Free Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 07 - Missing Milt by Hope Callaghan Page A

edges of Lake Harmony.  They finished their glass of wine just in time to hear the captain announce dinner was about to be served. The two placed their empty glasses on the edge of the bar and descended the stairs.  
    Paul pulled out Gloria’s chair and waited for her to slide in before taking the seat across from her.  Water glasses sat nearby.  A basket of bread and tin of butter were off to one side.  Next to the basket of bread were two covered dishes.  Gloria eyed them curiously.
    Paul plucked a piece of crusty bread from the basket and set it on his plate.  “You’re dying to find out what’s under there.”
    Gloria nodded.  “I am,” she confessed.
    She gingerly reached over, lifted the lid and peeked underneath.  She lifted it high enough to see herself but not for Paul to see.  She set the lid back down and smiled.
    He scooped a pat of butter on his knife and spread it across the bread.  “Well?”
    “Well what?” she asked innocently.
    “What’s underneath?”
    Gloria sniffed.  “Hm.  Curiosity killed the cat.”
    Paul shrugged and smiled.  “Touché.”
    The waiter arrived at their table.  “What?  Your salads – they no good?”
    Paul reached for another piece of bread.  “Salad.  Huh.”
    “Have you looked at the menu?” The waiter turned to Gloria.
    Gloria hadn’t.  She had been too busy trying to irritate Paul to notice them sitting on the edge of the table.  “Not yet,” she admitted.
    “Take your time.” He lowered into a small bow.  “I’ll be back.”
    Gloria settled on the salmon filet with new potatoes and a side of parmesan garlic green beans while Paul decided to try the prime rib, baked potato and steamed asparagus.
    Their table sat facing a window.  They gazed out the large, glass pane and watched as the sun dipped below the horizon. The twinkle of lights from the houses that dotted the shore cast a romantic glimmer across the water. 
    Their conversation flowed easily and bounced from missing Milt, to Lucy’s hot date, to the holidays. 
    The waiter finally returned with their food.  Gloria stabbed a bean with her fork and then nibbled the edge.  “The food is delicious.”
    The interior lights had dimmed, giving off a warm glow.  Soft violin music drifted in the air. 
    Paul sliced a piece of meat.  “I hoped you would like it,” he confessed. 
    Gloria set her fork on her plate.  “Like it?  This is one of the most romantic dinners I’ve ever had,” she assured him.
    They spent the rest of the meal chatting about Paul’s job and his flip-flopping on retirement. 
    The waiter cleared their empty dinner plates and returned with two cups of coffee and two huge pieces of chocolate cake. 
    Gloria frowned at the large slice of cake.  There was no way she could eat it.  The waiter, noting her look of dismay, offered to box it up.
    Finally, the romantic evening and cruise ended when the boat docked in the same spot where it had departed.  
    Paul held Gloria’s sweater as she slipped her arms in the sleeves.
    They wandered out of the dining room and onto the dock.
    Gloria glanced back one more time and let out a wistful breath.  “That was lovely.” She grabbed Paul’s hand and pulled him to her for a kiss.
    A tingle ran down her spine when their lips met. The tingle started at the top of her head and raced all the way to the tip of her toes.  Finally, they took a step back and Gloria worked to catch her breath.
    Gloria sat quietly in the truck on the ride back.  Paul was so thoughtful and loving.  He was her perfect mate.  A small sigh escaped her lips…maybe someday.
    Her mind switched gears as she mulled over Milt’s disappearance.  She needed to call Frances and find out if any of Milt’s family had reported him missing.
    Then her thoughts wandered to Brian and the upcoming proposal.  She felt a sliver of jealousy but quickly pushed it away.  She was happy for them.  Andrea was young and so was Brian.  It would be fun to