While standingbehind the counter, overlooking the many trinkets on display, sheoften thought about their trip to England. As she stroked thelovely bracelet on her wrist, she smiled at how things had turnedout. Overhearing the jingling of the shop door, she looked up tosee her friend Stacy the travel agent, who helped make it allhappen, walk in.
“Hello, Stacy, did you forget? I’m not having lunch with youtoday.”
“I know that, silly. You’re leaving for your cross country tourwith Crispin’s band.” Stacy said, leaning across the counter. “Ijust thought I’d drop by on my break to say goodbye and to wish youa wonderful trip.”
“Thanks, Stacy!”
“That’s not all, though,” she said with a look of concern. “Ihad the strangest dream.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” Stacy explained. “I thought you might like to knowsince it involves you.”
“Well, go on.”
“I dreamt you came running into the agency.” Stacy smiled andlaughed. “You were all aflutter.”
“About what?”
“Well, you had this big trip you were going on. Something huge.You were so excited and wanted me to help you book flights, findaccommodations.”
Gwen raisedher eyebrows at her friend. “I suppose when you’re a travel agent,those are the best types of dreams to have!” she teased. “Well, Idon’t know of anything like that. I mean, Crispin’s planning onreturning to Harlow Manor, but not until Halloween. Maybe you’reanticipating booking those flights for us. Plenty of time for allthat, though.”
“Yeah, maybe that’s it. But I don’t know, I think this wasdifferent. Somewhere new and exciting.”
“Hmmm…. I’ll let you know if ever something comes up,” Gwensaid.
“All I’m saying is, I’m right across the street if ever youneed me. Have a great time on tour. You’ve come a long way, Gwen.I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, Stacy, and thanks for messing up our accommodationsin London.”
“Oh, you’re very welcome. I’m sure Crispin will forgive me oneday, too.”
“Haha, I’m sure he’s gotten over it.”
“Well, aside from his many eccentricities, a fool he is not.Ciao, Gwen.”
“Goodbye, Stacy. See you in six weeks.” Gwen waved at herfriend and went to the back to gather her things. Her suitcase wasthere, packed and ready to go, along with her laptop and notebooks.Crispin would be there soon to pick her up. They were to return tothe House of Goths, stay the night and leave first thing in themorning, travelling east to Prince Edward Island, the firstprovince of many on their Canadian tour. They were to travel on theluxury tour bus he had recently bought. They might have flown, buteverybody decided driving across Canada would be more fun. Who wasshe to argue? This trip would be way different than England. Forone thing, she didn’t bother with an itinerary since Crispin hadthat all worked out with his bandmates. It made her a bit nervousnot to be in control of her destiny, but at the same time, shefound the not knowing quite freeing. With Crispin in control, shefelt confident things would go as smoothly as possible.
At the jingleof the door, Gwen returned to the front, expecting a customer orperhaps Stacy had forgotten something. Instead, she came face toface with the man of her dreams. “Crispin? You’re early!”
“Am I?” He made a great show of checking his watch. “No, Ibelieve I am right on time.” Turning around, he locked the shopdoor.
“It’s not closing time yet. I told my uncle I’d be here untilhe came in to take over. We have an hour yet.”
“Well, technically, the shop is still open, only you have avery important customer who will compensate your uncle to have theplace all to himself for exactly one hour.”
“What are you up to?” she asked suspiciously.
“Well, I have an important gift to purchase and I need yourundivided attention.”
“Is that right?”
“Oh, yes!” he confirmed.
“And what is it you’re looking for?”
“Well, that’s just it.” He cupped his chin and tapped a fingerto his lips. “I have a pretty good idea of what I’m looking for.But the young lady I’m shopping for has very specific tastes whenit comes to jewellery.”
“Does she?”
“Oh, yes, and very good taste indeed.”
“Okay, well, why don’t you tell me what it is you’re lookingfor and I will show you what we have. Is it a bracelet?” sheasked.
“Not a bracelet. Not this time.”
“A necklace perhaps? Earrings, or a watch?”
“No, not this time.” He slowly shook his head. “This time, I’mlooking for a ring.”
“A ring?” Gwen swallowed deeply, refusing to get her hopes up.“A friendship ring, a promise ring?”
“No, I’m looking for a ring of far more significance.” Hequirked an eyebrow and flashed her a smile. “I’m afraid, nothingless than an engagement ring will do.”
“Crispin!” Her hands shot up to her face. “Don’t toy withme!”
“You know I don’t play games, outside the bedroom, that is.” Hewinked. “Trust me, I’m one hundred percent serious.” Unable toresist, he caressed her cheek. “Now tell me, which ring should Iget for my special lady. You see, my fiancée has eccentrictastes.”
“Only when it comes to men.” She giggled and winked.
“Go on, don’t distract me with those eyes of blue-grey. Help mechoose.”
In truth, shehad spent much of her recent free time in the shop gazing at thevarious rings on display. Ever since meeting Crispin, she had oftenfantasized about him proposing. But she would never have believedit would happen so soon. Sensing the seriousness in Crispin’sintentions, she directed him to the engagement ring display. Withtrembling fingers she unlocked the cabinet and reached in, her handalready trained in which direction to go. She’d often taken theparticular ring out, even tried it on for size. It was the mostbeautiful, delicate, gold diamond solitaire. The ring had fitperfectly the first time she had tried it on and it already feltlike it belonged to her.
“Ah, yes, perfect.” Crispin took it from her trembling fingersand rolled it onto his pinky, gazing at it, studying it with greatpains. By now, tears were threatening to form in Gwen’s eyes.Without further ado, Crispin held out his hand and encouraged herout from behind the counter. When she stood directly in front ofhim, he then knelt down on one knee. “Gwen Mathewson?” He waiteduntil she looked at him. “Will you marry
