Giving her a wink, he ran out of the dining room and made a mad dash for the stairs.
“The clean-up can wait!” she squealed and she was right behind him.
Arthur led the way up to the meadow, taking it slow as parts of the path were steep. Sassy Pants knew the path well, so Carolyn wasn’t having any difficulty.
“I’m fine,” she said as though she could read his mind. “You can pick up the pace if you want.”
“I like this pace; I like spending time with you and getting to know you,” Arthur replied.
“I like it too.” Carolyn’s voice echoed in the evening air.
Reaching the plateau, they dismounted and walked hand in hand to the edge of the opening in the trees. From there Carolyn could see for miles and the lights of the city below were lighting up.
“What a fantastic view,” she said. “I can see why Mac and Annie love it here.”
“It is beautiful. Like a million stars twinkling below and above.” He retrieved a blanket from one of the horses and spread it on the ground. “Come have a look at the heavens.”
Lying on the blanket and looking up at the millions of the stars in the sky, Carolyn looked over at him.
“I feel at home here. These are the same stars I see at night in Kansas. It’s like I haven’t gone anywhere at all, except that you’re here and I’m usually alone.”
“I’m usually alone too, but I can’t see the stars in the city like I can see them here. The city lights interfere. I like being here with you, Carolyn.”
His arms drew her close to him and he held her as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“I think it’s going to be hard to go home. It’s so strange that I would feel that way when it’s been the only home I’ve ever known. Annie’s asked me more times than I can count to relocate so I’d be closer to her. I never considered it until now.”
“You know, Mac’s asked me many times to move up here just to save me the driving time. I always said no because there was nothing here for me. It’s funny how feelings change in such a short time.”
“Yes, it is. I’m having feelings I thought I’d never have again,” Carolyn confessed.
“Me too; why do you suppose that is?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because there’s going to be a wedding. Weddings seem to bring out romantic feelings in people.”
“Carolyn, are you feeling romantic?”
She giggled. “Yeah, I guess I am…a little bit anyway.”
Arthur was glad to hear that because he was feeling the same way, and he ventured to ask what she was going to do with those feelings.
“I really don’t know, Arthur. Time will tell.”
They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms and looking at the stars, each of them naming some constellations. Finally Arthur spoke.
“We should be getting back, the kids will be worried.”
“The kids, huh? You sound like they are ours.”
“I wish they were. Carolyn, I wish we’d met a long time ago.”
He didn’t wait for or expect a response as he helped her up and folded the blanket. The horses were ready to go and Carolyn was first to mount. She had a lot to think about.
Chapter 3
Two days before the wedding Arthur was scheduled to fly the Challenger across the country and Annie was not one bit surprised when he asked her mother to go with him.
“It’s pretty boring when there’s no one to talk to,” Arthur said. “I have to pick up Mitch in New York, a friend Mac and Annie met on the island; Mac’s parents, Trudy and Conall in West Palm Beach, and Annie’s best friend from college, Monica and her husband, Joe in Houston. We’ll probably stay with Mac’s parents overnight since Mac won’t be with me. As the only crew member, I’m limited to eight hours flying time in a rolling twenty-four hour period. You’d really be doing me a big favor and you can sit in the cockpit with me again if you like.”
“Arthur, that’s a tempting invitation, but I’m sure Annie needs my help around…”
“Oh, she’d love to go with you,” Annie proclaimed. “It’s not that I don’t want you here, Mom, but there are so many last minute details to tend to. I probably won’t get to spend much of the day with you anyway.”
When Carolyn agreed to go, Annie couldn’t have been more thrilled. As soon as they were out the door, Annie began to dance around the breakfast bar.
At 4:30 in the morning, Arthur and Carolyn boarded Mac’s plane. New York was the first stop where they were to pick up Mitch. Being a private plane, they could take off by 5 a.m. and be in New York is less than four hours. Once they were on the ground, and knowing Carolyn had never been to the Big Apple, Arthur flagged a cab.
“Where to?” the driver asked as they slid into the back seat.
“Central Park and please take the Queensborough Bridge,” Arthur answered.
“Does Mitch live near Central Park? It’s a beautiful place; I’ve seen pictures of it.”
“No, Mitch is going to meet us at the airport later today. I want to show you Central Park,” he said.
“Oh Arthur, I’d love that.”
It wasn’t long before they were approaching the bridge and from the look on Carolyn’s face, she was in awe.
“We are now crossing the East River. This is also known as the 59th Street Bridge. Simon and Garfunkel sang a song about it. You remember them.” He started to sing softly in her ear:
Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.
And she picked up the next line:
Just kicking down the cobblestones, looking for fun and feeling groovy.
“If I had a nickel for everyone who sings that song crossing over this bridge, I’d be a rich man.” The cabbie laughed and they did too.
“You sing well, Arthur. What else is there about you I don’t know?”
“So do you and I could ask you the same question,” he said.
“Oh, there’s a lots to learn, but not much of it is very exciting.”
“I think I’ll be the judge of that,” he said as Carolyn cranked her head to look up at the towering buildings.
Arthur had the driver pull up in front of a little deli and he came back with breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Arriving at Central Park, he paid the cab driver and took Carolyn’s hand. They passed a long line of horse drawn carriages lined up and awaiting their first customers, but first decided to find a bench and enjoy their breakfast.
They picked a white carriage with a plush red interior and settled in for the hour long ride.
“I feel like a queen. I guess that makes you my king.”
“Indeed it does…King Arthur. What do you think of that?”
“I think this is better than Camelot,” she said. “Thank you for giving me the two best rides of my life so far, one in the air and now this.”
“I’m not through yet,” he said and drew her into his arms.
“I could get used to this.”
“I hope you do.”
When the carriage ride was over, Arthur announced that he had another surprise for her.
“The carriage ride was surprise enough. We don’t have to do anything else.”
“Sure we do. We have plenty of time; how would you like to take the ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty?”
“That’s so sweet of you. I’ve always wanted to go and never imagined I’d have the opportunity,” she answered, a little nervous tone in the voice.
“Well, you’re in luck. I just happened to have reserve tickets so we won’t have to wait in line very long. Once we’re on the ferry, it’s only about a fifteen minute ride.”
“Arthur, I’ve never been on a boat.” She bit her lower lip.
“I’ll hold you all the way. It’ll be the third best ride of your life. Deal?”
“Deal,” she said as she had visions of getting sea sick and throwing up all over him.
When they got on the ferry, it took Carolyn a few minutes to get her sea legs, but Arthur he
ld her just as he promised. Much to her surprise the sound of the water slapping against the side of the ferry, the gulls overhead calling out and swooping down to the water and up again—as though they were stitching together pieces of a new life for her—had a calming effect.
“Of my goodness, she is much more beautiful in real life. I’m sure thousands of immigrants had the same feeling when they came here hoping to find a better life…and to think my grandparents were among them.”
“And mine were too. We can go on from here to Ellis Island where they landed, but the museum there is a place where we could spend hours.”
“Maybe we can visit it again sometime? I would love to see it.”
“I think that can be arranged. When we fly Mitch back we can make a weekend of it if you’d like.”
“I’d like that very much,” she said as her cheeks blushed with a soft glow.
They disembarked and walked hand in hard around the grounds.
“How would you like to go up to her crown? The view is amazing. Are you up for the 350+ steps?”
“That’s a lot of steps; can you handle it?” she teased.
“I work out several times a week, Carolyn. I just wanted to be sure I wasn’t asking too much of you. Once you start, there’s no going back down until you reach the top.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting…”
“They only thing I’m suggesting is that we go up to the crown,” he interrupted her.
“You better be able to handle it, Arthur. I honestly don’t think I could carry you.”
“Game on,” he said and they were off.
About half way up, Carolyn began to slow down.
“Getting tired?” he asked.
“Not even, but the guy in front of me is,” she shot back.
Finally they reached the top and were advised to watch their heads. Ducking under steel girders, they were at the windows that partly opened and got some great shots with their cell phones. Arthur handed his phone to another couple and asked them to take a photo of them and they returned the favor.
The trip down was easier going and they were back on the ferry in short order.
“I think I’ve worked up an appetite,” he said.
“Glad to hear it; I’m hungry too.”
She didn’t know Arthur had arranged to take her out for a late lunch before they met up with Mitch at the airport. It was nothing fancy; just a little café with an outside dining area and fabulous food.
“Do you come here often?” she asked, as Arthur held the chair for her.
“Not as often as I would like; I hate eating along,” Arthur replied.
“I know what you mean,” Carolyn nodded. “Most of the time I end up eating microwaved dinners in front of the TV. It’s not that I’m a bad cook; it just seems pointless to cook for one person.”
“I know, I do the same thing and I’m a pretty good cook myself. Maybe after the kids leave for their honeymoon, I could cook for you.”
“Thank you, Arthur; I think that would be very nice.”
A waiter took their order. Carolyn asked for a glass of wine and Arthur a club soda.
“I don’t drink when I’m flying, but back to our conversation. Spaghetti and meatballs is my specialty. I like to put a little hot sausage in the sauce. It really makes a big difference. Of course, you’ll love my garlic herb bread—hot from the oven.”
“You’re making my mouth water.” Carolyn laughed. “I’d be happy to cook for you too.”
“I’d like that very much. What’s your specialty?” he asked.
“Well, I have two favorites; chicken and dumplings and pot roast. I’ll let you chose. I’m sure Annie won’t mind if we use the kitchen.”
Arthur studied this woman as she talked and was pretty sure she had a wee bit of a gleam in her eye. He placed his hand over hers, “Is there any reason we have to be limited to just one meal each? How long will you be staying?”
She was a little startled, but didn’t pull her hand away. “No, I don’t suppose there is. I’m staying for two weeks after the wedding. It was Annie’s suggestion even though they will be gone part of the time; I haven’t had a vacation or time to relax in years.”
“I’m so glad you’re staying. There are a lot of things we can do in…”
“Wow, that was fast,” Carolyn said as the waiter set her roast beef sandwich in front of her, and then served Arthur his meatball sub.
“Annie is a sweet girl,” he said. “I’m so glad Mac found her.”
“Yes she is, and she’s been through a lot for someone so young.”
“And so have you,” Arthur nodded. He knew from Annie that her father had left before she was born.
“Yes, Arthur, I have. I didn’t make very good choices when I was younger.”
“It’s never too late to make different choices,” he smiled. “Some men are very loyal.”
“I guess I wasn’t that lucky,” Carolyn sighed, as she put her napkin on her lap.
“I’d like a chance to change that if…”
Arthur never got the opportunity to finish as the sky opened up; the rain came in torrents soaking them both. Quickly they ran inside as a loud boom of thunder shook the dishes on the tables, rain demolished their sandwiches, and the crackling of lightening flashed outside the café. Everything went dark. The rain was pelting down so hard they couldn’t see across the street.
“Excuse me,” Arthur said as he punched a number into his cell phone. “This front wasn’t expected until later tonight. I need to check in with the airport; we may be delayed.”
The call took about three minutes. Arthur was told he could not take off as long as the front remained over the area. It seemed to be stationary; he wasn’t concerned with the direction it was moving because as soon as he was cleared for takeoff, he could fly above it.
“Bad news?” Carolyn asked, noting the look on his face.
“That depends on how you look at it. We are stuck in New York for the night. Do you have contact information for Mitch? I don’t have his number programmed into my phone.”
“Yes, I do,” she replied and began to rummage through her purse. Handing the number to Arthur, he called Mitch and let him know of the change in plans. They agreed to meet at the airport at six the next morning.
Everyone in the street was running for cover as the rain continued to pour down on the city. The wind had picked up and blown the umbrella covered tables over. Their food was outside and soaked beyond recognition. The café offered to seat them inside, but they both were dripping wet.
“I guess we should go to Plan B.” Carolyn laughed. “Do we even have a Plan B?”
“Not exactly, but there is a hotel near the airport where pilots and hostesses stay, we should probably head out there. I’d rather not tackle city traffic early in the morning.”
“That sounds good to me; I’d love to get out of these wet clothes but our luggage is on the plane.”
“I can take care of that,” he said and made a phone call.
Getting a cab wasn’t easy; that’s what everyone else was doing—but eventually Arthur was successful.
Over an hour later, they arrived at the Candlelight Hotel in the nick of time.
“My goodness, Captain LeGacy, you’re soaked to the bone,” Julie at the front desk greeted him. “Your luggage arrived about ten minutes ago and I’ve been holding our last room for you. You usually travel light and from the number of bags, I assumed you had a guest aboard. I would have held two rooms but with everyone grounded, at least for the next few hours, we only had one left. I hope that’s okay.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it,” Arthur replied.
Arthur and Carolyn looked at each other mentally debating what to do. Just then a crowd walked through the door and Arthur decisively gave his credit card to Julie at the desk.
“Have a nice evening,” she said as she handed a key card to each of them and they headed to the elevator.
Sliding the card to unlock the
door, Arthur stopped as soon as they stepped inside; there was only one king sized bed.
“Well, at least we’ll be dry and out of this horrible weather,” he said. “You take the bed and I’ll sleep in the chair.” He hung up his jacket in the closet and noticed the extra pillows and blankets.
Carolyn didn’t comment; she wondered if she was so out of practice with men she had read him wrong. He seemed to have an interest in her but maybe he was just being polite.
“I’m going to get out of these wet clothes,” she said as she disappeared into the bathroom with her carry-on bag and shut the door.
“I’m going to order us something to eat,” he called through the bathroom door. “What would you like?”
“What are my choices? I’d love something hot.”
“All the restaurants in the area deliver here, so you can have anything from steak to pizza,” he replied. “I think I could wrap myself around a juicy steak.”
“Sounds good to me,” she replied.
Carolyn peeled off her wet clothes and changed as quickly as she could. Touching up her make-up and partially blow drying her hair, she looked in the mirror. Yes, she was aging but it beat the hell out of never having the opportunity to grow old.
As she exited the bathroom wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt, Arthur took note of just how cute she was. Her long auburn hair accented with streaks of silver was piled up on her head. “I tried to hurry so you could get into some dry clothes too.”
“Thanks, I’ll be out soon. I already called ahead for the steaks; it’ll be about thirty minutes. I ordered yours medium with a baked potato and vegetables. I hope that’s okay.”
“Sounds delicious and it’s exactly what I need.” She smiled and thanked him.
Carolyn rearranged the pillows on the bed, propped up against them, and then placed a call to Annie who would call Mac’s parents and let them know about the storm.
“Hi honey,” Carolyn said as Annie answered the phone.
“Hi Mom, is everything okay? I didn’t expect to hear from you.”
“I’m fine; a rain storm has us grounded. We’re going to meet up with Mitch in the morning. Will you call Mac’s parents and ask them to meet us at the airport at 11 o’clock?”
Hot Silver Nights: Silver Fox Romance Collection Page 23