The second they were out and into the car and he had pulled away from the house Joanna started in on Jim.
"So husband of mine, who do you think will crack first?"
"I'm not too sure Joanna that's a tough call to make. I can see that he has feelings for her but she is still on the fence so to speak. I'm not sure."
"Well you have to admit Jim they do make an adorable couple. And they already have a family that's practically made for them. Alexis is so cute, and Eli seems to get along with her just fine." Johanna said knowing that her husband was tuned into what she was thinking.
"Jo she really has not dated another man since Shaun died. What makes you think that Rick will be her new stand in?" Jim asked.
"Jim she's lonely. She needs a strong man around to show her that there is still a possibility for love. No matter where it comes from."
"I just hope your right Jo."
In the back of her head she was thinking so was she.
Xx
"Well, it looks like you survived my mom and dad Rick," Kate said giving him a laugh as she did.
"I really like them, Kate. They seemed like down to earth people. And your mom had a great idea about kitchen expansion. Which reminds me since tomorrow is Sunday could we go over what we want to do with the kitchen?"
"We can. But I won't have that much time to spare for this because I'm working at the hospital starting at eleven. I need to sleep before I go in."
"Okay. So maybe we should call it a night."
"I think so. It's getting late." Kate said in agreement.
By the time they checked on Eli and Alexis they were both sound asleep. Each parent headed to their respective bedrooms and Kate stopped before she entered hers. Looking back at Rick who was standing at his door she said,
"Sweet dreams Rick."
She opened her door and entered her bedroom leaving a very happy Rick Castle standing in the hallway.
Xx
When Rick woke the next morning, he heard the kitchen door open and close. It was Monday morning and that in itself was not something he looked forward to. He heard what must be Kate downstairs rummaging through some of the boxes to find the coffee maker which he forgot to pull out last night and set up for her. He knew one thing for sure they were going to have to get their routines set. He didn't know what she did when she got home from work. He only knew was that she was exhausted after working the last eight hours but a strange feeling made him want to help her when she got home after a long shift.
Her night could have not have gone any better. Kim, Kenzie, and Jessie all wanted to know everything that had happened after she bought the new house. She shocked all of them when she told them that she moved in with Rick.
"Kate what are you doing? For all, you know this guy could be an axe-wielding murderer. He could chop you up into tiny little pieces and we'd never know." Kim suggested.
"Come on Kim! Do you think I'm that much of a fool?"
"No. but he might be." She insisted.
"Kim, he has a child for God's sake. So, no I don't think my life is in danger."
"Well if you're okay with it then I guess I can be too."
"Kim listen, he helped me out when I needed it the most. And the funny thing about it was that I didn't even realize I needed him."
"Kate if you need anything I'm here for you," Jess said as he passed her on his way to the nurse's station.
"Thanks, Jess," Kate said.
"So what did the two of you do yesterday?" Kenzie asked.
"When my parents found out about Rick they wanted to see this house all of a sudden. They insisted on coming along."
"No, they didn't. Did they? Kenzie asked.
"Oh yeah, they did. I really felt bad for Rick. We kinda ambushed him. But he took it like a man.
"He stood up to Johanna?" Kim said in awe of the man.
"I wouldn't say that exactly. But he did listen to what she had to say about his kitchen."
"His kitchen?" Jess asked.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you Rick Castle is a five-star gourmet chef. He last cooked at a restaurant in San Francisco near the wharf. The customers raved about everything he created."
"Is he good?"
"I'm not sure. He says that he is and his daughter swears he's talented but I haven't eaten anything of his yet."
"Oh. If he does cook for you I'm sure your friends would love to sample his talents." Kim bluntly admitted.
"Don't hold your breath Kim but I'll see what I can do. Remember I'm the one who's living with him so I get first dibs to taste what he makes for us first."
"Okay, I can agree with that Kate."
Xx
Rick just falls out of his bed trying to reach for his robe as he hits the floor in a heap. He cursed as he hauled his old tired ass back up off the floor. Running a hand through his hair he shuffled his feet towards the door. By the time he gets to the hallway that leads to the staircase, he hears what a sailor should be saying on a ship that has been deployed for months on end. She really needs to watch what she says when she's mad.
"Problem?" Rick asked as he stood there leaning against the doorframe.
Having forgotten all about Rick and thinking that she was alone she stood ready with an answer.
"Yeah there is a problem, I have a medical condition!" Kate told him.
"Kate I'm so sorry. I didn't know. What is this condition?" Rick asked with a serious tone.
"Actually you can. You need to help me find the coffee maker so I can get some caffeine into my body. That's my medical condition, lack of caffeine." She said with a smile.
Rick just looked at her wondering how she would sleep after having a cup of coffee right before she went to bed.
"Tough night Kate?"
"You could say that."
They were both silent until Rick found the Hamilton Beach coffee brew station. She gave him one of the brightest smiles as he walked to the kitchen to brew her a pot.
Both of them sat there drinking coffee and hoping the other would start saying something. Then Rick opened his mouth.
"Kate, I called a contractor to give us an estimate on remodeling the kitchen. I have some more ideas to add to what your mom suggested and he'll be here around noon. After he leaves, I'd like to sit down with you to get your input on his thoughts. Then I would like to see if you can suggest somewhere I can get a job."
"Rick I can help you with the contractor after I get up. As for you getting a job, I have no clue as to where you could look for one." Kate said honestly.
"Okay, Kate. I'm going to get a shower and hit the streets if I want to get back in time to meet the contractor, I need to take a shower now."
"Make sure that you don't give him a cent until the contract is written up to your liking. Alright?"
"Got it."
"If it's alright with you I will take Eli with me when I leave. I figure that Alexis can keep him company while I look for a job."
"That's fine Rick. I'm going to head up to my room and get some sleep. I'll set my alarm for dinner time."
With that said Kate trudges up the stairs to her room saying goodnight to Eli as she passes his room. She can tell that he is awake by the way his body is positioned on the bed. He must have been reading and stopped as she came up the stairs.
"Hey E how was your first night here in your new room?"
"Mom it was great! Rick gave me a clip-on reading light so I can read before I go to bed." He said happily as he pointed to the lamp clipped to his headboard.
"He did, did he? Did you sleep okay?"
"At first, I had a little trouble because it was a different room, but once I fell asleep I slept through the night just fine. Is Rick up yet?"
"He is. Why?" Kate asked.
"Last night after you left for work, he asked us what we wanted for breakfast. He told me and Alexis that he would make it for us."
"I see," Kate said. And at that moment they both heard what sounded like a cast iron skillet hitting the tiled kitchen floor and a few choice words that followed.
"Does that answer your question?"
All Eli did was smile at his mom.
"I'm going to get some sleep E. Please behave for Rick while I do. Be on your best behavior."
"I will mom. I'll work on putting up all my baseball stuff away and hanging some of my posters."
"Good idea. I want to see it when you're finished. But Rick mentioned going out to look for a job. If he does, he'll take you along with Alexis. "
"Okay, mom. I'll be ready."
When her head hit the pillow at eight thirty-five, she was instantly asleep. She dreamed of her friends at work and how they were sampling Rick's cooking at their new house. But what they insisted on was that she should take a shot at maybe dating him. Jess was the only hold out for some strange reason, but Kim and Kenzie kept pushing the issue. All she could do was politely turn down their suggestions. Suddenly the dream came to an end instantly and she woke up in a cold sweat at the sound of her name being called.
"Kate? Are you awake?" Rick asked through her closed door.
"I am now Rick. What's going on?"
"I thought you might be a little hungry. So, I made us something to eat."
"Rick I just laid down ten minutes ago. Can't you give it to the Eli or Alexis? I'm really tired."
Eli and Alexis who were standing there too looked up at Rick with question written all over their faces.
"Kate it's almost six pm. Night time. You know about night time right, it's when the sun goes to sleep and the moon comes out to play."
Alexis and Eli start to giggle and then they all hear the sheets rustle and footsteps coming closer to the door. When it swings open, it reveals a very sleepy Kate.
"What time did you say it was?" Kate asked as she started to wipe the sleep from her eyes.
"It's almost six in the evening," Alexis tells her.
Kate can smell something that smells so good that it has her mouth watering. She raises her head to catch Rick's eyes.
"Kate I made us all dinner. If you want you can come down and eat dinner and then go back to bed. I am not sure how your routine goes after you get home from work, but if you want to go back to bed now, I can put your plate in the fridge for later."
This sweet considerate man. She knew that he would take care of her in some way but she's automatically brought back to her dream she just had. "Go on Kate, take a chance," Kenzie said. "Yeah, Kate the man can cook!" Kim added. It was then when she woke up in a cold sweat.
"Kate are you okay?" Rick was concerned she was just standing there.
"I'm fine Rick. Let me get my robe and I'll be right down." Kate said as she turned back into her room.
When she made it downstairs there was a veritable feast waiting for her. He had prepared chicken cordon blue. There was a side of fresh cut green beans and Brussel sprouts. She'd pass on the sprouts but the dish was still steaming and smelled so good. She ate until her plate was cleaned off completely.
Rick watched her as she devoured her dinner. He was surprised when she cleaned her plate off and looked over to him looking like Oliver Twist asking if he could have more soup to eat. He stood up and got her a second serving. In just about five minutes that was gone too. He was going to enjoy cooking for her.
The contractor that had come earlier gave him an estimate for remodeling the kitchen. His plan was to knock out one wall to give then a larger space to work in. The stove would be relocated to the larger center island that would be installed. Rick wanted a convection oven and a wine cooler installed as well. The contractor agreed with his request and gave his thoughts on the best location to put them in. He'd need to talk to Kate about where they wanted them but he liked the way this contractor thought. He had told Kate that one more contractor would be coming to see the job and after they had his estimate both of them would agree on which contractor would get the job.