Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen by Kee Patterbee

Grumpus here got caught up tasting all the fish dishes three rooms down.”
    “ Didn’t get to them all. Just about thirty or so.” He crossed his arms and frowned. “Only about ten were worth keeping down. I’m telling you right here and now, Sweetness, peaches and fish is a combination from the nether regions of Satan’s derriere.”
    Gran rolled her eyes. “How would you know what that’s like?”
    “ Cause I’ve lived with you for an eternity.”
    “ Oh, hush you.” The elder woman reached out and smacked Papa Jay’s arm before pulling him in for a quick smooch kiss. “You taste fishy.”
    “ That’s cause I’m an old sea scallywag. A Navy man, through and through,” he said with a grin and a wink to Hannah, which caused her to smile.
    “ Anyway, Mr. and Mrs. Flirty, I judged fifty or so, but it was only a taste. Otherwise, my belly would be full. So I’m hungry.”
    Papa Jay thumbed toward the door. “Well, let me go get that man of yours if he’s roused. I’ll be back down in a jiffy.”
    “ I’ll get him, Papa Jay,” Hannah insisted.
    The elder Starvling refused. “Nope, I got it, Sweetness. You’ve been workin’ all day. I’ll get him. ‘Sides, there’s a fella we ran across who wants to talk to you. Your Gran’s all hot and bothered to give him the once over again, so she can take you to him.”
    “ Oh, shush you. Stop being jealous,” Gran said, pawing at the air with one hand. “You’re just jealous because he’s nice and handsome and rich…”
    “ And pushy and annoying,” Papa Jay added.
    “ Humph,” offered Gran, as she linked her arm with her granddaughter’s and guided her toward the rear of the room. Hannah peered over at her grandmother and studied her as they exited into the hall and toward the stated room.
    “ What are you up to?” Hannah asked with noted suspicion in her voice.
    “ Nothing. The man is annoying, but I like to tease your grandpa is all. But this man did seem eager to meet you and I promised an introduction. So as long as we have a moment, what can it hurt?”
    “ You’re not trying to set me up are you? Cause you’ve met Hym and…”
    “ Heavens no, dear.” The snoop gave her granddaughter a smile. “I know who you are marrying. Now, I just have to get something other than food in that tummy of yours.”
    Hannah squeezed her grandmother ’s arm. “Patience, Gran, one step at a time.”
    “ I’m seventy four, dear. Patience and time are no longer my friends.”
    The two c ame to the room and entered as Gran continued to explain to Papa Jay and her encounter with the man.
    “ Anyway, he read your friend’s article about you. What’s his name?”
    “ Louie Woolridge. You’ll meet him on-board tonight, if you and Papa Jay are up for it.”
    “ Of course, sounds romantic.” She grinned. “You think they have any empty cabins aboard?”
    “ You’re incorrigible.” Hannah redirected the conversation back on course. “Why is this guy so hot to meet me?”
    Gran shook her head. “You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
    Before Hannah could respond, Gran called out, “Lukas!” She began waving at a man who stood talking to several women. He returned the same. Not wanting to seem rude, Hannah gave an unenthusiastic wave. As they approached the man, Hannah charted him out. Mid to late forties. Crystalline blue eyes. Well kempt blond hair. Charming smile. Handsome. Fit. Expensive clothes. Well dressed. Going over her mental breakdown of the man, she remembered encountering him the first day she arrived. Checked into the hotel just before us , she noted. Drove high priced sports car . 
    The man then sized Hannah up and offered a hand to her. Gran made introductions. “Hannah, Mr. Lukas Grimm. Lukas, this is my granddaughter, Hannah Starvling.”
    “ Pleasure to meet you,” Lukas said as they shook hands. “I was hoping to find you here. Perhaps you could join me for coffee, where we could talk?”
    Accent. European. Central.