Keli Gwyn – Real Life Romance – Part 2 of 3

Shannon here: Historical Romance author, Keli Gwyn shares her first date with her husband, plus a chance to win her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California. Comment on any post dated July 2 – 6 for a chance to win the drawing. Deadline: July 14th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Keli:

Gwynly and I met at an international dinner our singles group held, a story I shared on Shannon’s blog July 2nd. A few weeks later a girlfriend and I planned a dinner and game night as a way to get to know the guys in our group as friends. We invited three fellows so there would be no appearance of pairing up.
One of the guys couldn’t come, so we invited a man named Carl Gwyn. We neither one knew much about him and thought including him would be a way to remedy that. He made quite an impression on me that night. We played Scrabble, forming three teams. He was the odd player out and stomped us, getting a triple word score using a Q. To this day, I struggle to beat him.
I had no idea Gwynly was interested in me at that point. When I received an invitation to be his date when he “crashed” his high school’s junior prom, I was wary. My roommates encouraged me to go, so I put aside my reservations and said yes.
According to my journal, Gwynly showed up bearing a bouquet of carnations. I don’t remember the flowers. What I do remember is how I felt comfortable with him from the get-go. Since I was a small-town girl, the fact that we were going into “the City” for dinner and to a formal event afterward had me on edge. His easy manner helped me relax.
When we arrived at Scotts on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, the swankiest restaurant I’d ever been to, the butterflies in my stomach did so many loop the loops my appetite flew out the window. Not only was I on a first date, but Scotts is a seafood restaurant. My dad detests fish, so my experience with seafood was limited to the fish sticks my mom served when he was out of town and two halibut dinners I’d had after I left home.
My frantic search of the menu revealed no halibut. Gwynly suggested I might like rainbow trout, so I ordered it—ignoring the hefty price tag. Clearly this guy was out to impress me, but I feared I was about to disappoint him if I didn’t care for the expensive entree.
The trout arrived, and my swirling stomach plummeted into my pumps. The entire fish was on my plate—all of it—head, tail, and everything. The halibut I’d braved in the past was in fillet form. Never had I faced a whole fish—one with its beady black eye looking as though it was staring at me. I gulped, took a deep breath, and told Gwynly my fish story. He didn’t laugh, even when I covered the offensive eye with my parsley.
Gwynly’s kindness as he quietly instructed me in how to deconstruct the meal before me eased my fears and helped reduce the lump in my throat just enough so I could swallow the bites I dutifully shoveled in. To this day, I can’t recall what that fish tasted like, although I can picture it in vivid detail. What stands out are Gwynly’s compassion and consideration, traits that endeared him to me from the start.
After our memorable meal, we did indeed crash the prom. I met a flurry of folks, including students curious to meet his date. I said little and just smiled a lot, which seemed fine with Gwynly. He, however, was in his element, talking with young people who clearly liked their science teacher.
The students encouraged us to get our picture taken. Since staff pictures were complimentary, we obliged. The photographer didn’t realize this was our first date and kept trying to get us to strike overly friendly poses. We didn’t oblige, as the picture he captured proved. Standing with our arms around each other was pushing it. Considering how ill at ease I felt with a crowd of students watching the shoot, I’m surprised I look as relaxed as I do. I like to think Gwynly’s smile was genuine, though.
After Gwynly dropped me off, I captured my thoughts in my journal. Rather than rely on twenty-five-year-old memories, I’ll share words penned that night.
Carl & I were sure able to talk. It seems to me that we really hit it off. He sure is intelligent, considerate, easy to talk to, and fun to be with. God sure was good to me in providing me w/ a date w/ Carl. Thank you, Lord.
As you can see, I sure was smitten. My first impressions proved to be true. Gwynly is all those things and more, which is why it’s no surprise I ended up marrying him nine months later. I’ll share the story of our Christmas wedding here at the Inkslinger Friday, July 6th.
About Keli: Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country where she lives, will be released in July 2012.
When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, the Coach factory outlet store, and Taco Bell. Learn more at Website – http://www.keligwyn., Facebook Timeline – http://www.facebook.com/KeliGwyn,
Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/KeliGwynReadersGroup, Twitter – http://twitter.com/#!/KeliGwyn, Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5411901.Keli_Gwyn
About the book: Love Is Gold in El Dorado, California
Widow Elenora Watkins heads to California with her nine-year-old daughter, Tildy, eager to become a partner in a mercantile. When the mulish owner withdraws his offer because she’s a woman, she opens her own shop. She’s determined to prove herself capable of running a successful business without the help of anyone—including her controlling father, her seemingly distant heavenly Father, and one Miles Rutledge.
Widower Miles Rutledge is not about to get involved with another willful woman like his late wife, especially when she’s his competition. But the beautiful Elenora may be too hard to resist. When another man appears out to claim Elenora’s heart, Miles searches for a way to win her back. . .while putting her out of business.
Meanwhile, Maude Rutledge, Miles’s meddling mother, longs to see her son make a good match. And Tildy is just as bent on gaining a loving papa.
The battle of wills begins, but can anyone win when the competition is more than they bargained for?
You’re cordially invited the Keli’s wedding on July 6th!