Return To Maine Chapter 10
A/N: So sorry for the delay in this update. I had expected a few days delay to catch up and craft this chapter, but did not plan on getting sick in the process Feeling better now, but getting back into the flow of things may be slow.
I had originally planned to take each of their destinations and craft a story around each destination, but we'll have to see how it goes. I plan on finishing this story, but the ending may come a lot sooner than I anticipated.
With the news that ABC, Nathan and Alexi Hawley are bringing a new dramedy in 2018, I wish them all well and as much as I love and appreciate Nathan's many fine talents, this sounds like Castle 2.0 and I'm not sure I can get behind it. I will give it a decent shot, though. As divided as this fandom is and it is split, I see some of the Castle writers either getting behind "The Rookie" or "Absentia", which I am all for and support, but as for me, I think this author will stick to Castle fan fic. At least for now. Eagerly looking forward to Absentia whenever it airs and who knows, once I've viewed "Absentia," maybe write some fics on that as well. Castle pretty much ended for me in season 7. In my opinion, if ABC and Alexi Hawley had planned or known that Stana and Tamala were not to return, they should have planned season 8 to give us a much happier and more satisfying ending than the two minute happy ending that we got. It could have been handled entirely differently and as loyal fans, we deserved that. Just my humble opinion, which matters not.
To all reviewers and guests, your words, your support and encouragement means the world to me and there aren't enough words to thank you enough. Without your support, this story would not exist, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As I was writing "For The Love of Kate" and decided to write this sequel, I did a ton of research on the state and ran across Acadia Magic, which after entering my email received many brochures and guide books as well as Googling the area and have used these as my references. I have used original landmarks for this story, but the rest is all fiction. If you're like me with a curious mind and wanderlust running through your veins and want to see pictures, Google the areas. It looks to be a beautiful, scenic and idyllic place that I'd love to visit sometime. Hope you enjoy this chapter and as always, thank you for sticking with me.
Travel was relatively light as they traveled along Route 3 from Ellsworth to Trenton and crossed the Mount Desert Narrows, leaving the mainland behind and onto Mount Desert Isle.
"I still can't believe that you managed to get us Hotel accommodations on such short notice on a holiday weekend. So, who's the guy?"
"What? What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Oh, come on. You're always bragging that you know a guy, so who is he this time?" she asked, amused.
He laughed, nodding at her tease and answered, "There is no guy, this time. I don't know anyone that has any connections to Maine."
"Come on, babe. You can tell me. There has to be someone that you called in for markers against a gambling debt, someone that owes you a favor…" she smirked at him.
"Nope. Nothing like that, I promise. Other than Stephen King, I know no one from Maine and he and his wife are abroad right now." he said, grinning at her.
"Then how did you even pull this off?"
"I don't know. It has to be…"
"Don't say fate or coincidence. You know that I don't believe in that."
"I don't know, honey. Luck? Good timing? I'm leaning towards luck."
"Luck? Is that what you're going with?"
"What would you call it? Even I can't believe that I was able to score us a hotel room for two nights plus two dinners for two on such short notice."
"Wait! You said two?"
"Yeah. I was hoping for 1 each, but was offered the option for two and I snatched it."
"You know, I'm not complaining, but the cabin isn't that far away. We could have just as easily stayed at the cabin and driven here each day, I would have been fine with that."
"I wouldn't have been. Do you know why?"
"No. Why?"
"Because the cabin is a little over an hour's drive away and that's 4 hours give or take that would have cut into our time together. We have such a short window of time and I'd much rather we spend that time doing more fun things than driving back and forth between destinations. So when the hotel told me that they had just had a last minute cancellation, I jumped on it, "
"You're right and I'm glad you did. Thank you for this weekend, babe. So, where are we going to be staying?"
" We'll be staying at The Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center. According to the desk clerk I talked to it is located at 119 Eden Street. He said that Route 3 turns into Eden Street once we enter Bar Harbor and that we can't miss it if we stay on Eden. "
Kate fished her phone out of her purse and googled the hotel name . "Yep. This will be impossible to miss. According to this, it sets on 12 acres of oceanfront property overlooking Frenchman Bay."
"Well, that explains The Oceanside in it's name. I wonder what the rooms look like. I tried to get us a suite, but those were all booked up."
Astounded, she glanced over at him. "Babe, we don't need a suite. Besides, with so much to see and do, I don't think we'll be spending that much time in the room."
"No. I suppose you're right. As long as it's a clean room with a clean bath, I'll be satisfied."
"Of course, I'm right." she said, scrolling through the pictures on the hotel's website. "This isn't some cheap hotel with dingy rooms. Here, take a look." she said, holding her phone up for him to glance at.
"Okay. Wow! That's more than what I was expecting."
"Rick, what exactly were you expecting? You inquired about a suite! The last time I checked, flea bag hotels usually don't have suites."
"Well, you never know. Bar Harbor is a seaside resort town and a flea bag hotel could offer up a suite that they don't have to swindle tourists out of their money."
"Now, does that look like a flea bag hotel to you?: she asked, flashing him a picture from the hotel website.
"I'm just saying that it's a possibility for a hotel to do that. Not that this particular hotel does that."
"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough." she replied as they passed the Welcome To Bar Harbor Gateway to Acadia sign.
Bar Harbor was a charming, quaint community and everything you'd imagine of a northeastern harbor town. From the more modern buildings to the stately colonials and colorful clapboard facades, with the lobster boats and yachts out in the Atlantic, the cries of the gulls as they soared above the ocean and, the smell of the sea all added to the appeal of Bar Harbor and made it so unique.
Bar Harbor exuded a slower and simpler way of life that added so much more to the appeal of the small city that was a far cry from the busy hustle and bustle of Manhattan and one that Kate could really appreciate. In spite of the rustic and historic feel of this city, she got the impression that this city was proud of it's eco- friendly way of life, as it should be. Aside from tourism, Mainers believed in making their living from the sea and off the land, using the resources at hand for a cleaner way of life that was better for the planet as a whole and that was a value that Kate could definitely appreciate.
It was just shortly after 10:00 a.m. when they pulled into the hotel parking area. A huge stone fountain spewed water from it's top and graced the lush green, well manicured lawn against the brilliant blues of the sky and the Atlantic Ocean creating a spectacular view of the hotel's entrance.
They drove up the long drive to the Main Building which housed the Lobby and Registration Desk and parked.
Unfastening his seat belt, Rick exited the car and came around to assist her from the car.
Upon entering the beautifully furnished lobby and taking in the surroundings, Kate muttered under her breath. "Care to change your speculation about this being a flea bag hotel?"
"Touche."
As Rick was signing into the hotel, Kate wandered farther into the lobby and found brochures on both Bar Harbor and Acadia as well as some on the hotel and it's amenities and slid them into her purse.
Rick came up behind her and slid his arm around her waist. "Ready to go, honey?" he asked, holding the key card in his hand.
"Yeah" she nodded, linking her arm through his.
There was only six buildings on the property, but they were nicely spaced a good distance apart, and if she had to guess, there was probably an acre of land between each building . Their building was in the Atlantic building which was the third building down from the main building.
They pulled into the parking area in front of the 4 story building and parked. The lot had ample parking in front of the building, but that was more apt to change as the day wore on and more visitors arrived.
Ever the gentleman, Rick exited the car and came around to help her out of the car. They grabbed their bags from the car and headed to the main entrance to the building.
They entered the building and found the elevator. "Our room is on the fourth floor. The front desk said that it is the sixth room on the hall and overlooks Frenchman's Bay with our own private patio."
"Sounds nice." she said as they stepped into the lift and it began to rise.
"I still wish I could have gotten us a suite."
"What? Why? We don't need a suite, babe. I get it. You are used to having the best there is and you want to impress me, but babe, I don't need all of that to be happy. You've already impressed me years ago and since then, you've impressed me in all the best of possible ways. Just the thought that you've wanted to give me this on our 8th month anniversary as a couple astounds me and makes me love you even more."
"Really?"
"Really. You always had my heart , even when I was too blind to see it. I don't need a suite, babe. Being here with you is all I need."
"I love you." he said. leaning in to kiss her.
"Love you, too. More than I can say."
A/N: As this chapter is so overdue, I am going to end this chapter here and begin chapter 11. Still hoping for a one chapter a week and hoping to have the next chapter up by Sunday.
Yesterday a lone gunman shot up a small church in my home state of Texas, killing 26 people and injuring 25 more. Twelve of those killed were children, ranging in age from 18 months to 14 years of age and the oldest member to die was 77. I can't believe we are going through this madness again just 5 weeks after Vegas and just a week or so after a terroristic attack on New York My thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of these senseless and violent acts.
Unfortunately and sadly, this seems to be the world we live in now. You aren't safe no matter where you go, even in a house of worship. This is a world wide happening, so wherever you are reading this from, know that you are valued, you are important, and you are loved and appreciated and my prayers are with you always.