She looked at it and cocked an eyebrow in interest. “Walkway Over the Hudson. Looks interesting.”
It was almost a four and a half mile long walkway that went through the historic areas of town, and over an old train trestle across the river, and through some scenic areas before looping back over another bridge to where it started. There were a lot of points of interest labeled on the little map on the back of the flier. Not only would it be a scenic walk, but would familiarize us with the area in case we find something of better interest than the activities I had lined up for us.
She nodded in appreciation sussing out some of my reasoning. “Reconnoiter and assess.” Then she chuckled. “You'd think you'd be a little tired of walking, given your profession, Finny.”
I gave her my best Marilyn Monroe pose and fluttered my lashes at her. “Me? I love walking. I'm just blessed to do it for a living.” She nodded, knowing I spoke the truth. I really did love what I did and was always shocked that I actually got paid to walk through the most amazing park in the world, and with dogs.
Then after bringing Calvin out to do his thing, we got ready for a day of fun in this historic village.
I really love how my hardass officer can be so loving when she is with me, holding my hand and showing her humor and emotions as we walked. When she was in cop mode at the precinct, she got embarrassed just kissing me goodbye whenever I dropped by to drop off lunch if she hadn't had time for me to prepare something for her.
I guess I understood. Besides getting a ration of teasing and crap from the other detectives, she had to work twice as hard and be twice as cold as the men, being one of the few female detectives at the 19th. But if they wanted the baked goods I sent her to work with all the time, they'd keep their teasing to a minimum. I held their stomach's happiness in my hands, bwahahaha.
The walk was amazing, and I was glad we had worn our jackets because the exposed path over the Hudson was punctuated by frigid fall winds on each crossing. And by the sacred tug rope, the custom, long leather jacket my girl wore looked amazing on her as I huddled into her, wearing her old short one which I had commandeered. Though it barely hit her waist, it hung halfway to my knees and did a great job foiling the wind's plan of making a Fin-cicle of me.
We had taken note of quite a few events and locations as we made our way through the historic districts, shops and activities which I modified my list with. I bemoaned the fact that we would not have time to do all the things we saw with just two full days. And no, I didn't have a maple syrup tasting planned, wiseass. Umm... it's a honey tasting. Shut up.
Once we returned to the inn, we took a moment to regroup before heading back out to the next item on my list. I said as we went back downstairs, moving toward the doors, “We can hit the candlemaker demonstration before lunch, and...”
I stopped when I saw Terrance hanging a flyer on the bulletin board beside the door. “Ooo a Harvest Festival!”
The man beamed a smile at the two of us and offered as we stopped to look at the notice, “It is a great gathering of artisans and re-creationists in town square just down the next block. There will be live music and dancing, oh... and the pie contest. We have some of the most amazing home-baked desserts in the Colonies, my own Hannah's peach cobbler has been written up in the Culinary Times.”
I gave him a huge smile, but my brow furrowed as my mind went into motion, then had to look up at my girl as she chuckled, and prompted her, “What?”
She shook her head. “That look says it all. You're rethinking our schedule for tonight, and you'll have to re-write both copies, or you'll get all itchy. Goods thing you didn't laminate them now isn't it, love?”
Grr... oh, speaking of, “Do you have a laminator in the business office, Terrance?”
He nodded, and I took the news graciously. Ok, so maybe I beamed my shit eating grin at my wife as I smugged at her. I told him, even though I was busy locking eyes with my now smirking girl, “I think we'll attend. It sounds like fun!”
He nodded and offered, “Great, I'll save some of Hannah's pie for you newlyweds. How has your stay been so far?”
Jane said without hesitation, “It has been heavenly. Thank you so much for your hospitality. And the town is amazing. We did the Walk Over the Hudson this morning.”
He smiled at that. “That was the biggest pain in the ass when they made it, had the whole town in a shambles during construction. I have to admit now that it is done, that it is a wonder and the town council knew what they were doing. But don't let them know I said that... arrogant asses to a one, that bunch.” He winked and laid a finger aside his nose, eliciting a giggle from me.
We waved as we headed out the door and I said when we got our bearings and headed for the Colonial Candleworks shop. “I really like him.”
She nodded. “Me too. He strikes me as genuine.”
Yes, that was the word that came to mind, there are so many who almost act a part when they deal with clientele, but Terrance seemed to genuinely like what he did with the inn.
We had a great time just being with each other that day, I think I was still in shock over the fact that I was married. It had never been in my five-year plan, which has been blown out of the water at least a half dozen times since I met Jane. I don't know how many times I have rewritten it. It is now my seven-year plan that needs to be adjusted again.
The good news is that I will own my... our apartment by the end of the year, the upper floor where our master suite is is another story. That was a necessary expansion as my family unit has grown from just me to Calvin and me and Jane... then Jessie taking the spare bedroom in the main apartment, and now her wife, Kerry. If I used the stipend deposited from the trust account Calvin's deceased mother had set up for me as his caretaker, I would own it already. As it was, I saved half of it, and the other half was used to maintain Central Park Tails, Calvin and my dog rescue.
My beautiful boy is worth millions.
By the time we arrived back at the inn, we had just enough time to get cleaned up and ready for the Harvest Festival which started at four. Ok, we were a little late, as my wifey had to make sure to reinforce her claim on me. I'm not complaining. Le sigh.
I wore a longer skirt this time, as it was already getting nippy out. Jane... just wore some black jeans and a tight black tee under her jacket. And she made it look good.
It was then that I found out something I had never known about my jerk cop. When we arrived in the square, the festivities had already begun. There was a fiddle player in the gazebo of the park, backed by a brass band and a steel drum and the beat was infectious. Then my girl grabbed me and dragged me onto the makeshift wooden dance floor laid out over a section of grass. I caught my breath when I found out that... well, my girl could dance.
She spun me and swung me around effortlessly as I laughed and swished my skirt and had a great time as Cal wove his way through everyone's legs, thinking this was the best game ever. I had to catch my breath after the second number, and I dragged her off to a picnic table to sit for a moment as I beamed at her. I realized that she used to troll the lesbian bars before meeting me, so of course, she could dance. It was a nice surprise though, and I just love seeing her smile in a carefree way.
As the sun set, the square lit up with thousands of fairy light strings that were hanging on all of the trees and buildings all around, casting a magical glow on the celebration. Terrance walked past a couple rows of tables down, and we waved. He made his way over to us, letting us know that, “I'm heading over to the judging, Hannah's banana crème pie has made it to the final round.”
I moaned. I loved banana crème pie. He winked at me and said, “I'll be sure she saves a slice for you, Mrs. May.” Then he pointed at a vendor booth on the lawn. “You really should try Victor's Apple Cinnamon Decadence while you're here. It is a sinful as it sounds.”
“Ooo,” I said, and he leaned in closer to us and said like he was afraid someone would hear, “It is apple crisp float
ing on a bed of french vanilla pudding. He only makes it at the Harvest festival, and people come from three counties over just to get a taste.”
I was tugging on my girl's arm, and she chuckled first at me then him as she squinted one eye as she cocked her head slightly, “Does Victor give you a kickback for the hard sell routine?”
The man chuckled at us and winked again, saying, “I best get a move on if I want to sleep in bed tonight instead of on the sofa. You ladies have a wonderful rest of your evening.”
I waved from the hip, never quite sure what people normally did with their hands. I mean, just how awkward were they, just flopping around at the ends of our arms and such. Then I looked up at Jane with wide eyes. “Can we? Pudding! It sounds amazing.”
She chuckled and shook her head at me as she smiled, moving us toward the booth. “I really don't know how you can eat like a quarterback but still be about the smallest woman I've ever known.”
I swung side to side, causing my skirt to swish for her as I took her arm. “Walking twenty to twenty-five miles a day might have something to do with it.”
She pointed off into space with her finger and thumb making a little gun as she said, “Fair point.” Then she detached from me and ordered a large slice for the two of us to share.
As she handled the monetary end of things, I was distracted by Calvin loping off to a bush, his tail wagging at almost supersonic speed. By the holy squeaky toy, don't pee in the middle of a celebration boy! I hustled over to him and froze. He was nose to nose with, umm, well, a nose. A tiny little nose was sniffing him from the cover of the bush.
I crouched to see a super cute fuzzy face connected to the nose, and the most adorable blue ribbon tied in the little guy's topknot. I put a hand out, and he made his way to me and sniffed. I picked him up and looked around, asking, “Hello little man, did you get lost in the big scary crowd? Aren't you the most adorable little Yorkie?”
I cuddled him to me as Calvin whined, wanting a better sniff at him as I looked around for the little one's owner. Jane joined us with a plate of the devilish creation, and it smelled divine. She asked, “Making friends?”
I rolled my eyes at her. “No this little guy was cowering under the bush, I think he got lost in the crowd.” I shrugged as I kept looking around. “He doesn't have a collar. He probably slipped it, these little dogs are notorious for it, that's why you can't discount the value of a good harness.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, walker girl.” Then she pointed. “There.”
I followed her finger to see a man and a woman, who looked so familiar to me for some reason, glancing around the crowd, looking worried as they looked under tables and behind trash cans. I nodded and said, “Good eye, lady.” We started that way, and when we were only about fifteen yards from them, they saw us and the woman's eyes locked onto the dog.
I was relieved, his mom and dad would take care of the poor little guy. But the man grabbed the woman's arm, stopping her from approaching us. He nudged his chin at my girl then they turned and walked quickly away into the crowd. I called after them, “Ma'am? Sir? Wait, is this your dog?”
I glanced at my girl to see if she was all intimidate-y or something, but she was just her. I glanced at the gold badge clipped to her waistband, which was half exposed by her open jacket. Then I spun back in the direction the couple had left. I nudged my chin to her waist, and she looked down, pulling her long lapels of the leather coat back to expose the badge as I said, “Something spooked them.” Then I gleeped. “Do you think they dog-napped this fuzzy boy?” Then I added, “Why are you even wearing that thing?”
She said absently as she looked the direction the couple went, “Force of habit.” Then she muttered as she looked up to the sky, “Oh Finny, what have you gotten yourself into now?”
“Hey! I didn't do anything. Calvin found him.”
She just chuckled at me and sighed patiently then said, “Well it's too late to call animal control tonight. I guess we're stuck with him until the morn...”
I growled and snapped, “No doggy jail. I'll just scan his chip in the room, and we can call his owners.”
She smirked. Oooo the the the jerk cop had just been baiting me.
I pointed an accusing finger at her and warned. “Watch it copper, or you only get angry sex tonight.”
She cocked an eyebrow and prompted, “You say that like it is a bad thing.” Then her face transformed as she shot death glare 2000 over my shoulder. I looked back to see a couple behind me who looked appalled at what we had said. Get with it people, some girls like girls, it isn't a news flash or anything. I curtsied like a smart ass and smiled at them, this got a harrumph, and the woman dragged her man away from us.
I turned to Jane, and we shared a snorty laugh. The little bark from our new charge reminded me to get back on task. She sighed and said, “Well, he is a cute little shit.”
We sat back down at a table to enjoy the rest of our evening, and Victor's Apple Cinnamon Decadence? Sinful doesn't begin to describe it. It melted in my mouth with the perfect balance of tart, cinnamon, and creamy perfection. Like an apple pie a la mode, but the pudding didn't melt like ice cream would.
I caught Jane glancing back longingly at the booth when she didn't think I was looking. It would be an easy enough recipe to reproduce, as its simplicity was part of its genius. I smiled with my spoon in my mouth, thinking about surprising her with it at home some day.
I looked around and sighed, then took her hand. This was shaping up to be the perfect honeymoon. We stood to head back to the inn. But first, the Yorkie yipped once, and I sighed as I dug a little harness and leash out of my shoulder bag. We needed to walk the fuzzy ones.
Chapter 4 – Check Mate
Jane joined me in the morning on the sitting couch by the window as I furrowed my brow while examining the little pup who wanted nothing but to be let back down to play with Calvin. She asked, “What is it?” as she rubbed my shoulders, causing me to close my eyes and moan as I basked in the intimate attention for a moment.
I opened my eyes and shrugged and went about moving the wand all around the pup. I checked the settings again then looked down at Cal and waved it over the back of his neck, and it beeped, and his chip ID was displayed on the little LCD screen of the device.
I sighed in frustration, “The little guy doesn't appear to be chipped. And he isn't fixed.” Then I put the wand back in my bag and then stroked his silky fur. “He appears show quality, but he isn't trained and...” I stood him on the couch and tried to get him to stack. I motioned a hand to him shimmying as he hopped off the couch and started chasing Calvin who thought it great fun to run from the tiny dog.
She squinted and shrugged. I sighed and rolled my eyes. “He won't stack. I'd think a dog this quality would be both trained and prepped for dog shows, but he won't even stack.”
I wiggled my fingers to get Calvin's attention and both made the hand signal to sit and said, “Sit.” He did so instantly, his tail swishing across the wood floor behind him. The other dog just dove on him, making cute little growling sounds as he tried to crawl up my boy to chew on his ears. I offered a palm out toward the scene, and she inclined her head, conceding my point.
So I explained my worry, “Dogs like this are expensive, twelve to fifteen hundred. Show quality ones can go for two thousand or more depending on lineage. But the majority of them are bought to be pets, and the owners don't care about the AKC registrations. Almost every pet is spayed or neutered, it is rare when one isn't. I can only think of two reasons not to have a dog fixed, one is if you plan on it being a show dog, the other...” I made a bitter face.
She nodded and said the vile words for me, “Puppy mills.”
I sighed and said, “I'd prefer to think the former rather than the later. When we get home, I can send in his DNA to the AKC registry, they have DNA for almost every AKC registered dog now, and if he isn't in the registry, at least we can find his sire. From there we can f
ind the little guy's owners and get him back home to them.”
She stopped me right there. “Hold on. You don't think he's coming home with...” She hesitated at the squinty-eyed look I was giving her. “I'm not going to win here, am I?”
I reached up and scritched her behind the ear and kissed her nose, “Good girl.”
She growled, her eyes twinkling in mirth as she swept me up in her arms. “You're going to pay for that one, Finny.”
Then I half giggled half screamed as she tossed me on the bed and then proceeded to teach me a lesson. Yes, please.
After getting ready for the day... for the second time. I asked, “So, your turn, what testosterone laden plan do you have for us today.”
She looked suspiciously mischievous when she said, “I only have one thing this afternoon, so why don't you choose our morning activities, love?”
I blinked at that. I was already feeling guilty that I was having her do things she probably felt were mind-numbing, even if we made our own cute candles yesterday. I thought for a moment then said, “Give me a minute down in the business center, I have an idea. Take the kids out?”
She looked to the harnesses then the dogs and winked at me. I blushed and scurried out the door with my cell trying to recall something I had read about Hudson Valley when we booked our room. I reached the room downstairs by the entry that was marked with a sign and stepped into what had likely been an old den at one point in its life. I was happy to see how well organized it was, and I saw by the printer, a laminator as promised. Oh, what fun I could have in a place like this, too bad we were going back home in the morning.
I was about to look some stuff up on my cell, but glanced at the two computers with large LCD screens that were set up for guests, and sat there instead. It was much easier to find what I was looking for that way.
I jotted down the phone numbers, then two calls later, I was grinning like an imp. This was the perfect activity for my amazonian gal.
Case of the Yorkshire Pudding Page 3
