Page 16 of Luna

It wasn’t any wonder Ben and Brett were mischievous. They likely inherited it from both parents.

“You save me any supper, Cat?” Kade asked, still holding her in his brawny arms.

“I may have, but if you don’t turn me loose, you’ll never find out.” Caterina swatted his chest with the dish towel in her hands but stood on tiptoe to kiss him again before she turned in a swirl of skirts and pulled a plate from a warming oven.

“Thanks, Cat.”

“You eat, then I’ll be ready to head home.” Caterina set the plate on the table as Kade washed his hands. He tossed his hat at the hooks by the door, and it caught one, much to Luna’s surprise. The deputy took a seat in the chair she’d vacated, bowed his head and prayed in silence, then he dug into his food.

Luna edged toward the door. “I should head to Tony and Ilsa’s before it gets any later.”

Caterina gave Luna a hug. “Let me call Tony and have him come get you. I don’t think you should walk there this late, Luna. It’s not always safe for a woman alone.”

“I don’t want to bother Tony. I’ll be fine.” Luna tried to sound brave, although she was far from feeling it. “It’s not that far.”

“I know it isn’t, but it will be dark soon, and you aren’t all that familiar with the town yet.” Caterina brushed a stray lock of hair behind Luna’s ear. The action made Luna think of her mother and left her homesick. “If you wait until Kade finishes his supper, we’ll take you there.”

“No. That’s just extra time and travel for you both since you live out the other direction from town.”

“I’ll walk her there.” Harley John shoveled in the last two bites of his dessert, glugged his milk, and wiped his mouth on a napkin as he stood.

“That would be much appreciated, Harley John. Thank you,” Caterina said, kissing his cheek as she picked up his empty dishes.

“That’s kind of you,” Luna said. She quickly pinned on her straw hat, gathered her gloves and handbag, and stepped out the back door Harley John held open for her. With a final wave to Caterina, she began walking through the alley.

Harley John adjusted his long stride to match hers. “If you ever do plan to walk alone, stay out of the alleys,” he advised as they stepped around a drunk who sat with his back against the wall and a bottle held in a brown paper sack in his hand. “Even though Pendleton enforces prohibition, there are still those who drink and those who wouldn’t think twice about bothering a pretty young woman.”

Had it been anyone other than Harley John referring to her as pretty, Luna might have thought there was a motive behind the comment. Not so with Harley John. She had a feeling there was only one girl in the whole world for him, and that was Sadie Thorsen.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Is it safer to walk along the sidewalk in front of the restaurant?”

“Usually. I’d advise turning here at Main Street and staying on the north side of the street because the lighting is better.” Harley John crossed the street and turned, matching his strides to Luna’s.

They walked the rest of the way to Tony and Ilsa’s house in silence, although Luna didn’t find it as uncomfortable as she might have with others. Harley John escorted her to the front door, backed up a few steps, then smiled.

“Have a nice evening, Luna.”

“You as well, Harley John. And thank you. I truly am grateful for your assistance.”

“Any time. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Luna stepped into the house aglow with lights and smiled to herself, warmed by the thought she’d just made a friend.

Chapter Six

“So, what do you think?” Hunter turned and looked at Flynn Elliott. The man was a genius when it came to flowers, shrubs, and trees. Truth be told, he was an expert when it came to almost any type of vegetation.

Not only did Flynn design breathtaking landscapes, but he also had acres and acres of land covered in everything from roses to fruit trees he was growing and testing, including hybrid plants of his own making. If anyone knew the best place for Hunter to carry out his plans, Flynn was the man for the job.

Hunter tried to be patient as Flynn stepped onto an old, rotting tree stump and turned in a slow circle, taking in the ground around them. A house in need of repair, a barn about to fall down, and a yard overgrown with weeds marked where a family had once lived. There were pastures, now overgrown, and wheat fields, currently barren. The fields held the most interest for Hunter.

The land—comprised of two adjoining properties—was located a few miles west of Pendleton. A creek meandered through both properties, providing more than adequate water resources, although Hunter intended to sink a few wells for the drought years that would inevitably arrive.

Flynn faced the fields that had once grown wheat. He’d been out twice to collect soil samples, and Hunter hoped the man would reveal what he’d found today while he still possessed a few grains of patience. Antsy to put his dreams in motion, Hunter wanted to set his future on course.

Now that his father felt he’d all but abandoned Bramble Hall, Hunter felt a deep need to prove he wasn’t squandering his life or his inheritance but doing something worthwhile.

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