Fashion Faux Paw

by Judi McCoy

  He shrugged. “Maybe, but they didn’t while you were being held at gunpoint. Between then and the time Vaughn arrived anything might have happened.”

  “Rudy was here. He would have—”

  “Stop, already. I think you’d better come up with a new story, because that one’s getting really old.” He took her by the hand. “Let’s get out of here. I’m beat and I’m sure you are, too, but we can sleep late tomorrow morning and—”

  “Go to Mother’s for brunch.” Ellie pulled Rudy’s lead from her handbag and snapped it on his collar. “Remember, you promised me.”

  Sam stood still for a long moment, then took the leash and walked her and Rudy out of the apartment. When he hadn’t said a word by the time they got to the elevator, Ellie continued. “Okay, I’ll understand if you don’t want to go, but I have to show my face. The judge will want to hear about tonight, and Mother will give me hell if I pass on another brunch, especially since it’s her birthday weekend.”

  He stepped aside and let her enter the elevator first. “So you’ll go with or without me?”

  “Both Rudy and I. I don’t have much of a choice.”

  “Are you sayin’ this is one time I’m willing to stay home with the defective detective, and you won’t let me?”

  She gave herself a mental head slap. Leave it to both the men in her life to join forces against Georgette.

  Sam pressed the lobby floor, then wrapped an arm around her. “Don’t be silly. If you go, I go. I gave you my word, and I’m not about to renege.”

  “Great. The big idiot has to disagree with me even when I’m willin’ to see things his way. What a putz.”

  She put a hand on Sam’s cheek and turned his head. “Thanks. I know Stanley is looking forward to seeing you. You’re the best.”

  He kissed her, deep and slow, all the way down until the elevator door slid open.

  “Come on. It’s time to go home,” he said, ushering her toward the front of the building. “Once we get there, I plan to do one more important thing before we call it a night.”

  Ellie caught the meaning in his smile and her heart skipped a beat. “That’s fine by me.”

  “Ya know, I think I’d rather spend the night with the ex-terminator than be with you two when you get mushy.”

  Sam hailed a cab and, when one showed, she entered and slid across the seat as she whispered to her boy. “You’d be even more miserable if we were like Nola and Morgan, always bickering and sniping at each other.”

  “Those two were a piece of work,” said Sam, though he’d only heard the last half of her sentence. “I don’t want to think about us ever letting things go that far.”

  “How about if you just left us alone? That would work.”

  “You don’t have a thing to say about it,” Ellie answered, before she realized she’d spoken out loud. “I mean you don’t have anything to worry about,” she added when Sam gave her a look.

  When they arrived at their apartment he paid the fare and held the door while Rudy jumped out, and she followed. “I suppose he has to take a walk.”

  “The man is a genius,” her boy said, yipping.

  “Just to the corner. We’ll be back in a minute.” They didn’t go far before her yorkiepoo raised a rear leg and took his time watering a hydrant. “Sorry, I should have thought about this sooner.”

  “It was close, but I would’a spoke up if I wasn’t gonna make it. Just give me another minute or two.”

  Ellie did as requested, then returned to her front porch, smiling when she saw Sam waiting. “I could have finished up alone out here. Rudy was with me.”

  In answer, Sam ran a hand through his hair, unlocked the entry, did the same to the interior door, and took her elbow as they climbed the stairs. She knew by his silence that he didn’t agree, but he wasn’t going to talk about it.

  Inside, she took care of Rudy’s leash while he locked up. “Do you want a cup of tea or something to help you sleep?”

  “I’m ready to drop. You?”

  “Same here. Use the bathroom first while I change, okay?”

  He disappeared and she went to the bedroom, where she walked to the bed and grabbed Rudy’s pillow, brought it to the guest room, and dropped it on the mattress. “There, you’re all set. And you’re going to cut us a break in the morning, and let us sleep a little later, correct?”

  “You’re not gonna need me to wake you. If I know the ex-terminator, she’ll be on the line bright and early, reminding you about her grub and gossip party.”

  “Probably.” She sat next to him after he jumped up. “We’re good, right?”

  “We’re always good. It’s me and the dastardly dick that—”

  Hugging him close, Ellie kissed the top of his head. “I just want to say thank you again for finding Detective Alfonso and coming to my rescue.”

  “You’re my girl, Triple E. I’ll always be there to rescue you. I like to think you don’t belong to anybody, animal or human, but me.”

  He curled on the pillow and she bent to give him another smooch. “It’s you and me forever, no matter what happens between me and Sam.”

  “That’s a promise, right?” Rudy asked, licking her cheek.

  “Yes, a promise.”

  “Good, because I can’t imagine it bein’ any other way.”

  Epilogue

  A week later, Ellie led an old college pal into the nearest Joe to Go, hoping to surprise Joe Cantiglia. “We’ll have two Caramel Blisses and two blueberry muffins,” Ellie ordered, after walking to the counter.

  She grinned when Joe took a look at her companion and did a double take. “Karen? Karen Coleman? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m helping Ellie,” said the petite blonde. “When she called and said she needed a hand, I just had to say yes.”

  “A hand? From you?”

  “You bet. I run Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston.”

  “She was the first person I thought of when Detective Vaughn gave me the okay to help Klingon find a new home. You remember, he’s the dog that belonged to Lilah Perry, the designer that was killed last week,” said Ellie.

  He gave his barista their order, then turned back to Karen. “That was nice of you.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll do whatever’s needed to give minis and Ellie a hand.” She nodded at the dog on the end of her leash. “I couldn’t say no when she told me about him, and he really is a sweetheart.”

  “I had no idea you were into dogs, like Ellie is. “

  “I love these little guys as much as Ellie loves the dogs she walks.” She jumped at the sound of breaking glass.

  “Enough, Izzie,” Joe said to his barista. “Sorry. I have to take care of this. I’ll come find you in a couple of minutes.”

  “Not a problem,” said Ellie. “It’s a beautiful fall day, and we’ve already stopped at Sara’s and bought the boys her special biscuits. We’ll be outside if you want to talk.”

  She and Karen settled at a table, and both of them did the same thing: broke off pieces of Sara Studebaker’s deluxe canine cookies and gave them to their dogs.

  “I take it mini Schnauzer rescue has a lot of canines that need placement,” said Ellie after she sipped her coffee.

  “Dozens,” said Karen. “But we’re making strides. If you ever get the chance, fly down to Houston at the end of October. There’s a big dog festival that gets thousands of folks who are looking to adopt. You and Rudy could sit and help work our table.”

  Ellie dropped her gaze to the cement. “Did you hear that, big guy? We’ve been invited to Houston. Would you want to take a trip south?”

  Rudy crunched the last of his cookie. “Only if we fly first class.”

  Ellie had no problem telling Karen about the conversation. Anyone who loved their dog would understand completely. “Rudy said he’s up for a trip to Houston, so I guess it’s a go.”

  “I love the way you talk to your boy. You know, the more I look at him, the more I think he’s part mini Schn
auzer.”

  Ellie sighed. “There’s no way to tell, unless I do that doggie DNA thing that’s so popular right now. But it’s so expensive, and I really don’t care about his lineage.”

  “Oh, no. You’re not gonna poke me with a needle just to find out what kind of nuts are hanging off my family tree.”

  “He’s my boy and I love him no matter what his pedigree.”

  “Ah, that’s more like it. I’m yours and you’re mine. Who cares where we came from? We’re together and that’s all that matters.”

  Ellie took another sip of her Caramel Bliss while Karen talked about her rescue service. The dog lovers in Houston were a huge bunch, and they went all out to help their canine friends. From Karen’s excitement as she explained about the big adoption event, Ellie determined she and Rudy really should consider taking a trip down to see her when the cold got to be too much in Manhattan.

  But she’d never move out of the city. It was here she had good friends, an enjoyable job, a wonderful man, and on top of that, she had a fuzzy and faithful forever companion.

  Her world was perfect.

  “I’m going to get a coffee refill,” said Karen. “Be back in a minute.”

  Ellie nodded, then relaxed in her chair. “Have I ever told you that I live in a perfect world?” she asked her little buddy.

  Standing on his hind legs, he put his paws on her thigh. “That’s good to hear, but just so you know, I live in a perfect world, too.”

  She ran her fingers over his ears, then down to the underside of his muzzle, his best scratching place. “Good for you, but what makes it that way?”

  “I got Viv, Mr. T, and the buds we walk, and I get top-of-the-line food and Dingo bones whenever I ask. But that’s nothin’ compared to the best of the best.”

  She hauled him up on her lap and he gave her cheek a lick. “Oh, and what might that be?”

  “It’s you, of course. I got you.”

  Read on for a special preview of the next

  Dog Walker mystery by Judi McCoy,

  Treated to Death

  Coming in October 2012 from Obsidian

  Joe, Ellie, and Rudy walked into Sara’s gourmet canine bakery and were instantly enveloped in the yummy aromas of the spices, vegetables, and fruits used in the Spoiled Hound’s biscuits. The store made the best of the best in canine treats—so good, in fact, that Ellie knew several people who stopped there and bought the cookies to eat themselves.

  The display case, now blocked by a crowd, held four different sizes of biscuits in the shape of bones, sneakers, and, for laughs, cats, as well as bags of heart-shaped dry kibble. As of the first of December, Sara had even started selling biscuits shaped like snowmen, Christmas trees, and Santa. One look at the offerings and a dog person knew love was the main ingredient in the items for sale.

  Ellie locked eyes with Rudy, who was standing with his front paws on the case. “What are you up to?”

  “Just checkin’ things out. Lulu loves the carrot cookies—the ones shaped like cats. Make sure you get plenty of those.”

  Rudy’s best four-legged girl, a prize-winning Havenese named Lulu, loved to make demands on both Ellie and her dog. Still, buying a few extra of the requested treat wasn’t a problem. “Okay, I’ll get a double bag along with my regular order. Now, what do you plan to do?”

  “I wanna go explore with my buds.” He dropped down and scanned the store. “They’re runnin’ free. How about me?”

  The customers and friends invited to this blow-out had been told to bring their dogs, which were now roaming freely throughout the shop. “Fine, but don’t leave the store,” she said, unhooking her yorkiepoo’s lead. “And you know the rules: no begging, no pilfering food, and no fighting with anyone.” She ran a loving hand along his back. “Understand?”

  “Jeesh, puttin’ it that way takes all the fun out of it.”

  “Just be good.”

  Not worried about talking to Rudy in front of Joe, she stood. He didn’t know she had a special gift, but he was well aware that she spoke to canines as if they were people. He probably thought it was just one more crazy habit she had.

  Stretched to his full height of six feet, Joe peered out into the crowd. Wearing butt-hugging Ralph Lauren jeans and a dark green sweater over a yellow, long-sleeved shirt only amped up his sex appeal. Ellie couldn’t understand how any single woman was able to resist the man, with his Italian good looks and warm personality.

  “See anyone interesting?” she asked him.

  “I’ll never find Sara in this mob,” he grumbled.

  “I thought you wanted to meet her mom and dad.”

  “You bet I want to meet the senior Studebakers. When I’m done romancing them, they’re gonna beg me to marry their daughter. I’ll convince them that I’m the perfect husband for her before they fly back to Jamaica.”

  Joe had fallen hard for Sara the moment he met her a few months ago. Unfortunately for him, the biscuit baker had yet to return his feelings. “Hmm,” Ellie said, grinning. “How about you try romancing Sara first, instead of her parents?” She waved at one of her dog-walking customers as she continued talking. “You do want to win her hand, not her mom and dad’s, correct?”

  Joe blew out a breath. “That would be easy if I could ever get her out of this shop. So far she’s refused every offer I’ve made—politely of course—but still, always no, thank you.” He crossed his arms. “Since she’s been avoiding my direct offers, I thought maybe I’d get to her from the long way around.”

  “Then I guess you should go find her mom and dad and do your best. Meanwhile, I’ll get a glass of champagne and take care of myself.”

  Wearing a determined expression, he ambled away, and Ellie found a free chair. She purchased all her dog treats here, but she also enjoyed seeing Sara and her two West Highland white terriers, Pooh and Tigger. As her gaze swept the store, she took in what she could see through the crowd of humans and canines.

  Stainless-steel bowls filled with water were arranged on place mats in the far corners of the room. Old-fashioned, brightly painted sideboards rimmed in holiday lights held doggie toys and chews from companies that used only natural ingredients of the highest quality. And in between the sideboards were racks holding an array of dog magazines, including the bimonthly Best Friends, published by one of Ellie’s favorite charities.

  One front window housed a live tree decorated with the Christmas biscuits, twinkle lights, and red ribbon. Spaced around the center of the store were tables and chairs used by both two- and four-legged customers. Since Sara didn’t sell people food, the Board of Health had no say in who she allowed in her shop. On many of her visits Ellie had seen folks carry in their coffee from next door, then buy a biscuit for their furry pal, and both would enjoy their goodies in the store.

  The tables were now decorated with trays filled with an assortment of finger foods. A waiter passed by and she snagged a plastic flute of champagne. He continued on, clearing napkins and empty glasses as he edged his way through the crowd. Rudy reappeared and jumped into her lap.

  “Sara’s in back talkin’ to the senior Suzukis, just like you thought,” said her boy.

  Ellie rolled her eyes. So far Rudy had come up with dozens of automobile company names to trade with Sara’s last name, Studebaker. So many, in fact, that she just ignored him. “Who’s supposed to be up here taking care of customers?”

  “Beats me, but I don’t think Sara’s sellin’ anything. And the Westies are sound asleep on their puffs in the kitchen.”

  “Sound asleep? They must have had a busy day.” She caressed his ears. “Go have fun, okay?”

  It was then that a tall, heavyset man pushed through the crowd and headed her way. Searching her brain, she tried to place him. Was he one of the customers she rarely saw when she picked up his dog? He wore a winning smile on his bulldoglike face, so she smiled in return, still not sure of his name.

  “Hello. I’m Uncle Dom,” he said, stretching out his left arm. “Sara tol
d me to find you, and since you’re the only curly-haired redhead out here, I figure you’re Ellie.”

  She shook his hand and nodded. “That’s me. It’s nice to meet a member of Sara’s family.”

  Middle-aged, five-foot-ten, with a receding hairline and florid complexion, he appeared the same as many of the well-to-do businessmen who wore two-thousand-dollar Armani suits while they walked the streets of Manhattan. He glanced around the crowded room. “This is some business she’s built for herself. I’m as proud of her as if she were my own daughter.”

  “She’s done a great job. My charges demand, er, insist—” Ellie sucked in a breath. “I mean they like her biscuits best.”

  “And you’re another young woman who’s got herself a successful business.”

  “I think I do, so thank you for the compliment.”

  He propped his bulky body against the bakery case and Ellie winced when the glass front creaked. “I hear dog walking is one of the most competitive businesses in Manhattan. Some of you dog walkers even pull in six figures.”

  “I didn’t go into the work for the money.” Her boy appeared and put his paws on her thigh. “I do it because I love dogs. This is my guy, by the way. His name is Rudy.”

  “Who’s the big bopper? Is he botherin’ you?”

  “Say hello to Sara’s uncle Dom,” she told him. “He’s part of her extended family.”

  “Really?” Rudy dropped to all fours and sniffed the man’s Testoni loafers. “If he’s one of the nuts hangin’ on her family tree, I say she drops him. He smells like a rotten cashew.”

  “Cute little guy,” said Uncle Dom, but he didn’t pat Rudy’s head. “Me, I’m a cat person. Canines make me jittery.”

  “That’s because we smell the feline on you, you dumb bum.”

  Before Ellie could corral Rudy, Sara sidled through the throng and stopped in front of her. “Ellie, hi. Where’s Sam?”

  “At work for another hour or so, but he’ll be here soon. The place is packed. You must be thrilled with the turnout.”