Summer Mix

Chapter 45

The van arrived bright and early to transport Kate and Castle to their kayak adventure. Their guide, George Lee, was aboard, making sure releases were signed.

"This reminds me of when I started shadowing you," Castle told Kate with a smile. "The department pretty much had me sign my life away."

"Well Castle, it was a good thing they did since you completely ignored my instructions and went after a guy with a gun on our very first case together," Kate retorted.

"Hey, I got you a confession didn't I?" Castle asked. "Besides the safety was on."

"Castle, I didn't know that and you scared me to death. I was worried about you," Kate confessed.

"I know," Castle soothed, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. "You were always trying to keep me from getting killed, even when you wanted to kill me yourself."

Kate laughed. "Well maybe wound you a bit, for discipline."

"Wow!" Castle exclaimed. "That might have been fun."

The ride to the national seashore was long but beautiful. It was partially occupied by instructions from George as to safe conduct in a kayak. George also informed them that they were there during insect season, during which it was not healthy for the ponies to be too close to the water. To make his point, he handed out samples of the repellant he considered most effective against the insects in the area, which after his experience on Coogan's island, Castle accepted gratefully. There was considerable wildlife to be spotted even before arriving at their destination. George pointed out terns, swallows, and bobwhites during the trip and a honking flock of Canada Geese flying overhead required no identification. As they approached the brackish marsh, George handed out safety gear, informing them that it must be worn at all times.

The kayaks were flat topped and stable, specially intended for use by novices and George double checked their gear before they took to the water. They were treated to a show of laughing gulls, egrets, and herons. Kate was especially charmed to spot a swan, and speculated as to where its mate might be.

George suddenly signaled them to be silent. A small band of ponies, a stallion, two mares and their foals, stood at a distance from the water. They had the patches of color that indicated pinto ancestry, shaggy manes, and the sturdiness springing from their long subjection to natural selection. George and the Castles had stopped paddling to quietly take in the site. Kate snapped pictures and Castle took video until the ponies moved off, heading inland.

"Castle," Kate whispered softly, taking his hand, "Thank you for this. They were beautiful." George pretended not to notice as the couple kissed.

As they paddled their way back to their landing, George identified more species of birds, including a colorful glossy ibis, as well as the varieties of plants native to the area. After shedding their protective gear, the Castles settled in for the trip back to the inn, with Kate snuggling into Castle's shoulder as they held hands.

Except for toiletries and clothing for the day, Castle and Kate had done what little packing was necessary the night before. Castle called a prearranged car service to take them to the airport and he texted their pilot to let him know that they were en route.

The pilot of the small Kingman plane was a cheerful man named Clem. His co-pilot, Thad, sported red hair and freckles and reminded Castle of Howdy Doody. The pre-flight check had already been performed and the luggage was loaded quickly. The Castles took their comfortable seats for the slightly over an hour it took for the flight to Teeterboro Airport. A limousine was waiting to meet them to take them back to the loft. They snuggled into the rich leather seat together for the very last moments of their journey.

It was early evening when Castle's key clicked in the door. Before he could finish putting down the luggage he carried, he was immediately met by Alexis who collided with him in a massive hug. She hugged Kate as well, with a little less force. Martha swept down the stairs to greet them as well. "Well I'm sure you two would like a little time to settle in before you tell us about your trip," she said in an effort to restrain the questions tumbling out of the mouth of her granddaughter.

"Actually, Martha," Kate explained. "We're starved. We haven't had anything since breakfast except for some snacks the pilot had stowed on the plane. I thought we'd raid the refrigerator."

"No need," Martha announced grandly, indicating an array of containers on the counter. "When Richard called to tell me you were on your way from the airport, I ordered barbecue. I thought that would be something you wouldn't have in the islands."

Castle caught Kate's eye and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. "Right you were, mother," Castle said, kissing Martha's cheek. "The perfect welcome home."

Alexis immediately set the table, laying out a huge stack of napkins. Kate was glad to see that Martha had ordered chicken and brisket, so the meal was not a repeat of the one she and Castle had the night before at The Smoker. Martha poured red wine. Castle quirked an eyebrow at Kate as they both noticed that it was her favorite. Somehow, even with a mouth full of chicken, Alexis managed to pepper Kate and her father with questions about the murder on the Island Dream, having gotten some details from Lanie. Kate answered most of them, carefully crediting Castle with figuring out how to get the fingerprints.

Martha tentatively asked about Coogan Trace. Castle described the island and the scavenger hunt. "Did Coogan have a woman with him on the island?" Martha asked, somewhat to Castle's surprise.

"Mother, I saw a housekeeper, and he didn't have a female companion with him at dinner, other than that I really don't know," Castle answered carefully.

"Well," Martha said, "maybe I'll drop him a line."

Castle had some disquiet with idea, but he let it pass. Coogan could take care of himself.

In the rarest of occurrences, Martha offered to clean up, giving Kate and Castle a chance to escape further interrogation. Kate grabbed their go bag to unpack the few things that would be needed for the night and morning, noting that most of the rest of what they brought back was destined for the washer or the dry cleaner.

Castle closed the doors of both his office and the bedroom, creating a quiet space for himself and Kate. "Bit unnerving coming back to the Castle clan, isn't it?" he asked.

Kate nodded. "Castle it is, but this is really my home now. I've always known that Martha and Alexis were included the deal and that's fine. They're part of you. I love you, so I love them. Martha is also the closest thing I have to a mother now and that's kind of nice. I am glad we had some time to ourselves though and I'm going to hold you to your promise that we'll have more, on a very regular basis.

"Mrs. Castle," Rick said pulling Kate close, "that is one promise that I can't wait to keep."

A/N Time to go on to part 3, starting tomorrow.