Chapter 14

Daniel and Carolyn were back at the hotel room where she was taking her afternoon rest. There was a knock on the door. Nothing could be seen through the peep hole, but the captain sensed the presence of spirits.

"Yes? Who's there?" he spoke softly so as to not wake his wife.

"I-It's us," stuttered Elroy Applegate.

Captain Gregg opened the door to see the two human spirits and one big, black horse spirit. The mighty horse pushed his way through and walked right into the hotel room, coming face to face with Daniel. Goliath let loose of a loud whinny and gave his seaman a head shake. Carolyn woke up with a start.

"Yes, Goliath, I know. Shhhh… I didn't forget about you. It's been busy, my friend." He gave the horse some ear scratches and pats on the neck.

"Daniel, what's Goliath doing in our hotel room?" Carolyn rose from the bed with a yawn, stretching her arms. She walked over and gave the horse some pats before making her way to the seaman's side.

"Actually, my dear, he is chiding me for my lack of attention to him."

Carolyn lightly laughed. "We can't have that, can we? I need to compete with him for your affections, Daniel?" She gestured to the horse.

"You know better than that, my love. Just don't tell him. Horses can have big egos," Captain Gregg pointed out as he himself stood a little taller.

"I see," she observed. Carolyn also knew of someone else who could have a big ego.

"Come on, Goliath. You need to go back outside." He guided the strong spirit horse outside and into a grassy area. "Wait here for me." The horse bent his long neck over to consume the fresh green grass.

Elroy, Lilly, and Carolyn followed their leader. Applegate produced the cash and gave it to his Captain.

"The t-tack is in the hotel room, sir."

"Very good, Crewman Applegate. I give you my thanks." Captain Gregg was not sure, but it seemed easier to convey his appreciation to the jittery seaman. Perhaps the humble pie wasn't tasting as bad as it had previously.

"Would the two of you like to go off and sight see for a while?" He gave Lilly some money. Since she was able to become corporeal, Lilly could make purchases for her and Elroy.

"I want some new socks. Ones that stay up," Elroy stated. Lilly laughed and the pair went on their way.

"Come, my love. We have some purchases to make." Daniel offered his arm to Carolyn who readily accepted. The pair walked over to the docks where the Spirited was tethered. Small waves were causing the boat to gently rock.

After some haggling and with the strong presence of cash, Captain Gregg became the new owner of the gaff cutter. Carolyn slid the title and bill of sale in her purse. She was excited while her husband was on cloud nine.

The captain did some asking around and was able to locate a large heavy casting net for sale. He made the purchase.

"I just need to make a few alterations and I think that this should work just fine," he said.

"What are you making, Daniel?"

"Our ride home, darling. We're taking the ship back with us." He gave his wife a sly smile.

"I can't wait to see." Carolyn shrugged her shoulders, casting her eyes heavenward.

—

Captain Gregg had the large net spread over the grassy area of a park. He checked it thoughly for any weak spots which, when found, he reinforced. The perimeter needed his attention next.

Mrs. Gregg found a comfy spot to lie back and watch the clouds pass above her. She was thinking ahead about how her marriage to this unknown Gregg relative would go over back in Schooner Bay. Her obvious pregnancy was going to be fuel for all of the town gossips to fire off their busy-body mouths. General Milner was kind enough to have a foreign marriage license made up that would predate the conception of the baby. 'Surely that will keep some tongues from wagging, won't it?' Carolyn thought. 'We might need Claymore's help.' She closed her eyes and cringed.

Daniel Gregg watched curiously as his wife appeared to be having a conversation with herself and or the floating white audience in the sky above. Refocusing, he finished making the adaptations to the net. The captain froze time in the surrounding area and popped the net over onto his newly purchased ship.

After returning time to its normal sequence, he walked over to his wife. She was still in an animated conversation, and he sat down beside her.

"My dearest, you really do have a habit of speaking to yourself whether I am near or not." He gave her an affectionate grin.

Carolyn stopped in mid-sentence and sat up next to her captain.

He couldn't hold back and gave a muffled laugh. Mrs. Gregg scrunched her face, tossed her hair back, stuck out her tongue, and walked away from her husband. She muttered a few unkind words as he caught up to her.

"I shouldn't tease you, my love. Your self-held conversations are an endearing quality that I cherish about you." He picked her hand up and placed in the crook of his arm. They strolled over to a familiar restaurant to have dinner.

—-

Back in their hotel room a gentle breeze moved through the open sliding glass door.

Captain Gregg helped pack their bags. Clothes, shoes, and other items levitated themselves into the suitcases.

Daniel found his thoughts wondering in the direction of Gull Cottage and what life was going to be like donning the identity of a previously unrecognized Gregg. What would they have to face? A barrage of questions was certain. His desire for privacy would come under fire. As long as Carolyn and their child were not ridiculed, he would tolerate the inconvenience. The captain was hoping that they would not need Claymore's help. Running one hand through his wavy hair, the thought played out in his mind. 'One bridge crossing at a time'. He turned his attention to better priorities.

"Darling, if we have nothing else to pack, I will pop our bags over to the cutter." Carolyn did a last search through the room. With all in order, the luggage founds its way over to the awaiting vessel.

Lilly and Elroy met them where Goliath was grazing in the park. The horse was enjoying the green grass even though he did not need to eat. Evening was coming on, and visitors began to disperse. Taking the horse, the new crew of the Spirited made their way over to the docks.

Night was upon them. Just the cover Captain Gregg was waiting for to use his ghostly powers. Opening his arms wide, he motioned for the net to spread out beneath the cutter. Carefully, he pulled the it up and around the entire boat, encasing it on all sides. Bringing out the bag of horse tack, Daniel fished around for the pieces that he needed. Everyone else watched to see what the seaman was constructing. He attached a set of long reins onto the head harness and then supplied Goliath with a full body harness. With more leather strapping, he secured the boat and net to the body harness that wrapped Goliath's torso. Double checking his work, the captain made sure everything was ship shape and Bristol fashion.

He floated around to his wife and landed by her side.

"Are you ready to go, darling?" He grinned at her.

"In that?" She pointed to the boat and horse team.

"Trust me, my love. It will be a ride that you will not soon forget." The captain rocked on his heels with pride.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Carolyn muttered under her breath.

The seaman swept up his wife and put her in the boat, then hopped in himself. Elroy and Lilly popped over next to the boat.

"What do you want us to do, sir?" Elroy looked baffled.

"Follow us, invisibly, and keep watch," he instructed and turned to the horse. "Are you ready, Goliath?"

The horse gave a neigh and a head bob. With one hand, the captain motioned for the boat to rise. Out of the water it came and continued to rise into the sky, Goliath rising along with it.

Carolyn was on the verge of screaming and held on tight to her ghost husband. He let out a fiendish laugh just for fun. With one hand around his wife and the other hand holding the reins, he turned loose a yell to the horse.

"Hya! Take us home, Goliath!"

The muscular black horse began to pull the boat along. Slowly, at first, until inertia helped move them through the clouded night sky.

Carolyn had her eyes closed.

"Open your eyes, my dear! The view is breath-taking!" he urged his wife.

She opened an eye, just a crack. Then a little bit more, until both were open. Still holding fast to her captain, Carolyn caught her breath as she spotted the moon. It looked so close from their vantage point. She wanted to reach out and touch it. While she was used to Daniel whisking her off to places, this was different. 'Is this what it would feel like if you were Santa Clause?' she wondered.

"As we get further north, you will need to put your coat on and perhaps a blanket, Carolyn," her husband suggested. With her index finger and thumb making a circle, she gave him the 'okay' sign.

They watched as the mighty horse pulled the boat through the sky. By this time, he was in a strong gallop. It seemed almost effortless for the steed. This kind of work was Goliath's kind of fun.

Periodically, the clouds would clear and you could see the lights on the ground.

"Can anyone see us, Daniel?"

"No, my dear. We have no running lights!" He let out another laugh.

—

The clouds dissipated and the bright moon lit the night sky. The air began to put a chill in Carolyn's body. Captain Gregg had put her coat in arms reach and she scooped it up.

He brought her close, taking possession of her mouth. His free hand started to roam her body.

Carolyn laughed. "Daniel Gregg! You can't be getting turned on now? We have company. Remember? Besides, you need to pay attention to your driving," she chided him with a smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow and grinned at his bride.

Elroy turned his head away when he saw the kiss taking place.

Lilly saw the kiss too and wondered if they were going to do that 'married thing'. She flew several feet higher.

—-

As the flying boat drew closer to Maine, Captain Gregg gestured for Elroy to come over to the ship.

"Seaman Applegate, fly ahead and go into the barn. In the loft, you should find some wooden ship bracing. Set them up, and we'll place the boat on top. Understand?"

Elroy went over the instructions in his mind and gave the Captain a salute.

"Aye-aye, sir." Off he flew.

Carolyn put both of her arms around her husband. "We owe him a lot too, Daniel."

He looked at her with puppy eyes. "Yes. Don't remind me."

—-

After finding the braces and setting them up, Elroy alerted the family to their impending arrival. Everyone watched out of the windows as the flying boat came into view.

"I can't believe it! They really did bring a ship home!" Martha's mouth was agape, and brought her hand up to her forehead as if to check for a fever.

"Can we go see it?!" the kids asked their grandparents. They were nearly jumping out of their skins.

"Let's see what your mom and the captain want to do."

—-

Elroy was back at the barn and had flipped the switch for the lights to come on. For once, Daniel Gregg was grateful for the electric in the old barn. The tall doors that were custom made opened of their own accord. Releasing the ghost horse, he gently levitated the boat onto the awaiting braces. The captain built the braces and barn many, many decades ago just for the purpose of working on a ship when he retired. Fortunately, most of the braces were still usable. He would replace the ones that required it.

Elroy and Lilly helped the Greggs unload the boat and everyone popped into Gull Cottage. Hugs were passed around like lemonade.

"What did you bring back? Can we see?" The kids were wide awake even though it was late, and they were wearing pajamas.

Carolyn was ready to call it a day, and her husband could tell. The beginning of dark circles were forming under her eyes.

"I think that perhaps tomorrow will be better when everyone is refreshed, children." Captain Gregg took them in his arms. "How about I carry you both to bed?" He picked them up and carried them upstairs. Carolyn was close behind.

After tucking them in bed, Carolyn went to the bathroom to ready herself for the same. The captain went back downstairs to close up the house for the night. Elroy and Lilly had departed for the cottage where big brother ghost stayed.

Carolyn said her goodnights to Martha and her parents. She climbed into bed, relishing the soft cotton sheets that hugged her body. As wonderful as her wedding and honeymoon had been, it was good to be home and in her own bed. Daniel soon slid in beside her and brought her close. It was good to be home, indeed. Tomorrow would involve making more detailed plans for the families' future. All of the family.

—-

Meanwhile, in a hidden area of the spirit realm, detailed plans for the families' future were already decided by the spirit beings shrouded in black. All of the family.

—-

'Thank you for reading story #2 in the Entrapment series. I hope that you have enjoyed it. I will start story #3 soon. More drama and romance to come. Look for more twists, turns, and surprises! Please feel free to leave comments.'