My Best Christmas Ever!

Chapter 3

It had been over a four-hour drive with stops from Sacramento before the small family reached the market at the base of Mount Shasta, Rays Food Place. It seemed odd that this business was where he was supposed to pick up the key to their cabin rental.

But Rick shrugged his shoulders and helped his Mother and young son climb out of their Jeep, with Martha stating that she felt a bit stiff after the long ride and needed to stretch her legs. Looking from his Grams to his Daddy, Levi reached for his grandmother's hand, saying, "Me too, Daddy. I need to stretch my legs, so I'll stay with Grams."

Always amazed by Levi's depth of compassion, Rick agrees, "That's a great idea, Levi. Maybe you and Grams can look around the store and see if we need something more for our winter adventure while I get our key."

Martha smiled as she squeezed Levi's hand, responding to her son's idea,

"Come along, Levi; let's check this place out and see if we can find any treasures for our stay at your cabin."

Martha and Levi browsed hand-in-hand, exploring the unique store and looking at the souvenirs and candy prominently displayed in what Martha thought was a traditional means to draw sales. Then, Levi spotted the soda bar and asked if they could get a chocolate malt.

After receiving a key for their cabin, a map, and directions to their mountain getaway from Ray, the store's shopkeeper, Rick joined his family and heard Levi's request. But having just been told by the shopkeeper that a snowstorm was moving in, Rick suggested they get their malts to go.

It was a twenty-minute drive up the mountain to their rented cabin. With the potential of heavy snow, Rick pulled into the rear drive under the canopy of the magnificent home, intending to get his family inside and then return to the Jeep to get their luggage.

Rick was the first to approach the cabin's back door, and as he inserted the key into the lock, the door opened on its own. He frowned, thinking it was unusual, but maybe the shopkeeper had been here and left off the promised supplies, forgetting to relock the door.

Rick held the door open as Martha and Levi entered, with Levi asking where the restroom was. Seeing an open door down the first hallway, Rick pointed his son and Mother in that direction as he placed their malts in the freezer. Rick then turned to enter the Great Room of the house from the right, whistling at the immense size of the room, but then immediately noticed a roaring fire in the beautifully crafted fireplace. Rick scanned the room, saying to himself that's not safe.

As Rick turned, planning to return to the cabin's rear entrance and retrieve their luggage from his Jeep, he came face to face with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but before he could say a word, the woman kicked him below the knee, knocking him to the floor.

The woman then raises her closed fists, grits her teeth, and gives this invader her most ferocious glare, threatening him that she's trained in several forms of martial arts!

Being caught off guard by the beautiful shoeless woman standing in front of him, Rick laughs as he attempts to get up, rubbing his shin and says,

"I thought it was always best to attack an assailant with open palms instead of closed fists so you don't break your fingers."

Instantly realizing he had made a dreadful mistake, Rick takes a few steps backward as Kate shifts her stance and moves into a defensive posture.

As Kate contemplates her next move, she senses movement behind her just as a young boy and an older woman walk into the room. The little boy says,

"Daddy, this cabin is huge," but his voice trails off when he sees a woman with her hands raised, looking like she will hit his Daddy. With a small, scared voice, Levi rushes to Rick's side and innocently asks, "Daddy, did you make this nice lady mad?"

Martha has moved to the opposite side, so she is now standing on the other side of her son, giving this unknown stranger a bewildered look before saying,

"Might I suggest that we all take a deep breath and relax as we try to sort out what is happening here?"

Martha then steps between her family and the stranger, who has lowered her hands but still maintains a sense of strength and determination.

"If I may, my name is Martha Rodgers, and this is my son, Richard Castle, and my grandson Levi. We have just arrived from Sacramento to spend the holiday in the mountains at Levi's request."

Kate takes two steps backward, first stunned by the protective look on the older woman's face and, secondly, acknowledging the woman's comment that her son is Richard Castle. Kate had felt so threatened to find strangers in her cabin that she hadn't taken time to look closer at who she thought was an intruder.

But now that she's calmed down, she sees it. This man's face is on the book jackets of many books in her suitcase upstairs. Kate tells herself this can't be happening. But it is. She had just attacked her favorite author.

While trying to hide her knowledge that she recognizes her supposed intruder, the silence between the strangers becomes uncomfortable. Then young Levi looks up at the strange lady and gently asks, "Are you okay? You look scared? I promise my Daddy won't hurt you."

The young boy's words jar Kate out of her thoughts, and she smiles down at him as she responds, "Thank you, I am okay. I was just surprised to see you in my cabin."

Rick clears his throat and says, "Excuse me, but you are in our cabin."

He reaches toward his inside coat pocket but immediately notices the tension returning to this beautiful woman. So Rick carefully pulls his arm back, explaining, "I am just reaching into my pocket to show you the confirmation for our rental."

Kate nods and moves to a nearby table, reaching for a folded paper leaning against an ornate lamp.

Rick and Kate then seem to have a brief stare-down as they exchange sheets of paper.

Rick is the first to speak, "You're Katherine Beckett from New York City?"

Kate doesn't respond as she reviews the sheet Richard Castle has given her.

After reading the document, Kate says, "I made my reservation three days ago, and you just did yours the night before last. So my reservation was first, and the cabin rental is mine."

Realizing they are at a stalemate in their argument, Kate and Rick agree that they must return to Ray's Food Place to straighten out this mess.

Martha states she has no intention of going back out in the weather. But Levi insists that he wants to go with his Daddy. Once Rick is confident that his Mother is comfortable, the three bundle up, heading back into the winter elements and traveling down the mountain, hoping to resolve the confusion with their reservations quickly.

"On, no, I am so sorry. With things so crazy here, I accidentally double-booked the cabin," said the embarrassed shopkeeper, apologizing for his untimely error.

"That's understandable, but the important thing is that you find a place for Miss Beckett to stay," stated Rick as he innocently glanced toward the woman from New York.

Kate glares at the man trying to steal her cabin, saying, "And why do you assume Ray needs to find a new place for me? I made my reservation first. He needs to locate a new cabin for you."

Rick doesn't skip a beat as he looks at his son and says, "Yes, but I have a kid, and my elderly Mother is also with me. And this cabin has too much space for one person."

"Oh, aren't you the ever-caring guy, playing the kid and elderly mother card? Well, it won't work; Ray must find you all a different cabin."

The shopkeeper clears his throat and interrupts the feuding couple, saying, "I am sorry, but we don't have any other rentals available. This cabin only became available because of a last-minute cancellation. I have no other accommodations available."

Rick continues, "I am sure Miss Beckett will be fine if you can locate a motel or hotel room for her in the area."

Before Kate can fire back at the inconsiderate and assuming jerk standing before her, Ray lowers his head and quietly states,

"I already tried that, but there are no vacancies. All units in the area have been booked ahead for months. There is nothing available on the mountain."

The trio turns to leave as Levi chimes in, "Daddy, we can all stay in the cabin; it's huge."

Not looking at Kate, Rick says, "I'm sorry Sport, but that wouldn't work."

Without further discussion, they exit the market and walk toward their cars as the snowfall becomes heavier. Halfway down the sidewalk, Kate releases a pent-up sigh and says, "Okay, you win. The cabin is yours. I guess I will have to cancel my vacation and try and get a flight back to New York."

Rick smiles and says, "Thank you," as he and Levi step off the curb to walk across the street to his Jeep. Looking worried, Levi glances over his shoulder, watching Kate brush snow off her car.

Before Rick and Levi reach their vehicle, they hear a grinding sound from Kate's rental car. It happens three more times before Levi says, "Daddy, we can't leave Kate in the cold. You have to help her."

Rick looks down at his young son, knowing he is right, and the two walk back toward Kate's car. Rick taps on the window, and Kate hits the auto control, lowering the snow-covered side window as Rick asks,

"Are you having problems?"

Kate gives the man a bewildered look, saying, "I have no idea what's going on. It's a rental, and it's been running great up until now. I can call the guy in Redding, but I'm unsure what he can do this late in the day, especially with the snow worsening."

Rick looks around, then down at the concerned look on his son's face, and sighs, saying,

"Okay, would you like to stay at the cabin with us tonight? Then we'll try to get you a different rental car in the morning."

Kate hesitates, as staying in the same place with Richard Castle is the last thing she wants to do, but she has no other options, so she agrees and exits her car, ensuring that it's locked, and follows Rick and Levi to their Jeep.

The drive back up the mountain is quiet, except for Levi, who keeps throwing questions out to Kate.

"Kate, where do you live in New York? I used to live there too."

Before Kate can answer the excited little boy, he pops off another question until Rick says,

"Hey, Sport, let's wait until we get back to the cabin and settle in, and then you can ask Kate some of your questions."

Levi leans back, sighing, and says, "Okay, Daddy."

As Rick looks toward Kate, he mouths, "I'm sorry."

Kate acknowledges Rick with a nod and a tight smile.

As the three walk back into the cabin, they find Martha sitting in front of the fire, sipping a glass of wine.

With a definite look of surprise, Martha turns and says, "Well, well. I take it that trip was not as successful as planned."

Rick quickly explains the situation to his Mother, who agrees with Levi's suggestion that Kate must stay with them for the night and silently hopes they can locate a different rental car for her in the morning.

Looking around the room, thinking about sleeping accommodations, Rick says, "Levi, you can sleep with me tonight, and Kate can have one of the other bedrooms."

But Kate shakes her head, answering, "Oh, no. I don't want to take Levi's room. I am fine sleeping on the couch in front of the fire. I have done that several times when I've gone to visit my Dad at his cabin. I'll be fine. You all go and get settled into your rooms."

Rick is about to protest when Kate gives him a gentler look and quietly says, "No. I will be okay."

Rick then takes their luggage upstairs as Kate checks the hall closet and locates blankets and pillows that she can use on the couch. Since it's still early, she places the bedding at the end of the sofa and then sits in front of the fire, staring into the flames, thinking,

Why am I surprised? I didn't want to come on this trip in the first place, and now this has happened. And I'm stranded in a remote cabin with Richard freaking Castle. Oh, well, hopefully, nothing else will happen, and I'll call Greg tomorrow and try to get a flight home; then I'll have to decide what to do next.

With those thoughts floating through her mind, Kate leans back, never realizing how tired she is, and quickly dozes off.

Kate had no idea how long she had been sleeping, but she heard a little voice asking,

"Kate, are you okay? Daddy made dinner if you want to eat with us?"

Surprised by the interruption but also touched by the caring look on young Levi's face, Kate says,

"Yes, Levi, I am fine. Thank you for asking. I guess I am a little more tired than I thought. If it's okay with your Daddy, I would enjoy having dinner with you."

Levi gave Kate a smile that reminded her of his Dad and reached for her hand, helping her up from the couch and leading her into the dining area, directing her to sit beside him.

Martha looks lovingly at her grandson and comments, "That is very gentlemanly of you, Levi."

Then she turned to Kate, saying, "Katherine, you are most welcome to join us for dinner. I, for one, appreciate the company of another woman."

Rick coughs, looking at his Mother, asking, "Well, what am I, Mother, chopped liver?"

"Oh, stop acting like a child, Richard. Katherine is our guest, and you need to be a little more welcoming,"

Embarrassed by the reprimand from his Mother, Rick looked toward Kate, saying, "I'm sorry, Kate. That wasn't polite of me. Of course, we love having you join us for dinner."

With that conversation behind them, the four sit down to the unique aromas of pasta with meat sauce, garlic bread, and bacon-wrapped asparagus. As the group enjoys Rick's savory meal, he comments, "I have to give Ray kudos for stocking the pantry and refrigerator. We won't have to go grocery shopping for days."

Kate smiles at Rick as she sees the family man's side of him, again overwhelmed that she is having dinner with her favorite author.

Following their delicious meal, Kate insists on helping Rick clean up while Martha goes to read a book to her grandson.

Since the cabin has a dishwasher, Rick and Kate clear the table, load the dishwasher, and store the leftovers for a future meal. After wiping down the counters, Rick offers Kate a cup of coffee and invites her to join him in the breakfast nook on the other side of the immense kitchen.

"So, Kate, tell me a little about yourself," exclaimed Rick.

Not sure she was ready to share much about her life with a stranger, Kate answered, "Well, I live and work in New York City."

Rick chuckled, saying, "Yes, I gathered that much from your cabin reservation. What type of work do you do in New York?"

Again, unsure how to respond, Kate said, "I work for the city."

Sensing it will be like pulling teeth to get answers from this intriguing woman, Rick smiles, knowing he loves a good challenge. So he sets down his coffee mug, leans on his arms as they rest on the table, and looks directly at Kate, asking again, "What type of work do you do for the city? They certainly have numerous departments within city government."

Kate rolled her eyes, feeling uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation, so she tried to switch roles and asked, "Are you always this inquisitive with people you have just met?"

Rick smiled at Kate, reminding her of Levi's grin, and answered, "It's sort of a trait of my job. I love getting to know people, which requires asking questions. Sorry if I was being too intrusive."

Feeling a bit daring, Kate returned Rick's smile, asking, "Exactly what type of work do you do that requires you to interrogate people?"

Enjoying their swordplay, Rick sat up straighter, intertwining his fingers, and replied, "Kate, I think you know what type of work I do. You recognized me earlier after my Mother made the introductions. Right?"

Kate immediately felt her cheeks redden as she looked down at her coffee mug, trying to figure out how to escape this uncomfortable situation. Seeing no graceful way to change the direction of the conversation, Kate looked Rick in the eyes and said, "Yes, you are right. After your Mother told me your name, I instantly recognized you."

Again, Rick smiled at his unplanned guest and boldly asked, "Can I assume you are a fan?"

Now, getting irritated by the arrogance of this man, Kate began to stand as she said, "Oh, you are so full of yourself. Do you always assume everyone you meet is a fan?"

Knowing he had made a colossal error, Rick stood and shifted his position so Kate would have to walk around him to exit the kitchen.

Rick touched Kate's arm, timidly replying,

"Oh, Kate, I apologize. I didn't mean to be so rude. I had sensed earlier that you recognized me, and I was curious why you hadn't said anything. That usually never happens. See, my publisher is notorious for pushing this Playboy image, which I hate, and I try to call her out on it, especially if it affects Levi or Mother. But sometimes, I slip and allow it to feed my ego, and when that happens, I often make a fool of myself, like I did tonight. I am so sorry. Please don't leave. Let's sit down and talk like two new friends. Nothing more," pleaded Rick.

Kate tilted her head, contemplating this man who suddenly looked more like a little boy than a famous author.

Kate didn't immediately respond to Rick's plea but eventually slid back into her seat, saying, "Only if you get me another cup of that incredible coffee. Is that a special blend or something? I've never had coffee that tasted that good."

Relieved that Kate wouldn't run out of the kitchen, Rick grinned from ear to ear and said, "Yes, it is, and thank you. Just give me a second to brew another pot."

As they enjoyed more of Rick's incredible coffee, the two strangers began to feel more comfortable with one another. They continued visiting, sharing tidbits about their knowledge of the area and how they decided to come to this location for their respective vacations, with Rick mentioning Levi's bucket list. But Kate carefully avoided the details regarding her boss forcing her to take medical leave.

Rick soon moved the discussion back to a more personal nature, where Kate wasn't willing to participate, so she stated that she needed to get to bed and get a good night's sleep before she attempted to obtain a new rental car and figure out how to return to New York.

Rick reluctantly dropped the subject and offered to go upstairs and retrieve Kate's luggage, bringing it back downstairs and placing it in an oversized restroom that they had discovered was just off of a heated hot tub on the back porch.

After bidding each other goodnight, Levi, to the astonishment of everyone, insisted that he also needed a goodnight kiss from Kate.

After awkwardly fulfilling Levi's request, Kate made up the couch, laid down, and let the warmth of the crackling fire wash over her, allowing crazy wishes to float through her head where she could spend her holiday at this beautiful cabin with this sweet family.