Page 7 of Gwen's Delta
“You know that off the top of your head?” Every minute that passed, he was more intrigued. How was she still single? Or maybe she wasn’t? Although the way her grandmother kept pushing for them to get coffee should mean she was available. Either that or Grams didn’t like the guy she was dating.
“I love all the Arthurian books. I’ve read it several times. It’s been in the store for a long time. Maybe it was waiting for you? My grandparents found it when they were still doing the buying for the bookstore.”
“Are you sure you want to part with it?” As much as he’d love to own it, he hesitated to take it away from her.
“Yes, I’ve read it, enjoyed it, and now, it’s time to share it. That’s why we do this. It would be horrible to hoard all the books.” She gave Merlin a sideways glance as he opened the door to the bookshop, and she entered, once more sliding under his arm. “I have a feeling it just found the perfect home.”
After taking the book out of the cabinet, she wrapped it carefully in acid-free, brown paper and tied it with a string just like they would have a hundred years ago. It was expensive, probably more than he should spend, but he’d been looking for that edition for at least five years. It sucked he wouldn’t have time to read it until he returned from whatever mission Roe had for them.
Gwen slid the wrapped book into a canvas shopping bag with Camelot Rare Books and Antiquities printed across the front
“Thank you for having coffee with me, and for this,” Merlin said as he lifted the bag off the counter. “I’m glad I visited Lancelot today.”
“Me, too,” she answered with a smile.
As much as he wanted to stay, he couldn’t stall any longer. Roe and the team were probably already waiting for him on post. With a quick smile, he headed for the door.
He got halfway to his truck before he turned around and went back. Gwen was back behind the desk with her laptop open. When he stepped inside and she looked up at him, a jolt of desire rooted him to the floor, just like earlier.
“Did you forget something?”
“No, I mean yes. I was wondering if we could exchange numbers. I’d really like to see you again.” It was crazy, and he felt awkward like a teenager on his first date, but he hoped she’d wouldn’t turn him down.
“Sure, okay.”
Reaching into her pocket, Gwen pulled out her phone and handed it to him to add his information to her contacts. Then he handed her his phone to add her number.
“I’m not sure what’s going on at work, but I might be away for a bit. When I’m away, I usually can’t answer, but I promise I won’t ghost you.”
“No problem. So, are you one of those secret soldiers?”
Merlin smiled. He’d expected this question eventually. He couldn’t share that he was Delta Force and always kept his answers vague. “Just Army, but we get special assignments. I’ve got to go, but I’ll text you later, Gwen. Thanks again. Say bye to your grandparents for me.”
“I will. Take care of yourself.”
“Always,” Merlin said as he turned and headed for the door.
The team was careful, watching out for each other’s six. But hearing her say it made it even more important.
Chapter 3
After Luke left for the second time, Gwen tried to focus on formatting the images in Photoshop that her parents had sent from Egypt. But her mind kept straying to the caramel-eyed man with the devastating smile.
It had surprised her when he’d held the door for her. Had any guy she’d dated ever done that? If they had, she didn’t remember. Gramps would be pleased, and she’d tell him when Grams wasn’t around. It would be some kind of “sign” to her that Luke was the one.
A notification popped up on her laptop—an email from her dad. It was their first time back in Cairo since the Arab Spring ten years ago. Gramps hadn’t wanted them to go. He believed it was still too dangerous, and Gwen agreed. But her parents wouldn’t listen. They’d been too excited about a lead on a collection of ancient scrolls.
From the beginning, her grandparents had taken extra precautions to ensure that every book they purchased for the store was a legal sale. It had taken them years to accumulate enough stock to open Camelot Rare Books, but it had been a labor of love.
But when her parents had taken over the buying, they had brought back more than books—statuary, jewelry, ancient coils, and even scrolls. They’d then updated the name to include Antiquities in the bookstore name. Gwen was young and hadn’t understood the issues with selling the other items, but as she’d gotten older and more involved in the family business, it became clear.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein, it was more difficult to determine the provenance to ensure they were buying pieces that were legal to export. Many of the arguments between Gramps and Dad were over the antiquities portion of the business. If Gramps had his way, they’d go back to only selling rare books.
Opening the email, Gwen expected to see more photos. Instead, he’d sent a short note, and it surprised her. Her father never wrote; neither did her mother. Any contact was about the stock for the store. They might as well have been employees and not part of the family. The only affection she received came from her grandparents.
Gwen,
Please don’t show this to Gramps. You know how he worries. We got a lead on another set of scrolls in a new location. I arranged for guides and should be fine, but it’ll take an extra couple of days. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can.
