Page 53 of Luna

Regardless, Hunter had plenty of his own worries to handle without adding more to the pile.

He made sure the back doors to the house were closed as well as the windows, then strode out the front door of the house. After checking on his work crew to see how they were progressing with building fences and getting the former wheat fields ready to plant apple trees in the spring, he rode Wind into town at a fast pace. When he did go into town these days, he more often took the automobile. He missed riding Wind and feeling the freedom he experienced every time he let the horse have his head and race down the road.

He’d considered going home to take a bath and change into clean clothes, but he didn’t have time for that. He didn’t exactly have time to be dashing into town to seek out Luna, but he needed to see her, if only for a few minutes.

Considering the time of day, he knew she wouldn’t yet be at Caterina’s. It was time for lunch, and Hunter’s empty belly growled in protest. He thought about stopping at Gideon McBride’s restaurant before looking for Luna but decided seeing her came first.

He stopped at Ilsa’s shop, only to discover the door closed with a sign that said she’d be back at one.

Hunter tried Tony’s photography studio, but it was closed, and his hired help at his ice business said Tony was out on a delivery. With his patience rapidly unraveling, Hunter rode to Tony and Ilsa’s house.

All seemed quiet there, but a noise that sounded like giggles drew him around to the back of the house where Ilsa, Luna, and Laila sat on the back porch about to eat their lunch.

“Oh, Hunter! How nice to see you. Join us?” Ilsa motioned for him to come onto the porch.

He swung off Wind and left the horse ground tied at the edge of the lawn, then walked over to the porch and up the steps. There was an empty seat by Laila across the small wicker table from where Ilsa and Luna sat.

“Mind if I wash up a bit?” he asked, glancing from his filthy hands to his dusty clothes.

“Go right in,” Ilsa said, smiling at him as though she knew something that he didn’t.

Hunter removed his boots, spurs still attached, left his hat on the porch railing, brushed dirt from his clothes, and carefully walked inside Ilsa’s sparkling home. He washed his hands and face, then hurried back outside.

After easing onto the wicker chair that looked like it was meant for a dainty tea party rather than holding a large, hungry man, he smiled at Ilsa and then Luna.

“Would you offer a word of thanks for us, Hunter?” Ilsa asked.

He nodded and bowed his head, giving thanks for the meal and the opportunity to share it with friends.

“I really don’t mean to intrude on your meal. Please tell me I’m not about to eat Tony’s lunch.”

“You aren’t. Daddy is having lunch with Mrs. Williams on the reservation today. He’s taking her ice.”

“That’s nice.” Hunter smiled at Laila. “I spent the morning with Walker out at my place.”

“You did?” Luna asked, taking a scoop of fruit salad made with fresh melon, cherries, and strawberries.

“I did.” Hunter took the platter Ilsa handed to him that held slices of cold chicken and cheese. He spied butter and biscuits on the table and concluded the Campanelli women wanted a simple, cold lunch. Not that he could blame them. It was already blazing hot, and they still had to make it through the heat of the afternoon. “I appreciate the invitation to join you for the meal.”

“You are welcome anytime, Hunter,” Ilsa said, grinning at him while handing him a dish full of deviled eggs. He helped himself to three deviled eggs and held the dish out to Laila.

“Tell us about your meeting with Walker. What did he say?” Luna asked. She was aware from their conversations how much Hunter hoped to be able to preserve the house and make updates to it.

“He said that overall, the house is solid and in good shape. Of course, there are many updates we’ll have to make. All the windows will need to be replaced, and some of the rooms will be completely remodeled. I also asked him to add on a few rooms, but Walker thinks if we begin in a few weeks, the house will be ready to move into by Christmas.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Luna said, beaming at him as she held a dish of pickles in her hands while Laila forked out a few. “Such wonderful news. Are you pleased?”

“Pleased?” Hunter shook his head. “I’m not pleased, I’m ecstatic!”

Luna and Ilsa laughed, while Laila cocked her head and gave him a curious look. “What’s that mean? Ecstatic?”

“Thrilled. Excited. Overjoyed. Delighted.”

“Oh.” Laila grinned at him, looking like a dark-haired version of her mother. “I’m ecstatic you came for lunch.”

Hunter chuckled and tweaked her nose. The conversation as they ate was pleasant and covered his house, the horses he was training, a dress Ilsa was finishing to send to a princess in the small European country of Briden, and Laila’s excitement over spending the weekend with Sophie at Dogwood Corners. From the outside, the orphanage looked like a grand plantation from the south, but inside, love flowed through every room, lavished on the children from Lars, Marnie, and the staff who worked there.

As soon as they finished eating, Ilsa stood and dropped her napkin on her plate. “I must get back to work. Laila, I have a project you can assist with this afternoon.” Ilsa held her hand out to her daughter. “Would you mind doing the dishes, Luna?”

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