Chapter 22

22

F inley and Holden went for bagels and coffee the next morning, stopping at a small neighborhood place not far from their hotel.

After chewing one bite, she said, "These are fantastic! The best bagel I've ever eaten. Was this one of your hangouts?"

"No. To be honest, I rarely left Brooklyn. It had everything I needed. I only came into Manhattan to visit Evan."

"Then how did you know to stop here?" she asked.

Holden laughed. "Any place in New York has great bagels. They say it's partly the water, which is really soft."

"You're right about that soft water. I rinsed shampoo forever from my hair this morning," she said drily.

"Somehow, the minerals in the soft water affect the gluten in the dough. It makes for a very chewy, very tasty bagel. You can't go wrong stopping at any bagel place in New York City."

Finley took another bite, savoring it. "If I wasn't so happy living in Lost Creek, I would move here for the bagels alone," she declared.

They finished their breakfast and took the subway downtown. Holden had asked her what three things she most wanted to do in New York. She had told him she would like to visit the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, take the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, and walk through Central Park. He said he was happy to show her all three.

"Thanks for indulging me today and playing tourist," she told him as they walked hand-in-hand to the museum, being among the first entering it.

"I've only been here once," he admitted. "It was very moving. I'll let you take the lead."

The museum was a unique experience, presenting the story of that day in September with exhibits from the events of the day told through audio and video recordings, first-person testimony, and artifacts and images. It also displayed exhibits which brought that day into context, spotlighting the events leading up to the attacks, as well as the aftermath of the infamous day.

She found tears welled up frequently, especially when she saw the pictures of the almost three thousand people killed as a result of the terrorist attack, both here, in Pennsylvania, and in Washington, D.C.

After two hours, they left the museum and spent some time at the outdoor tribute of remembrance honoring the dead and located on the site of the former World Trade Center complex. Though her heart hurt, she found a peace viewing the reflecting pools.

"I'm ready," she finally said solemnly, and Holden led her from the area back to the nearest subway station.

He took her to the High Line next, a park built along an historic elevated freight line on the west side of Manhattan. Before climbing the stairs to walk the path, they stopped at a hot dog cart, which had a blue and yellow umbrella shading the pushcart, where Holden told her to let him order.

"Sabretts has carts all over the city. Nathan's is also amazing." He stepped up and said, "Two franks. All the trimmings. Two sodas."

"Franks?" she mouthed as the vendor begin readying their order.

He shrugged. "When in Rome."

Holden paid for their lunch, and they mounted a staircase, stopping at a bench as they ate their hot dogs. Finley didn't think she could ever call them franks.

"The ferries running to Ellis and Liberty Islands get crowded as the day goes on," he told her, draping his arm about her shoulder as they basked in the sun. "We'll do that first thing Saturday morning. I want you to get to see everything on your wish list."

She smiled up at him. "I'm seeing all I need to see right now."

He kissed her softly. "Ditto."

They finished their lunch and walked the entire High Line, the Hudson River on their left. It was wonderful seeing the city from this angle. Finley had always wanted to visit New York, and now she was doing it with her fiancé, which made it that much more special.

Once they finished the High Line, Holden took her to Central Park. They saw the Shakespeare Garden and Strawberry Fields. Belvedere Castle and the famous Carousel.

"We need to come here during late October or November," he told her as they strolled along. "Central Park is at her best in autumn. The array of colors is breathtaking."

"Maybe we could combine New York with a New England fall foliage trip," she suggested. "I've never been to that part of the country. I was always busy teaching during those months."

"I like that idea," he said, stopping to kiss her.

Finley had never felt more loved than in that moment. She decided it would be these small snapshots of their love and lives together that would be the ones which would always stay with her.

She only hoped things went well at tomorrow's meeting. She was dreading being in the same room with Holden's former lover and worried how Madison Parmalee would react when she learned who Finley was.

They went back to The Plaza and made glorious love, the curtains wide open, Central Park below them. After, they showered together, and Holden asked her if there might be somewhere special she wanted to have dinner.

"Anywhere is good with me." She grinned. "I would actually want to go back to the bagel place, but I noticed their hours. They're not open now."

He nuzzled her neck. "We'll get you more bagels tomorrow. We can even bring some back to Texas with us. They won't taste quit as good since they won't be as fresh, though."

"It doesn't matter. That's a terrific idea. And I'd love for Emerson to try at least one. She used to make bagels sometimes when she worked part-time at The Bake Shop for Ethel. I think she'd really be interested in tasting a genuine New York bagel."

Holden said he was in a mood for seafood, and they went to a place in Midtown that he said Evan McGill had taken him to before. She had donned a black cocktail dress she'd brought with her, knowing they might go somewhere fancy. It wasn't one she usually wore to photograph weddings. It was fitted and flared, with a plunging neckline, and made her feel extremely sexy.

"Why don't you order for me?" she said. "You did so well doing that at lunch today."

He laughed. "Happy to do so."

The server brought them two appetizers, and they shared them. One was Oysters Rockefeller, which had been sautéed in butter, garlic, shallots, and spinach before being topped with breadcrumbs and cheese and baked.

"I'm definitely adding this to my repertoire," she told him, happily eating another oyster.

Holden had also ordered Hudson Valley Foie Gras. The duck liver was so rich and buttery, Finley thought heaven must be full of foie gras and Blue Bell Ice Cream.

After the server cleared the empty appetizer plates, Finley said, "I don't know how the rest of the meal can get much better than that."

"It will," he guaranteed.

They skipped having soup or salad, ready to go straight to the main course. He opted for a seared sesame crusted yellow fin tuna, while she ate Dover sole. They shared sides of lobster mac and cheese and truffle whipped potatoes.

"Dessert?" he asked.

"Will you split something with me?"

He smiled. "Only if it's chocolate."

Finley laughed. "That won't be hard." She picked up the dessert menu. "Either the chocolate mousse or the chocolate pots de crème."

"Let's go for the mousse," he suggested. "It'll be lighter." Holden waggled his eyebrows at her. "And allow me to be a little lighter myself. And naughtier."

She smile seductively. "You can be as naughty as you want, Mr. Scott. I look forward to it."

Suddenly, Holden was drenched, white wine dripping down his face as he blinked rapidly. Before Finley could react, her cold glass of wine was splashed in her face. She grabbed her napkin from her lap, blotting her face, pressing the cloth against her eyes so she could see.

When she looked up, a woman with a bright red face stood at their table, her anger obvious.

Her fingers clamped Finley's wrist, jerking it up. She peered at the engagement ring and then glared at Finley, her hatred palpable.

"How long was this going on, Holden?" the woman demanded. "No wonder you dumped me so quickly. You already had a side piece. I was expendable."

Madison Parmalee…

Finley jerked away her wrist, rubbing it, staring at Holden's former partner through narrowed eyes.

The server had rushed over, along with the ma?tre d.'

"Please let me escort you?—"

"Don't touch me," Madison barked at the server. "I'm leaving."

She hurried away from their table, and Finley saw a man jump up from a nearby booth and follow Madison outside.

"I am so sorry," the ma?tre d' apologized. "Miss Parmalee will no longer be served here." He sniffed. "I do not care who her father is. Again, my apologies. May I bring you each a towel? Shall I call the police?"

"No to both," Holden said. "Just the check." He dabbed his face with his napkin.

"Please. Your dinner is on the house, Monsieur ."

"No," Holden insisted. "You shouldn't have to take a loss caused by someone else."

Finley noticed he couldn't even use Madison's name. She glanced around, seeing patrons at the other tables still staring in their direction. Slowly, they returned their attention to their food.

The server accepted the credit card Holden offered, and they left the restaurant quickly, their evening spoiled.

By a spoiled brat.

Finley slipped her arm through her fiancé's. "I didn't think she'd take us being together well."

"She's been overindulged by her parents her entire life. I'm ashamed I stayed with her as long as I did."

She squeezed his arm. "You're with me now. And I'm not judging you. I love you, Holden. Madison will get what's coming to her tomorrow. Don't stoop to her level."

"You're right," he said, looking around and hailing a cab.

They returned to The Plaza, washing the sticky wine from their faces. They changed into the plush robes provided, and Holden called for someone to pick up their clothes and have them dry cleaned. She told the bellhop the stain was white wine, hoping if they had that information, their clothes could be saved.

When the bellhop left, Holden pulled her into his arms. "I was really looking forward to removing that dress from you," he said huskily.

She offered him the tie to her robe. "It's knotted. Let's see how much of a magician you can be. After all, your kisses are pretty magical."

He hugged her to him. "You're taking this really well, Finley."

Smiling up at him, she said, "Madison will get what she deserves tomorrow. And I get to ride off into the sunset with you."

His hand slipped inside her robe, kneading her breast.

"Then let the magic begin."