Page 28 of Luna

Another image she loved was of Walker Williams’ grandmother. Rebecca was old and wise, but her eyes shone with humor as she looked at the camera. She wore a beaded buckskin dress, her hair in long braids, and she held a basket of roses in her hands.

“Admiring my handiwork?” Tony asked with a grin as he stood in the doorway.

Luna had been so involved in studying the portraits, she hadn’t heard him open the door.

“Yes, I was, Tony. You have a way of capturing who people really are that is quite spectacular.”

He appeared pleased as he stepped back and motioned her inside. “I hope you’ll let me take your photograph sometime. I think your parents would be most appreciative to receive a copy.”

“Oh, they would. It would be a wonderful gift to send them. Someday, when you have time, I would like that very much.”

“I’ll check my schedule, and we’ll figure out a day that will work. Soon.” Tony strode through the front of the studio, where there were images hanging in frames on the walls and big portraits on easels, then walked into his back room.

Luna stopped. A scenic photograph that she was sure had been captured at Nash’s Folly drew her interest. Tony must have taken it in the middle of the lane that led to Aundy and Garrett’s house because there were sheep on one side of the image and cattle on the other, with the top of a barn visible in the distance.

“Luna!” Laila raced over to give her a hug. “Did you and Mama have fun today?”

“We did have fun. Did you have a good day with your father?”

Laila nodded. “I helped him deliver ice this morning. It’s fun because I get to sit on the wagon and suck on ice chips while he works.” The little girl looked back over her shoulder as Tony returned to the room.

“She acts like an imperial queen while I slave away in the heat,” Tony said, doing his best to sound beleaguered.

Laila giggled, then looked back at Luna. “We had lunch at Uncle Gideon’s restaurant, and then I got to help Daddy here in the studio this afternoon. It’s been a great day.”

“It sounds like it. Your mother mentioned you might enjoy a visit to the drugstore before it’s time to head home. What do you think?” Luna held out a hand to the child.

Laila squealed and clasped her hand, tugging her toward the door. “Bye, Daddy! We’ll see you at home in a while.”

“Be good, Laila, and mind what Luna says,” Tony called after them.

Luna lifted a hand in parting at the door, then she and Laila walked to the drugstore. With Laila chattering full speed ahead, Luna didn’t need to contribute much to the conversation. It suited her fine in her current mood. She tipped her head back and let the sun warm her face as they waited to cross the street. After two autos and a wagon passed, she held tightly to Laila’s hand as they hurried to the other side and continued to their destination.

Inside the drugstore, a long counter ran along one wall with barstools beneath it where people could sit and enjoy a soda, an ice cream, or any number of treats.

“What would you like to have, Laila?” Luna asked, quickly scanning the posted menu options.

“How about that?” Laila asked, pointing to a new advertisement for malted milk.

Luna couldn’t recall ever trying it and decided she would open herself to something new.

“What can I get you, miss?” the teenage boy working behind the counter asked.

Luna pointed to the sign. “Two malted milks, please.”

“Sure thing. Do you want vanilla or chocolate?”

Luna looked at Laila and grinned. They both said, “chocolate!”

“Chocolate it is.” He gave Luna the total, and she handed over a coin.

They watched as he mixed milk, chocolate syrup, and the malted powder together, then poured it into two glasses. He garnished each glass with a fresh strawberry and a dollop of cream.

After adding paper straws to each glass, he pushed them across the counter.

Laila climbed onto a stool, and Luna took the seat beside her. For fun, Luna lifted her glass and gently clinked it against Laila’s, then took a sip. The drink was different than she expected, but tasty. The cold milk was refreshing on a hot day, and she enjoyed every sip.

Laila must have, too, because she was soon sucking the last drop of her malt from the glass.

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