Chapter 9

Caitlin glanced out the window and groaned when she saw the red Jaguar pull in and park next to her car.

"What's wrong, Caitlin?" Donovan asked, reaching for her hand. He followed the direction of her gaze and watched as a neatly tailored, blonde, tall and rather bulky man make his way toward the diner.

Caitlin turned her gaze to Frank and gave his hand a squeeze. "It's Randy," she told him. "He'll make a scene, I know he will."

"Don't worry, we'll handle it," he assured her.

Randy entered the diner, spotted Caitlin and made a beeline towards her. "Caity, I saw your car and...who's this?" His eyes narrowed into small slits as he stared at Donovan. How dare she date someone else! She was his and she damn well knew it.

"He's a friend, Randy. Don't be so rude," she scolded him openly.

Randy glared at her then turned his gazed on the locked hands. "You look a little cozy for friends."

Donovan didn't remove the hand that held Caitlin's, but he extended his right in greetings to Randy. "The name's Donovan, nice to meet you." He wasn't surprised when Randy ignored his hand.

"Look, Caity, we need to talk," he began, but was cut off by Caitlin raising a hand.

"All has been said between us, Randy. I wish you would leave me alone." She shook her head, he would never give up and she knew it. She felt Frank's grip on her increase and when she looked into his eyes, she read his encouragement and it made her feel as though there was nothing she couldn't do.

"You belong to me and you know it," Randy spat. "We were meant to be together, and it was what your father wanted."

"Don't presume to tell me what my father wanted. You may have been a partner of his, but that was all." Her face flushed in anger. "My father didn't know you the way I do. You're a cruel man, Randy, and you're fake." Frank gave her the courage to say the things she could never have said before. "I have tolerated you long enough, and if you bother me again, I'll go to the Sheriff."

Randy became incensed. He grabbed Caitlin's arm and began to drag her from the booth.

Donovan released Caitlin's hand and grabbed Randy by the front of his shirt. He stood now, facing the blonde intruder. "Ms. Whitfield has been more than kind, and I suggest you leave. Now."

Caitlin watched Randy's eyes grow wide with panic and anger. She knew he was contemplating his chances with this dark stranger, but thought better of it. Frank stood a foot taller, and was undeniably in much better physical condition than Randy. Of course, it was a good thing Randy didn't know of Frank's injuries or he would have tried to take advantage.

Randy released his grip on Caitlin. "Okay, I'll go." When Donovan released him he walked to the door and then turned, "You'll regret this, Caity. You'll pay."

"What an unpleasant little man," Mrs. Redman commented as she placed two platters on their table. "Now, don't you go letting him ruin your appetite."

Donovan smiled at the woman. "No chance of that, ma'am. This looks too good to let go to waste." He was warmed thoroughly when Caitlin bestowed a breathtaking smile upon him.

Caitlin watched Frank dig into his breakfast, marveling at how a man can eat after a confrontation. Her stomach was doing all kinds of acrobatics and she wasn't sure she could choke anything down.

"Eat," he commanded, interrupting her thoughts.

She picked up her fork, scooped up some eggs and put them in her mouth. It was only then she remembered she really was hungry and the eggs tasted wonderful. She watched Frank smile, satisfied that she wouldn't go hungry.

Mrs. Redman came to the table to fill their coffee cups. "Do you want anything else?" When she received a negative response, she asked Caitlin, "Should I put this on your tab, dear?"

"Yes, thank you." Caitlin smiled. Mrs. Redman was one of her favorite people in Calais. They spent many an hour together at the diner talking over a good cup of coffee.

Donovan placed a tip on the table and they left the diner. Once in the Mercedes, Caitlin had given him directions to the library. They would leave the car there, she had explained. He followed her directions easily and they were parking the car within minutes.

"Hello, Miss Caitlin," a voice said as she stepped from the car.

Caitlin looked up the see an elderly black gentleman, Willie Jenkins, the library and park custodian. He would help keep things running in an orderly fashion during the chaos of the celebration.

"Mr. Jenkins! What a pleasure to see you. How are you, sir?" She smiled brightly.

"Just fine, dear. It's nice to see you with your gentleman friend, Miss Caitlin. You keep to yourself too much," he observed candidly.

She blushed. "Let me introduce you. Mr. Jenkins, this is Frank Donovan, a friend and colleague of my father."

Donovan extended his hand and Mr. Jenkins shook it firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Donovan. You take care of our Caitlin, you hear?" He said, with a twinkle in his eye.

"I'll certainly do my best, Mr. Jenkins." Donovan wasn't surprised these people held Caitlin in such high regard. In the short time he knew her, her strong character and determined spirit had made him open his heart to her and she would forever be a part of him.

While they exchanged pleasantries, Caitlin opened the trunk and pulled out the blankets and pillows. Mr. Jenkins took them from her. "I reserved your place, Miss Caitlin, and I'll see that these are taken care of."

She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, you are always so kind to me." And with a nod, Mr. Jenkins left them; blankets and pillows piled high in his arms.

With plenty of time before the fireworks, they wandered the streets of Calais. They passed an outdoor complex with tennis courts, baseball fields, etc. They stopped to watch a group of children playing baseball.

Donovan started to climb the bleachers and turned to offer Caitlin a hand. She took it without hesitation and they proceeded to the top bleacher. When they were seated, he didn't release her hand and she made no attempt to remove it.

It was an extraordinary time for him; he couldn't remember the last time he felt so at ease. If someone wasn't hunting him, he was hunting them. Always was someone doomed to be hurt in his life, and he didn't want that for Caitlin. She was too good for him, and he knew he had to leave her soon. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to leave her at all.

Caitlin felt his gaze on her, almost like a soft touch and she turned to smile at him. She wondered what he was thinking about, his eyes had become guarded again. When he returned her smile, she was thrilled to see it reached his eyes, the effect dazzling.

Caitlin's thoughts were interrupted as someone sat down on the other side of Frank. "Hello, Misty," she greeted her friend warmly. Misty often brought her two children, Devon and Daisy, to the library. Devon was eight years old; Daisy was barely a year old.

"Hi, Cait! Good to see you here. Look, Devon's up to bat," the proud mother turned her attention to her son.

Daisy, who was being held on her mother's lap, had other ideas. She squirmed out of her mother's embrace and crawled across Donovan, her red curls bouncing with each movement, to reach for Caitlin. Caitlin unwound her fingers from Donovan's and took her lovingly into her arms. "Hello, precious. Have you missed me?" She asked the little girl.

Daisy nodded and placed her small hand on Caitlin's cheek. Caitlin kissed the little girl's cheeks and murmured softly to her. Daisy sighed and closed her eyes to Caitlin's soft voice and gentle rocking and she drifted off to sleep.

Caitlin looked up to see Frank watching her, and she caught a glimpse of what could have been admiration before he dropped his usual veil over his dark eyes. When he smiled, she felt her insides melt.

"I'm Misty." A voice interrupted.

Donovan turned to the woman next to him. "I'm Frank," he replied sociably.

"Oh, Cait, I'm sorry about Daisy," Misty said, noticing her daughter asleep in her friend's lap. "Here, pass her to me."

Caitlin shook her head. "She's fine, really. You know I adore her."

Misty nodded. "Okay, if you're sure."

"I'm sure," Caitlin replied, but she was missing Frank's touch and her body responded by scooting closer to him.

Upon feeling her bump against his thigh, Donovan slid an arm around Caitlin's waist and pulled her close. He could feel the heat of her skin through their clothes. He welcomed the warmth. When she looked up at him, he leaned toward her and pressed his lips against hers.

Her lips parted slightly under his and she felt his tongue skim over her lips before entering to explore the depths and taste of her mouth. Caitlin felt her toes curl, and she placed her free hand on his cheek, reveling in the feel of him. She was lost in the kiss, the world was forgotten and all she knew was the feel of his lips, his tongue teasing hers and the tremendous need to feel more of him.

Donovan felt an elbow in his side, jerking him from the kiss and then heard Misty's teasing whisper, "Hey, you two! Get a room, why don'tcha!" His gaze never left Caitlin's, and in her eyes he saw love, undaunted and absolute and it stole his breath away.

To be conintued...