Page 34 of Gwen's Delta
The scent of the cheese, bacon, and herbs made her mouth water. Then her stomach growled loud enough for Grams to hear.
“See, what did I tell you? Now, eat, and you can tell me about your date with the sexy soldier.” Grams pulled out a chair and sat across from Gwen at the old pine table.
“Ahh, this was your plan all along. Ply me with food and pump me for information,” Gwen said before taking her next bite. The woman was downright devious.
“Darn straight. How else can I find out anything? Now spill the tea, Gwenie.”
Gwen choked on the bite of the quiche and had to get a glass of water to help her swallow. “You almost killed me.”
“Nah, you’re made of strong, Dedmond genes.” Grams winked.
“Who are you, and what did you do with my grandmother?” Gwen asked.
“Stop stalling, Gwenie-bee, or I’ll drag Gramps in here, too.”
Gwen took another drink of water and then popped a bite of quiche in her mouth and slowly chewed as she tried to figure out what she wanted to share. She’d been dreaming of her perfect man her entire life, waiting for him to show up and sweep her off to Camelot. So many stories of the years built on the dream and the fantasy. But were her feelings for Luke, or for the man she’d wished for all these years? It scared her a little that he was already so important to her. Could she really believe in love at first sight?
“Gwen, there’s a call on line three asking for your parents. Can you take it?” Gramps yelled from the front of the bookstore.
“Sure, Gramps,” she replied.
Saved by the phone. The expression on Grams’ face was priceless as Gwen got up to answer the call. “I’m sure this won’t take long,” Gwen reassured her.
She grabbed the kitchen extension. “Camelot Rare Books and Antiquities, how may I help you?”
“I’m trying to reach Art or Stacey. Are they available?” the slightly accented male voice asked.
“I’m sorry, they’re out of town right now. Can I help you find something?”
“No. I need to check on something they were picking up for me. Do you know when they will be returning?” His tone grew more impatient with every question.
“I don’t have an exact date, but probably not for a few weeks. If you’re looking for a particular item, I’m sure I can help you.” Gwen couldn’t imagine what her parents were bringing back for this guy. They didn’t take special orders.
“No, I will call back.” The phone went dead.
Weird. What was up with her parents? There had been no answer to her email yet, either. A tinge of unease raised the hairs on the back of her neck. They should be fine. Her parents had been traveling around the Middle East for years. Except this time, it was Egypt, and they were on an unplanned excursion with an unknown destination and no way to contact them.
“Okay, you’re off the phone. Now, sit down and tell me about Luke,” Grams demanded.
“What’s the occasion? We haven’t had quiche in forever.” Gramps joined them and sat down at the worn, wooden table in the farmhouse-style kitchen.
“I don’t know. Just a bee in my bonnet, I guess,” Grams said as she cut a slice and put the plate in front of Gramps.
“I’m thankful for that bee.” Gwen chewed the fluffy deliciousness and smiled.
“Gwen, you’re still stalling. Out with it. I want to hear about the big date,” Grams said as she sat down with a huff.
Gramps winked at Gwen and asked, “What did that gentleman on the phone want?”
“It was weird. He didn’t really say. I told him I could help him. But all he wanted to know is when they’d be back. Said they were getting him something specific.”
“He did?” Grams asked, her eyes wide.
“We don’t do special orders,” Gramps commented, a thoughtful look on his face.
“Exactly. I can’t believe Dad would have agreed to that. When I couldn’t give him any specific answers, he hung up. He didn’t even tell me his name. Maybe Dad will know?”
The more she thought about the call, the odder it seemed.
