Scene 11
Heather found the sign marking their turn onto the grounds of the Churon Winery and B & B, and quietly handed Gil the map from under her visor that she had pulled up on the Internet early that morning before leaving to pick him up. She slowed to an appropriate speed as beneath the tires, the paved road became gravel, and then crushed shell. The winding path leading to the chateau offered a scenic view in secluded privacy. Brightly colored flowers, trees and shrubs were strategically planted to accentuate the lush landscape.
"According to this, the winery is just ahead on the left. The chateau is about two miles further, and behind it there's even a small pond." He offered her his hand as they took in their surroundings.
"It's beautiful here." She said, taking the hand he presented.
The house came into view and Gil cocked his head to one side and stared before he exclaimed, "It's octagonal."
"I thought you'd appreciate that." Heather said.
"What; you've been here before, then?"
"No, there were pictures on the website."
"How many rooms did you say?"
"Sixteen, plus six suites." She smiled patiently at his enthusiasm and handed him a print out of the brochure. He tucked the brochure in his shirt pocket as she pulled to a stop in front of the wide steps leading up to the front door. He got out and trotted around the front of the car to open her door, just as a young man in a dark blue blazer came out the front door pulling a luggage trolley to the edge of the top step and then descended the steps with his hand extended in greeting.
"Ms Kessler, I presume." He said smiling warmly.
Grissom watched the young man discreetly give her the once over; as he mentally undressed her. Gil resisted the urge to wrap his own possessive arm around her shoulders.
"You are correct." Heather shook his hand while she even more discreetly looked him over, although not for the same reasons as he had. Grissom had watched her do this far too many times since meeting her. He knew all too well that her appraisal was less about admiring the young man's physical form than it was about taking his measure. After her inspection was done, she'd be able to tell him even more about the man than his own brother knew.
"Dr. Grissom." He said extending his hand to him next. "I'm Jake and I'm here to make certain that you have anything you need while you're our guests. So let's get your luggage and get the two of you checked in."
While the two men unloaded the luggage and placed it on the waiting trolley, Heather let Hank out of the backseat, made sure his leash was secure, and let him stretch his legs for a bit.
When she joined them on the steps Jake squatted and said, "Hi there." to Hank. Hank sniffed him for a moment and then placed a paw in his outstretched hand. Jake laughed and shook hands. Next he rose to his feet and offered. "If you'll hand me your keys I'll be more than happy to park your car," As she was doing so he informed them, "Go on up to the front desk and ask for Miss Lily; she'll check you in."
Miss Lily turned out to be the owner of the establishment, and was a pleasantly plump sixty-something grandmotherly-type who fell in love with Hank the instant she saw him. Hank, being the intelligent fellow that he was, knew a good thing when he saw it; and reveled in her affection. After their check in business was complete, and Hank had been treated to not one but two large dog biscuits at Miss Lily's insistence, they finally made it to their room. Once the door closed securely behind them, Heather let Hank off his leash and watched him inspect the room for a moment. Once he decided his inspection was complete he walked directly to the large green dog pillow that was in one corner of the room and plopped down on top of it; effectively claiming it for his own.
Heather smiled up at Gil from her perch at the end of the bed and laughed. "Sure didn't take him long to make himself at home."
He chuckled with her. "Maybe I should get him one of those when we get back to Henderson."
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and yawned.
"Is it nap time Fetish Girl?" He grinned.
"Mmm…I think that sounds heavenly Bug Boy." She playfully nudged his ribcage as she eased off the bed and slipped passed him to unzip her suitcase that was sitting on a collapsible luggage rack. "I think we can unpack later." She said as she extracted her insulin kit, and a black oversized silk shirt that she liked to sleep in. "Will you at least hang the things in our garment bags in the armoire while I'm in there?" she asked pointing at the bathroom door.
"Sure; go on in. I'll take care of it."
When she came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, he had put away all of their things, not just the things that needed to be hung, stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. He lay on his left side with his head propped on his palm and watched her come toward the bed without saying anything at all. She flashed him a sleepy smile. "Is that bed comfortable?"
"It is."
"Good." She said eagerly, and climbed in under the sheet beside him pulling his arm around her as she snuggled in.
He pulled her even more tightly to his body and then draped the quilt over her as well. "What time is it?"
"1:32 P.M." She mumbled with a yawn and an amused half-smile.
"And, what time is dinner?" he muttered in inquiry.
"It's at 7:30."
"Wake me up at 6:40; okay?" He yawned and closed his eyes
"Umm hmm." She hummed turning in his arms long enough to give him a soft warm kiss. "Sweet dreams Gil," was the last thing he heard.