
Daniel was pleased that Hugh had called him friend once more and took a bite of the sandwich. “Seda was right. I am heartbroken.”
“I’m sorry for it, but think of the alternative.”
He shuddered. Being in the painting. Was this pain worse than the five hundred years of solitary torture he’d been forced to endure? He honestly wasn’t sure at the moment.
“Will you help me procure these papers one needs to work?” he asked.
He was alive. Even though Jade’s rejection felt like it would kill him, it hadn’t yet. He had to do something to keep the pain at bay.
“Certainly. Seda’s already contacted the man who did mine. He’s a crime boss in London, very important.”
“Crime boss, eh? Sounds intriguing. You really don’t want to go back to our old ways? We had some good times, Hugh. Made a fortune.”
Hugh gave him a downright filthy glare. “I do not. We will make our fortunes the honest way in this time. I no longer have my titles to protect us.”
“Very well. I’m honestly grateful to you and Seda for helping me. It’s very kind.”
“It’s not kindness. I have to make sure you can pay back the gold you stole from me,” he said with only a hint of a smile.
It was a start. He wasn’t with the love of his life, but he was with friends. He’d have to make the most of his second chance.
Chapter 13
Three months later.
Jade pulled out of the country club parking lot, glad she’d decided to meet up with some of the ladies from her Women Business Owners club. It wasn’t anything to do with anything, no deals were made, but it was nice to sit in the sun and enjoy an iced tea and chat. She was also glad she hadn’t given up her membership when she’d broken it off with Reynolds. At first she thought she’d be shunned as the outsider, but after people offered their regrets about her relationship ending, no one said another word about it. It turned out she was the only one who thought she was only welcome there because of Reynolds and his family.
She confided this to a friend from the club, a nice forty-something woman who owned a cute boutique in downtown Annabel. Her friend’s jaw had dropped.
“Are you kidding me? Most of the people here are in awe of you. You’re Annabel royalty, Jade.”
Jade had nearly spit her drink at that whopper, but her friend seemed deadly serious.
“I wasn’t born into money, though,” she said. “I had to earn it.”
“That’s exactly why so many people look up to you. Reynolds inherited his money and his job, and look how that ended up?”
Jade had changed the subject then, not wanting to gossip about Reynolds losing his job after the scandal came out. The big boss and his VP wife were divorcing, their firm was belly up. Reynolds was working for his father in a lower level position than he’d previously had and back living with his parents. Not that it was any great hardship, since his parents lived in a mansion that made her house look like a studio apartment.
Still, it helped her to see there was no special magic about being born rich. It all depended on one’s character and that was something Reynolds had never worked on developi
ng the way he’d worked on his backswing. She went to the country club only once or twice a month, but never crossed paths with him or any of his family. All their perfection had been a facade. She had learned that all perfection was a facade.
Even though she still liked to look her best when she taught classes, she had stopped worrying about needing people to think she had a better life than she did. Her life was amazing, and if her mascara got smudged while she was working out, no one would die.
As she pulled into her driveway, she saw she’d missed a call from her lawyer. Her stomach dropped, always fearing the worst when he called. She knew she should call him back right away, but wanted to see what new things Seda had brought for the guest room remodel. Jade had a serious sit-down with her and had confessed she liked handmade quilts, among other less than stylish decor.
“I know I originally told you I wanted the oldest and best of everything, but I only thought that was what I wanted. I still want nice things, but I honestly don’t care for those gilded vases or the clock that used to belong to Thomas Jefferson. I’m really sorry to be one of those people who change their minds all the time, but I promise I’ll think things through better from now on.”
Seda had assured her she could find other buyers for all the things Jade rejected and now her home was both cozy and stylish. It seemed Seda could make anything work.
The guest room had an antique wrought iron bed covered in a magnificent crazy quilt. White eyelet pillows were piled against the headboard and above it hung the most recent acquisition, the thing Jade had been so eager to get home and see.
Jade’s eyes filled with tears when she saw the painting of the old wooden ship, gallantly making its way through a raging sea. The colors were dark and brooding, but the overall effect gave off a spirit of hope. She imagined the sailors on the ship all banding together to keep her and each other safe during the storm. Daniel would have loved this painting.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, overcome with an ache deep in her chest and the same longing she felt the day she’d said goodbye to him. She knew he’d been staying at Seda and Hugh’s, but her pride wouldn’t let her ask about him and Seda never offered any information.
Knowing she couldn’t possibly feel any worse, she called her lawyer back.
“Jade, do you know about Sports Max stores?” he asked without preamble.
She rolled her eyes. He needed to get outside more. Or at all. “Yes, Larry. It’s the biggest sporting goods chain in California. I get most of my shoes there.”
He actually giggled. “Good, good, this is good. If we can all agree, I wager you’ll be getting your shoes there sometime soon.”
She sighed, glad it didn’t seem to be bad news, but she wasn’t in any mood for games, either. Not that her lawyer ever played games. “What? Yes, that’s what I said.”
Once again he let out a little hoot of laughter. “Jade, they want to do a licensing deal with you. Exclusive. A blank check basically, whatever you want.”
“Licensing?” she asked, not having any idea what he meant. “Do they want me to teach at their stores? You know I don’t have time to teach at my own clubs.”
“No. They want to put your name on a line of shoes. Workout clothes, bags. All that stuff you active people need.”
“I don’t know. What if it’s made in some sweatshop? I don’t want the blood of children on my hands, Larry.”
“I’m telling you, they assure total control. You’d have final say on everything. You don’t like the factory, they’ll find a new one. They’re champing at the bit to get you. I think we can strike a very lucrative deal.”
She started getting excited. This was one dream she didn’t dare to think would ever be a reality. Her own line of fitness gear? Sure, she sold t-shirts and running shorts at her gyms, but Sports Max was where the masses shopped.
“And Jade, they’re expanding next year. Oregon and Washington. Eventually you’ll be nationwide if we do this.”
“You really want me to do this, don’t you?” she laughed, giving in to his enthusiasm.
“I want you to talk to them, yes. You know I’m not going to let you get into some bad deal. The richer you get, the richer I get.”
“I’ve always admired your honesty,” she said.
He chortled. “It’s why I had to get out of criminal law. Too honest. Should I set it up?”
She agreed to a meeting and asked him to have her assistant put it on her books. As soon as she got off the phone, her excitement evaporated and she felt as empty as ever.
Yes, her life was definitely amazing. Getting more so every day. So why wasn’t she ecstatic?
***
“Jade, anyone who really knows you can see you’re miserable,” Seda said, holding out the latest lampshade she brought for approval. “Look at the cute tassel,” she pointed out, as if she hadn’t accused her client of being a sad sack. “It’s from a nineteenth century geisha kimono.”
“Do you just randomly make this stuff up?” Jade asked. “Everything you get has some amazing or incredibly interesting attribute to it.”
Seda looked hurt. “That’s why I’m in such high demand. If you’re unsure of the quality— are you trying to distract me from making you admit you’re miserable?”
“Fine. I’m miserable. Everything’s going the best it’s ever gone. I’ve let go of a lifetime of emotional baggage. And yes, I’m still miserable.”
“Well, I have the answer,” Seda said enticingly.
Jade sighed. “Please don’t.”
“What? Please don’t invite you to an experimental restaurant opening that’s sure to be brilliant?”
Jade sighed again, this time with relief that she wasn’t going to have to admit Seda was right all along and that her life wouldn’t be complete without Daniel.
“Experimental restaurant?”
“Yes. You know Audrey, from Valhalla Cupcakes? Oh, of course you do, I forgot you both coordinated last month’s Women Business Owners planner meetup. Anyway, she’s been thinking about expanding. Opening the place up at night for dinners once or twice a week. Very exclusive, very high end. If it works out, she might do it every night or get a completely new location. The test run is tomorrow if you want to go. Hugh and Erik have been hanging out together a lot, they like to complain about modern times. So they’ll both be there. And Audrey of course.”
“That’s it?” Jade asked.
She wanted to ask if Daniel had anyone to complain about modern times with. If he would be there at the restaurant. She hadn’t seen or heard anything about him in months. Was he still even in Annabel?
“That’s everyone at our table. There’s going to be three other tables. You’ll probably know most of them at least by sight.”
Was Seda withholding information on purpose? No, why would she do that? She could only go on what Jade let her believe, and Jade had let her believe she was over Daniel. She was going crazy and did need a night out.
“Sure, I’ll go.”
“Good. Meet us there at eight and look fantastic. Audrey really wants this to be lavish.”
The next day, everything went wrong. Two of her meetings ran late and then a pipe burst in one of her gyms. She was run ragged by the time she got home at half past seven and considered bailing on the restaurant invite. But she wasn’t completely over her love of exclusive things. If the restaurant was as good as Seda said it would be and turned out to be a regular thing, Jade would wish she had been there for the first test night.
“Damn it,” she said, hurrying to get dressed.
She wasn’t sure she qualified as looking fantastic and she was forty five minutes late, but thankfully things weren’t running like clockwork at Valhalla Cupcakes, either. She weaved her way through the house-turned-bakery, admiring the old world decor.
A fire crackled in the fireplace in front of a stairway and the wall behind it was adorned with antlers and cute cupcake-themed cross stitch. It was as homey as could be, but at each table th
e guests were dressed as if they were at an inaugural ball.
“Did I miss a course?” she asked, seeing a few empty dishes on the table.
“No,” Hugh said grumpily. “Everything is late. Those plates had approximately four pickles on them and they’ve been licked clean.”
“It’s true,” Erik Agnarsson agreed. He was stunningly handsome, the epitome of a fierce Viking.
It was difficult to believe he made most of the cupcakes for the bakery, but he loved it almost as much as he clearly loved his wife Audrey, the owner of the place.
Jade’s stomach had been growling, but now that she was surrounded by deliriously happy couples, it turned over, all her appetite gone.
“Don’t worry,” Audrey said worriedly. “I’m sure it’ll be out soon. Let me go check. I can bring back more pickles.”
Erik placed his hand on her arm. “I’m sure the chef and waitstaff have it under control. We agreed if we’re going to do this restaurant it’s on the condition that you don’t obsess about every little detail.”
Audrey took a breath and smiled at him. “You’re right. No obsessing.”
A gong sounded, making them all jump. Audrey laughed. “That was actually my idea, but now I think I’ll tell them they can stop it. Good news is, it’s supposed to announce when the courses are ready.”
“Thank goodness,” Hugh said.
“You look great,” Seda leaned over and said. She looked especially excited about something. Perhaps she was just as starved as the others.
The first course was a cold soup, garnished with wafer thin radish slices. The light, delicate flavors danced on her tongue and despite her loneliness at being surrounded by couples, her appetite came back. After the first course, everything was on track and there was no more waiting. Food flowed from the kitchen, course after course of scrumptious dishes.
Before dessert, Jade shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “If I had known how delicious it was all going to be I wouldn’t have worn this painted-on dress.”
Renaissance Rogue (Cursed Painting Book 3) Page 11
