“Thank you, Olivia. I’ll let you know when I need you.”
Kate stepped into the fitting room. She thumbed through the gowns and each was more beautiful than the one before. But one caught her eye more than the others. It glimmered like the ocean when the sun cascaded over the waves. It reminded her of a mermaid, so she decided to try that one on first. This was the one that was meant for her.
She undressed quickly, setting her clothes on the chair next to her. She unzipped the side zipper of the sequined masterpiece. She stepped into it and slid the fabric up her body, attaching the halter straps around her neck. Then she zipped it up. It fit her beautifully, just like she knew it would. She left the fitting room to find Olivia.
“Olivia, I need to see a few accessories to go with this dress.”
Olivia turned around and gasped as she put her hand to her chest. “My dear, you look incredibly beautiful. I have exactly what you need to go with your gown. What is your shoe size?”
“I’m an eight and a half.”
“I will bring you shoes and a handbag. I just need to get your size from the back.”
Kate returned to the fitting room and waited for Olivia. A moment later, Olivia knocked on the fitting room door. “I have two possible shoes for you.”
Kate opened the door. Olivia had two boxes under her arm and a handbag in her hand. Kate’s eyes gravitated toward the handbag that was shades of blue and green beads that made it look like seaweed floating in the ocean. Down in the corner was an orange starfish. Olivia handed the bag to her. “This is perfect,” Kate exclaimed. “I love it.”
“Great. Let’s have you try on the shoes so you can decide which ones you like better.” Olivia motioned for Kate to sit on the chair. She bent down and put the shoe boxes on the floor. She opened the first box. It contained a pair of strappy sandals that were the color of the ocean, just like the dress. There was a big jewel in the center of each shoe.
“Wow! Those are gorgeous,” Kate said.
Olivia slipped the first shoe on Kate’s foot and buckled the strap. She did the same with the other foot. Kate stood and took a step forward. “Is it okay if I walk around a little in these to see if I like the fit?”
“Absolutely,” Olivia said, moving out of the way. Kate walked out of the fitting room and around the boutique. Then she motioned for Porter to come into the store.
“Porter, what do you think of this dress?”
Porter stared at her for a moment without speaking a word. His eyes said it all. “It looks like it fits you nicely, Miss Simmons.”
“Thank you, Porter. If you want to return outside, you may. I just wanted a man’s opinion.”
Porter nodded and returned outside. Kate turned and went back to the dressing room. She gazed at herself in the mirror, feeling like Cinderella as she prepared for the ball. She took the dress off and donned the clothes she came in wearing. There was no need to try on any of the other dresses. None could be more perfect than this one. She took the dress, handbag, and shoes out to the cash register.
“You didn’t want to try on any of the other dresses?” Olivia asked.
Kate shook her head. “This is the one. I knew it the moment I saw it.”
“Mr. Statton is a very lucky man. You looked breathtaking in this dress.”
“I’m pretty sure that I am the lucky one. My very romantic boyfriend has set up a scavenger hunt for me and I am having such a wonderful time.”
“Good. I have another note for you,” Olivia said, pulling the note from her pocket.
Kate ripped it open with abandon, enthusiastic to read the next message from her sexy hunk of a man.
My Darling,
Now that you have your gown, please go to The La Jolla Salon and Day Spa. It’s time to be pampered.
All My Love,
Neil
Kate smiled at Olivia. “I’m going to the spa next. This is so exciting,” she giggled. “I can’t wait to see what he has planned for me there.”
Olivia’s smile was bright and wide. She gave Kate a hanging bag with her dress inside and a shopping bag containing the shoes and hand bag. “Have a wonderful time and come see us again.”
“I will. Goodbye!”
“Goodbye.”
Kate walked out to find Porter watching the street while he guarded the door. “It’s time to go. I have an appointment at The La Jolla Salon and Spa. Do you know where it is?”
“Yes, I do.”
Kate and Porter walked back to the car.
***
Roger had parked his car about a block in front of Kate’s car in the hopes of not being noticed. The security guard would be checking behind him, but not in front of him. After Kate and Porter pulled out of their space, he waited for several cars to pass before pulling out. By the direction they were headed it was obvious that they were not going home yet. He followed them to the day spa without being noticed and passed it by while they parked. He was glad that he hadn’t missed them when he took Jacob to the bathroom inside the bakery.
Porter parked the car and escorted Kate inside the salon. Roger figured that she would be at least an hour or more. He needed to set up to take out the guard before she left the spa. This was his chance to make his move. He had been waiting an awfully long time for her. He had the rest of his plan in place. The only hiccup would be Jacob. He needed his son to be out or he might be traumatized by this whole thing.
Roger took out a juice box and carefully inserted a syringe into it, releasing a small amount of his knock-out drug. Jacob didn’t need much, just enough to make him sleep for a while. He wanted Jacob to be safe and out of the way. It was his only option.
“Here’s some juice, buddy,” he said handing the juice box to his son in the back seat.
“Thanks, dad,” Jacob replied.
Paulina had done a good job raising him to be polite. After a few sips, Roger could see that Jacob’s eyelids were getting heavy. His head began to bob. He leaned over and Roger guided his small body to lie on his side in the back seat and removed the juice box from his hand. He had business to take care of with the security guard. The guard had walked Kate into the salon and stayed a while to assess the place for possible threats. He must not have found any, since he returned to his car and watched the door for Kate to emerge at some point.
Roger had parked down the street and got out of the car with his tranquilizer gun. He had been a good shot in the Army, so he was confident that he could hit his target using the scope. Being in the Army had given him permission to kill at will. But he had done some things that the Army was ashamed of, that the powers that be didn’t want to disclose, so he was moved to CID to finish his time. All of his training was coming into play, and right now, he was thankful for all the skills he had adopted.
The guard was focused on the door while talking on the phone, no doubt checking in. He didn’t see Roger in his peripheral vision. Roger hid behind a car for a moment to make certain that the guard hadn’t seen him. After a few minutes, he realized that the coast was clear and that the call had just ended. He set up the gun on the hood of the car and aimed for the guard’s neck. Porter had rolled down the windows to get a little fresh air. As far as Roger was concerned, he was a sitting duck. His sitting duck.
Roger put his finger on the trigger and pulled. The dart, dripping with horse tranquilizer, hit him precisely in the spot that Roger had aimed for. Mission accomplished.
Roger moved quickly to the car to make certain his target was out. He put the window up and left Porter sleeping in the car. He knew that Porter would be out for hours, so he had time to wait for Kate. He would sneak up behind her as she left the salon. He had debated whether or not to drug her. He didn’t want her to fight him. He wanted to be able to talk to her on their drive to the mountains. Decisions, decisions. Perhaps he’d see what happened when he approached her and then decide. Maybe she’d be glad to see him. After all, they had always had a good rapport.
***
Kate ente
red the salon and was handed another note from Neil.
To My Beautiful Girl,
I wanted you to be pampered today. So enjoy, my darling. I’ve heard that Roberto is the best. All you need to do is sit back and relax.
All my love,
Neil
Kate had no problem following Neil’s instructions. She had changed into a black smock and was sitting in Roberto’s chair. He was running his hands through her long locks and talking with his assistant about what they could do with her beautiful hair. He and Kate agreed upon a trim and some highlights. He was going to blow it out and give her soft wavy curls. It would be reminiscent of being a mermaid. While Roberto was mixing the hair color, Brittney began Kate’s manicure. She already had her feet soaking in preparation for her pedicure, which Amber was in charge of doing. Feeling like a princess was a gross understatement for what she was experiencing. She couldn’t wait to find Neil at the end of the trail of notes that he had left for her. The anticipation was growing by the minute. He must have something really big planned tonight to go to all this trouble.
Roberto returned and began doing her highlights. Amber was scrubbing her feet and Brittney was working on her left hand. Rachel stopped by to inform Kate that when Roberto was done with her, she would be applying makeup for her date this evening. Rachel’s makeup was very well done, so Kate was eager to get to that part of the day, knowing she would be in good hands. She always loved playing with makeup.
An hour and a half later Roberto was drying Kate’s long mane. The highlights were beautiful and made the golden flecks in her eyes stand out. Roberto seemed to be happy with how her hair was turning out. When he was done curling it, he turned her chair so she could look in the mirror. She couldn’t believe how sexy she looked. Neil was going to be taken aback when he saw her.
All she could think about was Neil, the man who loved her so much that he wanted to create this amazing day for her. She wondered what else he had in store. Her mind wandered to all the ways she planned on thanking him for today. Rachel tapped her on the shoulder, delivering her from her sensuous thoughts. She was going to have to make a quick stop at Victoria’s Secret for what she had in mind.
“Now it’s time to do your makeup.”
Kate’s beaming smile said it all. She was living her fairytale. “I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “Lead the way.”
Kate followed Rachel to her station. Every color under the rainbow was represented and Kate felt like a kid in a candy store.
“What color are you wearing tonight?” Rachel asked, removing the light makeup that Kate had applied in the morning.
“My dress has shades of blue and green, like the ocean. It’s reminiscent of a mermaid.”
“It sounds lovely. Where is your boyfriend taking you tonight?” Rachel asked, smoothing foundation over Kate’s face.
“I’m not sure. He’s set up a kind of scavenger hunt for me today. Each place I have gone he has left me a note sending me to the next place. I am assuming that Roberto has a note for what I am to do next.”
Rachel put her hand to her chest. “That’s the most romantic thing I have ever heard. He sounds like a keeper,” she commented, dusting powder over the foundation.
“Oh, he is. And he’s kind, handsome, and thoughtful. Not to mention extremely sexy.”
“What does he look like?” Rachel asked, her eyes sparkling. She selected the three eye shadow colors she wanted to use.
Kate whipped out her phone. She showed Rachel a picture of Neil that she had taken just a few days ago.
“Damn, girl. He’s gorgeous. Oh, my gosh! Do you know who he looks like? That actor from All My Children that played the private detective with Tad. Aaron? No, Aidan. They could pass for brothers. Did you watch that show?”
“Yeah, I did. You’re thinking of Aidan Devane. I noticed the resemblance between them the first time I saw him.”
“Please close your eyes. I’m going to apply your eye shadow.”
A minute later Rachel was done applying the eye shadow. “Okay, you can open your eyes. I have eye liner, mascara, and lipstick left.” Rachel continued working and Kate stayed quiet. It was a little unnerving having someone putting mascara on her eyelashes. She was afraid of being poked in the eye.
Within minutes, Rachel was done and Kate looked like a glamorous movie star. “Wow, Rachel!” she said. “You are a great artist. I love how you did my eyes.”
“Thanks. Making beautiful women like you shine just a little bit more is what I do best. Now go get the next note from Roberto. I’m sure that Neil is waiting anxiously for you.”
Kate gave Rachel a quick hug and hurried to find Roberto. He saw her coming and he removed the next note from Neil from his pocket. Kate opened it with haste, hoping this note told her where to meet the man that made her heart flutter.
My Darling Kate,
I trust that you have had a glorious day. Please meet me at The Grand Del Mar, suite 228. I’m waiting with bated breath.
All Yours,
Neil
Chapter 21
Kate thanked Roberto again for everything. He kissed her hand and said goodbye. She rushed out of the salon. All she had to do now was put on her attire for the evening. It occurred to her as she was making her way to the car, that she could get dressed at the salon. She glanced out toward where Porter had parked and assumed he’d be out of the car by now. He was always so prompt and she had never waited one time for him to open her car door. Then she realized he was still sitting there, not moving and this unusual behavior put her senses on high alert. Her breathing became shallow and her scalp began to prickle knowing that something was terribly wrong. As she began to turn around to go back into the salon, she walked right into Roger, who had been closing in behind her. Her eyes widened and she gasped as he grabbed a hold of her wrist. “Roger…”
To be continued in Given to You…Coming out Fall 2013
Word of Thanks
I have been so blessed to have the help and guidance of so many people in this adventure. I want to thank Jacelyn Rye for her friendship and love through this process. I have been blessed by the continued support of Raine Miller. Her guidance has been invaluable to me. The team of people who supported me: Kim Killion at Hot Damn Designs, Editor Michael Fuhrman, back cover writer Carl with Windship Publishing, and last but certainly not least the bloggers. The bloggers not only read and reviewed my book; they also gave me critical feedback to make it better. I appreciate all of the love and support I have received from the aforementioned people.
About the Author
Carlie Sexton has had a passion for reading her entire life. She loves it so that she dedicated her life to educating children. As a teacher, she has had the profound pleasure of teaching children to read and explore their imaginations through a good book. Just recently she decided to write a story that had been on her mind. Now she has several that she wants to turn into additional books. Writing has become a passion that she dearly loves.
Carlie lives with her handsome husband in Southern California. They enjoy the relaxed lifestyle that California provides. They have two beautiful dogs, but no children.
You can connect with Carlie on Facebook via her author page at facebook.com/carliesextonauthor, email her at [email protected], or visit her blog at CarlieSextonRomance.com to see what is next on her horizon.
If you enjoyed part 2, then you will be happy to know that part 3, Given to You is on its way for you to read it. It will be released no later than Fall 2013. It is the conclusion of the story between Neil and Kate with many twists and turns.
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