Page 45 of Luna

“Yes. He plans to come next Wednesday. I know I’ve got plenty of time, and if need be, you’d let me stay here all winter, but I’m anxious to move into my own home.”

“You are welcome here as long as you need a place to stay,” Nik said, taking another serving of the chicken before he passed the platter to Hunter. “Are you still hopeful the house can be remodeled?”

“I am. Not only will it speed things along, but it is a nice house with good bones, at least from what I can tell. I think it mostly needs a few modern touches.”

“Like a bathroom,” Dally said, offering him a teasing smirk. “You were always the one who whined the loudest when we had to stay somewhere that didn’t have indoor plumbing.”

He stuck his tongue out at his sister, and all three of them laughed.

“So, have you got things figured out with Luna for the Fourth of July festivities?” Nik asked. “Last we spoke of it, you were going to see if Harley John would let you watch the parade from his apartment.”

“Yes, I did ask, and he was more than agreeable. He and Luna have become friends.”

Dally raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

Hunter considered Harley John a good friend, even if the man was quiet and usually a bit standoffish. He knew Harley John often walked Luna home after her shift if no one else was around to see her safely there. If it were any other man, Hunter might have been jealous, but Harley John had eyes for only one female, and that was Sadie Thorsen. Because of that knowledge, Hunter was grateful Harley John kept an eye on Luna.

“It’s not like that. Everyone in the county knows Harley John has loved Sadie since the day they met. He’s been kind to Luna, though, walking her home when it’s dark out, that sort of thing.”

“Oh, well that is kind of him,” Dally said in an agreeable tone. “So, you’ll watch the parade from the restaurant. Then what?”

“We’ll join everyone at the park. I haven’t quite figured out what to do in regard to the fireworks show, though. I think she’d enjoy it, but only if she’s somewhere she can’t smell the gunpowder.”

“Ask her what she prefers, Hunter,” Nik suggested, leaning back in his chair and shifting into his physician persona. “After doing so well with the gunfight yesterday, she might feel differently about things. You won’t know unless you ask her and give her a chance to decide for herself.”

Hunter considered Nik’s advice and found it to be sound. “Thanks. I’ll talk to her and see what her thoughts are on the matter. I meant to get into town this afternoon to check on her, but the day got away from me. I’ll make a point of speaking with her tomorrow.”

Dally shook her head. “You’ll get busy and run out of time, and then it will be Independence Day. Go talk to her after you finish your supper. There’s nothing you can’t ignore here this evening.”

“But I was planning to …” Hunter stopped his rebuttal before it even fully formed in his head. He liked the idea of going to see Luna. If luck was with him, she might even sit on the porch with him or take a stroll down the street. “That’s a good idea, Dal. Thanks.”

Hunter shoveled in the rest of his meal, gulped his glass of sweet tea, then rushed outside to see to a few chores he wouldn’t leave for someone else to do. He hurried inside and took a bath, shaved, and dressed in a pair of worn denims and a soft cotton shirt. He thought about dressing in a suit, but that wasn’t Luna. She wasn’t suits and formal affairs, and strict manners. She was porch swings and lemonade and soft summer breezes.

Struck with sudden inspiration, he hurried out to the barn and saddled his favorite horse, Wind, as well as Wind’s sister, Breeze. He was about to ride past the house when Dally waved at him with a basket full of flowers in her hands.

“Here, take these. You can’t show up without something to give her,” Dally said, handing him the basket.

He hooked the handle over his saddle horn and smiled at her.

“The next time I get mad at you, just remind me what a truly wonderful sister you are. This is great, Dally. She’ll love the flowers.”

Dally stepped back and pointed to Breeze. “Does Luna know how to ride?”

“Nope. At least, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t, but I thought it would be something fun we could do and talk at the same time.”

“Great idea. Hope she isn’t terrified of horses,” Dally said with a grin, then backed toward the gate. “I’ll leave a light on for you in case you’re late.”

“Thanks, Dal.”

Hunter tipped his head to his sister, then rode down the lane. Wind was ready to run, and so was Breeze, so he kept a fast pace into town. In hardly any time at all, he was swinging off Wind out by Tony’s barn, where there was a hitching rail. He tied the two horses there, grabbed the basket of flowers, and took the back porch steps in two long strides.

Hunter drew in a calming breath outside the screen door. Voices drifted out through the kitchen’s open windows although he mostly heard Laila’s childish giggles and the laughter of women. It was such a homey, welcoming sound, he waited a moment before rapping against the wood frame of the door.

It took only a moment for Laila to rush to the door. “Hi, Hunter! Come in.” She stepped back so he could enter, then grabbed his hand and led him toward the kitchen. “Mama and Luna are finishing the dishes. Daddy went to get more ice since we’re out, but he’ll be back soon. Did you bring flowers for Luna?”

“I did,” he whispered. When they walked into the kitchen, Ilsa was drying a platter, while Luna was elbow-deep in a sink full of soap suds. Both of them looked over their shoulders at him.

“Good evening, Hunter,” Ilsa said, smiling at him. “If you came to see Tony, he’ll be back shortly.”

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