Page 37 of Luna

“Would you care for more water?” the waitress asked as she stopped at their table with a full pitcher.

“Yes, please, and if it isn’t too much trouble, would you leave the pitcher?”

She filled their glasses and set the pitcher on the table between them before she turned back to the kitchen.

Luna motioned to the pitcher. “Think we’ll need to wash down our food?”

“I think it’s best to be prepared.” Hunter grinned at her, then changed the subject. “Tell me about your family. Have you heard from your parents recently? Remind me how many siblings you have.”

“Four siblings, at least so far, although I think Mama has her hands full as it is, and they aren’t planning to expand our family. Dino is eleven. He thinks he is grown up and the boss of the rest of us. Elio turned nine in April and would be thrilled to live out in the country. His favorite place is the park and, once he’s there, it is nearly impossible to get him to come home. He loves climbing trees, watching birds, soaking in the sunshine, and breathing in the fresh air. Our adorable Remi is six. He is such a caring boy. I could see him growing up to be a doctor or some profession that is based on helping others. Cara is two and a sassy, spunky little miss. She has apple cheeks and rosebud lips and eyes that dance with mischief.” Luna sighed and sat back in her chair.

“Do you miss them terribly?” Hunter asked.

Luna nodded and glanced out the window. “I do. Constantly, I wonder how they are doing. How much they have grown since I left. What new words Cara has learned, or what new books Elio has discovered. He loves to read. Aunt Angelina keeps new books at the store for him to read before she adds them to the inventory. He’s always so careful with them, treating them like precious treasures. Remi loves automobiles. I could see him having a job repairing them. If Papa would allow it, he’d tear apart our delivery auto just to see how it operates. Dino is musical and a poet at heart, although he tries to hide it by being rough and tumble.”

Hunter reached across the table and placed his hand over Luna’s as she twisted the napkin around and around her fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you or make you sad.”

Her eyes lifted to his, and Hunter felt like he could see all the way down to the depths of her sweet soul.

“You didn’t make me sad, Hunter. It’s good to think about our loved ones.” She dropped her gaze to his hand, and he moved it into his lap, then she looked at him again. If he wasn’t mistaken, she seemed almost bereft he’d moved his hand from hers.

Abruptly, Luna changed the subject. “It’s none of my business, but everyone is talking about Dally’s hesitancy to let your mother know about the special arrival due this autumn season. Does she not get along with your mother?”

“It’s not that. She and Mama are so much alike. They adore each other, but they can also rub each other the wrong direction. I think Dally is afraid Mama will come and take over, and she’ll feel like a little girl taking orders instead of the woman of the house.”

“That makes perfect sense, in a roundabout way. I would think your mother’s feelings will be terribly hurt if Dally doesn’t tell her soon.”

Hunter nodded in agreement. He’d heard Nik and Dally arguing about that very topic a few days ago. Nik was aware of the deadline Hunter had given Dally to write to their parents about the baby. Hunter had left before the argument grew any more heated, so he had no idea what was said, but he sided with Nik. Dally was only causing herself worry and stress by postponing the inevitable. Truthfully, Hunter was surprised someone in Pendleton hadn’t written to his mother and spilled the proverbial beans. No doubt it would happen if Dally kept sidestepping around the topic.

“Mama will be angry and hurt once she finds out, but I think she’ll understand. My grandmother loves us all more than anything, but when Mama was expecting my brother Jeff, Grandmama about drove her crazy with all her well-meaning advice and annoying hovering. I reckon Dally heard her complaining to Dad on more than one occasion about meddling mothers and took it to heart. It’s a tough situation, but it’s Dally’s decision to make. Not mine. Not even Nik’s.”

Luna nodded. “I was so pleased to be involved the day she chose the nursery colors and the wallpaper she planned to order. I’ve been invited to come help in the nursery once the supplies arrive.”

“That’s good. Dally would try to do it all herself if Aundy and the rest of you didn’t intervene. She’s been so tired she can hardly stay awake at the supper table. Nik says it’s normal, but it just seems so out of character for my sister.” Hunter had to force himself not to nervously toy with his fork. He didn’t know why he was sharing all this with Luna. For the most part, he kept his thoughts about his family to himself, but seeing Dally in a more … delicate light, had left him unsettled. Disconcerted. Worried.

He’d heard nightmarish stories, some of them from Nik, about women who died in childbirth or bled to death shortly thereafter. There were so many things that could go wrong, it was a wonder the human race continued. Hunter knew the only thing he could do was pray, which he did every time thoughts of Dally and the baby entered his thoughts.

He took a moment to send up another prayer for Dally’s health and that of the babe she carried before he returned his attention to Luna.

“You haven’t said, but how do you like Pendleton?” he asked, then leaned back as the waitress arrived with a cart full of dishes. She set a plate of steaming lasagna in front of Luna, then began placing the food Hunter had ordered on the table around him. She set the bowl of minestrone in front of him and stepped back.

“Will there be anything else, sir?” the waitress asked in a crisp tone.

“Not at the moment. Thank you.” The waitress departed, and Hunter reached across the table, lifting Luna’s hand in his. “Mind if I offer a word of thanks?”

“Not at all.” Luna bowed her head, and Hunter smiled briefly before he asked a quiet blessing on their meal and prayed for their safe journey home.

He picked up his spoon and sampled the minestrone. It was watery and overly salty. After two bites, he set it aside.

Luna looked thoughtful as she chewed a bite of lasagna.

“How is it?” Hunter asked, setting the plate of ravioli in front of him.

“Not terrible, but my cousin most certainly has nothing to worry about.”

He grinned and forked a bite of the ravioli. Luna joined him in tasting the variety of dishes. They concluded the best of the lot was the ravioli and cleaned the plate, and ate all but one of the slices of bread in the basket. It was a heavier, denser bread than Caterina baked, but it was good.

“What would you like for dessert?” Hunter asked as the waitress cleared away their plates.

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