Page 31 of Luna

“That is true.” Tony paused to take another long swig of lemonade. “So, you aren’t interested in Harley John as someone you’d consider as a potential suitor?”

Luna would have choked on her lemonade if she hadn’t already swallowed the drink she’d just taken. As it was, she felt like spluttering in protest. She glowered at Tony, although she doubted he could see her ire in the rapidly descending darkness. “I am not interested in Harley John romantically. He’s a friend, and that is all. Furthermore, I am not interested in anyone as a potential suitor. I loved Matteo thoroughly and completely. When he died, so did a very large piece of my heart. I’m not here in Pendleton to find a husband, Tony. I’m here because I lost the man I’d planned to spend the rest of my life with.”

“I know, bambina. I know.” Tony set his glass on a nearby table, took the glass from Luna’s hand, and pulled her to her feet. His arms wrapped around her in a fatherly hug, and she suddenly realized how much she needed the comfort he provided. He so reminded her of her papa, and in that moment, she wished she could sit on the sofa between her parents, resting her head on her papa’s strong chest while her mama brushed her hair from her face and rubbed her back.

However, since Luna had no idea when she’d see her parents and siblings again, she drew in a deep breath, gave Tony an appreciative squeeze, and stepped back. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Luna.” Tony cleared his throat as he held open the screen door. As Luna started to step past him, he placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. “I can’t begin to know what you’ve been through, Luna. It’s more than I want to try to imagine, but if you ever need to talk or need a hug, Ilsa and I are both here for you. Anytime. Always.”

“Thank you, Cousin. I’m so grateful for you both and for your offering me a place in your home and hearts while I work through what has proven to be a very challenging time in my life.” Luna kissed Tony’s cheek, then hurried inside and up to her room.

After she’d taken a cool bath and washed her hair, she sat in the darkness in her room, combing her damp tresses in front of the bedroom window. She looked out at the stars glistening in the night sky and considered her conversation with Tony.

She hadn’t been completely honest when she said she wasn’t interested in anyone as a suitor. In truth, when she thought of her future, more and more often a vision of Hunter Douglas came to mind.

But they had nothing in common. He was wealthy, educated, and successful. Great expectations were resting on his broad shoulders. Luna had been a penniless orphan taken in by relatives. Although she had an education, she’d finished school at sixteen, then she’d met Matteo and thought her future was all planned out.

Despite the heartache and grief, as well as the anguish and pain she’d experienced, all she could do was trust that her Maker had far better plans for her than she could begin to know.

Luna studied the vast expanse of sky, feeling so unbelievably small yet also wondrously grateful for the blessings she’d been given. In spite of the sorrow and challenges, God’s grace had carried her through it all.

Chapter Ten

“You’re doing that exactly right,” Ilsa said, looking over Luna’s shoulder as she sewed a curved seam on a sewing machine in Ilsa’s shop.

“Thank you. I’m glad I’m not making a mess of this beautiful fabric.”

“You’ve made such progress, Luna.” Ilsa smiled at her, then took a drink from a glass of water she’d set on her front counter.

Luna was glad she’d come to the shop to help Ilsa today. Since the restaurant was closed on Mondays, she had nothing else that required her attention. Tony had taken Laila with him to deliver ice on the nearby Umatilla Indian Reservation. They planned to eat lunch with Rebecca Williams, who often beaded bags and trim for Ilsa, before they returned to Pendleton to make more ice deliveries.

When Ilsa had suggested she and Luna eat lunch at Gideon McBride’s establishment, Luna had readily agreed. They’d worked hard all morning, enjoyed a tasty cold chicken salad for lunch followed by slices of chilled lemon cake, then returned to the shop.

While Luna worked on the basic seams of a lilac-hued dress, Ilsa added the finishing touches to a summer silk gown dripping with airy lace that would be shipped to a client in California.

In the weeks since Luna had been helping Ilsa, she’d picked up several tips and tricks for sewing apparel. Ilsa had been more than generous in teaching her, as well as giving her clothing in trade for her work when Luna refused the money Ilsa had offered. Just last week, Ilsa had presented her with a beautiful shirtwaist Luna had been admiring ever since she’d arrived in town. It was airy and light and lovely. She could hardly wait to wear it, although she hadn’t yet decided if it was best to save it for church or some other occasion when she wanted to look her best.

“When you finish that seam, go ahead and start on the hem where I’ve marked it. By the time you do that, we’ll be ready to wrap things up for the day.”

“That sounds good to me,” Luna said, then blushed as her stomach growled.

Ilsa laughed and resumed the seat she’d occupied most of the day, positioned to catch the natural light streaming in the front windows. At first, Luna had wondered why Ilsa had a sewing machine in the front of the shop as well as three in the back, but she’d quickly learned Ilsa loved the sunlight, and it was much brighter in the front of her store than the back.

“Perhaps we should head home sooner rather than later for dinner,” Ilsa remarked as her needle flashed in the sunlight while she quickly added additional trim to the gown in her lap. “Tony said he’d take care of the evening meal.”

“I won’t argue against that,” Luna said with a grin, then returned to her work. She’d just finished and clipped the threads when the screen door creaked, and the bell above the door jangled as Marnie Thorsen sailed inside with a newspaper clutched in her hand.

“Did you hear the terrible news?” she asked, looking from Ilsa to Luna.

“No. What happened?” Ilsa asked, setting aside the dress in her hands and rising from her chair. Luna stood from her seat at the sewing machine and walked over to the counter, where Marnie smoothed out the newspaper, pointing to the bold headline. “Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. They were assassinated yesterday.”

“Oh, gracious!” Ilsa said, placing a hand on her throat. “Wasn’t he the heir to a throne?”

Marnie nodded. “Yes. That’s what the article states. It seems they were in Sarajevo for an official visit. Someone threw a bomb at the royal auto, and they escaped, only to be shot by a nineteen-year-old student. The newspaper says the authorities think it might be part of a larger plot.” Marnie tapped a smaller article. “It says there are concerns the emperor may die from the shock brought about from news of the assassination.”

“It’s all so terrible,” Ilsa said as she scanned the article. “I wonder what this will mean? If there will be retaliation for their deaths?”

Luna stood behind Ilsa and read over her shoulder, shocked that someone would shoot the royal couple, and do it in broad daylight. It took her mind back to the day she and Matteo were shot. She still had no idea why the gunmen had started shooting or who had been their intended target. Matteo hadn’t been the only one to die that day. It was all so senseless, needless, and tragic.

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