Chapter 8

The sun shone brightly through the shear curtains that covered the French door of her balcony, drawing Caitlin from the haze of sleep. She stretched wearily. It had been a night of tossing and turning, punching pillows and fighting the urge to run to the guestroom and throw herself at Frank before she finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Sighing, she forced herself out of bed and into the shower. She was looking forward to the fireworks and other entertainment planned for the evening. Tonight was a big deal in Calais. Although July 4th had passed over two weeks ago, the celebration had to be postponed because the weather turned ugly. So, tonight the town celebrated the country's independence. There would be a band, dancing, rides and, of course, the fireworks.

She smiled brightly as she stepped out of the shower. Calais, although a small town, always had a remarkable fireworks display, and Caitlin loved them. She was always amazed how lost she would get in the colors. Music always accompanied the rockets as they exploded, adding to the excitement. No, nothing could ruin this glorious day for her.

She toweled off then wrapped herself in a soft robe. After combing the tangles from her hair, she picked up the blow dryer and dried her hair. She brushed it to a shine, letting it hang straight down her back. Taking a step into the closet, she took a mid-length emerald sundress from its hanger and laid it on the bed.

Caitlin dug into the top dresser drawer and found the dark emerald panties and bra she purchased last week. She almost laughed aloud, at the time wondering why she had bought them, knowing she would be the only one who ever saw them.

She gazed into the mirror at her reflection. The dress had the effect she was looking for, drawing attention to her deep green eyes. They became almost the color of her dress. She looked for and found a pair of white sandals and slipped them easily onto her feet.

She frowned as she headed for the door and her hand rested on the doorknob. Frank. She wondered if he would feel up to going out for the day and evening, as it were. It didn't make any difference; she decided as she lifted her chin, nothing was going to spoil this day for her.

Caitlin stopped at the guestroom. The door was open, but Frank wasn't there. She went downstairs to find him. He wasn't in the kitchen, den or the library. She had been remiss in her hostess duties and had never given him a tour of the house, so perhaps he was exploring it now. She looked in the music room, the dining room, the game room, and finally found him in a large room her father had made into a home gym.

The room was paneled with mirrors on all sides. It contained a variety of machines to workout, but Caitlin rarely used them. She stuck mostly to the treadmill and stationary bikes.

Frank was at the weight machine, working his upper body. She was thankful he had the machine on a light setting lest he tear open his shoulder wound. His skin glistened with the sweat of the workout, and Caitlin stifled the urge to go to him and run her fingers over his damp skin.

Donovan noticed movement in the mirrored walls and looked up to see Caitlin standing in the doorway. He took a sharp breath and exhaled slowly. "You look fantastic," he grinned boyishly. He gazed at her openly, noting the way her dress clung to every curve and how the hem brushed her thigh just a few inches above her knee.

"Thank you, and you...you look sweaty." She laughed. "In light of what happened last night, I realized I never asked if you felt up to an outing today? We're celebrating Independence Day a bit belatedly." She swallowed hard while he thought about her invitation.

He wondered if he should chance going out in public. If someone from Bangor, who wanted him dead, spotted him, he would be putting Caitlin in serious danger. He watched Caitlin fidget, and knew she wanted him to go with her. He would chance it if it would put a smile on her face.

"I'd love to," he said, finally giving her an answer. And smile, she did. The brightest, most breathtaking smile he had ever seen. It lit her whole face, and her emerald eyes sparkled with delight. He couldn't stop himself from smiling back.

"Great! Why don't you get cleaned up? We'll change your bandages and you can change you clothes." With that, she whirled around happily and left to gather the supplies to check his wounds and change his bandages.

Donovan showered in the hall bathroom. Caitlin had provided him with clean towels after she checked his wounds and decided they were healing and he wouldn't do any harm in the shower.

Stepping out of the shower, he dried himself then wrapped the towel around his waist. He opened the bathroom door and watched as Caitlin exited her room and made her way down the hall. He could see her eyelids become heavy with desire, her gaze raking over his near nude body. He summoned his strength to keep his body from reacting to her desire. There was nothing more he wanted than to gather her in his arms, but he didn't want to chance a repeat of last night. Today they would just enjoy each other's company.

Caitlin bit her bottom lip as she neared him. His skin was flushed from the heat of the shower, and the white towel wrapped around him contrasted the color nicely. She marveled at how she did not tire of looking at him. She loved his long, muscular legs and the way his broad shoulder tapered to his hips. He was magnificent, to say the least.

Caitlin smiled warmly, not ready to act on the desire that was building within her. Instead, she rechecked the wounds and applied his bandages. "All set," she told him, "you finish getting ready while I get a few things together to take with us."

Stacking two blankets and a couple of pillows in the foyer, Caitlin turned when she heard footsteps behind her. Frank strode towards her. He had donned a black Murano printed silk sport shirt and a pair of black Murano dress slacks. He was breathtaking. "Now it's my turn...you look fantastic!" she said with open appreciation.

He grinned. "Thank you, but I owe it all to you. After all, they were a gift from you."

Caitlin grabbed the keys and threw them to him and watched as he caught them in his left hand. She picked up the pile of blankets and pillows and waited for Frank to open the door.

He chuckled to himself; the bundle in her arms was piled too high for her to see. He took the pillows from her and opened the door. Apparently Caitlin had moved the car out of the garage while he showered. He strode quickly to the rear and opened the trunk. He placed the pillows and blankets inside the trunk and then closed the lid.

He walked Caitlin to the passenger door, opened it and offered her his hand. She took it, giving him a gentle squeeze as she slid onto the leather seat. He closed the door firmly, then walked around the front of the vehicle, admiring her choice in vehicles.

"Nice car," he said, when he entered the driver's side.

"Mmmm," she nodded. The sleek silver 2002 Mercedes SL500 2dr Roadster was an indulgence, she knew, but she loved the car. "Do you want to put the top down?"

He shook his head. "Maybe later." He started the engine and it purred to life. He eased the car down the driveway and headed toward Calais.

"We can get breakfast when we reach town," she told him a few minutes later when her stomach rumbled loudly.

Donovan smiled. "I thought you didn't eat breakfast."

"Tell me about it, but this morning, I'm ravenous," Caitlin said with a grin.

The drive was short, maybe ten minutes long. Caitlin pointed to a diner and told Frank to pull over. It was a small "mom and pop" kind of place, with a comfortable down-home atmosphere. Caitlin waved to the woman behind the counter and led Frank to a booth in the corner.

"Hi there, Caitlin!" Mrs. Redman smiled warmly at the pair. "Who's your friend, darlin'?"

Caitlin smiled, "Mrs. Redman, it's so good to see you. May I introduce Mr. Frank Donovan."

The rather large, rounded woman extended her hand and Donovan shook it cheerfully. "So, how do you know our little Caitlin, Mr. Donovan?" she asked curiously.

Caitlin answered. "Oh, Mrs. Redman, Frank is an old friend of Father's. He had business in Ogunquit, and decided to pay a visit." She was amazed how easily the lie slid from her tongue.

Frank arched a brow, but he was thankful for her excuse. He gave her an approving glance, knowing she deliberately did not mention Bangor.

"Well, what can I get you two kids?" Mrs. Redman asked, as she lifted a pad and pencil to take their order.

"Your Western omelet platter, please," Caitlin was quick to answer.

"Sounds good to me. Make that two," Donovan added.

To be continued...