The Throwbacks, Book 1 of The Scotland Yard Exchange Program Series

The Throwbacks, Excerpt # 15

Chapter 10

“I thought I told you to give us a few minutes--Oscar, you are as incorrigible now as you were as a child!”  Mabel scolded and then took Grace by the hand and led her and Oscar toward her parlor. 

It was a good thing Mabel took over, because Grace couldn’t think what to do or how to think.  How could she with her heart pounding and her mind a sudden jumble?  Seeing Oscar, after all these years, and in Mabel’s parlor of all places, made her feel like Dorothy landing in Oz.

            “Hello, sweetheart.  It’s been a while.  But don’t worry, I’ve had your back.”

            His words were like tempting thick gravy being poured all over the healthy plate of green beans to make them irresistibly comforting and awful at the same time.  She straightened her spine and found herself strong enough to give him a warm smile and mean it after all these years.  He looked the same—like a retired NFL offensive lineman—big, intimidating and protective.  He walked to the middle of the formal parlor, turned and looked at her.

            “How many years?”  She asked.  She went to his open arms for a hug.  It was the hug of a long lost friend because she realized with a sigh, that’s what he was—maybe even a long lost relative.  She’d have to think that one over.  They ended the embrace and he pushed her at arms distance.

            “Six years and two months.  A very long and desolate six years and two months during which time I made sure you were always OK.  You’ve made me proud, sweetheart,” he said with an extra touch of huskiness.  When he swept her into another bear hug, Grace realized he seemed intense, even for Oscar.  That worried her.

            “What is it, Oscar?  Why did you come back now?  And where are you back from?” And then she wondered what he meant by “I’ve had your back” and “You made me proud”?

            “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about the details.”   He laughed and ducked because he knew she’d bop him in the shoulder--which she did.  She laughed, remembering those fond moments from the past that she missed.

            “Why don’t we sit down and Marsha will bring in the tea,” Mabel said.  “With Frangelico of course.  Just the way you like Oscar dear” Mabel took over again.  Knowing the strength of Oscar’s aura, Grace figured she shouldn’t take any chances about getting sucked back in to the vortex. 

            What surprised Grace was to find that she felt only the tug of friendship for Oscar. Then all the darkness and doubt that she’d felt about their relationship disappeared as if it was a bad dream that she would never have again.

            Now that she had David to dream about.

            Tears instantly filled her eyes at the thought.  She looked down to hide them as she sat next to Oscar.  She didn’t need him to worry any more than he obviously already was.  She insisted to herself that David would come around.  He had to give them a chance at romance.  He was a reasonable man.  She would give him a reason.

            She wasn’t surprised when Oscar took her chin in his hand and turned her to face him.  He studied her face and she let her tears go and didn’t bother stopping the shudder of sadness.

            “I was afraid of this, bella,” he said and brought his lips down to kiss her forehead.  It felt like a priestly benediction.  She blinked away the tears and looked at him.

            “What do you mean you were afraid of this?”

            “Evidently, Oscar, the dear man, has been watching out for you—from afar—all these years and now he’s concerned,” Mabel told her.