When she looked back, her first reaction was to dissolve into laughter, but seeing the dark look on Aleksei’s face, she knew it would be a bad idea.
“You should have told me that after your training session, you were going sledding.”
Harsh words spurted through clenched teeth, and Catriona knew that he’d reverted to Russian. Eyes on her, he dusted himself off. His winter boots weren’t laced, which didn’t help to keep him upright. Even with his hood on his head, she could see his wet hair and how his body steamed in the frigid air.
“You should go back. You’re going to get sick. You’re all sweaty and it’s a bad idea for you to be outside in this weather.”
“Then come back inside.”
“I’m just going around the corner. Is there something you guys haven’t told me? I’m not against security, especially when going through sensitive data, but…
“I’m freezing here, woman! Damn it! Just lead the way!”
His outburst didn’t frighten her but made her move. With a concealed smile and a grumbling Russian by her side, Catriona turned the corner and hurried toward the church entrance. Once inside, she exhaled, warming up a little even though the place was still cool.
Aleksei stepped back, his low voice incredulous. “This is where you wanted to go?”
Ignoring him, Catriona looked around. The church was quite small, more the feel of a chapel, but in its simplicity, it felt appealing.
Even at this early hour, a few people were sitting in the pews. She didn’t know if she’d missed the mass, but that wasn’t why she was there.
As she approached the altar, each step was like a soothing balm, as it always was when she entered a place of worship. She sat and simply closed her eyes, and time became suspended. It wasn’t praying. She knew how to pray, but she much preferred emptying her mind and hanging on to the peace. Was Aleksei still there? Had he gone back to his home? At least the church was warm enough if he wanted to wait her out.
It was the sound of shuffling close beside her that broke her inner stillness and made her open her eyes. Half-expecting to see Aleksei, Catriona blinked when she noticed a red-haired lady smiling at her. The color leaned toward eccentric, but the older woman had a kind expression and friendly smile that made her eyes sparkle.
“I come here every chance I get, and I haven’t seen you here before, child. I’m so happy you found our little chapel; most young women of your age seem to abandon such places.” As the sound echoed in the small space, the lady giggled, immediately lowering her voice. “I’m Hazel.”
Catriona took her offered hand and shook it. “Catriona. I like churches. They’re very calm and peaceful. The perfect place to think.”
“At such an early time of day? When I was younger, I couldn’t wake up for mass, even if someone pushed me out of bed. Now, sleep evades me, and I come here. It’s strange the way life works, or dare I say, God works in mysterious ways. Let me know, dear Catriona, why your handsome friend is not coming and sitting by your side?”
Catriona looked back at where Hazel was pointing and saw Aleksei pacing by the door, arms crossed and an annoyed expression on his face.
“He respects my choice, and wants to keep close, but his support stops there, I think.”
With a conspiratorial wink, Hazel nodded. “My man didn’t really like coming to church but did it for me too. And even if he comes and let you pray to your heart’s content, that certainly means that he loves you.”
She didn’t wish to contradict the older woman and only nodded. Aleksei was only here to protect her, there ended his devotion. He would probably give Liam an earful when they got back, but she didn’t mind. She needed prayer like others needed sleep. It was a part of who she was.
“I won’t disturb you any longer, but I’m glad I met you, Catriona. I hope to see you again soon.”
The woman made her smile as she waltzed clumsily out of the pew toward a side door. Catriona found that the image of the kind stranger remained with her a long time, and knew it meant she’d developed a connection with that person. It was the same feeling she’d felt when she’d first laid eyes on the Chicago detective.
The chapel was calm again, but the smile lingered. It lingered still when Liam came to her mind, or more accurately, the memory of their kiss.
Not that she’d never kissed a man before. Several years back, before her studies, when she’d been undecided about staying at the convent, she’d gone into the world, as they’d suggested. Being surrounded by women most of her life, finding herself in the company of men had been exhilarating on so many levels, especially being as inexperienced and naive as she’d been. It had been thrilling but disappointing. When she’d looked at the options before her, either remain within the welcoming arms of the nuns to continue her studies or leave everything behind to embrace life on the outside with a man and raise a family of her own, the choice had been clear.
Still, even when she’d made her decision, Mother Superior had stopped her from taking her final vows. Catriona pressed her for an explanation but obtained none. How could Mother Superior doubt her faith when she was so certain of it? Until the very instant when Liam pressed his lips against hers, nothing had ever shaken her decision. Now, a crack had appeared.
How could it be? Despite her pushing that annoying thought away, she knew the reason why. It was because of what it triggered inside her. She’d never felt like that for a man before, and she didn’t know how to deal with it. Could it have brought her to Chicago to test her faith? Was this what Mother Superior had meant when she’d prayed that Catriona would receive confirmation if she were meant for the convent? Sending another prayer for guidance, she didn’t hear Aleksei settling beside her. When the opened her eyes, disconnecting herself for her fervor, she jumped a little at his imposing presence.
“I’m freezing my ass off, little one. Can we go back now, for fuck’s sake?”
The curse should have made her frown, but looking into the silver eyes of the Russian, she couldn’t discern intentional disrespect. He’d followed her outside with barely a hoodie and pants, still sweaty from his training. When she put a hand over his, his fingers were cold.
“Your hands are like ice. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about your comfort, that was selfish of me.”
Without knowing why, the frown on Aleksei’s face deepened, as if he were becoming even angrier. He mumbled something in Russian she couldn’t make out and pulled her up before putting his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. She guessed that it was his way of telling her it was time to return home. Fascinated, Catriona followed. How similar Aleksei was to Liam, and yet how different. Whatever God had sent her way, the task would be both incredibly arduous, and immensely entertaining.
