A Summer In Europe Read Free

Gwen had met him after only a few weeks in Dubuque and easily felt more affection toward him than any other guy she’d ever known, aside from family. He was so easy to be with, and so naturally right for her. They seemed to innately understand each other.
    And today would be the start of the next stage. A new beginning. Something good. Something that might even make turning thirty worth it.
    In her eagerness to get a jump on the afternoon, she headed to The Surfing Cow Supper Club a bit earlier than necessary. It was Richard’s restaurant of choice—a high-quality seafood-and-steak place along the river. As she sat in her parked car waiting for him, she breathed deeply and fiddled with her late mother’s pearl earrings until she spotted Richard’s steel-blue sedan pull into a space by the door, promptly at one p.m. Her heart swelled. Her future husband was fabulously punctual!
    She stepped out of her car and waved to try to get his attention. But he didn’t see her. He was carrying a small silver gift bag and was focused on getting in the restaurant via the revolving door. This sent a momentary sizzle of delight through her. He looked as excitedly impatient as she felt. And that package was the perfect size for a ring box.
    She tried to relax. Don’t rush the moment, her friend Kathy always said. Savor it.
    Gwen inhaled again, exhaled and then called out Richard’s name. He turned, spotted her and grinned.
    She crisscrossed the lot and slid up to him. “Hello, Richard,” she murmured, her voice oddly breathy. Was this what it was like to tremble at somebody’s name? She thought of the Michael Ball song from that morning. Well, she wasn’t shaking, but she did feel rather unsettled.
    His grin broadened, brightening further his already attractive face. “Happy birthday, Gwendolyn.”
    “Thank you,” she said, pressing her lips to his, feeling the coolness of them despite the scorching summer heat.
    He placed a hand on her lower back, a reassuring gesture, as he guided her into the restaurant. “I took the afternoon off, but I’ll have to make an appearance at work again later today. We’ve got a bunch of claims that need to be filed before the weekend.”
    She nodded, a bit disappointed, of course, that he didn’t suggest spending the evening with her, too. Perhaps he’d finish early and surprise her at her aunt’s house. Well, no. That was unlikely. Or, maybe, he’d visit her at her condo later in the night. She was, however, used to Richard’s industriousness at work. As he did with all tasks, he took his responsibility as an up-and-coming insurance agent at Iowa Insurance Corporation very seriously. Hardworking and ambitious, he even had their company’s slogan (“Providing first-rate insurance services to every first-rate Iowan—and, yes! That means YOU! ”) printed on a rather large, Day-Glo yellow bumper sticker and pasted across the back of his car. His company devotion was unmissable.
    “So, how are you?” she asked when they were seated and had each ordered the Tuesday Surf-n-Turf Special—not Richard’s usual meal of baked chicken and mashed potatoes, but a real splurge. Further proof that today was a special day. Gwen smiled, her excitement rising.
    “Doing well. Getting things done. But glad to get a little time off to celebrate your big day with you.” He raised a glass of the white wine he’d selected to accompany their lunch. She raised her glass in return and they clinked.
    She took a sip, appreciating the light, slightly fruity flavor. He’d gotten this brand for her before. A number of times. “Mmm,” she murmured. Richard’s taste in such things was so competent and experienced, she rarely bothered to wrestle with meal and drink selections anymore. She’d grown accustomed to just ordering whatever he did. And, while her friend Kathy would likely declare she wasn’t being adventurous enough, Gwen hadn’t been disappointed yet.
    Richard smiled affably at her as he chatted