As they neared the van, Cesare scowled at any passersby who gave any indication of approaching the carrier and the seal pup. “Where am I putting the carrier?” He asked when they approached the van.
“In the back, please.” Sabrina answered, opening the trunk. “Thank you, again. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” She added.
“It was my pleasure.” Cesare replied with his trademark roguish grin. He ensured the seal was positioned securely and closed the trunk, scanning the parking lot to see Travis approaching. His grin sobered.
“I assume you’re going directly to the rescue with our new friend?” Cesare remarked wryly, nodding towards the abandoned baby seal.
Sabrina nodded ruefully. “I am.”
“So this is goodbye for the evening.” He surmised, his eyes going back to her lips.
Sabrina nodded reluctantly.
“I had a wonderful time.” He smiled as he took a step closer. His eyes raked over her once more for good measure before rubbing the back of his neck with a chuckle. “Can’t say I’ve ever sent a date home with another man. It feels a little weird.”
Sabrina laughed, closing the distance between them and giving him a hug. “I guess we’ll have to try again then.” She answered mischievously; green eyes twinkling up at him.
Cesare hummed, wrapping his arms around her immediately in response. “I concur with that assessment.” His lips lingered on her forehead before letting her go with an audible groan. He took a few steps back and opened the passenger side door. “Okay. Get in before I kiss you in front of everybody and their dog.” He threatened.
Sabrina went pink, smiling as she got into the car without comment.
“Travis, it was good to meet you.” Cesare nodded as he approached. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
Travis nodded. “Yeah, it was good to meet you too.” He answered, putting his bags in the back seat and getting into the van.
Cesare ducked down to speak to Sabrina one last time. “Let me know how Freckles does when you get a chance. I’ll bring you breakfast in the morning.”
Sabrina raised a brow. “Freckles?”
Cesare shrugged. “He’s got spots all over.” He shut the door, his gaze resting affectionately on the smattering of freckles across the bridge of Sabrina's nose and cheeks.
With a nod to Travis, Cesare backed up to allow them space to pull away from the curb, giving Sabrina a departing wave as they drove off.
Sabrina watched Cesare disappear slowly in the distance through the rearview mirror and sighed.
Travis looked over, his expression sardonic at best. Sabrina responded with a huff. “Not a word.” She swore half-heartedly.
“I didn’t say anything.” Travis grunted, attempting and failing to damper his shit-eating grin. “But now that you mention it, I got some good photos of the two of you if you’d like them for the wedding.”
“You’re making words.” Sabrina scowled half-heartedly.
The baby seal let out a bellowing sort of grunt.
“Yeah, you tell her.” Travis muttered, amused. “I’mapparently not allowed to speak.”
Chapter Twelve
(Cesare)
After thanking the nearby hotel for temporary use of its round-a-bout for parking, Cesare flew the helicopter back to Eliot and did a complete post flight safety inspection. After calling Monty to come pick him up, he walked towards the small hangar not far away. It was no more than a large garage; closed and locked up for the night by local pilots.
Cesare approached an old door, layered with a myriad of small scuffs, mystery dents, and grease stains. A thick, black, utilitarian doormat lay at the front of the entrance. Something about the sight stirred an almost nostalgic response within him. Maybe it was the utter authenticity. Maybe it was the sense of generations of local pilots walking through the aged door.
This wasn’t an airport you used to impress a visiting dignitary or an oil magnate. This was somewhere that real people came to make real memories. Something about the damn door made him want to walk in and meet the people who made those memories.
Giving a nod and saying a brief ‘thank you’ towards the ring camera beside the locked door, Cesare leaned down and put the keys to the helicopter and a hundred-dollar bill beneath the mat. He’d paid everything upfront, but nobody would ever say he wasn’t generous.
Besides that, if anyone had concerns about his sudden landing in York Harbor and his subsequent delayed return, anextra hundred couldn’t hurt to pre-emptively smooth things over.
