Chapter 12
Kate stands there at his front door. While she knew that Eduardo had probably called and told Rick that she has arrived, she still needs to get her emotional state under control. It takes herself a few seconds before knocking. When she feels little more at ease she raises her hand to knock...
The door quickly swings open. He is standing in the doorway. His eyes are immediately locks into hers. There is something there that she could not describe from any other man she has been with before. His eyes are piercing, it's as like he is x-raying her soul. Though, they also show much compassion too. It is odd but she feels that he only has eyes for her. Standing there he looks her up and down. She now feels very self conscious about her appearance.
"Was this the right dress to wear for a dinner with him and his family?" She thinks.
Those thoughts evaporate when hears a voice from behind him.
"Dad, come on just let Kate into the loft already!" Alexis said with a bit of exasperation to her voice.
Alexis' voice did the trick. Rick immediately steps aside bowing and sways his arm towards the living room inviting her into his home.
"Kate, I am so sorry blocking your way into the loft. Please forgive me…Where are my manners?" Rick says apologetically.
"It's okay Rick." Kate says as she steps into the room.
Rick removes her coat then places it in the closet. He brings it close to his nose. The collar smells like cherries. As she passes by him she notices his scent too. She remembers it from the hospital. It makes her feels a little more at ease.
Rick returns to her side then does some reintroductions.
"Kate you know my mother Martha and of course you already know Alexis." Rick states.
Kate gives a slight wave to them both. Rick accidentally brushes against her arm. The touch is exactly like before, but even more so. Alexis and Martha walk over to Kate then starts talking to her. Kate is a bit distracted by that momentary connection.
"Katherine, I simply adore that dress you are wearing tonight! Who is that your wearing, Herve Leger?" Martha gushes because she is almost dressed in the exact same dress style only the color is different.
Rick is standing behind Kate now moves next to her side.
"Kate, would you like something to drink? Mother is having her customary wine before dinner. If you would like I would pour you one too." Rick asks being a very gracious host.
Kate thinks for a second.
"I do have the day off tomorrow so just maybe one glass would be okay."
"Sure Rick what Martha is drinking is fine with me." Kate softly says.
"Right…It's coming right up for the great detective." Rick intones in that voice that drives her wild.
As Rick leaves her side, she suddenly misses his presence. He heads over to the bar he has against the wall near the large picture window. He uncorks the bottle that Martha has selected earlier from his wine cooler. He then pours two more glasses and returns back to her. Handing her the glass their fingers touch during the transfer and damn she feels it again. It's the same jolt of electricity. This is the third time. Each time it is even stronger than the prior one. Kate almost drops her glass from the intensity of this mysterious connection.
He turns away from her. The he brings the bottle to top up Martha's glass. He walks back to her and asks her
"Kate, would you be more comfortable having a seat?" Rick invites showing her the living room couch.
"Yes Rick, that would be most welcomed." Kate replies then give a sigh of relief upon sitting down. She has not worn these pumps in ages. They are really beginning to pinch her feet.
Martha sits besides her. She shows much compassion for the younger woman. She sees the pain in Kate's eyes.
Martha is about to comment when Rick's voice floats out from the kitchen.
"Kate, please make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes." Rick's melodious voice says.
Kate sitting on the couch she takes in his home. It's nothing like she would have imagined from a page six playboy. He has an office off of the kitchen and across from the dining area. She can see into the office and notices a door that's closed. She thinks that's his bedroom. She takes in everything around her. To her back there is a set of stairs that most likely lead to Alexis's and Martha's rooms. But he has more than 5 rooms up there. Slowly moving her neck she inspects the artwork on the walls. He has some originals plus some very good copies hanging on the walls. His home is nothing like she would think. It's warm and very inviting, earthly tones cover the walls.
Then she smells the delicious aromas wafting in from the kitchen. Whatever he is making causes her stomach to growl. Martha notices with a rye quip.
"So Katherine, you must be starving…Don't you ever eat? I know silly actresses who subsist on mostly crest water leaves and water. Those poor dears just do not know how to eat." Martha says "I hope you ignore such superficialities and dig in. We do not want to see you leave the table hungry."
Kate is momentarily distracted until she wants to identify these wonderful smells.
"Mother, please…leave our guest alone. She is a police detective not one of those waif's you call a starlet. I am sure she knows how to eat." Rick warns from the kitchen.
Kate is charmed by Rick's quick response to his Mother's inquiries. She has always had to fight her own battles. Rick doing so is quite endearing. Rick's bonus points keep adding up more and more in the plus colum.
"So what are you cooking for dinner, Rick?" Kate asks changing the topic for the moment.
"Ahhh Kate you are in for a culinary treat tonight. For starters we are having a grilled shrimp cocktail. Then I have a tomato basil soup along with an Arugula salad and white wine vinaigrette. Now for the main course I have prepared a roasted chicken breast with mashed potatoes. And for dessert I have flourless chocolate torte. In all it's your basic five course meal." Rick says proudly.
Kate is impressed…
"He can cook a gourmet meal too? Why has this guy been snapped up long ago?" Kate thinks.
Her thoughts are disrupted when Alexis pipes up.
"Kate, I helped in these preparations too. I did the salad and placed the chicken in the oven." Alexis says proudly as Rick beams at her from the kitchen island counter.
"Yes you did Pumpkin. You will be a top flight chef once I am finished with your instructions." Rick says bending down to kiss his Sous Chef on the head.
Kate is very impressed.
"Rick there is nothing basic about this dinner. How long have you been preparing this gourmet meal?" Kate finally asks.
"Kate, please it's nothing really. I just hope that you'll enjoy everything that I have made." Rick says preening a bit.
"Well Rick it sounds great and I am really very hungry." Kate comments.
"Well that's good, Kate. All I ask is that you have brought your appetite." Rick intones as he plates up the meal and Alexis delivers them to the table.
Martha and Alexis take their seats at the table as the first course is before them.
"Kate, would you please mind sitting here?" Rick asks.
Kate gets up from the couch and Rick pulls out her chair then gently pushes her to the table. They make everyday conversation during the meal. Before long the main course is brought out. Kate cuts into the chicken. She is amazed at how tender and juicy it is. A slight moan escapes her throat and Rick immediately is aware of that sound. He looks at Kate. She is eating with her eyes closed.
"Rick, this chicken is absolutely amazing." Kate raves.
Well Katherine, I am glad you proved me wrong…You do know how to eat." Martha quips.
Rick looks sternly at his mother then continues to look at Kate.
"Well Kate, I'm pleased my cooking has given you the opportunity to voice your delight...so to speak." Rick says with much honesty plus a bit of double entendre.
Kate's face immediately started to turn crimson red at Rick's comment. It is true this man could cook! Finishing her mouthful of chicken she reopens her eyes and his locks once again with hers. It again feels like he is gazing into her very soul. She rips away her gaze then takes another bite. She glances at him once more.
"Detective, may please I say that you look very stunning tonight." Rick says complimenting her.
"Rick… Please call me Kate…I am off duty now so first names please." Kate insists.
Okay Kate, would you like another glass of wine?" Rick asks holding the bottle toward her.
"I don't know Rick, I already had one." Kate reluctantly declines.
"Richard, I would love another top up if you would please." Martha requests as Rick moves to fill her glass.
Once satisfied, Martha looks at Kate.
"Katherine, please indulge yourself in life's little pleasures. It will never hurt." Martha says raising her glass to take a sip.
Kate gazes at the older woman and decides she is right. It would not hurt her to drink one more glass, besides she does deserve it she had a hard day.
"Well Rick, would you pour just one more glass please." Kate says locking eyes on his blue ones again.
"It would be my pleasure Kate" Rick again intones.
Dinner is just about finished. Rick and Alexis start clearing the dishes from the table. Kate hears Alexis giggling from inside the kitchen. She wonders why. They return back to the table with each of them carrying two plates of the chocolate torte. Alexis places the sinfully looking dessert in front of Kate and Rick places one in front of Martha. They then sit down as Alexis giggles once again. They all start enjoying the torte. Kate tastes one bite and as soon as it touches her lips that moan reappears. It is an exquisite taste, one to die for. It is a taste she has never experienced before now. Alexis is almost laughing.
"Okay Alexis, what's so funny?" Kate asks a bit perplexed.
Alexis looks at her dad then he nods yes to her.
"Kate please…Do not take this the wrong way. We have a confession to make." Alexis says.
"Oh, what way is that Alexis?" Kate asks confused since this whole meal was simply marvelous.
"Well it's like this. My dad really did cook most of the meal tonight. However, as much as he wants to make a good impression on you, he fails in one key item." Alexis chortles.
"Oh Alexis do tell?" Kate asks intrigued.
"Maybe Rick is not that perfect after all" she thinks as Alexis continues her story.
"So he tries very hard to make the torte. However, He let it stand too long in the oven and it came out terrible. He has a disaster on his hand. So Kate do you know of the little Italian bistro down the block?" Alexis asks.
"Yes I know of it. I passed it on the way over here. Why?" Kate asks
"Well let's just say that they deliver so that disaster was averted." Rick quips ending the story as everyone had a huge grin on their face.
Well played, Richard!" Martha says. "Bravo, having your quick thinking improves this meal immensely."
Kate re-evaluates Rick's position once again.
"Rick, that is very clever indeed. I think this evening is great. I haven't had a meal this good well since..." Kate says as her thoughts trailed off.
She thinks back to when her mother had made a meal this delicious. Kate looks a bit sad. Martha and Rick notice immediately.
"Kate what's wrong?" Rick asks alarmed at his guest's sudden change in her manner.
Rick realizes immediately what is wrong.
"You are thinking about your mother?" Rick asks politely.
Kate is startled Rick is so perceptive and it is a bit frightening.
Kate nods her head in agreement.
Martha immediately rushes over to pull the younger woman into a hug. She escorts her over to the couch where Martha's ministrations continue.
Kate did not want to bring this delightful evening down. However, being enveloped in the older woman's arms brings much comfort to her well being.
Rick shoos Alexis away to remove the last of the dishes. He wants Kate to retain as much dignity as possible upon breaking down in front of them. Rick keeps Alexis busy.
"Dad, what is wrong with Kate?" Alexis asks.
"You know how much you miss having your mother here?" Rick softly asks.
"Yeah, I know now nothing I will ever do will make her come back." Alexis says sadly.
"Well, the same is for Kate…She misses her mom too. I think we should leave her in your Grams care for the moment. Why don't you go upstairs then get ready for bed and I will be up there in a moment." Rick says.
"Yes daddy," Alexis says as she scoots upstairs.
Rick watches her ascend the stairs then glances back at Kate and Martha. They have not budged. Rick busily cleans up the kitchen. He then climbs the stairs.
He reads a short story then tucks Alexis in bed. Then before he leaves Alexis speaks.
"Dad, I hope Kate is all right." Alexis says "I do know Grams is an expert at giving hugs. She always makes me feel better."
"Yes your Grams is very magical that way." Rick says. "Good night Pumpkin."
"Good night Daddy please tell Kate it is not bad to be sad. Oh and daddy I really like her she is so nice!" Alexis says as she rolls over to fall asleep.
Rick shuts off the light and closes the door then meets Martha in the hall way.
"Richard, do not embarrass the poor dear. Martha scolds.
"I would not think of it, mother. Where is Kate?" Rick retorts.
"I left her in the downstairs' bathroom. She is putting herself together." Martha says.
Rick leaves the second floor and descends the stairs to emerge on the first. He looks around then spies her leaving the bathroom. Her eyes are still a bit puffy though. She still is very beautiful. She spies Rick.
"You must think of me being a horrible guest." Kate says.
"No Kate I do not as Alexis tells me to tell you…It is okay to be sad and miss someone who is no longer with you." Rick says with much compassion.
"Your daughter is wise beyond her years. That is very good advice." Kate says staring into his blue eyes so filled with compassion.
"Yes that she is 10 going on 40." Rick quips which makes Kate laugh then smile.
Rick feels good about Kate smiling again. He is too much of a gentleman to ask about Kate's story. He knows it must be a good one in richness but a sad one as well.
"Rick I really must go. Well as much as I liked this food and company I think it's time I should leave." Kate says looking into his understanding eyes.
"Yes I am sure this has been a very emotional one. However, I like you very much Kate. If you ever wish to talk or just hang out. My door is very much open to you." Rick says with much passion as Rick brings her coat to her then kisses her hand.
"…until our next meeting Detective." Rick says as he opens the door…