Page 19 of Luna

Another glance at her reflection left her annoyed to see fear lingering in her eyes. “Don’t be a ninny,” she warned her image. She would not have another attack of panic today. She simply refused to allow it to happen. Not when she wanted to enjoy the circus and an evening with Hunter.

Luna gave her image one last look, then spun away, picked up her handbag and gloves, and hurried down the back stairs. Tony and Ilsa had both closed their businesses early so they could take Laila and join the throngs attending the Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill’sWild West event.

The opportunity to see Buffalo Bill Cody would have drawn Luna to the show even if nothing else had. However, she eagerly anticipated the performances, not to mention the opportunity to spend time with Hunter. Despite her wants, she knew it would be wise to keep her distance from him.

It wasn’t Hunter specifically she needed to avoid, but men in general. She still hadn’t recovered from Matteo’s loss and had no business getting involved in another relationship. Not when her heart still felt so raw and ragged and bruised.

Then again, Hunter had made no indication he was interested in a relationship with her other than perhaps friendship. Luna knew she needed all the friends she could make. Besides, what could it hurt to spend a few hours at the circus?

She heard the doorbell and rushed along the hallway. Before she opened the portal, she took a moment to inhale and release a deep breath, calming her skittish nerves. When she turned the knob and opened the door, Hunter greeted her with a warm smile, his hat held in one hand and the other behind his back.

At least, she thought it was Hunter. The man on the other side of the screen door had a clean-shaven face, showing off his incredible square jawline. His hair, dark and gleaming, was trimmed into a short style that waved and curled on top of his head. Instead of the dusty clothes of a cowboy, he wore what she knew to be an expensive pale gray suit made of wool so fine it was lighter than cotton. It was tailored to fit his broad shoulders, trim waist, and thighs muscled from all the time he spent in a saddle. He wore a crisp white shirt with an elegant, gray-striped tie. Even the shoes on his feet, which were polished to a high shine, looked expensive.

If he was nothing more than a ranch hand, Luna would eat her best hat.

“Howdy, Luna,” Hunter said, drawing her from her gaping study of his finely attired form.

“Hello, Hunter.” She pushed open the screen door, and he stepped into the house. Slowly, he brought the hand he’d hidden behind his back into view, holding out a bouquet of fragrant, colorful flowers in a heavy crystal vase.

“These are glorious. Thank you,” she said, accepting the vase and sniffing the blossoms.

“You look wonderful, Luna.” Hunter offered her a soft smile.

Uncertain of his intentions, or hers for that matter, she turned and carried the vase into the parlor, leaving the flowers on the end table nearest the door. Luna knew from having recently perused the selection at the crystal shop in Baker City the vase was expensive.

If Hunter were merely Dally’s hired hand, he wouldn’t be able to afford such lavish expenses. Furthermore, how could he look so at home in his stylish, tailored attire?

Confused and somewhat suspicious but determined to set aside her concerns and enjoy the evening, Luna turned and found Hunter standing in the doorway, hat in his hand.

“Dally helped me with the flowers,” he said, as though he was perhaps as nervous as Luna felt.

Heartened to realize she wasn’t alone in her uncertainty, she smiled as she walked out of the room. “They are truly lovely and so fragrant. It was kind of you to bring them. I can put them in a different vase if you need to return that one to Dally.”

“No. She has a shelf full of vases and chose that one for you.” Hunter motioned toward the door. “Shall we go? All anyone has talked about today is the circus.”

Luna walked out the door ahead of Hunter. He turned the lock, then closed the door before he settled his hat on his head and held out his arm to her. She took it, and together, they strolled down the walk toward what was clearly a new auto. The cream vehicle with black trim, red wheels, and red leather seats looked luxurious, yet it also appeared as though it would go faster than most automobiles.

“What is it?” she asked as Hunter held open the gate for her to walk through.

“A 1914 Stutz Bearcat. It’s a graduation present from my grandmother.” Hunter motioned toward the street. “We can drive to the circus. However, considering the number of people attending, I thought it might be easier to walk. I’ll let you choose.”

“Let’s walk. It’s such a pleasant day. I’m sure finding a place to park will prove to be a nightmarish experience.” Luna turned, and they headed up the street. As they walked, her thoughts circled around his mention of the car being a graduation present. What college had he attended? What courses had he studied? How could he, as a mere ranch hand, have afforded the education? If his grandmother had given him the auto as a gift, perhaps she was wealthy and the reason for Hunter’s costly attire.

“I think I may have mentioned it earlier, but you are incredibly beautiful, Miss Campanelli,” Hunter said, yanking her from her musings.

“Thank you, kind sir.” She hoped her cheeks didn’t appear as flushed as they felt as she caught Hunter staring at her as though he were committing her appearance to memory.

Which was ridiculous. Utter nonsense.

However, she cast several covert glances at him, wishing she could remove her gloves and rub her hand over the fine fabric of his suit.

Ilsa had all types of fabric at her store, from plain cotton to wool and silk. Luna had become familiar with most of them, learning about the different uses, weights, and textures. She knew if she touched Hunter’s arm, the fabric would feel luxurious.

“You’re awfully quiet, Luna. Are you well?” Hunter’s voice held a note of concern.

“Oh, quite well. Thank you for inquiring,” she said, then forced herself to act like a normal human being instead of one speculating about Hunter’s finances and integrity. “How are things at the ranch? Have you been working with any new horses?”

Hunter nodded as they waited on the corner to cross the street. Three wagons and four automobiles full of happy faces drove by, all headed in the direction of the huge circus tent set up on the edge of town.

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