-Thank you all again for your kind reviews. It really keeps me motivated. I too was glad to see Vanessa go--wonder if we can trust her to stay away? I still don't own the characters but playing with them is fun.

Chapter 4

"Come with us, Brendan," Daniel was begging his friend. "It will just be a nice friendly gathering, in an informal setting."

"A nice friendly gathering... with whom?"

"Well, Sarah... You know Sarah, don't you?"

"I've met her briefly, yes."

"And her friend, whose name escapes me at the moment, but just the two of them."

"I don't know, Daniel, it sounds a lot like a fix-up to me." The tall seaman shook his head.

"Where did you learn a phrase such as that?" Daniel teased him. "You sound like my students. But I honestly don't believe it's a "fix-up" as you put it. Sarah just wants her friends to get together and I thought you might like to come, that's all. And it would give me someone to be on my side if the conversation should turn ugly, which it is wont to do when you are in the presence of two females, Especially two females who know each other well."

"All right, I'll come, but do we have to dress up?"

"No, Sarah says casual. Just lunch at the Black Steed. What do you say?"

"It can't hurt."

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure why, but he hadn't wanted to meet Sarah's friend without someone else there. It wasn't that he was afraid to meet her, but well, he couldn't explain it. Vanessa had not shown up again since her departure a week ago and he did not miss her. As before, he couldn't help but think that not marrying her was the best thing he had ever done. He had spent the week finding out more about who he was now: getting to know his students and learning important things — like his finances. He did own Gull Cottage and had left its care with Claymore. He still wasn't sure why he had left Schooner Bay, but apparently had moved to Boston five years before, gotten a job teaching school, and started a new life. Claymore owned half of Schooner Bay and from his notes had offered to buy Gull Cottage from him several times.

He received a rent check for the cottage once a month. The check was written on Claymore's account, but clearly stated it was for Carolyn Muir's rent. Why didn't Carolyn write her own checks? That was the number one question that kept bothering him. It also seemed a bit odd that his home had required no repairs in the last five years except for a new roof, but since he wasn't there, who was he to question? He needed to know why he had left Schooner Bay, but figured there would be plenty of time for all of that later.

He had shut himself away as a ghost, and in his seclusion, had learned that being with others was a sweet part of life. Now that he was, well, living, he wanted to get out and know people again and he felt it was very important to keep his friendships with Sarah and Brendan alive. How he could reach Carolyn still haunted him however, keeping him awake more than one night. A widow, Claymore had said, her husband having died a year ago. But Carolyn's husband had been dead two years before she had even moved to Gull Cottage! It was all so confusing, and he missed her so! He didn't know he was capable of needing someone this much. But instead of feeling weak and ashamed, he felt exactly the opposite.

"So, when do we leave?" Brendan cut into his thoughts.

"Now's as good a time as any." Daniel reached for his coat.

"I hope they have a good dessert."

The Black Steed was crowded when they arrived, and they had to wait in line to even get in the door. It was no surprise the pub did such good business; it had been in the same family for more than seventy-five years and the food and service was top-rate. Both Daniel and Brendan now had vivid memories of coming here most Saturday nights and Daniel remembered bringing Sarah here on their first date. He had never brought Vanessa, he thought now as they made their way through the melee, looking for their table. He spotted Sarah in a back booth and headed in that direction, Brendan joking about if he got lost would Danny send back a search party, when the captain froze in his tracks.

"What's the matter, Danny?" Brendan could see his friend seemed unsure, and if he wasn't mistaken, flushed.

"I can't go over there." Daniel Gregg shook his head.

"Why not?" Brendan hoped he didn't sound uncaring, but he was hungry and really wanted to sit down. But he looked over in the direction that he knew his friend had been heading and saw two beautiful blondes, one of which he knew was Sarah. They were talking and laughing as women were wont to do. The other one had a different kind of beauty than Sarah, her hair framing her face, the blue of her sweater complementing her fair skin.

"She's not bad to look at Daniel. Surely you can get through one dinner."

"It's Carolyn," he said softly.

"Your Carolyn?"

"Mine," He nodded. He looked over at her once more. Just then, Sarah saw them and jumped up out of her seat. "Over here!" she yelled out and they had to go.

They sat down on the other side of the booth; Sarah started to make introductions, but she noticed that both Daniel and Carolyn were staring at one another in rapt attention. "It's you." Carolyn said in a whisper, before turning bright red and moving her head away.

"Daniel, this is Carolyn Muir," Sarah finally finished, wondering what was going on. "Carey, this is my good friend and colleague, Daniel Gregg."

"Daniel Gregg," she said, in that same low whisper, and he felt his senses come alive at the sound of her voice. Taking the hand she offered, he kissed it before he remembered he should shake it, but did not want to let it go.

"But, of course you aren't THAT Daniel Gregg," she backtracked.

"Which Daniel Gregg?" he asked, his heart beating so hard he was sure everyone could hear it.

"My... I mean the Daniel Gregg... no. I'm sure you're not." She shook her head.

"I might be," he said, looking straight into her eyes. Oh, how he had missed looking into her eyes! It was his Carolyn; a little thinner, a little more tired-looking, but definitely Carolyn.

"Carolyn is visiting here from Maine," Sarah began, not sure what to say. The look between her two friends had started out warm and was getting hotter. "Um, Brendan? Would you like to go and get drinks with me?" she asked the other man.

"I would love to." He got up, offering her his hand. "Usual for you, Daniel?"

"Yes, thank you," the seaman nodded, not wanting to take his eyes away from Carolyn's face.

"Are you him?" she asked, looking sincere, but then she started to laugh. "Well, I know you aren't him, him, but you do look like him. So much like him, but I don't see how..." Her voice trailed off.

Brendan and Sarah neared the bar, both looking back at the friends they had left behind. "Did you have the feeling that we weren't even needed there?" he asked as he ordered their drinks.

"I did. I wanted them to get along but, wow!"

"Daniel really needs this."

"So does Carolyn."

Daniel turned around and looked over toward the bar for a moment before putting his attention back on Carolyn. "They are talking about us." He pulled on his ear.

"I know," she smiled. "Gloating probably."

"What did you mean when you asked me if I was him?" he had to ask.

"I rent a beautiful house in Schooner Bay called Gull Cottage. In the living room is a portrait of the most magnificent man, and you look like him. But you aren't him; I mean you aren't, are you? Of course you aren't."

He hesitated before answering, not sure what to say. "I own Gull Cottage and the man in the portrait built the house. His name is Daniel Gregg, just like mine, and he loved that house as I do. And I'm most delighted to hear that you do as well."

"Oh, I do," she smiled. "I hope you don't think me forward, after having just met you, but if you love the house as you say, then why don't you take better care of it?"

"I beg your pardon, Madam," his eyes were flashing fire. "I give money to Claymore for any repairs he says are needed and the only one he has asked for was the roof, two years ago."

"There isn't a new roof on Gull Cottage," she shook her head. "And the one it has now leaks like a sieve. Every time it rains we have to get out practically every bucket and pan we own just to keep from sinking into the ocean."

"Impossible," he growled. "Why I spent more than a thousand dollars on that roof. And he told me it was metal and even who put it on."

"I can promise you Captain, the roof is not new, nor is the hot water heater or the electrical system or the plumbing." She couldn't stop the words from coming once they started. "I love that house, Mr. Gregg, but I don't have the money to keep it up." He loved the way her eyes flashed, the determined set of her chin, the curve of her lips as they moved up and down while she talked.

"I will look into this, Mrs. Muir. I promise."

Sarah and Brendan came back, handing out the drinks just steps ahead of the waitress who took their orders. Talk fell to the upcoming holiday, the teachers' relief at having three weeks off and Brendan's relief that electronics were a hot item for the holidays. Carolyn was overwhelmed at the events of the day and happy for the company. She tried not to look at Daniel Gregg, but couldn't help it, noticing he was doing the same thing with her. Maybe he didn't think her outburst was so strange. Or maybe he thought she was the strangest thing he had ever seen.

Brendan paid the check with Daniel fighting him for it, but losing. The four of them moved through the now not-so-busy place into the cold sun. "So what's on the agenda?" he asked, turning to his friends. "Daniel, why don't we take the ladies down to see the window displays? What do you say?"

Sarah gave her yelp of approval, but it was soon evident that neither Daniel nor Carolyn was listening. She was standing where the sun was shining on her hair, Daniel's eyes riveted to the small finger that was pushing it behind her ears.

"Or not," Brendan shrugged.

Sarah took his arm and they started to walk away; neither one of their companions noticed until they were out of sight.

"I guess they had plans." Carolyn felt nervous again.

"I guess so." He felt nervous as well. "Would you like to go see the window displays?"

"Very much."

He felt his heart stop when she tucked her hand inside his arm; their bodies moving closer as they walked. He suddenly felt ill-at-ease, but relaxed all at the same time.

"I would like to get to the bottom of the problems at Gull Cottage." He felt this was a safe subject.

"I didn't mean to complain." She looked up at him. "It's just that I love that house and I hate to see it fall apart. And well Claymore has led me to believe that you don't really care about it. And I know that the seventy-five dollars I pay you per month isn't a lot, but surely some of it could go for repairs. I mean, you do have a job for the other things."

"I don't charge you seventy-five dollars." He shook his head. "I looked last night to make sure; the rent on Gull Cottage is fifty dollars. That's what the checks are for: fifty dollars."

"I can promise you Captain Gregg, I give you seventy-five." She stopped after they crossed the sidewalk, reaching into her purse, pulling out a small checkbook. "See? I have the check right here, I forgot to give it to Claymore before I left." Sure enough the check was made out to Claymore Gregg and signed in her beautiful signature, and was made out for seventy-five dollars.

"I'm beginning to smell a rat."

"I should have known." She shook her head. "I feel like I've been taken. When I first rented the house, we were so anxious to just get there and move in, and when I asked Claymore for the address to send the rent to, he told me he would take care of it. And to tell you the truth, I was relieved it was one less thing to worry about. But since, well, since I'm alone now, I guess I have a bit more time to pay attention. Oh, I feel like the prize idiot!"

"You shouldn't." He squeezed her hand, noticing that her fingers stayed curled up inside his fist. "It's not your fault. Claymore can be quite the bilge-rat. I promise I will have a talk with him. And I can also promise that I will have everything fixed as soon as possible. We must have a safe place for you and your family."

Carolyn felt her knees quiver as she looked up at him, her heart flipping over like a tidal wave. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, Daniel."

"No need... Carolyn," he assured her. "It's my responsibility and my pleasure."

While they looked at the various displays — one clever store showing the story of A Christmas Carol, he couldn't help but feel the thrill of being with her. He had wanted to be able to walk like this with her for so long that it seemed like an eternity. And now it was happening. He briefly wondered why trumpets or bells hadn't gone off at their first touch.

"My children would love to see this," she said shyly, as they stood at the traffic light waiting to see what delights were to be found on the other side.

"Sarah said you had two?" He was glad that he had a reason to discuss the children. He wondered how they were getting along.

"Yes, a boy and a girl. Candy is the oldest — she's ten and Jonathan is eight."

"Do they like living in Gull Cottage as much as their mother seems to?"

"Candy loved it from the start but she still gets a little antsy around the Captain's picture in the living room. Jonathan likes to tease her that his ghost lives in the house and I let him unless he really gets out of hand. His father wasn't able to play with him in the last couple years of his life, although they did take walks every day and still did some fishing, but the Captain is a good companion for Jonathan, even if he's not really there. Does that sound silly to you?"

Daniel Gregg tightened his grasp on her arm, feeling like he might cry. "No, I don't," he managed to say through the lump in his throat.

A new set of windows they passed were brilliantly decorated with lights and all sorts of party scenes and she smiled seeing them. He smiled seeing her smile. "I used to love throwing Christmas parties." She looked up at him. "We would have a few friends over, grill some steaks, make drinks — one year my friend, Suse, and I invented a new kind of cocktail. It was good, but, boy, was everyone bombed that night!" She laughed. "We would decorate the house in evergreen and holly and had a tree in the living room and one in the den. But a nice quiet Christmas is good, too. We get a tree and it looks so lovely beside the fireplace and last year I made a wreath for the front door. Claymore didn't like it so much, but I thought it was pretty good. And of course the best part of Christmas now is watching the children open their presents."

It was getting dark as they left the store and he asked if she might like to get a cup of coffee, and then they could see if they could find their friends. She said she was a bit chilly and would appreciate something warm to drink. He led her to a small café, where he got a hot chocolate and she ordered coffee with cream. He watched as she blew on the liquid to cool it and he was overcome with a desire to kiss her. It was a strong desire and one he had to fight. "Is it good?" he asked instead.

"Very," she smiled. "Thank you." They sat there in quiet companionship until the clock struck six and she looked up, startled. "I better get back to Sarah's. We are supposed to go see the Nutcracker tonight and I don't want to be late."

He laughed at the irony of the ballet and laid a few bills on the table as payment. "Allow me to walk you there?"

"Thank you, Mr. Gregg, but I need to stop and pick something up very quickly and don't want you to go out of your way. But I am so glad to have met you, and I'm glad that perhaps we can figure something out about Claymore and the house."

"I guarantee you something will be done about Claymore and house. Enjoy your evening." He smiled, thinking if she were Carolyn, who she was, she would want those few minutes to think about her day and needed to be alone. "I had a most enjoyable time."

"I did as well." They shook hands, their fingers lingering for just a moment and their smiles shy as they withdrew from one another.

"Might I ask you to join me for breakfast in the morning?" he asked, suddenly. "We could... um... We could talk about Claymore."

"I'd love to."

"Wonderful! Nine o'clock? I'll pick you up at Sarah's."

"I'll be waiting."

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Carolyn tried to watch the Nutcracker but she couldn't seem to concentrate on it. Every time she sat back in her seat and told herself to watch the dancers, he popped into her mind. Him, in all his glory, his soft blue eyes, his amazing voice, the feel of his hand on hers.

Stop it Carolyn, she chided herself but it didn't work. She was completely and totally infatuated with the man and she might as well enjoy it. It wasn't every day that you met a charming man who made your heart do flip-flops. It might be a lot like being in high school, but maybe she didn't care.

At the intermission, she got up and followed Sarah out to the refreshment counter where they both bought a glass of white wine and looked around at the table filled with Nutcracker merchandise.

"They are very good, aren't they?" Sarah said about the troupe. "The girl that plays Clara is in my American Lit class. I need to tell her how proud I am of her. She's always so quiet in class."

"I'm afraid you wasted your ticket on me." Carolyn ran her finger around the rim of her glass. "I'm not very good company tonight. I'm sorry."

"I did think you looked a little preoccupied," Sarah nodded. "Bad memories?" She hoped not. She wanted Carolyn to be having a good time.

"No, good memories. I'm half ashamed to admit it, Sarah, but I can't get Daniel Gregg out of my mind. He's just so... well, he's just so... magnificent." There, she had said the word out loud and was still alive.

Her friend gave her a smile and hugged her shoulders. "So, you liked meeting him, did you? I knew that you would get along! I just knew it!"

"Don't gloat." Carolyn smiled. "But, yes, we did get along... very well. And I can't wait to see him again. There, are you happy?"

"I am. However, I am afraid to say that while I waited for you to get back this evening, I called Daniel and asked him if he would come over for breakfast; him and Brendan, but he said he had plans. I'm really sorry about that, but I tried."

"Don't be sorry," Carolyn grinned, taking a drink of her wine. "He has plans because he's having breakfast with me."

"Oh, Carey!" Sarah gave her a big hug this time, almost spilling the contents of both of their glasses. "I'm sorry!" she grimaced as she looked for a napkin to catch the dribble that was making its way down Carolyn's blouse. "I was just so excited." She bit her bottom lip. "Breakfast!"

"I know. I'm excited, too," Carolyn admitted, laughing in her joy. "Now he did say it was to discuss business and I know that, but it also means getting to see him for a while longer. I just can't explain it to you, Sarah, how important that is."

"I don't think you have to," her friend told her. "I know Daniel Gregg fairly well, and he is a very special man. And you are a very lucky woman."

"We aren't eloping for heaven's sake," but Carolyn was grinning. "We are just having breakfast."

"Great things can happen over scrambled eggs and bacon." Sarah took their glasses and set them on a small table. "Intermission is almost over."

"I'll try to be a better guest this time." Carolyn linked arms with her friend's. "Now tell me again about Clara."