Kate & Jim Ch. 04

You have delighted me with soft tender words starting when you noticed how my hair shines red like a new penny as the sunlight touches it in the morning through our kitchen window while I make your breakfast.

This is when you first realized you were falling in love with me,' and Kate blows Jim more kisses, 'you greet me every morning with a kiss and a cup of coffee served in not just any cup, you serve my coffee in a dainty English china cup and saucer. Your mother's and each with a different flower pattern; I counted exactly two hundred in her collection.

I never imagined any man could make me swoon with a hug or kiss...or a demanding uncompromising look to send thrills of arousal up my spine to bring out the woman in me.

When we were neighbors of 10 years I thought you dull and simple; an unreasonable junk man.... basically a good man, yes, but an unsophisticated redneck with dirty hands.

However your immortal soul is like a prism to disperse your aura with all the colors of the rainbow, my kind and considerate ogre.

You are built like a massive, muscular hairy fireplug with arms and legs. You are incredibly strong and must be terrible when enraged beyond reason; a massive bruin of a man.... yet you are incredibly gentle with me most of the despite my temper and you have spoiled me.

I'm not spoiled with materials things; I lost everything to gain everything.

I'm spoiled because you respect my opinion and will let me speak my mind. I'm spoiled because you cherish imaginative thoughts that I once had and dismissed as childish, now having discovered them all over again.....and believing.

I'm spoiled because you believe in me despite our past differences, and yes I can be a bitch; however you accept even that although you'll spank me if I get unreasonably out of line.

I'm spoiled because you give me your blunt honesty and I can always count on you to tell the truth, whether I want to hear it or not.

You believe that I didn't set that fire......I'm spoiled because you let me into your world...I never imagined when we were feuding for almost 10 years that you are a complex man, an educated man; or that you can sing, or dance or juggle....that you can act... or perform magic, And now I'm part of the act....but I have a few surprise for you too, my dear thoughtful Petruchio.'

Kate looked at the cloth napkin on the dash board hiding a wobbly knick-knack underneath. It was anchored firmly in place with a suction cup. Kate was certain in her heart of hearts that her man would appreciate this symbolic gift that said, without words, "I love you, Jim" and she blew him a kiss.

It was a bit tacky; most definitely silly and ridiculous when it shimmies and shakes; a classic tacky, silly and ostentatious memorabilia; much like fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror....and it shared two striking attributes with Kate.

'Mostly my love, I'm spoiled because you gave me your heart....truly gave me your heart without reservation or conditions; there are no locked doors between us...and I give you mine unconditionally until all the stars in the sky fail and the universe is reborn and reborn into infinity.

"Jim, sweetheart," and she touched his face looking forward to his reaction to the little gift.

"Yes, Kate," Jim answered opening his eyes and stretching in the passenger side Captains' seat.

"You asked me to please wake you when we crossed into Ohio," Kate said, pulling into a gas station and up to the pumps.

"Thank you; it's my turn to drive." And noticing the napkin, Jim asked, "What is this?"

"It's a gift, sweetheart."

"Thank you; it's a fine napkin Kate."

"The gift is underneath, it and you know it. I hope you like it."

When Jim removed the white cloth napkin, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. For Jim Brady is a man who appreciates such things in the spirit of giving; plus the fact it came from Kate making it all the more special and precious to him; this silly little gag gift with all Kate's love behind it.

"Where in the world did you find a Hula dancer doll with coppery red hair, Katherine, and one with freckles?" He was absolutely delighted and surprised, poking it to make it dance on the hidden spring.

"I didn't." Kate knew Jim was thrilled with the gift, "The Hula doll was a brunette and I painted the hair copper red and added the freckles with pin dipped in the same paint because you love a certain redhead with a temper.

Look underneath her grass skirt," and Jim did to find the outline of a tiny red heart painted on the dolls buttocks with a black arrow with green fletching through it, and their initials K & J in gold letters in the middle of the heart.

"You painted the heart too; and the initials K & J for Katherine & Jim; this is sweet, Katherine, as well as wonderfully unique because there is not another like it in the whole world.

I can't thank you properly on board ship." He opened the passenger door and climbed out.

Jim bowed at the waist and then held out his arms to her saying, "My lady." Kate stepped into them to be picked up and swung away from the motor home and set her down on her feet; anticipating his warm kisses and gentle hugs.

"My father had one similar on the dash board of his 1965 Ford Mustang" he kissed her lips, closed his eyes hugging her gently while remembering, "Mom bought for him on their honeymoon in Hawaii. They're both gone you know."

"I was always fascinated with it as a child. My sister has it displayed under a glass dome on the mantle of her fireplace.

This is a princely gift in so many ways. This brings back fond memories and creates new ones of us.....imagine; a hula girl doll with red hair and freckles?" and then Jim opened his eyes and kissed her neck and face all over...."Aloha, Katherine my feisty freckled redhead; to old memories and to new ones."

"Oh, Jim; I knew you'd love it; I just did; oh I'm so happy!"

Kate kissed Jim's warm lips while hugging and squeezing him as hard as she can, thinking, 'my ex-husband is incapable of appreciating or understanding such heartfelt yet intimate little gifts; phooey on him. May the bastard be cursed with broken egg yolks forever........'

They topped off their gas tank before they left the Gas Station with Jim at the helm, getting back on the interstate when, "Jim."

"Yes, Kate."

"Do you know what will be fun?"

"Please tell me."

"We can rehearse for the upcoming audition."

"What audition?"

"I have the flyer from your theatre group right here," said Kate removing it from her purse, "see," and she held it up briefly towards him, "it says that open auditions for "Kiss me Kate" are being held at the Hippodrome during the first weekend of November."

"Are you serious, Kate? You really want to try out for a part?"

"Yes, it will be so much fun!"

"Now you're talking.... I'll ask again; you're serious right?"

"Yes; you made the offer once. This is something you can't spank out of me."

"I'd love to try out with you, freckles," and Jim tapped his Hula dancer to make her jiggle and dance, "actually, I was going to invite you again to join me and forgot; but now you have denied me the pleasure."

"Denied you the pleasure; you really are a charmer; do you know that? Don't think for a moment I didn't know what you're up to."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jim said, his face losing all expression as he tapped the hula dancer doll again.

"Yes you do; stop being obtuse. You left the flyer where I was sure to find it."

"It was in my sock drawer, Kate."

"Exactly, and who washes, sorts, folds them into each other and puts your clean socks away?"

"The venue where you found the flyer is circumstantial evidence at best."

"No it's not! You wanted me to find it."

"Maybe."

"I suppose it is purely circumstantial that the first play chosen for the grand opening at the Hippodrome is "Kiss me Kate? Particularly when you have played the leading man; "Fred" when you were in college and your leading lady was Gina."

"Possibly."

"You're not fooling me Jim Brady! I know you're a man who can make things happen when you want too."

"For the sake of argument, suppose I did. That doesn't negate the fact that you have a beautiful singing voice, Katherine, and I'm sure you can act. You were in your high school drama club."

"For arguments sake, suppose I can't act or another woman is better than me; I don't want you pulling any strings to get me the part. I want to get the part on my own, OK.......OK.........Jim?"

"I admit that I did arrange for this particular play; nevertheless, I'm not surprised that you would insist on getting the part on your own; I expect nothing less from you, Katherine. I do remember most of my lines, though."

"Good, now that it's settled; we can rehearse our parts while we drive, starting right now."

"We'll need the script for that."

"I know; it must be circumstantial because I have a script," and Kate removed it triumphantly from the LL Bean canvas tote on the floor between the seats.

"Where did you get a script?" Jim asked very surprised although no less pleased.

"It's a secret."

"A secret you say, hmmm, did you get it from Bobby?"

"Maybe."

"I bet you got the script from the director."

"Possibly."

"Now you sound like me, Katherine."

"Don't be ridiculous, sweetheart, your voice is much deeper than mine..........."

Stopping for lunch they had cold basil/garlic tomato soup and sandwiches made with sliced turkey breast, thick sliced hickory pepper/bacon, tomato, and romaine lettuce on wheat with Kate's homemade horseradish mayonnaise dressing, saving their big meal for later in the evening, thick porterhouse steaks, to be cooked over a campfire.

Kate assumed they would be stopping at the campground of their carefully planned itinerary for the night, however Jim had other plans and that can mean only one thing. She could barely sit still waiting to find out.

They got off the interstate onto a secondary road and after half-an-hour turned onto a County road until they found a gravel road going another 3 miles to their destination.

"This property was owned by my Uncle Bob, Kate. I call it my fortress of solitude. He sold it to me a few years back.

Like him, I rent out the land to local farmers to cover the taxes, insurance and turn a small profit.

In consideration the farmers keep trespassers off and mow around the field stone foundation and what was once a yard.

I have electricity though. There is a utility box with plugs and circuit breakers on this pole," Jim explained, parking next to it, "It will save us running the diesel generator tonight to power the air conditioner if we need it. See that wire," that wire goes to the green barn and there is power there as well."

They got out and walked over to the foundation, "The farmhouse was built in 1902 and burned down in 1955. There is a story/mystery about the place."

"What story," Kate asked, peering down into the foundation.

"Be careful," Jim warned putting his arms around Kate's waist protectively, "don't get to close to the edge."

"Thank you" and Kate squeezed his hands, "what's the mystery?"

"It is a true story, however the story and subsequent mystery will have to wait; step back carefully please."

"But why must I wait, sweetheart," Kate asked taking his hand as they walked away.

"You must wait so I can make it a campfire story after our swim."

"What swim?" Kate asked, squeezing his hand and thinking, 'Another surprise?'

"There's a large pond just beyond those trees," Jim told her, pointing to the west...he grabbed Kate suddenly to crush her to him gently to kiss her warm lips long and deep. Kate returned his kisses and rubbed his bristly head playfully, "You're such a brute sometimes and now I'm all flustered."

"Yes I am and you love it."

"I do; is the pond deep?"

"It's about thirty feet in the middle and spring fed. It drains into a rocky brook that empties into Dawson's creek," they continued walking, "there is a small dock in the deepest part away from the water lilies.

It's full of bull frogs, leopard frogs, turtles, crayfish and minnows; the usual farm pond residents....oh yes, the occasional ducks."

"Are there snakes in it, Jim?"

"Nothing poisonous; are you afraid of snakes?"

"Yes and no. If they mind their own business, I'll do the same."

"A very good philosophy indeed my love," Jim agreed as they continued walking hand in hand through the wild flower covered meadow until they arrived at the pond.

Kate thought the pond was beautiful and peaceful with the water lily pads and cattails along the waters' edge and willow trees providing shade; Kate never saw so many orange day lilies in her entire life as were in the adjoining fenced off meadows.

"I own 75 acres total and the pond is approximately eight of it. The pond and the five acres around it are off limits."

"I spent six months here grieving. I was like a monk, working and praying and grieving. I didn't shave the entire time or leave the property. Uncle Bob had my groceries delivered.

That is when I put the pole in, wired in the utility box and gradually restored the barn while I lived in it for the next six months. I store a few things in it now.

During that time I cleared out the burnt timbers, leaves and trash from the foundation; repaired it, including digging out around it and putting in crushed stone and drain tiles right out to the drainage ditches along the road; did you notice the stone in the ditches?"

"Yes; to help keep the weeds out and the water flowing through it."

"Yes, I cleaned out the brush and deepened the ditch all with a shovel, a pick axe and a wheel barrow before adding the stones. I intend to build a small vacation house someday.

"It is back breaking work and exactly the therapy I needed then. I want you to understand Katherine....I was angry.....so very angry!"

"Did you ever bring Gina here before.......?"

"No; Uncle Bob brought me here for the first time knowing what I needed....he is right; all that hard labor did me good. It took my mind off of things.

I needed to be alone, Katherine. I needed to get my head to together to think through the anger and the guilt of having failed her; as I said this is my fortress of solitude."

"I understand, sweetheart," Kate said hugging him, Kissing his face and then his hands....squeezing them, "I love you Jim Brady."

"And I love you Katherine Mavis Ryan; shall this be our fortress of solitude?"

"That will be so wonderful, but I have a question? Was there electricity to the farm before the fire, Jim? This place is so far off the beaten path."

"No, they never bothered; not even with a telephone."

"They?"

"I'll get to that at the campfire," Jim said, starting to undress.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing? I packed your bathing suit!"

"I don't need one here and neither do you."

"But Jim; I never swim in the nude."

"Can you swim?"

"Well, yes."

"Then what's the problem?" and now totally undressed, Jim ran off the end of the dock and dove in with a noticeable splash, leaving a large ripple. He surfed and asked, "Well?"

"What about our towels?" Kate asked, walking to the end of the dock.

Jim swam over to the dock and reached up grabbing her ankle saying, "The sun is warm and there is a nice warm breeze. We can lie in the sun until we dry. Are you coming in or not?"

"Don't you dare pull me in with my clothes on Jim Brady; do you hear me?" Kate warned him, thinking he might; the ex-asshole husband would have.

"I wasn't intending too. I much prefer you come in on your own," Jim let go of her ankle and pushed himself away from the dock with his feet. "Will you please come in; pretty please, Katherine?

I think you'll find it nice swimming this way. Be one with the pond little pollywog. Wouldn't you like to be one of the royals of the summer fairy court; you can be the countess of minnows, or the red haired water nymph of the peacock pants?" Jim teased.

"The Lady Katherine, Mistress of the Water lilies holding court over her loyal subjects; the minions of minnows; the frogs, the crayfish and the turtles."

"Oh why not,' Kate was thinking, 'you didn't pull me into the water when I objected. Such a stunt is neither cute nor funny....what If I couldn't swim; although I can... you didn't pull me in because that's what a bully would do.

Decorum and propriety be damned today...decorum and propriety be damned whenever we are here alone in our fortress of solitude...and especially since you shared a secret part of you I never knew about.

You asked me so nicely; so sweetly and romantically...I'll gladly succumb to your charm to be your Mistress of the Water Lilies.....oh God, I love you, Jim.'

Katherine left her clothes in a pile on top of Jim's and dove in hardly leaving a ripple in her wake as she went almost to the bottom and swam effortlessly and gracefully beneath Jim to come up behind him. Jim turned as her hand deliberately brushed against him.

Katherine surfaced and wrapped her arms around Jim's thick bull neck to announce imperiously, "Gaze upon my beauty and rejoice; "KISS, KISS", for I am the Tamer of turtles, "KISS, KISS" the Mistress of the Minions of Minnows," and she kissed his lips, "KISS, KISS".

"I'm the Countess to the Crayfish, "KISS KISS" I'm the Red Haired Water Nymph of the Peacock Pants!" She exclaimed laughing. Kate kissed his warm lips again and again "KISS, KISS, KISS

I am the Princess of the Pollywogs, "KISS KISS, " the Baroness of the Bull Frogs and favored by the lesser leopard frogs, "KISS, KISS" I'm the Duchess of the occasional Ducks, "KISS", "KISS" I am your Mistress of the Water Lilies, "KISS".

"Imperious one of many titles," Jim replied meekly, "I tremble in your royal presence, Lady Katherine, my Mistress of the Water Lilies," He said this so solemnly with such a straight face that it got them both to laughing and shortly after they were laughing and splashing about.

Kate was delighted she joined him and Jim delighted that Kate did.

They were like joyous children lost in the moment; diving and surfacing, swimming side by side, hugging and kissing.

Katherine challenged Jim to a race to the water lilies and they dived off the dock at the count of three. Jim is a powerful swimmer although plodding and slow in water, he's quick and fleet on land.

Katherine is more graceful and fluid in the water; she easily beat him there, effortlessly and swiftly, gliding through the water like her imagined subjects, the pond minnows.

Jim is absolutely fascinated with this aspect of Katherine, thinking, 'Katherine's imagination and loving playfulness was stifled while married to that grasping, adulterous, money grubbing investment banker, Thomas Anders with his soft hands and limp handshake....I'd like to throttle the bastard.'

Standing among the white water lilies in the shallows, Jim plucked one and solemnly placed it on Katherine's head saying, "With this water lily, I swear my love now and forever, my Lady Katherine, Mistress of the Water Lilies."

Jim kissed her hands and finally her lips long and deep, crushing his love, the Queen of his heart to him gently.

"I swear my love, now and forever, my dear sweet, Petruchio," said Kate, placing the water lily on his......"it's getting late sweetheart; the sun will be going down in a few hours. We need to dry off in the sun and get our supper fire started."

They picked the sunniest spot they could in the warm sun kissed grass....the sun's final kiss until old Sol drops below the horizon.

Kate was amazed how quickly their bodies dried as they lay there on their backs watching the clouds drift lazily by.

Jim was lying next to her asleep with his hands under his head, 'A talent' Kate was thinking 'to be able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat.... Jim looks so peaceful and happy ....perhaps it's a trick of the light.