Chapter Fourteen

"The sheriff has made you out to be quite the hero," Nik said, sliding the newspaper toward Hunter at the dinner table.

"What?" Hunter asked, flicking open the paper even though he could hear his grandmother admonishing him about how rude it was to read at the dinner table. This was an extenuating circumstance he was sure even she would understand.

A bold headline marched across the top of the page, claiming, "No. 5 Held Up – 1 Robber Killed." Below that were various interviews with everyone from the rear brakeman and sheriff, who happened to be the sheriff of Morrow County. He had been in Canyon City to testify in a horse-rustling trial and was on his way home. From the article, it appeared the sheriff had been interviewed that morning from his hospital bed.

"Did the bullet really enter his chest and exit at his hip?" Hunter asked as he read the description of the sheriff's wounds. "I know he was bleeding from two wounds, but didn't think they were connected."

Nik nodded his head. "Sure did. He wouldn't be alive if it weren't for that pencil case of his. He said he's never leaving home without it."

Hunter grinned. "It will likely be his lucky charm from now on."

"I can't believe you were in the passenger car where the shoot-out took place," Dally said as she buttered a roll and added a healthy dollop of jam. "Weren't you scared spitless?"

"And then some. I was more worried about Luna, though. I figured it would bring on one of her um … you know, anxiety spells, but she was incredible. Once the shooting stopped and the outlaws fled, she jumped right up to bring towels to the sheriff and even got a damp cloth to wipe his face until someone more qualified than the two of us could take over. I figured between the smell of the gunpowder, the sounds of the shots, and the screaming, she'd pass out, but she was so strong, and I was so proud of her."

Nik and Dally shared a look, then Dally gave Hunter a knowing glance. One he wasn't sure he liked. "You're smitten with Luna."

"I am not!" he denied far too quickly and vehemently to be believable, even to himself.

Nik chuckled, and Dally tossed him a sassy smile.

"Fine," Hunter huffed. "Maybe I like her a little."

"Mm-hmm. Or perhaps you like her quite a lot, Hunter Douglas." Dally took a bite of her roll, then glanced over at Nik before returning her gaze to her brother. "There's nothing wrong with liking her, Hunt. She's a wonderful girl who, to me, seems to be strong and resilient yet kind and sweet. She is a survivor. If you had to go through what you did yesterday, I'd say you couldn't have asked for a better companion than Luna."

"No, I couldn't have, Dal. She was great. Up until the robbery, we were having a grand day. The Italian restaurant in La Grande can't compete with Caterina's food, but it wasn't bad. We had fun looking around town. Did I tell you we happened upon a bear?"

"A bear?" Dally asked, her voice rising in volume. "In the midst of town?"

"Yep. It had a thick leather collar with a piece of chain attached to it. It was a half-grown bear, and it was sitting on its hind legs, drinking water out of a glass bottle. A bird dog was beside it, like they were fast friends. It was one of the oddest things I've ever seen." Hunter grinned, recalling Luna's reaction to the animal. "At first, I thought Luna might use me as a tree and climb right on top of my head, but when she realized the bear was likely harmless, she calmed down. A little."

"I don't think I'd have reacted much differently, Brother dear," Dally said, grinning at him as she passed him the bowl of new potatoes that she'd boiled with fresh peas.

Hunter glanced around, realizing Corni and Rowdy were absent. "Where are the other two of our usual dinner companions?"

"Rowdy and Corni are having dinner with Pastor Whitting and his family. Corni and Mrs. Whitting seem to be growing in their friendship, so I encouraged her to accept the invitation."

"That's great," Hunter said, meaning it. He scanned through more of the interviews about the robbery, then set the paper aside.

"I got more detail out of the newspaper than I did being a witness to the robbery," he said as he bit into a piece of tender roasted chicken.

Nik offered him a curious glance. "I suppose that's true. In the moment, you were probably more concerned about not getting shot than what was happening in the overall picture. You were in the last car, though, weren't you?"

"That's right. From what Kade shared and what the paper says, it seems the outlaws were operating on bad information. They thought the express car had a safe full of money, but it didn't. That was the reason for the robbery. Kade thought they collected less than a thousand dollars in money and jewelry from the passengers. Hardly seems worth getting shot over. I wonder what they might have done if the sheriff hadn't been on board. At any rate, they had a good plan, even if it didn't work out. The train always checks the brakes in that secluded location before it begins the downhill grade. But it's sure a good thing the robbery didn't take long. If the brakes had failed, we would have all likely died in a monumental crash."

Dally got up and walked around the table, giving Hunter a tight hug around his neck. "Don't even tease about such things, Hunt. I can't bear to think of something happening to you."

"You just say that because you'd be left without anyone to work with the horses."

Dally made a sound that landed somewhere between a laugh and a sob. Hunter glanced over his shoulder to see her brushing at tears. She cried at the drop of a hat these days, and it made her more frustrated than almost anything. He and Nik pretended not to notice as she regained her seat along with her composure. "I really do appreciate you being here, Hunter, especially since you have your own place now and are anxious to whip it into shape. Did you ever get your meeting with Walker Williams rescheduled?"

"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."

"Good evening. I hope you'll pardon the intrusion, but I had a few questions for Luna, so I thought I'd drop by to ask them."

"No intrusion at all," Ilsa said, subtly nudging Luna away from the sink and pressing the dish towel she held into her hands. "Go on, Luna. Laila and I can finish the dishes."

"Oh, well, I …" Luna hastily dried her hands, then pushed at errant hairpins. Nervously, she smoothed a hand down the front of her skirt, then seemed to recall she wore a calico apron. She hastily untied it and yanked it off before she took a step closer to Hunter. "May we offer you something to drink? Lemonade? Water?"

"I'm fine for the moment. These are for you." He held out the basket of flowers, and Luna shyly took them from him, burying her nose in the blooms.

When she looked up at him over the tops of the flowers, something flopped around in his chest. It took a few seconds for him to realize it was his heart.

"Thank you," she said, setting the basket in the center of the kitchen table. "What did you want to ask me?"

Hunter cleared his throat, feeling uncharacteristically nervous. "Actually, if you aren't opposed, I thought perhaps we could go for a ride."

"A ride? In your automobile?"

Hunter shook his head. "No, on my horses. I brought Breeze along. She's a sweetheart and easy to ride."

Luna's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't outright refuse. "I don't really know how to ride, Hunter, but I suppose I'd be willing to learn."

"Dandy. I won't keep you long. I just thought we could go for a short ride and discuss plans for Independence Day."

Before Luna could agree or refuse, Ilsa shook soap bubbles from her hands, gave them a slapdash drying on her apron, then nudged Luna toward him. "That's a brilliant plan, Hunter. Go on, now. Have fun. When you get back, we'll sample that cherry pie you baked earlier, Luna."

Hunter stepped to the side and allowed Luna to lead the way out the door. She went down the porch steps and across the lawn to where the horses were tied by the barn without saying a word. When she stopped and stared at the two animals, then glanced at her skirt, Hunter suddenly realized it would be impossible for her to ride in such a slim skirt. Even if he boosted her up to the saddle, there was no way she could ride with her skirt nearly hobbled around her ankles.

"This won't work, Hunter. I'm sorry. I could go change, but I'm not sure any of my skirts are full enough to ride."

"I'm the one who is sorry. I should have borrowed one of Dally's riding skirts for you. Next time I'll remember that, or you could come out to the ranch to ride there, and Dally could help you with a skirt."

The rosy hue of Luna's cheeks deepened. Hunter wasn't sure if it was the invitation to the ranch, or him talking about her skirts that brought the color to her face.

"How about I introduce you to Wind and Breeze, and you can get to know them a little? The next time you meet, when we do ride, you'll already have a friendship started with them."

She smiled and took a step closer to the horses. "I would like that. I've seen you riding Wind before. He's beautiful, and so is Breeze. Are they related?"

"As a matter of fact, they are siblings. Breeze is two years younger than Wind, but they get along just fine." He smiled and showed Luna how to let the horses sniff her hand, then gave her an apple he'd broken in half to feed them. After ten minutes, Luna no longer seemed hesitant around the horses and laughed when Breeze nuzzled her shoulder.

"You wanted to talk about the festivities taking place on Independence Day, didn't you?" Luna finally asked as she scratched Wind under his chin.

Hunter watched as his horse, known to be particular about the humans he liked, closed his eyes in contentment. "I did say that. I just wanted to go over the details, since, well … I wasn't sure if … I thought maybe …" He struggled to find the right words to say.

"You thought perhaps I might enjoy the fireworks show now that I've survived a gunfight and didn't faint at the first sight of danger. Is that it?" she asked.

Luna never seemed to take her gaze from the horses, but Hunter could feel her studying him.

He nodded his head. "Yes, that's exactly it. If you want to go, we'll go, and I'll be cautious and attentive should you feel a sudden need to leave. If you'd rather not attend, I'm perfectly fine with that too. I'll leave the choice up to you."

"May I give it more consideration and let you know when I reach a decision?"

"Of course. Like I said, whatever you prefer is fine with me." Hunter grinned as Wind nuzzled his shirt pocket. He took out two peppermint drops and gave one to Luna to feed to Breeze. The horse ate it right out of her hand, causing Luna to beam with pleasure. With the setting sun behind her and the light of her smile filling all the space between the two of them, Hunter felt spellbound.

Unable to look away, he watched her every movement, the graceful way she lifted her hands, the tilt of her head, even the few curls the breeze blew around her face.

Before he did something stupid, like take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, he grasped for any topic that might distract him from his longings.

"Why are you home?" he blurted out, realizing she was not at the restaurant working, as she normally would be, which hadn't even crossed his mind until that very moment.

"Caterina told me after yesterday, I deserved an evening off to recuperate. I feel fine, though, so before you ask and get all worried, I truly am well, Hunter. Thank you, again, for protecting me, though. Just knowing you were there made me feel … sheltered."

"I'm glad to know that, Luna. And I'm so glad you are well and not suffering from any lingering effects from yesterday. Did you tell Ilsa and Tony everything that happened?"

Luna nodded. "Even if I hadn't, it seems news travels fast in a small town. Ilsa had a dozen people stop by the shop today to discuss the robbery and shoot-out. Tony said everywhere he went it was all anyone was discussing. I stayed home with Laila today. It was nice just to have a normal, quiet day here."

"That's good. And you're certain you're feeling up to attending the festivities on the fourth?"

"Absolutely! I wouldn't miss them. Up until the robbery yesterday, that was the topic of choice for most everyone in town. I've heard the food at the community picnic is delicious, and the parade is ‘loads of fun,' according to Laila."

"She would know. She's attended every single year of her life." Hunter took a step closer to Luna and brushed a curl from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. The word delicious kept echoing in his thoughts, while his gaze focused entirely on Luna's luscious lips. What would she do if he kissed her? Slap him? Blacken his eye? Kick him in the shins? Kiss him back?

He was willing to take a chance on the abuse and was just leaning toward her when Tony honked the horn on his automobile and startled both of them as well as the horses. Wind nervously danced to the side, while Breeze yanked against the reins still tied around the hitching rail.

"Sorry!" Tony called as he parked the auto and got out with a dripping burlap bag. "Come on in the house. We'll have lemonade and some of that pie Luna baked. If I'd known you'd be joining us, Hunter, I'd have made ice cream."

"I'll telephone ahead next time," Hunter said cheekily, then followed as Tony and Luna led the way into the house.

Maybe the next time an opportunity arose to kiss Luna, he'd actually get the job done.