sat where Roger pointed. Daisy, in the mean time, was
already sitting in front of Amanda and Jack, eyes closed, getting
her ears scratched. “Now, Laura, I assume you will be with us for
at least a few days, so here’s how we make sure these two don’t
mistake you for lunch some evening. No, it’s okay; come closer to
him, put one hand over his eyes, and with the other, cup his chin;
that’s right, reach right in, he doesn’t bite, much. Now, very
gently, blow on his muzzle three times.” Roger knew she was
perfectly safe at this point but was amused at the look of mild
fear at what he was instructing her to do. Still, she screwed her
courage up and did as she was instructed, gently blowing three
times at the huge dog. “Okay, now uncover his eyes, but leave your
other hand close to his muzzle; don’t pull away. You’ll see
why.”
Laura uncovered the dog’s eyes, to find
him looking right into her eyes, as though he was looking as much
through her as at her. ‘My God’, she thought, ‘what if he decides
he doesn’t like me’, but as quickly as the thought raced through
her mind, she felt the dog’s tongue licking the palm of her hand
and saw his tail start to stir up dust from the drive.
Instinctively, she reached out and scratched him under the chin and
behind the ears, sealing a friendship that would last for many
years. Daisy was next, although she was reluctant to leave the
pleasure the kids had been delivering.
That done, Roger decided the dogs could
stay out for a while, although their real job was after sunset.
“Okay, obviously this is the carriage house. It originally stored
at least one ‘Sunday go to meeting’ carriage, probably at least a
two horse rig, and maybe a depot wagon. There were four horse
stalls, so we know the family was pretty well off for their day.
Franz and Dennis converted the upstairs grooms quarters into pretty
plush surroundings if you ask me.” stating the later part of his
observation a little louder so Dennis and Franz, now nearing the
group, couldn’t help but overhear.
“Yeah, yeah; you’re just jealous
because we keep the good stuff locked up.” Franz commented, with
Dennis nodding in agreement.
“You kids behaving, just like I taught
you?” Dennis asked.
“Yes Sir”, the kids chimed in unison,
but just as quickly broke down into giggles at some hidden joke
they shared with this man.
Dennis returned to his tasks, leaving
Franz to handle the carriage house part of the tour with Roger.
Continuing the dialog, Roger said “Obviously, we don’t keep horses
anymore, at least not for the time being. Franz is our auto guru.
How about a quick rundown of the rolling stock, then we’ll discuss
transportation options.”
“Sure” Franz replied. “I have to
apologize since I talk rather slowly. It’s kind of a problem with
me. I hope you don’t mind.”
Laura responded quickly, putting Franz
at ease: “I assure you I want to hear what you have to say, and
I’ll always listen at the same speed you talk, never faster, never
slower. Please continue.”
Franz was clearly pleased that this
woman simply accepted him as he was, on his terms; he would remain
at her service whenever she asked. “I understand you’re familiar
with the Dennis mobile from your ride last night. It’s the most
secure and highest tech unit we’re operating right now, but when
the backup unit is replaced next year, the replacement will have a
few more security options installed by the customizer, options I’m
working on at the moment. Anyway, the backup unit is a little less
sophisticated, actually a lot less sophisticated, since it’s
basically a family soccer mom van, just with a larger engine and
run-flat tires installed. Then for the less demanding jobs, we have
the small SUV, a 4x4, two full size sedans, and an elderly but
serviceable Taurus that someone demands we keep around.”
Ryan put on his best fake scowl at the
mention of the Taurus. “Just take care of my baby.
already sitting in front of Amanda and Jack, eyes closed, getting
her ears scratched. “Now, Laura, I assume you will be with us for
at least a few days, so here’s how we make sure these two don’t
mistake you for lunch some evening. No, it’s okay; come closer to
him, put one hand over his eyes, and with the other, cup his chin;
that’s right, reach right in, he doesn’t bite, much. Now, very
gently, blow on his muzzle three times.” Roger knew she was
perfectly safe at this point but was amused at the look of mild
fear at what he was instructing her to do. Still, she screwed her
courage up and did as she was instructed, gently blowing three
times at the huge dog. “Okay, now uncover his eyes, but leave your
other hand close to his muzzle; don’t pull away. You’ll see
why.”
Laura uncovered the dog’s eyes, to find
him looking right into her eyes, as though he was looking as much
through her as at her. ‘My God’, she thought, ‘what if he decides
he doesn’t like me’, but as quickly as the thought raced through
her mind, she felt the dog’s tongue licking the palm of her hand
and saw his tail start to stir up dust from the drive.
Instinctively, she reached out and scratched him under the chin and
behind the ears, sealing a friendship that would last for many
years. Daisy was next, although she was reluctant to leave the
pleasure the kids had been delivering.
That done, Roger decided the dogs could
stay out for a while, although their real job was after sunset.
“Okay, obviously this is the carriage house. It originally stored
at least one ‘Sunday go to meeting’ carriage, probably at least a
two horse rig, and maybe a depot wagon. There were four horse
stalls, so we know the family was pretty well off for their day.
Franz and Dennis converted the upstairs grooms quarters into pretty
plush surroundings if you ask me.” stating the later part of his
observation a little louder so Dennis and Franz, now nearing the
group, couldn’t help but overhear.
“Yeah, yeah; you’re just jealous
because we keep the good stuff locked up.” Franz commented, with
Dennis nodding in agreement.
“You kids behaving, just like I taught
you?” Dennis asked.
“Yes Sir”, the kids chimed in unison,
but just as quickly broke down into giggles at some hidden joke
they shared with this man.
Dennis returned to his tasks, leaving
Franz to handle the carriage house part of the tour with Roger.
Continuing the dialog, Roger said “Obviously, we don’t keep horses
anymore, at least not for the time being. Franz is our auto guru.
How about a quick rundown of the rolling stock, then we’ll discuss
transportation options.”
“Sure” Franz replied. “I have to
apologize since I talk rather slowly. It’s kind of a problem with
me. I hope you don’t mind.”
Laura responded quickly, putting Franz
at ease: “I assure you I want to hear what you have to say, and
I’ll always listen at the same speed you talk, never faster, never
slower. Please continue.”
Franz was clearly pleased that this
woman simply accepted him as he was, on his terms; he would remain
at her service whenever she asked. “I understand you’re familiar
with the Dennis mobile from your ride last night. It’s the most
secure and highest tech unit we’re operating right now, but when
the backup unit is replaced next year, the replacement will have a
few more security options installed by the customizer, options I’m
working on at the moment. Anyway, the backup unit is a little less
sophisticated, actually a lot less sophisticated, since it’s
basically a family soccer mom van, just with a larger engine and
run-flat tires installed. Then for the less demanding jobs, we have
the small SUV, a 4x4, two full size sedans, and an elderly but
serviceable Taurus that someone demands we keep around.”
Ryan put on his best fake scowl at the
mention of the Taurus. “Just take care of my baby.
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