Easy Fortune: A Boudreaux Series Novella

I’m on a freaking plane with Mason Coulter. A private plane, headed God knows where, and I’m not freaking out, which surprises me.

Yesterday, when I agreed to do this, I talked myself into seeing this as a great adventure. One I wouldn’t get to experience otherwise. I also foolishly believed that I could be alone with Mason and not want to climb him like a tree.

That last part isn’t true. Not at all. Because the man is sitting across from me, reading his iPad, sipping coffee. He’s in blue jeans and a simple, white button down shirt, untucked. The sleeves are rolled on his forearms, showing off his tan and the chorded veins that run from his hand to his elbow. His dark hair is a bit too long, but even without a fresh haircut, it’s sexy. He shaved this morning. And all I want to do is climb in his lap, push my fingers in his hair, and kiss the hell out of him. My whole body is humming in anticipation and excitement.

And sexual tension.

Mason is a toucher. He always was. He puts his hand on the small of my back to lead me to a seat. He covers my hand with his when we’re laughing.

He touches me all the damn time.

And I like it. A lot. Probably more than I should. I sneak another glance his way and am mortified to find him watching me.

“What?”

“You’re thinking awfully hard over there.”

“Well, I’ve been given a lot to think about over the last twenty-four hours.”

He nods. “What did the letter say that Alan gave you?”

I smile and cross my legs. “It’s a private letter.”

He smirks. “Okay. I can respect that.”

“Do you know where we’re going?”

He shakes his head. “No idea. But I’m excited to get there.”

“I can see that. You’re like a kid on Christmas morning.”

“It’s Christmas and my birthday, all rolled into one.” He sets his iPad aside and turns to face me. “When I was a young boy, I went on adventures with Aunt Claudia at least once a year. But once I reached about fourteen, she went less and less, until ultimately she was a recluse, staying home.”

“That must have been hard for her.”

“I agree, but she never complained. I think she just got older, and it was more difficult physically for her to travel.”

I nod and sip my water. “It sounds like you’re a lot like her.”

“I am.” He nods and smiles widely, which does not help the whole want to climb him like a tree thing. “I sent her photos and stories from my digs often, and she was proud of me.”

“Of course she was.” The plane dips. “Feels like we’re descending.”

He looks out the window and points. “Look. I think that’s Mount Hood.”

“Isn’t that in Washington?”

“Oregon,” he replies and smiles over at me. “Looks like we’re going to Oregon.”

“I’ve never been,” I say, suddenly excited again. “What could we possibly be looking for in Oregon?”

“A million different things,” he murmurs, still looking outside. The pilot comes over the speakers, telling us that we’re about to land in Portland. Mason grins. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yes.” I nod. “I’m ready.”

We’ve landed in Portland within a half hour, and as we leave the plane, the pilot passes an envelope to Mason.

There’s a rental car waiting for us. Once our luggage is loaded, and we’re in the car, he opens the envelope and I lean over to read it over his shoulder.

Your journey is just beginning. You must be starving. A little Seduction should satisfy you.

We frown at each other. “That sounds like a strip club.”

“Portland does have the most strip clubs per capita in the United States,” he replies, making me frown deeper. “But I doubt that’s it.”

“I hope not. It’s too early in the day for strip clubs. And I do not want to know how you know that little bit of trivia.”

He laughs and I pull my phone out of my handbag, typing Seduction and Portland into Google.

“There’s a restaurant here called Seduction.”

“That’s where we’re going,” he says. I pull the restaurant up on the GPS and it only takes us about thirty minutes to arrive there. We left so bloody early this morning that it’s still before lunchtime, with the time difference, when we arrive.

“They’re closed.” I point to the hours of operation on the door. “We’re too early.”

Suddenly, a woman appears and opens the door for us. “Are you Mason and Lena?”

“We are,” Mason replies.

“Great, come on in.” She opens the door wide for us to step inside, then locks it again behind us. “I’m Riley, one of the owners here. I’m to give you this envelope, and feed you before you go on your way.” She leads us to a table, already set with steaming plates of delicious smelling foods.

“You knew we were coming,” I say and Riley nods happily.

“Oh yes. This is fun. You must be excited.” Mason nods and thanks her for the meal. I had no idea I was so hungry until I dig into the food and sigh in contentment.

“So good.”

“Mm,” he says. When his plate is half clean, he opens the envelope, reads the clue and then passes it to me.

There’s a fire in you that can’t be extinguished, not even with all of the water in the lake. You will see.

I blink rapidly and hand it back to Mason. “What lake?”

He’s chewing, his brow furrowed, thinking. “I’m not sure. Crater Lake is very popular in Oregon, but I can’t think of anything with fire there.”

“Hmm. Fire. You will see.” I nibble on my lip and stare at my water glass.

“What are you thinking?”

“Well, this probably isn’t it at all, but the first thing I think of is a fire opal.”

“You get an opal out of that clue?”

“I told you it probably isn’t right. But fire opals are known to improve sight. They’re quite powerful. They also protect against disease and ease pain from grief.”

My eyes fly up to his.

“Ease grief,” he murmurs and takes his phone out of his pocket. “You’re good, Lena. There is a fire opal mine here in Oregon.” He smiles at me. “In Lakeview, to be exact.”

I gasp, and then clap my hands. “That has to be it!”

“I agree.” He punches more information into his phone and frowns. “It’s a six hour drive from here.”

I check the time. “That would put us there mid-afternoon. Would that give us enough time to find an opal?”

“It looks like the mine is open until six today, so we should have plenty of time.”

“Let’s go.” We finish our meal, and when Mason tries to pay, Riley just smiles.

“It’s all taken care of,” she assures him. “Have an amazing journey.”

There’s a bit of traffic out of Portland, but once on the freeway it opens up, and I sit back, content to watch the scenery as Mason drives.

“It’s so green here,” I murmur.

“It’s a beautiful state,” he agrees. He glances my way and then returns his attention to the road. “Tell me about yourself.”

I frown. “You know me.”