“I’m in room 2016. Like this year.” He was slurring his words badly and was now swaying on his feet. “You gonna come see me later?” The comically hopeful way he asked caused Tessa to laugh, which she tried to cover with a cough. “Hey, are you laughing at me?” He was about to fall again when security arrived and took over.

  “He’s staying in room 2016. Can you see to it that he gets back there safely and have Doctor Simons check in on him? He’s had much too much to drink.”

  The security team knew exactly what to do. They led the drunken man to the elevators. He serenaded them the whole way there and Tessa couldn’t help but chuckle. “Disinfect that bar top, would you please, Zach.” Tessa wrinkled her nose at him.

  “I’m a step ahead of you boss. I did it while you were handling our friend,” Zach smiled and winked at Tessa.

  “Oh, and Zach, one more thing. We don’t want patrons getting that inebriated. He should not have gotten to that point.”

  “I called security as soon as he showed up and I refused to serve him. Next thing I knew he climbed up on the bar and started singing.” Zach leaned on the bar as he spoke. “You don’t need to worry about me. I was paying close attention during training.”

  “I’m sure you were. I just had to be sure it wasn’t you who got him that drunk.” Tessa smiled warmly at Zach who happily returned to his adoring female audience. He flipped and juggled a few bottles, much to their delight, and continued filling drink orders. He was an adorable guy and the ladies loved him. He kept the bar filled with them from morning till night during their soft opening of the prior week, and it appeared now that the hotel was officially open, it was going to continue. Tessa stood back and watched him work his magic. The ladies had crowded around him, each vying for his attention. It appeared they were relieved that the crooning Scotsman had left and they had Zach all to themselves again.

  If the goal was to seamlessly transport people from twenty-first-century Las Vegas to seventeenth-century Scotland, from the looks on the faces of those entering the casino, she’d say they were very successful.

  “How’s everything going, Livia?” Tessa found the laird and his lady during a brief moment of quiet.

  “This is amazing! I can’t believe how many people have stopped to take photos.” Livia was smiling brightly at Tessa and then turned her radiant smile on Trevor. “Wouldn’t you agree, Trevor?”

  “Unbelievable!” Trevor chucked his lady under the chin. “It doesn’t hurt that I’ve got the most beautiful woman in all of Las Vegas playing the part of my wife. People are eating it up.”

  Tessa noted that the two had become quite close over the last few days of preparation and she hoped it wouldn’t all end in disaster if they tired of each other’s company. That wouldn’t be good for them or for the casino. She didn’t want to think that way though. Instead, she’d believe that if there was anything going on between the two of them that it would be a good thing and she was happy for them. Still, the way they looked at each other—Tessa wished her fiancé would look at her that way. She’d only been engaged a short time, but she didn’t feel as excited as she’d expected she would about getting that ring, and if she really thought about it, Danny didn’t seem as over the moon as she’d thought he would either. In reality, she was quite surprised by his proposal and even more surprised that she’d accepted. The whole evening had been a blur to her, like she’d been under some crazy spell and as soon as she was alone in her room she found herself wondering whether she’d made a mistake by saying yes. They hadn’t really been dating that long and the more she examined her feelings, the more she didn’t want to think about it. She chalked it up to all the excitement of the casino opening overwhelming everything else in her life. Now that they were celebrating their Grand Opening, Tessa hoped she could devote more time to her personal life and to Danny.

  “Is everything alright, Tessa?” Livia placed a gentle hand on Tessa’s arm. Tessa guessed that she was wearing her heart on her sleeve, as she was prone to do.

  “Things couldn’t be better.” She noted that Livia and Trevor exchanged questioning glances before bidding her goodbye and wandering into the crowd that had just made their way through the door.

  Putting on his best Scottish accent, Trevor called out to the crowd. “Welcome to ye! We’re pleased to have ye here in our home.”

  Tessa couldn’t help but smile. Trevor was taking his job as laird of the castle very seriously. She gazed at the crowds entering the casino, her eyes searching for the man her father told her was coming in to interview for the job as head of security. John had asked her to keep an eye out for him. She had absolutely no idea what he looked like, but she’d decided to stay by the entrance and see if she could spot him as he entered.

  Chapter 3

  The incredible heat beating down on Braeden as he opened his eyes was almost unbearable. He’d never felt heat like it before. He blinked a few times to adjust his eyes to the bright light and as he became more aware of his surroundings, he had a moment of panic. Where am I? Who are all these people? The loud noises that reached his ears were constant and came from all directions. Feeling the need to escape the incredible noise, odd smells and throngs of people, Braeden grasped the watch to his chest once more. Closing his eyes, he thought again of his mother, as his Grannie had instructed, and wished with all his might to be taken to the meadows. He waited a moment or two before opening his eyes again, but much to his dismay, when he did he noted that nothing had happened. He remained, as he had been, feet firmly planted in this strange place, unsure of what to do next and fearing that he may burst into flames at any moment.

  There were certainly no meadows that he could see. Instead, crowds of oddly clothed people surrounded him. The streets were filled with unusual carriages transporting people to who knows where and, strangest of all, he could see no horses pulling those bizarre coaches. The thought occurred to him that perhaps he was dead, maybe even a ghost, standing here among the living.

  “Am I dead?” He spoke the words loudly, startling those closest to him on the street who turned to stare, and then laughing turned away. They can see me and hear me. Surely that’s a good sign. Mayhap they’re dead as well. The last things that he remembered were the advancing Campbells and the sound of a gunshot. He had been quite sure he’d meet his end there at their hands and it was possible that he had, although he didn’t recall feeling any pain and he didn’t remember anything that had happened after he made the wish on his pocket watch.

  The crowds closed in around him and before he knew what was happening he felt himself being bumped and jostled in the direction of a large castle. He struggled to stand his ground, but to no avail. It was as if he had no will of his own as he was drawn along with the crowds, closer and closer to the castle doors. Strange thoughts assailed his brain. Was he in heaven… or hell? The uncomfortable heat and noise had him believing it was the latter, but a moment later he was shoved through a rotating door into the very cool interior of the castle. Were there castles in heaven? He stood wide-eyed and unsure of where to go, something that was foreign to him. Braeden had always been very sure of himself, but the wonder of all he saw stripped him of his confidence. He was happy to be away from the oppressive heat, but the crowds and noise still surrounded him, making it difficult to think.

  “You must be here for the security job.” A soft, feminine voice startled him back to reality. A beautiful lass with flaxen hair stood before him. “I like your attention to detail,” she said as she waved a hand in front of him. He was sure he couldn’t help the dumbfounded expression on his face. “Nice costume, but if you plan on working here, you’ll need the McTavish plaid. Follow me.” She began to walk away and Braeden felt compelled to follow.

  “Am I in heaven?” he asked, gaping at every extraordinary thing they passed. The lass gave him an appraising look back over her shoulder, before answering.

  “Funny. For some people it’s heaven and for others it’s definitely hell.”

  So heaven and hell were in the same place. He would never have guessed it. “Are ye an angel?”

  “If you’re trying to score points with me, flattery will get you nowhere.” The lass seemed to be getting irritated with him, but why? And what exactly did she mean ‘scoring points.’

  “I’m sorry, lass. ’Tis only that I’m new here and I’m unfamiliar with yer customs. If this is heaven, then it would make sense that ye be an angel.” He tipped his head, furrowing his brow in question.

  “Right. Have you just arrived from Scotland?” She continued walking and Braeden had to admit he enjoyed the way she moved in her unusual clothing and shoes. Her long blonde locks cascaded halfway down her back. She turned to look at him and he was taken aback by her beautiful sapphire eyes.

  “Aye. I have. Are there those who are here from other places?” He glanced quickly around at the others moving about the castle.

  The lass sighed. “Of course. There are people here from all over the world.” She nodded and smiled at people as they passed. She must be a woman of some importance here, as the others seemed to show her much deference and appeared eager for her to notice them.

  “I see.” He didn’t really see, but he could tell she was losing patience with him.“Where are we going?”

  “I’m taking you to see my father. He’ll want to meet you.”

  Her father? If they were in heaven, then that would mean… “Would that be our heavenly father?”

  Tessa snickered at his question. “Some people around here might think that, but he doesn’t like being thought of that way. He wants to be considered another employee like the rest of us.”

  “Employee?” So many confusing words entering his already addled brain.

  “I know. It’s kind of crazy. He is the boss after all and he owns this place, but he knows what it’s like to work at every single job in the casino and he empathizes with those who work here. They love him for it. You’ll see.”

  Braeden’s head was spinning. He really had no idea what was going on, but he assumed this boss would tell him.

  They came to a wall of doors and the lass stopped and nodded to others who were waiting. “I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Tessa McTavish.” She held out her hand to him, and he looked at it and then into her lovely face. She smiled reassuringly and he took her hand, bringing it to his lips.

  “I be Braeden MacDonald. I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance.” He released her hand and she snatched it back, appearing somewhat red in the face and flustered.

  The doors slid open and Tessa walked into a very small room. Braeden followed and jumped when the doors closed behind him. He didn’t like being out of his element and he certainly didn’t want Tessa to think him frightened or unsure of himself. She hadn’t seemed to notice. He stood with his back to the closed doors and Tessa stood facing him. Lifting a single eyebrow in apparent disbelief, she twirled her finger in the air, confusing him even further when she then ignored him, looking just above his head. He spun in place and gazed upwards, but saw nothing. Was he doing something wrong? Before he could ask her, the doors slid open again and she brushed past him as she left. He followed and was surprised to be in an entirely different place than when he’d first entered the wee space. Why had they gone in there? He had so many questions. He’d have to ask the boss when he met him. He didn’t wish to antagonize the angelic lass anymore than he already had.

  Tessa was heading down a long passageway with doors interspersed along the walls. At the very end was another beautiful woman, this one a red-head, seated behind a table.

  “Kelly, can you tell my father that the man is here for the security position he has open.”

  “Sure.” Kelly poked at something on the table and a male voice spoke from out of nowhere.

  “Yes.”

  “Tessa’s here with the man applying for the security position.”

  “Fine. Send them in.”

  Braeden searched high and low with his eyes trying to see where the voice was coming from. Was the man invisible? Kelly poked at something else on the desk and a set of double doors opened into another room.

  Tessa passed through them and Braeden followed. The room was large and had soaring windows that looked out on the unfamiliar place in which he found himself. Braeden couldn’t understand how he’d gone from the bottom floor of this strange castle to the very top without climbing any stairs. They were up so high. This really must be heaven.

  The man stood and held out his hand and introduced himself. “John McTavish.”

  “Braeden MacDonald.” Braeden grasped his hand and gazed questioningly into the man’s eyes. So he wasn’t God, unless, of course, God went by the name John McTavish.

  “I’ve been expecting you. Please have a seat.” John motioned to a most comfortable-looking chair and then sat down opposite him. “Tessa, you can leave us, but don’t go too far. I’d like you to show Braeden around should I choose to hire him.”

  “I’ll be right outside.” Tessa walked out of the room and Braeden followed her with his eyes.

  “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” John’s question seemed genuine, but Braeden was surely not going to speak his mind about the man’s daughter.

  “Aye,” was all he could think to say.

  “Braeden, I’m in need of someone to fill a security position. Do you think you could do that for me?”

  “Aye.”

  “You’re a man of few words. I like that. This job may not be as easy as it would seem.” John paused and Braeden wondered if he should say something, but thought another aye would not be called for.

  “I need someone to keep an eye on Tessa. To be her bodyguard.” In Braeden’s estimation, John McTavish was sizing him up.

  “Is she in danger, sir?” Who could possibly wish harm upon the lovely angel? Braeden still thought he might be in heaven and if so, then Tessa was surely the most beautiful of angels. Perhaps John was the one he’d heard about from the priests, the one who guarded the gates of heaven and questioned all those who wished to enter.

  “I believe she is. Do you think you have the proper qualifications to take on that job?” John tipped his head and cocked an eyebrow.

  “Aye. I do.” Braeden felt sure he could protect the lass without issue.

  “Explain.”

  After a momentary pause, where Braeden wondered what exactly he was doing here, he answered, proudly sitting taller and puffing out his chest. “I’m a warrior sir. I’ve trained since I was a wee one to fight for the honor of my clan. I’m an expert with sword and dirk, good with me fists. I willnae let anyone harm Tessa.” He said this with confidence, because he knew it was the truth.

  “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.” John’s gaze never left Braeden’s face.

  “Ye said ye were expecting me. How did ye ken I was coming?” He needed some answers and he hoped this John McTavish, whoever he was, could give them to him.

  “Where are you from, Braeden?”

  “Scotland, sir.” Braeden felt simple answers to be the best under the circumstances. He didn’t wish to say too much before he had all the answers he sought.

  “I know that,” chuckled John. “I want details. I want to know where you’ve come from, who your family is, why you’re here.”

  Braeden felt he had no choice but to answer truthfully. He was going to have to trust John McTavish, especially if he wished to continue his journey to the meadows. “I’m from Clan MacDonald, Glencoe,Scotland. We were under attack from the Campbells.” Memories flooded his brain with images he’d never forget. The sights, sounds and smells were overwhelming, but for now he had no choice other than to bear it. Through clenched teeth, he managed to choke out the rest of it. “I tried to warn the others, but I was too late. My Grannie gave me a special pocket watch and told me it would take me to the meadows.” His shoulders sagged as a deep sadness covered him in a blanket of regret. “It didnae work fer I’ve come here instead.”

  John laughed and shook his head. “This is the meadows lad. It’s Las Vegas the Spanish word for the meadows. Your Grannie was right in what she told you.” John stood and began pacing back and forth. “You were in the Glencoe Massacre.” He stopped in front of Braeden, eyeing him with what appeared to be a mix of disbelief and amazement. “I can’t believe it worked. I didn’t believe him when he told me, but here you are in the flesh.”

  Braeden sat completely still. He shouldn’t be surprised at all that this man knew where he’d come from. If he were truly God, or his right hand man, then he knew all. “Am I in heaven, sir?”

  John laughed heartily again. “I suppose it may seem that way to you, but no. Yer only in Las Vegas.”

  “My head feels addled. I’m not sure what’s happening to me. If I’m not in heaven, then I’m not dead?”

  “No. You’re quite alive. I’m amazed that it worked.” John shook his head in apparent disbelief.

  “What worked, sir?” Braeden had hoped for answers, but with every question he asked, he became more and more confused.

  “Call me John, please. Let me explain. You have a pocket watch.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  “Aye.” Braeden reached into his sporran and removed the watch. He clutched it in his hand, as it was the only thing that seemed real to him in this moment.

  “And how did you get it?” John McTavish was grinning from ear to ear and Braeden thought he might be about to break into laughter again.

  “’Twas given to me.”

  “Just as I thought. The watch you hold in your hands once belonged to an old friend.”

  Braeden controlled his reaction to this new information.

  “So, you were given the watch by…” John was making him nervous with the intensity of his stare.

  “Me Grannie gave it to me, sir.” Braeden feared the watch would be taken from him and he clutched it more tightly in his hands.

  “Do you know where she got it?”