Return To Maine Chapter 13
A/N: Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and a very Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate. So sorry for the delay as my writing had to take a backseat for a bit as I lost my younger brother 2 days after Thanksgiving, but trying to get back on schedule now. Hopefully.
I am so very thankful for each and every one of you ! You guys are such a blessing and bring so much joy into my life. Thank you all for all of your continued support.
Most of you know that I am a hard core Castle fan. I fell in love with Castle on March 9th, 2009. I've never been as invested in a tv show as I have Castle, nor do I feel inclined to invest in another this way.
That being said, I am committed to the show I fell in love with and will do my very best to keep the legacy that Andrew and Terri left us with alive. I hope other authors do, too.
And finally, to the Guest Reviewer who stated that they had read 353 stories in wattpad, that my story "For The Love of Kate" is among the top that they liked best, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart for your precious reviews and hope that you have discovered this sequel. "May the music never end and the dance never stop" per the wise words of our wonderful creator, Andrew Marlowe.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked, lovingly stroking the back of her hand.
"Reasonably sure, yes. I could be wrong, but I think we may be underestimating Captain Gates. I mean, we've been lucky that we've pulled this off this far and if the boys are already onto us, as they obviously are or else they wouldn't be snooping like they are. I don't know what they think they may have seen or heard, but whatever the reason, it's only a matter of time before Gates will pick up on something, too."
"What do you think she'll do?"
Kate shrugged. "I honestly don't know. The best case scenario is that she reprimand me with a temporary suspension and ban you from the precinct. Even if she does that, she can't stop you from meeting me there for lunch or from picking me up. I know that wouldn't be an ideal situation, but it's the best case scenario. Worst case scenario, she could fire me for breaking departmental rules."
"That's a huge risk."
"Yes, it is. But babe, I'm tired of having to always look over our shoulders. Being free to openly date up here and being up here with you has shown me just how much we've missed. I want to feel free to go to dinners, or concerts, or a movie, or to one of your mom's plays without having that burden on us."
Rick stared at her stunned before reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face, his fingers gently trailing down the side of her face to cup her face in his palm. He would bever have expected this out of her.
"If this is your final decision, I will back your play. I'd still like to keep this place our little secret a little longer, if you don't mind."
She grinned up at him. "I don't mind that at all."
"Good. Let's go enjoy our last weekend of secrecy."
"I haven't made my mind up completely on that, but yeah, let's just enjoy being here. That reminds me. If we have dinner reservations for tomorrow night, too then I need another dress and I saw a boutique just a few doors down from that diner. Maybe I could find something there. I can stop in there after our walk." she said, lacing her fingers through his.
"Do you want to go now? Because we can, if you want to."
"And give up our walk in the park? No, it can wait."
"Okay." he said, "If that's what you want to do."
"It is."
Village Green was a very small park, just over an acre square on the corner of Main Street and Mount Desert Street. A peaceful, serene little park in the center of town with stunning views of Frenchman Bay.
They strolled past people sitting on the park benches, quietly reading or just reflecting and taking in the views. Diagonal pathways bisected the small park with brightly colored flowers in many hues that bordered the cobblestone walkways.
In the center of the park there was a beautiful, antique, Italian tiered fountain and a bandstand a few feet away.
They walked up to look at the bandstand and another couple joined them. "I wonder if the town ever uses this thing." Rick said, turning to Kate.
"Yes, they do. During July and August. The town band performs free concerts here on Monday and Thursday evenings. Is this your first time here?" the woman asked.
"Yes. We're celebrating our anniversary. We're from New York." Rick answered.
"Anniversary, huh? Well, congratulations. My husband and I are from Connecticut and he has relatives that live up here so we come up as often as we can."
"I can see why. It's beautiful up here." Kate said.
"Yes, it is. Have you been to Acadia, yet?" the woman asked.
"Actually no. Not yet. We just arrived, but we're going to spend the day in the park tomorrow." Rick replied.
"Ah, I see. A day isn't much time, but since you're celebrating your anniversary, you must catch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. So beautiful."
"We'll be sure and do that. Thank you for that information."
"Come on, Joy. We need to stop bothering this nice couple and be going. I'm hungry and it's past noon." her companion complained.
Rick had to suppress his laughter by covering his mouth with his hand and coughing into it as Joy rolled her eyes, shook her head and replied, "Cadillac Mountain. First place in the United States that the sun rises on. You and your stomach. Coming, Steve."
Joy outstretched her hands and grasped both Kate and Rick's hands in a warm handshake. "Hope you both enjoy your stay. So sorry about Steve. Happy anniversary."
"Thank you. It was nice meeting you, too." Rick and Kate chorused as Joy took Steve's arm and sidled away.
They watched in amusement as the couple strolled back up the path with Joy grumbling, "Honestly , Steve! Is your stomach the only thing you ever think about?"
They watched as the couple crossed the street and entered a diner. Rick turned to glance at Kate who was smiling, biting down hard on her bottom lip, trying to contain the laughter that was threatening to bubble out of her chest.
"That is SO NOT US in a few years."
"God, I hope not!" she laughed, unable to contain it any longer, turning to look up at him.
God, she was beautiful! He loved every square inch of her. He could easily lose himself in her large, expressive, green eyes which would twinkle sparks of gold at him when she was amused and often remind him of a stormy sea when she was angry or hurt , and could darken to a dark emerald green when she was aroused. Not to mention the way her slim, curvy body slotted so perfectly against his.
But it was so much more than the physical. She was fierce when she needed to be, a force to be reckoned with, but soft and passionate, with a heart as big as all outdoors as well as being highly intelligent, she was witty and bright and funny and she could be mischievous when she was away from the harsh realities of this world. She was soft and feminine away from work, full of passion among many other fine qualities.
Kate Beckett made brought out the best in himself and made him want to be the best man he could be for her. He loved her with with every ounce of his being and he was confounded that she loved him, too.
Looking at her now with her teeth snagging into her bottom lip in that adorable way of hers, her eyes sparkling at him in amusement , all green and gold flecks made him want her even more, right here, right now.
She gasped in surprise as his hands bracketed both of her hips and he pulled her body snug against his and he lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue sweeping against her lips seeking entry until she opened to receive his kiss.
Moaning into the kiss, she stepped even closer into him, her arms winding around his neck, her fingers playing with the hair on the nape of his neck, the way her body responded to his kiss, nearly forced him to his knees.
"Wow!" she breathed when they parted for air. "What was that for?"
He shrugged. "Just because I love you."
"I love you too," she murmured against his lips.
Another couple walked up to the bandstand, but they were too engaged in their own conversation to notice or pay any heed to Kate and Rick. Still, the moment was interrupted.
He didn't want to let her go, but this wasn't the place for this. "Let's go see what else we can see." Rick said after a few moments, still reluctant to let her go, but pulled away in spite of his hesitance and offered her his arm.
"Okay." she replied breathlessly, linking her arm through his.
They walked up the cobblestone path and continued their trek north through the park.
They hadn't walked very far when Rick halted in his conversation, breaking his stride, causing her to stagger to a stop beside him. He inhaled sharply, "Well, I'll be damned."
She looked up curiously at him, her lips puckered around the word "what" that never left her lips.
"I can't believe it! They actually have a lane named after my favorite tv series!" Rick happily exclaimed, nodding to a street sign just ahead of them.
Firefly Lane. She should have known that he would respond this way. Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head at him. Of Course, that's what he would think of first.
"Come on, babe. You can't actually believe that this street was named for a sci fi western space movie that only lasted what 11 weeks? Babe, that's ridiculous!"
Thoughtfully, he nodded his head. "Okay. Okay. I'll concede that it may be slightly ridiculous, but I'm still excited!"
She giggled, "Just slightly ridiculous? Is that what you're going with?" He was such a nerd, sometimes, but she loved him. A ruggedly handsome nerd, but still a nerd.
"Come on, honey. You can't tell me that you wouldn't be excited if they had a Nebula 9 Avenue."
That was highly unlikely. Cities and townships didn't just name their streets after movies and tv shows, but still... Okay. So he had a point. She was as nerdy as he is. "Touche'."
"So, shall we go check it out?"
"Sure. Why not?" she grinned up at him.
"Thank you. Shall we go?" he asked, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
"Sure. Lead the way."
A few feet in front of them was a small building that housed the Acadia Information Center where they picked up a few maps and brochures for tomorrow's journey before venturing out onto Firefly Lane.
Firefly Lane was only about a block long in length, but had the Bar Harbor Fire Department, the Police Department, the Mount Desert Is Ice Cream Parlor, a cinema, a mexican restaurant, and a few shops, all displaying colorful hanging baskets, or flowers in clay pots outside their doors along with paintings of their shops done by local artists.
The lane ended at Main Street and instead of crossing the street, they stayed to the side, skirting the perimeter of the park.
At the intersection of Mount Desert Street and Main, they came across the town's gazebo.
As they stood there taking in the beauty and charm of the gazebo and the garden bordering it, Rick fished his phone out of pocket and brought up the camera, taking a picture of the gazebo. "Honey. will you go up in there and strike a pretty pose for me?"
She laughed, "Don't you have enough pictures of me on there, yet?"
"Ahh, so you have caught on to my little trick of snapping candid shots of you?"
"You're not exactly subtle about it, you know. I am a trained detective, you know." she said, teasingly, with a sly smile curving her lips.
"Well, when it comes to you, I can never get enough" he replied, waggling his eyebrows suggestively at her.
Kate grinned up at him. "Okay. Fine, but don't think that your safe word is going to work on me tonight."
"Like I'm going to need it. You'll be the one needing a safe word."
"Hah! In your dreams." she said, sashshaying around him swinging her hips in a seductive way as she stepped onto the gazebo.
She walked to the railing nearest to him, fluffed her hair with her fingertips and moistened her lips with her tongue before bending at the waist with her arm resting on the railing, propping her head against her fist and smiling at him.
Damn! She was smoking hot! He was one hell of a lucky man, he thought as he snapped the picture.
"You know what I'd really like?' she asked.
"No. What is that?"
"For once, I'd really love a picture of us together." she answered.
About that time, a man walking his dog was approaching, walking at a brisk pace.
"Excuse me, sir. We're celebrating our anniversary and this is our first time here. I was wondering if you could be so kind as to take a couple of pictures of us maybe standing in the gazebo?"
"Of course." the man agreed, ordering his dog to sit and stay. "And congratulations."
"Thank you." Rick said, handing the man his camera and explaining how to work the camera before joining Kate in the gazebo.
Standing behind her, he wrapped both arms around her waist, clasping his hands together in front of her and she automatically covered his hands at her waist with her right hand as they both smiled at the camera. "Your wish is my command." he whispered in her ear just as the camera captured the image, catching Kate's full blown smile.
"Beautiful pose. Now, if you will keep that pose for just a minute more, only the lady turn her head slightly so that she's looking up at you…"
They did as asked and the man captured the image on the camera. "Now, if you'll both turn to face each other… Perfect. Got it!"
They broke their poses and joined the man that had taken the pictures.
"I can't thank you enough for doing this for us. It means a lot." Rick said, taking his phone from the stranger and beginning to scroll through the pictures. "Wow! These are beautiful! You really know how to pose people."
"Well, I am a photographer and own a studio just up the block.
"Ahhh. I see. Let me pay you for taking these." Rick said, reaching into his pocket for his wallet.
"That won't be necessary. We didn't use the studio or any of my equipment. Consider it an anniversary gift."
"Thank you. That's very nice of you."
"You're very welcome! Congratulations on your anniversary and I hope you enjoy your stay." the stranger said, shaking both of their hands before continuing on his way.
"You're right. They are lovely shots and that was very nice of him to do this for us. You are going to forward these to my phone, aren't you?"
"Of course. It's getting late, though and we are going on a dinner cruise tonight, so we should probably head back to the hotel. " Rick replied, checking his watch.
The mention of a dinner cruise sent shivers up her spine. She had eaten at some of Manhattan's finest restaurants on dates, but never once had a date taken her on a dinner cruise or on a carriage ride, either. So this was a first for them and she couldn't wait to experience it with him.
"Sure, but we have one more stop to make before we head back."
"Oh, the boutique. Does that mean I can watch you try on dresses?"
"Nope." she answered, popping the " p" at he end of the wotd, taking his hand as they waited for traffic to pass and crossed over to Main Street.
On the sidewalk outside the boutique, Rick pouted, "Please, let me come in with you."
"No! Look, I know how much you like surprises. Don't you want to be surprised at what I buy?"
"Yeah. Okay… But what am I supposed to do while you're in there? Stand here looking bored?"
"I won't be long, I promise. Look, I know what you're trying to do and as adorable as your little pout i s, it won't work on me."
"Okay. Well, at least let me…" he said, f ishing in his pocket for his wallet.
"No! Absolutely not! You're not paying for my clothes, babe! I'll be in and out before you can even miss me. Now, be good." she said, raising on her toes to press a kiss to his lips before entering the boutique.
Having no clue of the layout of the boutique, she looked around for assistance, but all the clerks were busy with other shoppers.
Great! she thought. She really didn't like leaving Rick standing on the sidewalk alone and was hoping to get in and out as soon as possible, but it didn't look like that was going to happen.
She began skirting the aisles of the shop and checked a few casual wear items out. The clothes all seemed to be of good quality which was a good thing and they had a good selection, but not knowing exactly what to look for, not knowing the restaurant they were going to tomorrow night was a problem. She had no idea how to dress.
After several minutes of browsing, she was about to give up and wear the same dress that she had bought yesterday before leaving Manhattan in spite of wearing the same dress tonight which would be disappointing.
She let out a frustrated growl and turned to leave when one of the clerks finally approached. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. Yes, you can. I'm visiting from Manhattan with my boyfriend and we have dinner reservations tomorrow night at The Reading Room and I need something appropriate to wear." Kate explained.
"I think we can handle that. The Reading Room and The Rose Garden are the most romantic restaurants we have around here. While The Reading Room has a dress code, it's nothing more than a nice dress for the ladies and dress slacks and a sport shirt for the gentlemen. All you need is a dress, nothing fancy. Just something you would wear to a business meeting and I have just the thing. If you'll follow me, please."
"Of course. Thank you so much."
She followed the woman through the shop until they came along a back wall that contained women's business suits.
"I think any of these would work nicely for what you are looking for. The dressing rooms are located just over there." the woman said, gesturing to the cubicles just beyond the wall. "Now, I'll leave you to it and if you need anymore help, I'll just be at the checkout counter over there." she added, indicating the counter behind and to the left of them a few feet away.
"Thank you." Kate called after the woman who turned, smiled at her, dipping her chin down slightly in acknowledgement before continuing on her way.
Kate turned back to the task at hand and perused the items on the wrack. She found a lovely, pale blue linen sleeveless dress with a matching hip length long sleeved jacket to go over it.
Deciding to try it, she removed it from the wrack and headed toward the dressing rooms.
The hem of the dress fell just below her knees, had a nice feel to it, was a nice quality with a cinched in waist that showcased her hips in a flattering way. It didn't scream sex appeal, but had a functionality to it that would allow her to wear it when she had court dates at work.
Sliding out of the dress, she hung it back on the hanger and back into her own clothes and hurried out of the dressing room. She had already been longer than she had originally anticipated and wondered what Rick was doing.
As she was on her way to the cashier, she passed a shoe department and snagged a pair of bone colored pumps on her way.
Her agitation grew as there were 3 people ahead of her, but it didn't last long as another clerk opened another line and she was able to move to the front.
Back out on the sidewalk, Rick stopped pacing and grinned at her. Only then did she notice that he was holding a couple of bags himself.
"Sorry." she muttered as she rose onto her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips.
"It's okay. Don't be mad at me okay?"
"Oh, Rick, what did you do?" she asked eyeing the two bags he held in his hands.
"Nothing much, I promise. Just remember that you said that I could buy you somethings. So I bought both of us something that I think you'll agree that we're both going to need tomorrow."
"What?" she asked.
He reached inside one of the bags and pulled out a large, floppy brimmed sun hat for her and a baseball cap for him. "I thought we might need these since we'll be out in the sun all day tomorrow."
"How can I possibly be mad over that? It's perfect. Thank you, babe." she said, settling the hat on top of her head. "I love it! And you're right. We will need these tomorrow."
"So, you're not mad at me?"
"No. I'm glad you thought about it."
He grinned down at her. "Shall we go?"
"Yeah. It's getting late. Let's go." she said, smiling up at him.
A/N: Next chapter the dinner cruise. Thoughts?