Page 58 of Gwen's Delta
“No worries. This is usually it. Just mascara and lip gloss. Damn. I didn’t remember to pick up a hat and I don’t have one.”
“Do you have a scarf?”
“Umm, let me see. My mother gave me a couple a few years ago. Now where did I put them?” Gwen rummaged through her dresser drawers. She’d been about to give up, but found them in the fourth drawer she checked. “Will this work?” She held up a silk scarf in various shades of blue.
“As long as you can tie it over your head to keep the sun off, it’ll be fine. Maybe Merlin can give you a ball cap.”
“Good idea. Okay, I think that’s everything. I threw in the Keds, just in case. They didn’t take up much room.” She’d gotten everything into a carry-on sized roller bag. Packing was one thing her mom had taught her, even though she rarely traveled.
“That’s great. You’d make a great flight attendant,” Destiny said with a smile.
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t. I’m perfectly content to stay in the bookstore and read about far-off places. With my parents on the road all the time, someone had to stay and help my grandparents with the store.”
“You might surprise yourself. I didn’t get the feeling you were shy when we were together at lunch.”
“I’m not really shy. I don’t have problems with customers, but I guess I grew out of the desire to travel after being stuck here.”
“Maybe you’ll change your mind, or maybe Luke will,” Destiny said with a smile.
“Well, he’s taking me to Egypt, so maybe,” Gwen said. Maybe she would have fun traveling with him, though not this time.
“You’ve fallen hard, huh?”
“What?” Gwen’s cheeks heated, but Destiny was right. “I guess I have. It’s happening too fast. And now, the kidnapping? I’m not sure it’s the right time.”
Destiny patted her arm. “Hon, it will never be the right time. There is always something that screws things up. Trust me, I’ve been there. But Trent said Merlin has never reacted like this to anyone.”
“That’s what Luke said, and he’d have no reason to lie to me,” Gwen agreed.
“It’s easy to forget that they have big hearts when they’re surrounded by all those yummy muscles. So if you’re not sure how you feel, don’t lead him on,” Destiny said.
Gwen shook her head. “I won’t. I’d never do that.”
“I didn’t think so, but they are like Trent’s brothers, and that makes them my family, too. I don’t want to see any of them hurt.”
“I understand. I hope Trent realizes how lucky he is.”
Destiny’s eyes danced with humor. “Oh, he does.”
Without thinking, Gwen hugged Destiny. They didn’t know each other well, but it felt right. “Thank you. Seriously, Destiny, I don’t know how I would have gotten through today without you here.”
Destiny hugged her back. “You don’t have to thank me. I was happy to come. I’m glad we’re getting to know each other. Promise to stay in touch when you get back?”
“I will.”
When Gwen’s phone dinged with a text message, it startled them both. She had forgotten she’d turned up the volume for the alerts and the ringer, not wanting to miss anything. It was Luke.
Luke:I’m on my way. See you in about thirty minutes.
Gwen:Be careful. I need you in one piece.
Damn. She sounded like Grams.
Luke:I will. See you at the bookstore.
Gwen sighed. “He’s on the way. I guess it’s time to go back to the bookstore.”
“Who will watch the cat?”
