Just edited because I saw things in this chapter that should not have been there grammer, spelling etc. nothing new.
Paperwork sometimes was the only thing to do at work but today Marshall was THINKING VACATION. Where did he want to go? This thought was not something he had been able to dwell on in a long time. The possibilities were endless. His partners' fidgeting caused him to look up from his paperwork and thoughts. Noticing her frustrated look he patiently waited for her minor eruption.
While Marshall had noticed Mary's agitation, Mary on the other had was thinking about how to avoid letting her mother know she was going to have any time off.
Frustrated Mary Blurted "Where are you going to go?"
Marshall with a thoughtful expression sighed "I don't know ….. My mom has been hounding me to come home for a while." This thought had taken flight in his trivia cluttered brain. It might be fun to go home. Horses, hay and the farm!
Mary watched as a contented expression settled on her partners face, a little jealous but not going to let on Mary Commented "Well I think I am going to try and find a resort to go to maybe a beach and warm climate."
This was not what Mary wanted but was not going to let on that she would probably just be staying home dodging her mother and sister for 2 weeks.
Marshall watched the emotion well hidden to most but very evident to those who knew how to read the face that they flitted across.
He decided then and there that she would be going with him. He Laughed silently this was going to be fun. The hardest part was going to be figuring out how to get her to think it was HER idea.
Marshall looked at the clock. They had been in the office long enough to head out on witness checks so he stood up and started to gather up his things. "Let's go we have a few witnesses to see and then we can grab lunch." Knowing free food would motivate her he threw that on the end of him comment as he walked to the elevators.
Mary never one to let an offer of free food go unaccepted raced to the elevator after grabbing her blazer and bag. "Hey Doofus! Hold the doors I coming!" she yelled side stepping around Stan as he came out of his office.
"Where are you two headed?! You are supposed to have you paperwork turned in before lunch today!" Stand stuttered
Marshall tossed back " The Hughes need there check done today they have a recital for Grace and the Collins Family thinks that the land lord is trying to find something to pin on Jackson because he has started hanging out with a crowd that this guy doesn't approve of and this is just my two today."
"We will have it done we promise!" cajoled Mary. Mary seeing her way out of the monotony of paperwork fading fast quickened her pace and slid around Marshall as the doors closed on Stan's objections.
"Do you think they realize that I give them a deadline 5 days sooner that the paperwork is actually due?" questioned Stan
Eleanor chuckled "I don't think they really care." and if they ever found out I hope that I am somewhere far away or at least behind bullet proof glass. Silently laughing at what would happen if Stan's best inspectors found out that they had been manipulated into getting their paperwork done on time, she moved to finish up her own work so she could head out for her lunch break.
Double stepping to keep up with her partners quick pace Mary couldn't help think about being home for 2 weeks. The grim possibility was daunting; she knew she would be pulling her hair out by the end of day 1. Having been caught up in her thoughts Mary missed what Marshall had been saying.
"What did you say?"
Marshall rolled his eyes and started over. "We don't officially have to go on vacation till Monday how about going with me this weekend?" crystal blue eyes stared into olive green.
Suspiciousness was a natural part of Mary's personality as much as the Bitchiness so the first response was reflexive "Where and what would we be doing?"
Eyebrows climbing and smiling eyes caused her to become more weary.
"Well...How do you feel about trail riding?"
"What would we be riding?"
"That would depend on whether you want a horse or an as...Mule. "Marshall smirked as he made the comment. Laughing at Mary's outraged expression Marshall climbed into his truck.
Mary scrabbled into the truck and was still fuming as they left the parking lot of the sunshine building. That sounded a lot like a challenge I wonder what he has been putting in his coffee. I think it actually might be fun to ride up in the hills, not so sure the horse thing is how I would do it but why not? I get to spend time with Marshall before he goes wherever he plans on going for vacation and I get stuck with Brandi and Jinx."
Marshall was trying to figure out what the expression on Mary's Face meant as he pulled into their favorite dinner breakfast. Walking up to the bar to take their regular seats Marshall watched and waited for the response to his comment. He knew that if Mary was thinking about it she actually heard and was processing what he had said.
While waiting for the waitress to take their drinks Mary shocked him by agreeing "You know that might not be to bad of an idea."
They didn't order as the waitress knew what they wanted and how it was cooked, so they had plenty of time to talk and plan.
Marshall started talking about this place just outside of town. "You will love it we can get cabins and stay the weekend..." he drifted off when he looked over at Mary to see she was staring into space not paying attentions to what he had to say.
He flashed a grin and continued only with some exaggeration of what they would have to do to while at the cabins.
"I know how you feel about physical exercise so you won't have any problems helping in the barn. Cleaning stalls, hauling hay, you know the basics. I would really suggest you get a good pair of boots so that if you end up stepping in something unpleasant while cleaning stalls you can just hose them off."
Watching her closely he noticed exactly when she came back to the conversation.
"I have to do WHAT!" Mary whipped her head in Marshall's Direction "I thought this was a vacation not a trip to Hee Haw where I had to work like a stable hand!"
Marshall had a hard time not spraying his coffee all over the counter at that comment. He was laughing so hard.
Mary realized what he had done; threatening bodily harm was always a good way to stop his hyena laughs. "Do I need to kick your ass Doofus? I was just promised a vacation where all I had to do was climb onto a giant animal and ride through the country side. As much as I LOVE the idea of that I LOVE the idea of being out of calling range so I will deal with what I have to, but if you think for one minute that I am shoveling horse shit you will be on the receiving end of that toss!"
Sobering at the thought of having a shovel full of horse crap being thrown at him, Marshall decided that he should get to the point of this conversation.
"I will make the arraignments for us and pick you on Sat?" he continued before she could interrupt. "I promise there will be no shoveling horse poop for you. There is a cabin that I always book nestled in the evergreen forests of the beautiful Sandia Mountains. The views are fantastic and great relaxation and outdoor activities such as skiing, horseback riding and hiking are available with minimal intrusion."
"You said Cabin as in one?" This might be more interesting than I thought. Never thought he would actually be that audacious! Oh crap I'm thinking like him to!"
"Yes but it has to rooms and two bathrooms so there would be no cross over." That was close how do I tell her that the cabin is used mainly as a romantic getaway without getting by head bit off. Risky I think I'll wait and see if she notices. "The place is a BnB 15 min outside of town so we won't be out of communication completely. You will need the right cloths though."
Mary groaned this was going to be more painful than she had thought if she had to go shopping for it.
Thanks to Google for the research help. I found a place for the trail riding actually in Albuquerque; however I am changing the name for this story so everything is real but the name. The details of the cabins and the amenities are all real and so is the location though vague.