Chapter 49 - Date With Danny



Cate swung her legs out of her Mustang and touched her feet to the ground, being sure to keep her knees modestly together. She eased herself up and stepped away from the car, careful not to catch the hem of her dress in the door as she closed it.

She leaned down and looked at her reflection in the side mirror, pushing back a lock of auburn hair that had floated down in front of her face. Sliding her tongue over her lips, she decided she didn’t need any more lip gloss.

Cate stood straight and moved for the restaurant’s entrance, tucking her car keys into her little silver purse as she walked. She giggled quietly to herself as she clicked along on the high heels of the strappy sandals she had bought earlier today. She couldn’t remember the last time she had worn heels higher than the ones on her cowboy boots.

A slight breeze ruffled Cate's hair and pushed at her flowing skirt. She smiled slightly. For the first time in a very long time she felt purely feminine.

As she approached the restaurant, Cate breathed in the slightly salty sea air. She gazed out at the ocean, listening to the soothing sound of its gentle rush against the shore. Behind her, the sun was low on the horizon over the grassy marshes, turning the sky twenty shades of pink and yellow. It was another beautiful evening in the Golden Isles.

Delaney’s was a stately old Southern mansion that sat at the edge of the small, sandy beach that ran the length of St. Simon’s Island. The house had been remodeled into an upscale bistro and cocktail lounge nearly two decades ago, and it was a beloved island landmark.

The elegant white structure was three stories tall, with graceful columns flanking the entry, a small balcony on the front of the second story, and a long, comfortable veranda on the water side. The sweet aroma of magnolias drifted across the lawn from the massive, hundred-year-old trees at the rear of the manicured grounds.

Cate made her way up the winding path to the entry, then smiled her thanks at the doorman as he held the door for her to pass into the lounge. Once inside, Cate paused and looked around, scanning the small, crowded bar area for Danny. She frowned slightly when she didn’t see him.

Maybe he’s running late, she thought, moving toward the bar. She settled on a stool and opened her purse to pull out her Blackberry, wondering if she had a message from him.

“Hey Slick,” she heard the familiar voice in her ear just as she pulled the Berry from her bag. Danny kissed Cate on the temple, then stepped back and gave her a head-to-toe appraisal.

Wow! he thought as he took in the vision before him. He grinned widely, then leaned in to kiss Cate’s cheek. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Babe,” he said gently.

Cate blushed slightly, her eyes sparkling. “Thank you.” Then she giggled. “I remembered why I don’t dress like this every day…well, ever. It takes all damned day to get ready!” she teased.

“Well, you did it right,” Danny chuckled approvingly. “You’re the most beautiful woman here.”

He settled on the barstool next to Cate’s and turned to the bartender as she placed two napkins in front of them. “Two glasses of Conundrum, please,” he requested, asking for Cate’s favorite white wine.

Cate smiled at Danny. “So, what did you do today?” she asked.

“Well, first I did some ‘Charity’ work…” Danny said, giving her a wink. Cate rolled her eyes and groaned. “Then, after we finally got out of bed, we had lunch and she went to meet up with her girlfriends to go shopping in Savannah. By the way, she’s a helluva cook. Great scrambled eggs.”

Cate couldn’t help but laugh. “So then what?” she inquired, almost afraid to ask.

“Well then I had to start getting ready for our date!” Danny joked. “It takes a little effort to look this good!” He sat up tall and gestured toward his clothing.

Cate grinned and took in his pressed khakis and light green cotton oxford, which he wore open to mid-chest. A small gold charm shaped like his badge, his birthday gift from Cate earlier in the year, gleamed on a thin chain around his neck. He did look quite handsome, in a roguish sort of way.

“Yeah, you must have been ironing all afternoon,” she teased.

“Well, it took me almost ten whole minutes to drive to the dry cleaner’s to pick this up,” Danny chuckled. “Naw, I just laid around and watched sports. Then I took a nap.”

“Sounds like a full day,” Cate laughed as the bartender set their wine glasses on the napkins then moved away.

Danny picked up his glass, holding it in front of him and gazing at Cate with an adoring grin. Her heart melted at his sweet expression, and she gave him her own affectionate smile in return.

“A toast,” Danny said, raising his glass slightly. “To you, Cate. My best friend, my partner, my sister. Happy Independence Day, Babe. You’re the best damned woman I’ve ever known.”

Cate felt tears spring to her eyes at Danny’s words. She blinked them back and returned Danny’s toast. “To my Danny. My best friend, my partner, my brother. Blood on Blood, Babe, ‘til the day we die,” she replied.

She raised her glass to touch it to his, then they sipped the delicious golden liquid. Both returned their glasses to the bar and sat silent for a moment, not needing to say anything.

“So, are you hungry?” Danny finally asked. “It’s after eight. Our table is ready whenever we are.”

Cate nodded. “Actually, I am hungry. Mandy and I didn’t have much to eat today. I was kinda…um, indisposed…around lunch time.” She winced at the memory of the bikini wax.

Danny laughed at her expression. “I don’t even wanna know! That maintenance stuff you gals do at the spa is not something I ever wanna hear about. I just choose to believe you are all pretty and smooth and tan all the time.”

Cate giggled. “Yeah. You just keep on thinking that.” She slid off her barstool and picked up her wine glass. “C’mon, let’s go to our table.”

Danny nodded and took another sip of his wine, then stood. He gently placed his hand on Cate’s back and guided her toward the hostess station on the other side of the lounge. They had barely taken two steps when Danny’s Blackberry buzzed.

Cate looked inquisitively at Danny as he pulled the device from its holder and looked at the screen. His brow furrowed, then he looked up at Cate. “I think I need to take this,” he said.

“It’s not one of the kids, is it?” Cate asked anxiously, worried that something had happened to Danny’s son or daughter.

“No, no. Nothing like that. I just need to step outside where I can get a better signal. How about you go ahead to the table and order a bottle of wine?” Danny gave Cate a reassuring smile. “Really, it’s fine. Go ahead.”

“Well…” Cate said hesitantly. “I can just wait here at the bar for you.”

“Seriously, Cate, it’s okay. C’mon.” Danny took Cate’s hand and led her to the hostess station. He gave his name and asked the hostess to seat Cate while he stepped outside. The hostess willingly agreed to his request after Danny gave her a little grin and a wink. Cate stifled a laugh and tried not to roll her eyes at his flirting.

Danny chuckled and gave Cate another kiss on the cheek. “Slick, it’s gonna be a wonderful evening. Trust me. Now go,” he said softly. Then he turned and walked toward the door.

Cate sighed and watched him go. I have the best Best Friend EVER, she thought.

“Miss, I can take you to your table if you are ready,” the hostess said. “The gentleman has reserved the private veranda for you this evening.”

“Just one moment, if you don’t mind,” Cate replied with a smile. She slid open her purse and drew out her Blackberry, giving the message folder a quick glance. She felt a little guilty, checking for a message from Jon when she was sharing an evening with Danny, but she couldn’t help herself.

Cate felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that there were no new messages. He’s probably out on the town with his friends…or with a woman, she thought sadly. She slid the Blackberry into her bag and clicked it shut, looking toward the door where Danny had exited the restaurant.

“Miss?” the hostess asked gently. “Are you ready?”

“Oh…” Cate turned and gave the girl a small smile. “Sorry. Yes, please, lead the way.”

Cate followed the hostess through the main dining room, trying to ignore the appraising stares of the men she passed by. While she was used to guys in her profession giving her the “once over,” she was unaccustomed to being admired when she was off-duty. Her cheeks colored slightly at the attention.

Just as she was about to follow the hostess through the French doors onto the veranda, Cate felt her Blackberry buzz inside her purse. Jon! she thought hopefully.

She stepped through the doors and stopped, and pulling her phone from her bag. Pushing the button to open her message folder, she was surprised to see a text message not from Jon, but from Danny.

What the hell? Her brow furrowed in confusion as she read, then re-read the message.

[8:19 pm] Cate - Happy Indep Day. Enjoy your gift. Now turn off your damned phone! : ) Love ya - D

“Miss, your table,” the hostess prodded gently.

Cate nodded and dropped her phone back into her purse. She stepped forward from the doorway onto the veranda, turning toward the table.

The sight before her took her breath away.

16 comments:

  1. damn!!!!!!! Don't stop there, please!!!!!!!! We have waited so long for this night get on with it, your killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't believe it!! How can you dare to stop here??? I wanted a good night story, but I doubt I can slep now, because I want to know what will happen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh come on already!!!!!!!!!!!!! pplleeeeeaaaaasssseeeeee!
    Don't make us wait any longer

    ReplyDelete
  4. and why have I always to move from firefox to the Internet Explorer to post a comment?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh hell you didn't?

    Yup after a good search you did, that damn buttons not there.

    I'm with Bay grrrrrrrrrr..........

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yikes! Think I need to go hide... >:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh no you didn't...oh hell no you didn't! You did!!!

    I thought you loved us : (

    But you don't!

    You better hurry up or several of us will be reaching through our monitors for you!

    LOL Seriously we will! LOLOLOLOL (insert crazy laughter)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lynch mob is forming....as soon as we figure out a way to disarm you! :)

    I think this qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment!

    ReplyDelete
  10. THAT IS TOTALLY NOT FAIR. YOU GET BACK HERE!!!!!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. Have been reading this story from the start. I love it. The way you pull us all into it. I am so hooked....can't wait to see what is next!

    ReplyDelete
  12. OMG... you left me hanging !!!
    I really need to know what happens next. You totally got me hooked ;)

    Loving this story

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh hell mother NO!!!! No you did not stop there!!!!

    Get back here!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh no! Now I have to wait till the weekend is over! That's absolutely not fair!!!!!!
    GGGGGRRRRrr!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Let me know what you think!