A Different Shade of Pale

Chapter 37

A chilling breeze blew off the river, penetrating Kate's coat and threatening to chap lips already tender from the nervous application of her teeth. She leaned into the comforting heat radiating from Castle's side. "If we hold it outside in May we're going to have to luck into a warm day or I'm going freeze to death. The top of my mother's dress is sleeveless and all lace."

"Well you will have our love to keep you warm," Castle reminded her with a crooked smile, "but just in case, let's check out the carriage house and see what the set-up would be for an inside ceremony." Castle kept an arm firmly around her shivering body as they crossed the winter brown lawn of the Van Amstel Estate. The carriage house interior was an intense relief. Bright light was reflected in the warm sheen of of paneled walls and reclaimed hardwood floors. The heating system was both effective and quiet. A wide space would provide room for a satin covered aisle for Kate's passage to her groom and more than enough area to set up tables, without chairs and guests colliding.

Kate gazed at the gas-lamp style lighting now updated with electricity, and the vintage photographs decorating the walls. Closing her eyes, she could picture tables with delicate arrangements of flowers, and hear a band playing while she and Castle took the floor in their first dance as a married couple. "It's perfect," she whispered.

They were hailed by Carlton, the major domo, who approached clipboard in hand. "Ms. Beckett, Mr. Castle, I would have thought it impossible to get a date for as close a time as you are suggesting and this never happens, but a private corporate party we had planned for the third weekend in May has been canceled. It seems it's a matter of securities fraud and all their assets have been frozen. However, their loss can be your gain. We have a long waiting list, but since you are here, if you can give me a deposit tonight, the date is yours. Kate and Castle stared at each other in silent agreement and Castle pulled out his checkbook.

Kate settled into the heated leather seat on the passenger side of Castle's Mercedes as he headed the car back to Manhattan. "It's getting real isn't it, Castle? We've got a venue, we've got a date. It's like dream."

"Maybe that cancellation was a sign that having our wedding at Van Amstel was meant to be," Castle offered. "Let's just hope that when we start dealing with invitations, and booking a band, not to mention having Mother try to turn the occasion into the social event of the century, the whole thing doesn't turn into a nightmare. We do have a history of attracting the weirdest kinds of trouble."

Kate reached over to touch his shoulder. "Let's try and keep attraction just between us. Maybe we have actually caught a break for once. You know what? I'm going to call Maddie right now. She can start the ball rolling. We do want her to cater, right? Or were you thinking about Rocco?"

"Maddie does have to hire a new chef first doesn't she?" Castle pointed out. "But if she can, sure. Rocco has enough celebrity notches on his door posts, and I like your friend."

"I think she likes you too, maybe a little too much. I caught her checking out your assets and I don't mean your bank account."

"Why Detective Beckett, is that jealousy I hear? Well Maddie does have that cute little scar on the bridge of her nose and those blue eyes of hers are huge and..."

"Castle!" Kate hissed.

Castle pulled the car over to the side of the road and reached out to caress Kate's cheek. "Kate, women check me out all the time. After all, I am ruggedly handsome. And it's not as if men don't cast their eyes lustfully on your stunning presence. Even Carlton was doing it just now. I'm not interested in Maddie or any woman except you and I hope you feel the same way about me."

"Castle you know I do, or I would have never accepted your proposal." Kate released her seat belt and leaned across the center console for a kiss. Castle unbuckled and met her lips with his own.

Lost in the moment, hands began to slip under coats when blue and red flashing lights shocked them to awareness. A flashlight shone through Castle's window and Castle lowered it. "You folks all right?" a uniformed officer inquired.

Heat rose in Kate's cheeks as she produced her badge. "Fine officer, thank you. We just got some new details on a case and we were discussing them."

"Of course, Detective," the cop agreed with a flash of mirth in his eyes. "Well this stretch of road is pretty poorly lit. Some kid on a cell phone could smash into you, parked in the dark on the shoulder this way. You might find a safer spot for your - discussion."

Castle nodded vigorously, re-buckling his seat belt. "Yes officer, we will do that."

"Kate scrubbed her hands over her still warm cheeks as the blue and white drove off. "Oh Castle, he knew."

Castle started the engine. "Kate, who cares? We're engaged. We just set a date. We're entitled to a little - discussion. Let's just see how fast I can get us back to the loft to continue it. I wish I had your gumball. And a siren would be really great too."

"Castle, that would be a terrible abuse of police privilege."

"Like you've never done that before. I'll just have to rely on my finely honed driving skills."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Right."

Like a true born and bred New Yorker, Castle found the route where driving at the right speed he could make almost every light. He nodded briefly at the doorman at his building before he and Kate ran for the elevator. As the doors closed, Castle pulled at the belt of Kate's coat. "I can tell this is going to be a great discussion."

"Meaningful and productive," Kate added, reaching for the buttons on his coat."

Castle quickly worked his key in the lock as soon as they arrived at the loft door and sweeping Kate up in his arms, kicked the door open. Alexis looked up from the couch where she was curled up with a book. "Dad is everything all right?"

Castle sighed as Kate pushed against him to be set down. "Why do I keep hearing that tonight? Alexis, every thing is fine. Great! Perfect! Kate and I just have some things to discuss. Enjoy your book." He led the way on the short walk through his office to his bedroom and slammed the door behind them. "Third time's the charm."

"About our discussion or your marriages?" Kate asked.

Castle clicked the lock on the bedroom door, pulled off Kate's coat and his own and let them drop to the floor. Plunging his fingers into her hair, he framed her face with his palms. "Both. Definitely both."

"Castle wait a minute," Kate interjected, as his lips approached hers. "I never did call Maddie."

Castle lowered his head again until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. "Later Kate, much later." His muscles tensed as their lips finally met, dreading another interruption. No lights flashed. No cell phones chimed. No doors opened. He lowered her to the bed in blessed relief.

A/N Okay guest. Jealousy you wanted, jealousy you got, a least a little bit.