Page 76 of Luna

Intrigued, Luna moved beside him and watched as he lifted the lid to a jewelry box. Inside were several pieces that made her suck in a breath.

“Is that a real emerald?” she asked as Hunter lifted out a weighty brooch and studied it in the light coming in the attic windows.

“Yep. You want it?”

Luna shook her head and took a step back. “No. I can’t take something that expensive, Hunter. It must be worth a small fortune.”

He shrugged and continued digging in the box. Luna wanted to touch all the glittering jewels just for the experience of it, but she instead turned her attention to a box full of books. The assorted titles would all be nice additions to Hunter’s library. “You should keep these books for your library. There are some lovely titles in here, including some of Charles Dickens’ stories. The books just need a thorough dusting.”

“Great. I’ll have my yet-to-be-hired housekeeper see to that.”

As Luna opened another trunk that was full of books, she felt Hunter step behind her. He fastened a necklace around her neck, and then moved in front of her. “You can’t refuse this.”

He looked around, saw what he was searching for, then led her over to a cracked mirror hanging on the wall. He brushed away the dirt, and Luna gasped at the large amethyst stone surrounded by seed pearls set in a gold pendant. It perfectly matched her shirtwaist, and she loved it the moment she saw it.

“Told you. You can’t refuse this. I insist you take it. Call it payment for helping me today if you like, but it is yours.”

Luna reverently touched the stone, then grinned at Hunter. “Payment accepted.”

He smirked and turned back to the boxes and trunks they hadn’t yet touched. “This is going to take weeks.”

“No, it won’t. We already sorted through a good portion of the things stored on the east side of the attic. Do you know what’s in those big crates over there?” She motioned toward a pile of wooden crates in the center of the attic.

“I have no idea, but let’s find out.” Hunter sounded like a herd of elephants as he hurried downstairs and returned with a hammer and a prybar. It took a bit of work, but he managed to work the lid free on the largest of four crates. Luna helped him lift it off. Beneath a white blanket was a brand-new brown leather couch.

“Oh, my goodness, Hunter. This is so nice,” Luna said, rubbing her hand over the buttery-smooth leather. “Do you think the other crates are also furniture?”

“Only one way to answer that question.”

He pried off the lid of another crate. It held a chair that matched the couch. Based on the size of the other two crates, they decided there were two more matching chairs. Hunter hammered the lids back in place and looked so happy, Luna’s heart stuttered in her chest.

“These are going to be perfect in the library.”

“They will be. You should position the couch so it faces the fireplace.” Luna spoke without thinking, and Hunter glanced at her.

“Because?”

“It would be a wonderful place to sit and read on a cold winter’s day. Or evening.”

“Yes, it would. Any other thoughts for the furniture up here?”

Luna glanced around at the two bedroom sets they’d found. “The walnut set would look nice in the sunny bedroom back by the new bathroom. The light would offset the dark wood. The oak set would look nice in the bedroom that faces the side entry.”

Hunter asked her more questions, and Luna offered her opinions. As she did, she felt the last of her dreams slipping away, knowing she wouldn’t be the one sharing this wonderful home with Hunter.

“Are you hungry? You hardly ate enough lunch for a little bird.” Hunter took her hand and led her out of the attic and down the steps, then down the back stairs to the kitchen. He had a small ice box there that was full of the makings for sandwiches. He also had a tin box that held bread and more of the Mallomars cookies he so seemed to enjoy.

Luna would have requested he take her home, but she didn’t want to leave. They washed their hands at the sink and realized they didn’t have a towel handy, so they stepped outside and shook off the water droplets before returning inside and assembling sandwiches. Hunter took the last two pickles from the pickle jar, stuck one in his mouth, and handed the other to her, then rinsed out the jar and filled it with water for them to drink with their sandwiches.

They sat outside on the porch steps and ate, watching the sun descend, and the sky fill with a blend of gold, pink, and peach hues. Hunter retrieved the box of cookies, and they shared them as the last rays of daylight disappeared from view.

“I really should get home. Tony and Ilsa will be worried.”

“I know, but I hate to say good night. I’ve enjoyed every minute of our time together today, Luna.” Hunter took her hand in his and kissed the tips of her fingers.

“I enjoyed being here with you, Hunter. Thank you again for the generous gift of this necklace. I’ll treasure it always.”

“I treasure you, Luna Moona,” Hunter said in a deep, husky voice.

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