Lunch went quickly as Hotch updated Christine on Jack's exploits and accomplishments. Then, Christine entertained him with some amusing stories about the residents and guests at The Yoga Center.
As Hotch drove her back to her motel, Christine turned to smile at him. "I can't thank you enough, Aaron," she exclaimed. "You really made my day - I can now die happy!" She laughed shakily
Hotch gave her an alarmed look.
"So to speak," she added quickly. "Believe me, Aaron, I'm not thinking of doing anything stupid."
"Just the same," Hotch told her as he parked his vehicle. "I'd like to come back to your room with you. Just for a minute or two, if you don't mind."
"As you wish," Christine told him as she got out of the car and led the way through the motel's small lobby and down the hallway. After Christine had opened the door to her room, she went in, sat on the end of the bed, and looked at Hotch. "I know you want to search the room," she told him. "Go ahead!"
She handed him her purse. "You'll probably want to go through this, too."
"Please understand," he replied as he went through her purse. He then went into the bathroom where Christine could hear him digging through her toiletries, before coming back into the bedroom and going through her suitcase and the drawers in the dresser and nightstand, as well as the closet.
"Happy?" she asked when he had finished checking under the mattress. "You will notice that I don't even have a belt that could be used for nefarious purposes. Now, sit down," she patted the bed next to her.
Hotch sat down next to her. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "But, I just had to be sure."
"Yes, Aaron, I do understand," Christine told him, as she turned towards him and put her hand on top of his as they lay on his lap. "And I appreciate your concern. But, think about it. I'm a best-selling author now and, even though most of the money is going into a trust for The New Life Yoga Center, for the first time in my life I have more than enough money for my needs. On top of that, my second book is already printed and in the warehouse. As soon as my publisher thinks the 'buzz' from my first book had died down enough, it will be hitting the stores. My third book is currently undergoing its initial editing, and my fourth book is in outline form."
Hotch picked up her hand and held it, hoping she hadn't noticed his growing excitement. "What was it about her?" he wondered. He had never been quite certain, but even Beth had noticed and commented on it.
"Add to that, when I get tired of writing I can go feed the chickens, or paint the fences, or pull weeds," Christine continued. "I have my daily yoga classes and sometimes I even lead a class. And, I have even been known to help out in the kitchen. You've been to The Yoga Center, there is always something to do. I'm not bored, and I certainly don't have the time to be unhappy. Now, please, give me a smile."
Christine lightly stroked the side of Hotch's face. He could smell the fresh scent of her hand lotion, and he turned his face to kiss her palm, once, twice. He moved on to lightly kiss her lips, and then pulled back to gaze into her hazel eyes.
"I just need to check," Christine whispered. "Is Beth still in the picture?"
"No, she's long gone," Hotch replied.
"Good, I don't want to poach on her territory," Christine replied as she leaned forward to return his kisses.