{Author's Note: This was originally part of Chapter 22, Bar Harbor. It was divided due to running overlong. Although the previous chapter isn't required reading here, it does describe that very lovely town and you may wish to enhance your astrally projected vacation there by reading it again. However, I do recommend that you manage to get your corporeal self to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park at least once in your life…}

{Only one chapter remains after this one.}

... ... ... ... ...

When we last saw them, the honeymooners had just completed a horse-drawn open coach tour on some of the 45 miles of carriage roads in Acadia National Park. Not used to such a conveyance they felt the need to relax on the king-sized bed afterwards to relieve a few sore muscles.

... ... ... ... ...

Jessica woke an hour after she had stretched out and slid out of bed, reaching for the ceiling as she did so.

"Well, what's the assessment, Sherlock Hazlitt?" came a gravelly voice from the other side of the bed.

"All evidence points to needing to go for a long, slow walk to work out the kinks. The question is, an early dinner before or late one afterwards?"

"How about a dinner first at that little restaurant down by the water and then we can mosey along and walk it off."

"Okay, but let's take jackets with us; that wind looks like it's really picked up."

Once at the cozy eatery the couple shared an appetizer of crisp vegetables with house made ranch dip and then enjoyed crusty French bread with bowls of hot seafood chowder before setting out on a walk along the Shore Path. The hard-packed dirt trail started at the Town Pier and then hugged the coastline to the east and then south along Frenchman Bay.

"Too bad these clouds have come in so thickly. This is a panoramic view and would be just lovely in the sunshine," mused Jessica.

"A-yuh, but that breeze is so fresh and clean - it just invigorates a body. Don't you think?" added Seth as a spring came into his step.

On they walked for a mile, enjoying the scenery, until the faint, distant rumble of thunder behind them halted their progress.

"Uh, oh," Jessica said as they turned around and saw a front of very dark clouds heading their way. "Let's head back."

"I think we'd better forward march, double-time," suggested Seth. "I'm sure we'll make it back in time before it rains, though."

He was wrong.

The wind increased and the ominous clouds rushed towards them. They were getting close to the Bar Harbor Inn, but still a little ways off when rain began to fall lightly, then harder.

As Jessica zipped up her jacket, she griped, "I wish this one had a hood with it. My hair will be a mess."

Ever the gentleman, Seth took off his windbreaker and tossed it over her head.

"Seth! Thanks, but you need this, too," she slid it back to him as they hurried along.

"Keep it. We're not going to make it and you may as well keep your hair dry. I think we're about to get soaked."

He was right.

At last making the shelter of the Inn's front portico, they stood out of the rain and took stock of the damage. "We looked like draggled cats," laughed Jessica.

"I think I have guppies in my shoes," quipped Seth.

They were wringing out their sopping wet jackets when the valet hurried out with two blankets and made sure they bundled up before volunteering to have their outerwear cleaned and returned the next day.

The duo heartily expressed their thanks and dashed up to their suite, trying hard not to leave puddles on the floor. "Let's just leave our clothes in the bathtub to drip off a little," suggested Jessica. But when they walked into the first floor bath they were pleasantly surprise at the large size of the spa.

Looking over at his wife, Seth enticed her, "How about a nice hot bath? There's room for both of us. Give me your clothes and I'll hang them in the upstairs shower, while you run the water."

"Who could resist that offer?!" cheerfully assented Jessica, turning on the extra wide faucet.

... ... ... ... ...

By the time Seth came back downstairs, laden with two thick, white terry cloth robes, Jessica was blissfully ensconced in the steaming water. A layer of pink frothy bubbles floated on top.

"A pink bubble bath?" balked Seth.

"I hope you don't mind, dear. It was on the counter and I just couldn't resist it."

"Ah, well. I guess hot pink bubbles will get the chill out, too," a resigned Seth agreed, carefully sliding into the other end of the tub.

He settled into the steaming water with a deep sigh of relief, sliding his legs on either side of his wife. They soaked with delight in the renewing foam for some time until Jessica, grinning impishly, picked Seth's left foot up so his toes were just above the water and started tickling them.

Seth did something unheard of... He began giggling.

The sound and sight were so startlingly odd that Jessica dropped his foot and began giggling too.

"Good grief, Jessica!" Seth exclaimed as he sat more upright and pulled his toes away to safety. "You seem to have found my Achilles Heel, er, Achilles Toes. What'll it cost me to have you never, ever, do that again?!"

"Hmm, I don't know," teased Jessica. "If I revealed this, it certainly would be the end to your status as a curmudgeon." Tapping her cheek in feigned thought she slyly said, "On the other hand, I do still have a big kink in my shoulder. I think a back massage might be a reasonable price for you to pay for my silence. It just so happens there's also a small bottle of glycerin oil on the vanity."

The quick flicker of flame that lit in Seth's eyes caused her heart to flutter.

"I shall happily pay that price, my dear. When is payment due?"

"Now, would be nice…"

After rinsing and drying off, they wrapped up in the long, generously sized robes, tied with correspondingly large knots. Looking into the full length mirror Seth exclaimed, "With my white hair and this nubby white wrap I look like a giant marshmallow!"

Sliding her arms around him from behind Jessica mischievously asked, "Does that mean you're fluffy, fun to squeeze, and go well with hot chocolate?"

"Yes! Ooh, that reminds me. I have a treat for you, young lady! I'll meet you by the fireplace in two minutes."

Jessica had just gotten the fire started and was examining the rug in front of it when Seth returned from the small refrigerator with a tray laden with a bottle of champagne, glasses, and chocolate dipped strawberries. "I also go well with champagne, and I know you go well with chocolate. I almost forgot about these."

They stretched themselves out on the floor, enjoying the warmth radiating from the fire as well as the chocolate encased fruit, and fine bubbly.

Jessica drew Seth's attention to the spacious new area carpet under them. "What do you make of the rug? I've never seen a pattern like this before. I can't make out if it's white with black stripes, or black with white stripes."

Seth snorted, "It looks like the maid ran over a huge zebra with the vacuum cleaner!"

Jessica, in the middle of a sip from her flute, burst out laughing and a few drops of champagne escaped her mouth.

"Here, let me help you with that," Seth offered, as he leaned in and kissed the sparkly liquid from her lips, tasting the champagne. "Mmm, you're delicious."

Her blue eyes flashing, Jessica took Seth's glass from him and put it with hers, far out of the way. Then she slipped her hand over his shoulder, drawing him closer, and pressed her mouth to his. She also tasted the champagne on his lips, and then gently ran the tip of her tongue against them, parting them to explore further for the strawberries and chocolate.

When the kiss broke Seth drew in a deep breath and tried to wriggle closer. "These darn big knots are in the way," he groused. A gleam came to his eyes as he continued, "But I can fix that!" And he grasped the end of Jessica's belt and pulled.

Jessica watched the flame in her husband's eyes grow as she reached out and gave the end of his tie a tug and then rested her fingers in the white curls exposed on his chest, drawing long, lazy circles against his skin.

Seth felt his breath catch at her warm touch and became spellbound at the nearness of her when she lightly kissed his lips and whispered against them, "I have the oil here. I think I'd like that massage now…"

Nodding mutely, Seth slid the material off of her right shoulder, the generous cut of the robe allowing her to easily slip out one arm, and then the other. "Let's spread your robe out under you," he murmured just before descending to kiss her deeply. "And then roll over onto your stomach."

Jessica watched the the tongues of fire dancing in the hearth as she lay with her head resting on her hands. She heard Seth rustle into position and then the swish-swish of him rubbing oil between his palms to warm it. The touch of his thick hands on her shoulders sent a thrill through her and caused her to groan out loud in pleasure.

"Too hard?" Seth quietly asked, quite pleased with the response he had felt run through her body.

"Perfect. And wonderful…"

After paying much attention to her neck and shoulders his skilled surgeon's hands continued to find every tight muscle down the rest of her back and coax it to relax.

As he kneaded and stroked her lower back Jessica, enraptured my his ministrations, declared, "Seth, I'll give you just one month to stop that - Mmmm, good heavens! I do believe you've reduced me to pudding."

"Oh, really? It just so happens that I love pudding," he playfully said as he leaned down and planted a kiss behind her left ear, then traced a line of tender kisses diagonally over to her spine.

"Yum, you are delectable," her husband remarked as he repeated the line of kisses on the right side. But when he got to the middle of her back he continued downward; marking her skin with the touch of his lips and caressing the hills and valleys of her body with his fingertips.

Jessica heard a deep moan and it took her a few seconds to realize that she was the one who had made it. Finally, with desire burning like the blaze in the fireplace, she squirmed and turned over to find Seth hovering just above her, his hazel eyes darkened with the intoxication of her and peering directly into her soul.

"I love you, come here…" she breathed as she drew him against her, enfolding him in her arms and bringing her yearning lips to his softened ones.

Seth slid his left hand around the back of her head and twined his fingers in her curls, hungrily holding her mouth to his.

It seemed to them that a whirlwind of a bonfire engulfed them and twirled them to the hottest heights of ecstasy. They snatched each other's breath away, and then gave it back. They took and gave pleasure until they were completely lost in the rapture and seemed to melt into each other.

Finally, they lay entwined, spent and sated and heaving in great gulps of air, bathed by the glow of the fire and in the light of their love.

Jessica's eyelids had already closed as Seth just managed to drag his discarded robe over them before Morpheus, the god of sleep, claimed them both for his realm.

... ... ... ... ...

"I'm starved!" exclaimed Jessica at breakfast Thursday morning as she took another bite of her mushroom and gorgonzola omelet.

"Me, too! And it's no wonder, what with all the, um, exercising we did yesterday," added Seth.

Jessica stopped, with fork in mid-air, and looked up to see the mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"It just keeps getting better and better," she softly said, for his ears only. Seth just grinned in agreement.

"Too bad the weather doesn't seem to be getting better," he lamented. "It doesn't look like we're going to get our sunset on Mount Cadillac in and sunrise doesn't look too promising, either."

"Oh, ye of little faith!" intoned Jessica with the authority of a teacher. "I happen to know that it will clear overnight and be bright tomorrow morning."

Glancing out at the sky, full of gray clouds that persisted in dripping water, Seth looked back at her and asked, "How in the world can you deduce that from the mess that's outside the window?"

"Easy," she smiled, "I turned on the weather service while you were in the shower."

Seth just groaned, and shook his head.

It was decided that they would spend the day touring the rest of the island and return for an early dinner and bedtime.

Roaming around Mount Desert Island at a leisurely pace, they first wandered down to Seal Harbor, then up around Somes Sound, back down to Bass Harbor, around the west side, and back over to the Bar Harbor Inn. The rain had became spotty and allowed them to stop in several of the quaint and interesting shops along the way without getting too wet as well as enjoying some of the dramatic, soaring granite cliffs on the parts of the coast that were rock bound.

Over lunch at a small seaside restaurant the honeymooners made their plans for the next day: a wake up call for 2:45 a.m. in preparation of being at the summit at least a half an hour before sunrise at 4:48 a.m.; a small breakfast stashed in the refrigerator; and bags packed that night in anticipation of checking out when they left in the small hours of the morning.

Since this would be their final night at the Inn and they were dining at the elegant Reading Room Restaurant, the couple decided to dress for the occasion.

Seth finished first, neatly attired in a black suit, with a crisp white shirt and a blue bow tie with black stripes diagonally crossing it and went downstairs to have some coffee.

One cup later, Jessica descended to the first floor and made her way over to Seth, who was sitting by the window.

He turned as she approached and his jaw dropped for a second. Recovering himself he blurted out the first thing that popped into his head, "Oh Jess, you're so gorgeously beautiful!"

"So, you like it?" she smiled delightedly as she flounced the layered full skirt of her tea length, royal blue, long-sleeved chiffon dress. A black sash about her waist gracefully accentuated her figure while an oval sapphire sterling silver pendant necklace with diamond side accents nestled in the V of the neck line. Matching gems sparkled from her earlobes and around her left wrist. Blue pumps with small black bows on them completed the ensemble.

Seth gave out a low whistle of appreciation as he stood and came over to her. "So that's why you wanted me to wear this particular tie."

"Yes, and I have a little present for you," she promised, opening her nearby purse and pulling out a small, hemmed square of silk cloth the exact color of her dress. "I made this for you," she said as she folded a perfect pocket kerchief and tucked it into Seth's breast pocket, then rested her hands on his chest.

Seth's heart began thumping as he put his hands on her hips and leaned in to thank her with a kiss. "Oh, I'm sorry. I've smudged your lipstick."

"You may smudge my lipstick anytime," Jessica allowed as she gently wiped a red mark from Seth's lips. "But this just isn't your color…"

Arm in arm they made their way to the Reading Room Restaurant, so named in honor of the original 1887 clubhouse, the Mount Desert Reading Room.

The honeymooners were delighted to find the tables set with white linen, fresh flowers, and candles lit against the gloom of the rainy afternoon. Only two other couples and a trio were already seated.

"We're early, and it looks like the rain has kept more diners away," noticed Jessica as they waited for the hostess.

"Good!" Seth said quietly into her ear. "Then I'll worry less about your beauty bewitching some young Adonis and him enticing you away."

Jessica looked over at her husband and chuckled softly as she twiddled the ring finger of her left hand in front of him. "Rest easy! My favorite piece of jewelry here assures you that any roaming Adonis in the area will leave without me."

"Glad to hear that!" replied Seth just before the hostess came up and led them to their table where they settled in to peruse their menus.

After a white coated waiter took their order for an appetizer of Brie en Croute to be shared, Jessica requested the Frenchman Bay Seafood Cioppino for her entree. Seth selected the Lobster Pie for his main course and also ordered a good bottle of unoaked chardonnay which was promptly produced and two glasses poured.

As they waited for their food they sat sipping the pale golden liquid and gazing out of the windows at the drizzle, now falling hard on the bay's surface and causing millions of tiny bubbles to endlessly form and then pop! From the other side of the room the tinkling of music could be heard from the grand piano.

Covering Seth's left hand with hers Jessica sighed with delight, "This is all so wonderfully romantic. Thank you, my love, for such a fabulous honeymoon. I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks already."

"It's truly been my pleasure, dearest. But, we're not done yet! Don't forget fishing with Caleb on Saturday. I'm sure we'll catch - or at least you will - enough striped bass for dinner on Sunday, as well."

Jessica's comment at his trust in her fishing ability was cut short by the arrival of their appetizer. The rest of dinner soon followed along and was topped off by splitting a Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp for dessert.

After paying the tab they walked toward the elevator. "We could use a stroll to work off some of that fine meal, but that rain hasn't completely let up yet. Do you still want to try for sunrise at the top of Mount Cadillac, Jess? We'd need to get to bed soon, if you do."

"Oh, I still have faith that it'll clear up and I have an idea of how we can work off our dinner. Come with me," she directed as she led Seth to the upstairs in their suite and over to the balcony. Throwing open the double doors she was glad to see that the rain had slowed and blue skies could be seen beyond the dark gray clouds.

"Looks like you're right about the weather."

"I'm happy to say that I'm also right about something else," Jessica replied as she turned an ear to the outside. Soft, but clear piano music could be heard from the doorway.

"Well, Dr. Hazlitt. Shall we dance?" she inquired as she dropped a small curtsey.

With his arm across his midsection Seth returned a bow. "With the greatest of pleasure, Mrs. Hazlitt." Then he held out his arms and Jessica stepped into his embrace and nestled in closely. Time slipped away as they danced before the open doorway, cheek to cheek to the classic tunes of the pianist. Finally, Jessica pulled back a little and murmured, "I hate to say it, but we really should get to bed."

"That doesn't sound so bad to me," Seth said meaningfully as his eyes sparkled into hers.

"I meant to sleep, Seth!" she laughed softly.

"Darn! I suppose you're right, though. Getting up at 2:45 a.m. to make it to the top before sunrise isn't going to be easy. Let's set the alarm and also request a wake up call."

After preparing everything for their very early morning rise they nestled together comfortably under the green-gold quilt, and continued dancing in their dreams.

... ... ... ... ...

Waking in the wee hours of Friday morning Jessica and Seth freshened up and dressed, ate the small breakfast they had stashed, and gathered their things before heading downstairs to the reception desk to check out.

"I hope you've enjoyed your stay with us and please come back soon," wished the tall desk clerk to them as he sent the valet for their car. "One moment, we have something to send you off properly for your trip to the summit." He ducked into the back room and returned quickly with two large, steaming coffees and a waxed brown paper sack rife with the scent of fresh pastry.

After all bags were packed, and coffees and goodies secured, they set off to the nearby park. Once the town lights were left behind they drove in total darkness, except for the headlights showing the road in front of them.

"It looks like you were right, Jess. The rain's stopped and it's breezed up so much the clouds have blown away right neatly."

"Yes, and the wind's brought in a cold front. Did you notice how chilly it's gotten? I'm glad we got our jackets cleaned and dried. We're going to need them."

The station wagon turned off of the main road and slowly climbed the curvy three and a half miles up to the 1,530 foot summit of Mount Cadillac without seeing another car.

As they pulled into the parking lot that crowned the top Jessica noted with surprise, "Why, there's no one else here!"

"A-yuh, I guess everyone got scared off by the rain. Well then, we get the prime parking spot," Seth said as he expertly backed the station wagon up to the eastern edge of the lot. "Let's get out and have a look around. Oh, open the glove box and get the flashlights, please."

"I'm glad you thought of that! Mine is packed in my suitcase."

Seth pushed the button to turn off the interior lights and then exited the car to come around to Jessica's side with his flashlight on. Once they were both out they walked to the rear of the car, now facing due east, and looked down to turn off their hand torches.

In a few seconds their night vision had returned and they looked up.

"Oh! My!" Jessica gasped.

"Whoa!" Seth exclaimed.

The distant horizon and the softly rumbling Sea below them had blended into a wall of inky blackness. Out in the far distance, at about eye level, brilliant Venus blazed forth in the night. Entranced, they admired its luminous beauty and watched for some minutes as the lovely planet set below the unseen curvature of the earth and disappeared from sight.

"Well! We certainly timed that perfectly," exhaled Jessica.

"That was… amazing!" agreed Seth as he slid his arm around her waist and drew next to her. "Oooh, look up, Jess."

They cast their eyes upward and gazed into the clear dark night above them to behold countless stars, all glittering like diamonds set in the black velvet sky of the heavens.

Making use of the car to keep their balance, the couple looked about them, taking in the distant twinkle of a few lights in Bar Harbor to the northeast and a couple of faint points of light on the Schoodic Peninsula, farther away. Here and there in the distance a blink of light could just be discerned, but by and large the darkness was too deep to even see each other clearly.

Seth felt a shiver run through his wife. "She's a bit nippy out here. Are you cold or just in awe?"

"A little of both. I hope the coffee is still hot."

"Stay here at the side of the car while I swing the tailgate open. We can sit in the back and have our coffee there."

In short order the couple was sitting in the back of the station wagon with their legs hanging over the back bumper. They were leaning comfortably against their luggage and cuddled together in a nest of old, olive drab wool army blankets with one draped about their shoulders, and contentedly nibbling on apple turnovers while sipping the still warm java.

"It's only about a half an hour before sunrise," remarked Seth as he checked his watch, then clicked off the light. "We should be getting some color on the horizon soon."

"We need to remember to do this," Jessica reflected aloud as the darkness enveloped them again. "I mean, get away from it all and just sit and look around. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks of life and completely miss the beauty that surrounds us."

"Woman, you have the soul of a poet! You're right, of course. In just a couple of days I'll reopen the office and you'll have to confer with your publisher on something or other and then start with the corrections on your book. But, I never want to lose spending these kind of moments with you," the good doctor earnestly said as he leaned over and planted a rather sticky kiss in the vicinity of his wife's cheek.

Jessica chortled at the gooey mark left on her jaw. "I heartily agree, and to that end I propose that we always take the first week or so of June off and go away to celebrate our anniversary."

"That's a wonderful proposal!" said Seth with a smile in his voice. "I like it almost as much as your first proposal…"

"Smartest thing I ever did," Jessica laughed lightly, elbowing him gently in the ribs. "Of course, before we plan our first anniversary getaway we really do have to plan our wedding reception. When, where, what kind shall we have, and whom shall we invite? There's a lot of work to be done and I just don't see how we can manage it by next month. August might be more feasible."

"The whom is easy enough. We may as well invite everyone we know since they're all going to come anyway. We should hire a party planner to help with the rest."

"That's a wonderful idea! And a great weight off of my mind."

"Speaking about being lighter, look over there," pointed Seth to a very faint blush of pink on the horizon.

"Ahh, the show's starting and we have the best seats in the house!"

They sat enthralled as the pinkish hue morphed into tangerine and a slender band of clouds just above the horizon turned purple in response.

All nature seemed to pause in silent reverence of the passing night. Then a soft chorus of tweets and chirps accompanied the small bump of yellow that made itself known on the horizon and brightened the cloud line to red, then faded it to a dusky rose, and finally to white as the golden disc began to rise into view and bathe the grayish-silver waters below with its light; turning the Sea to cobalt blue.

Unexpectedly, Seth heard a sweet addition to the avian praise as a clear, ethereal voice joined in with the words to "Morning Has Broken," set to the old Gaelic tune, "Bunessan."

Seth's features were that of wonder as he looked at Jessica and then rose with her as she stood and extended her arms out to Heaven as she sang the last stanza about giving glory to God for the new day.

Gazing with unabashed admiration at his wife's face, now set aglow by the dawn as she finished the hymn, Seth lifted his forefinger to gently move a wind blown wisp of hair off to the side, then let his hand rest with his fingers in her hair. "Have I told you lately, that I love you?"

"I think it's been at least a day," quietly replied Jessica, inhaling deeply of the crisp morning air.

"I do love you, Jess. So very much so…" he said as he captured her mouth in a warm, gentle kiss; and then another. "Good morning," he wished her with a third kiss.

"Good morning, Seth," she reciprocated as she rested her forehead against his. "I love you, too. Let's go home."

"Another wonderful idea!" smiled Seth into eyes that reflected the Sea as he led Jessica around the side of the car and opened the door, ushering her safely inside for their return drive.

... ... ... ... ...

It was mid-morning when the honeymooners glided through the streets of Cabot Cove and pulled up to the house at 698 Candlewood Lane.

"Ahh, it's good to be back," sighed Jessica happily as they got out of the car.

"A-yuh, at least until tomorrow's fishing expedition to Rockport!"

"Oh, I'm looking forward to that! I hope we have good luck." Then, smiling impishly she added, "You know, now that we're married, I expect you to provide for me - I think you mentioned something about striped bass? Hmm?"

Seth grinned wryly and chuckled, "Well, if nothing else, there's always that big can of tuna in our cupboard!"

"Ha, ha, ha! Yes, there's always that," Jessica shook her head in merriment.

Chuckling and smiling broadly, Seth took her hand in his. "Come, wife. Let's go inside."

Giving him a radiant smile Jessica tugged him toward the back door. "Yes, husband. We're home."

... ... ... ... ...

(Author's Post Note: As it turned out, there were three chapters remaining. They must have replicated when I wasn't looking :)