Chapter Eleven
True to his word, the following night Kate sat in a window seat overlooking the ocean. The smell of salt in the air and the sound of the waves splashing onto the beach was relaxing. Rick's beach house was not the grand mansion she'd pictured. It was like a doll house she had as a child that had become larger. The first floor was one huge room that held the kitchen, a dining area and living room/library, very similar to the loft. The kitchen had glass doors that led onto a large patio that wrapped around most of the house and the pool. It was a large in-ground heated pool that had a small hot tub beside it; both of the pools were surrounded by a tall wooden fence for privacy, a lush green lawn and shade trees. Kate smiled when Rick gave her a quick tour; she saw a picnic table and a pathway that led to the beach and even a tree swing. It was very late when they arrived and watching him on the brief house tour, she knew he was very tired. Trying to be conscious of his daughter's feelings, Rick brought Kate's bag to one of the guest rooms. As he left, she saw a touch of sadness that they wouldn't be sharing a room. Kate also saw his playful wink, when he gave her the room right next to his.
Kate continued to sit in window, as she watched the tide get higher and higher on the beach. Unable to sleep, there was finally time to try and sort through everything that had happened in just the last twelve hours. Today was not what she had expected. Kate woke up on Rick's couch to the wonderful smell of fresh coffee, bacon and pancakes. Rick and Alexis moved around the loft kitchen in a well-practiced dance to prepare breakfast. Watching them work in comfortable silence was fun. It wasn't until Alexis turned to put dishes on the breakfast bar that she noticed Kate was awake.
"Hey, Good Morning! Dad told me that your new apartment was broken into yesterday. I'm so sorry."
"Good Morning, Kate!" Rick walked to her carrying a cup of coffee. "As I've already told Alexis, there has been yet another change in today's plans. The Wicked Witch of the West Side, otherwise known as my editor Gina, called to remind me of several book signings I have to do before we can go to the beach. Mother and Alexis will be coming to the two events in the city and then they will take the limo to Long Beach. While they have a leisurely lunch, I will be toiling away charming my public, having my picture taken, and signing hundreds of books. Paula thought it was a good idea if you came with me to some of the signings, Kate. So the fans can meet Nikki Heat in person, so to speak."
"In other words, Dad couldn't bribe us to go to all the signings he has to do today and is sucking up to you to keep him company."
"Snitch!" Rick stuck his tongue out at his daughter.
"I don't mind helping out but I really don't have the right clothes…I could go back to my place….." Kate was confused as to why anyone would want to meet her.
"Don't worry, Paula and her crew have this whole process down to a science! She will have clothes for all of us. She also brings a hair stylist, makeup crew, along with a van full of photographers to each location. You change in the limo, smile and wave at the cameras, and then try to find a comfortable place to sit with a good book as you wait for the long lines to slowly disappear." Alexis punctuated her comments with a very phony wave and smile.
"It won't be that bad, Kate." Rick tried to calm the look of panic on Kate's face. "Most of the locations are smaller stores on Long Island. We will be in and out in no time. When we meet up at Long Beach, as promised Alexis gets to drive the Ferrari with me and you can relax for awhile in the limo with Mother. The last stop is in Brentwood; after that Paula, the limo and van head back to New York. Mike will meet us there with the SUV filled with our luggage and then it's onto the beach house and summer vacation. With any luck, we will be to the house before sunset. Pancakes are ready, let's have breakfast. Alexis will you see if your Grandmother will be gracing us with her presence any time soon."
Kate enjoyed being back at the Castle breakfast table. She stayed with the Castles briefly once before, when her first apartment was damaged in an explosion. It was fun and reassuring listening not only to Rick but Alexis and Martha talk about all the signings they attended and survived. They had barely finished breakfast when Paula arrived.
The next several hours were a blur of clothes changes, hair and makeup touch-ups and what felt like many thousands of photographs being taken in front of the stores, in the stores, with some of the fans and with Rick. How Rick remained so charming and cheerful was beyond her. After the first few stores, she was just...numb. The lines at the first two stores were over a hundred people long. Some wanted a book signed; others also wanted a picture with him. Later, at the smaller stores, Rick introduced her as the inspiration for Nikki Heat and Kate lost track of how many books she signed.
Then as suddenly as all the craziness started, it was all over. Kate sat at a quiet seaside restaurant having a blue drink with way too much rum in it. Alexis and Martha ordered dinner as Rick said goodbye to Paula, the limo driver and her gang. Mike arrived a few minutes later; Alexis hugged him and introduced her favorite driver to Kate. Rick came over, he and Mike spoke quietly for a few minutes and then Mike walked away. Rick joined the ladies as dinner was served. Alexis and Martha, as veterans of many book signings, told Kate several ridiculous stories of some of Rick's more rabid fans which kept them laughing through dinner and then dessert.
Rick cleared his throat. "A toast to my beautiful and brilliant graduate!" He stood and took her hand. "Alexis, I thought long and hard about what to get you for graduation. With the help of your friends and mine, and mother of course, I decided to give you the freedom of choice. With my gift, you can come or go as you please anywhere, anytime but know this, if Columbia isn't right, you don't have to stay. You don't even need to wait until I come to pick you up." Mike drove up in a cream colored mini-cooper. "I am so proud of you Alexis, I know you will do well but please be happy and have fun."
Alexis ran over to the car and then back to her father to hug him as he handed her the keys. The car had light tan leather interior and even had vanity plates that read ALEXIS. Kate wasn't even aware she was crying until Martha gave her a napkin. "He does have his moments. How about we take the SUV and drive to the beach house. He will want to drive with Alexis, make sure she likes it and knows how to drive it. Mike will follow them to the house with the Ferrari."
They all arrived in time to see sky glow bright orange as the sun set. As the glow faded, purples darkened to blues. After the quick tour, Kate was shown to her room, she unpacked and got in bed but her mind wouldn't let her sleep. Right now she felt overwhelmed and alone. Moonlight slowly brightened the room and Kate noticed a key in the door lock to the adjoining room...Rick's room. Kate slipped from the window seat, walked to the door and turned the key. Opening the door, she saw Rick waiting in bed.
"I've been waiting, hoping that you'd open that door. Another few minutes and I would have knocked because I really need to hold you, Kate...please?" She was across the room and in his arms in seconds. Rick pulled her against him and she could hear his heart pounding. "I was so scared today; even with Mike and his team watching for Maddox...but it worked and we safe here at least for now. No one can get onto the property without being seen."
"You planned all of this...last night while I was sleeping. I don't suppose it ever occurred to you to let me in on the plan or that you had security on me."
"I just wanted you to have one day without any worries. Later when you've had time to relax and regroup, we can brainstorm on what we know, figure out what we don't know and what our next step will be. I know, I go overboard sometimes...OK most of the time but I love you, Kate. You're not alone anymore. I'm here. I will always be here for you."
Kate was annoyed at being left out of the loop about today but hearing Rick apologize, her heart melted. "Thank you for today...and for the key."