Chapter Seventeen
"You look lovely," Ilsa said, walking in a circle around Luna when she appeared in the kitchen, ready to head to church.
Luna had dressed with care, choosing the shirtwaist made of exquisite lace lined with lightweight cotton that had been a gift from Ilsa. The fabric was so soft it felt like it had been spun from clouds. It was Luna's first time wearing it and she was excited that it was a perfect match for a skirt Ilsa had helped her sew. The pairing made Luna feel stylish and pretty, something she hadn't felt for a long time. Thanks to Hunter, she no longer worried about the scar on her neck or hiding it. It was just part of who she was now and a reminder that she could be strong.
When she settled a wide white hat on her head, Ilsa adjusted the angle and pinned it in place, then offered her a knowing grin, aware of Luna's plans to spend the afternoon at the B Bar D Ranch.
"Don't forget your gloves," Laila said, handing Luna a pair of white lace gloves.
Tony walked into the kitchen and whistled. "Look at the three captivating Campanelli girls. You all are beautiful."
"You still seem to know just the right thing to say, Tony," Ilsa said, standing on her tiptoes and pulling his head down to give him a quick kiss.
Tony lifted her off her feet, and the kiss was anything but quick. Luna covered Laila's eyes, but the child just giggled, well acquainted with the affection her parents bore for each other.
"Come on, we'll wait outside." Luna pulled Laila toward the door.
"Daddy's always smooching on Mama," Laila said as they stepped outside. "When are you gonna let Hunter smooch you?"
Shocked by the question, Luna stopped on the porch step and stared at her young cousin.
Tony poked his head around the open door with a wide grin. "I'd like to know that as well. When are you gonna let him smooch you?"
Ilsa sailed by her husband and swatted him with the fan she carried. "You two quit picking on Luna. It's none of anyone's business when she decides to let Hunter steal a kiss. Although, from the lovesick way he looked at her the other day, I'd advise not making him wait too long."
Tony chuckled and closed the door behind them, then offered his arm to Ilsa as they made their way out to his auto.
The ride to church was merry and full of laughter as Tony joked and teased. It was one thing Luna admired about him. By far, he was the most jovial and easygoing of all the Campanelli brothers.
Luna adored her father, but Tony was so fun to be around. She could see how Ilsa, who was normally quiet and reserved, became much more animated and outgoing in his presence. Likewise, Ilsa seemed to balance Tony's personality.
If Luna ever dared again to consider marriage, she hoped whomever she wed would balance her personality, be a strength to her weaknesses, and draw out the best in her, as she hoped she would do for him. A vision of Hunter's smiling face popped into her thoughts, and she did her best to shove it away.
Nothing good could come of her infatuation with the man. He was wealthy and used to a life of luxury. A life she couldn't begin to fathom or even imagine.
Luna had never gone hungry a day in her life and always had adequate clothing, but her family had endured a few hard years when they'd barely scraped by. Luxuries in the house where she was raised were things like white sugar and an occasional trip to a moving picture show.
She had a feeling Hunter's idea of luxury involved things like the finely tailored suits he wore that probably cost more than her parents' home.
The vast differences in their upbringings and their stations in life were just reminders of why they didn't belong together.
Despite that knowledge, though, Luna couldn't seem to stay away from Hunter any more than he seemed capable of ignoring her.
For one fantastical summer, she didn't want to be practical or sensible. She wanted to be young and in love and not worry about the rest of it. Luna felt like she'd grown old far before her time due to the experiences of her past. Being in Pendleton had helped her reclaim a part of her youth, making her feel young and alive and full of hope.
As Tony turned into the church parking lot, Luna sent up a quick prayer of gratitude for God's leading and prayed she'd continue to follow His direction.
Throughout the service, she felt as though someone was watching her. When she turned to glance over her shoulder, the only one looking her way was Hunter as he sat across the aisle one pew behind her. He winked at her, and she quickly turned back around, forcing herself to listen to Pastor Whitting's sermon about there being no friend like Jesus.
Luna was still pondering the pastor's words as she stood outside with family and friends, mindlessly listening to their conversations.
"Are you ready to go?" a deep voice asked near her ear as a tantalizing masculine scent flooded her senses.
"Yes, Hunter. I am." She turned and smiled at him, finding him quite breathtaking with the summer sunlight glinting across his thick, dark hair. "I have a bag in Tony's auto I'd like to retrieve."
"Of course." Hunter's hand cupped her elbow as they walked over to Tony's car. She reached in and retrieved the bag she'd packed and stowed beneath the back seat earlier that morning. Hunter took it from her with a smile. "Anything else you need?"
"No. That's it," she said, then waved to Ilsa and Tony as they spoke with Aundy and Garrett.
"Have fun!" Tony called, then returned to the conversation.
Luna felt like half the churchyard turned to look at them, and heat crawled up her neck to settle in her cheeks.
"You look amazingly beautiful today, Luna Moona. I could hardly focus on the pastor's fine sermon with you sitting over there as pretty as any painting I've ever seen."
Unaccustomed to such lavish praise and flattery, Luna had no idea how to respond.
"You truly are spectacular, Luna. Is that one of Ilsa's creations?" Hunter asked as he set her bag in the storage box behind the seats, then gave Luna a hand into the passenger seat.
"Yes. She made the shirtwaist and helped me sew the skirt."
"You both did a fine job," Hunter said, then he started the car.
Although she was nervous, Luna was also excited, looking at the afternoon ahead as another adventure with Hunter.
He mentioned the names of families and the places they lived as they drove to the B Bar D Ranch. Some names she recognized. Others were unfamiliar to her. However, she had a feeling the conversation was more about putting her at ease, and it worked. By the time he parked near the ranch house, she no longer felt like a bundle of nerves.
Nik and Dally tooted their horn as they drove up behind them and parked.
"We're so happy you could join us today," Dally said, allowing Nik to give her a hand out of the auto. Rowdy and Cornelia were with them and followed along as Dally led the way into the house.
"I'm grateful for the invitation. Hunter said I didn't need to contribute anything to lunch today, but I hope it was okay to bring some cookies. You can partake of them later." Luna offered Dally a hopeful look.
"As a matter of fact, cookies of any sort are greatly appreciated," Dally said, looping her arm around Luna's as they stepped into the house. She glanced over her shoulder at Nik and Hunter. "Luna and I will go upstairs and change while you boys set the table. The food should be about ready."
Luna took her bag from Hunter and followed Dally up the stairs and into an airy bedroom with windows that overlooked one of the pastures near the house.
"Hunter mentioned taking you out for a ride later, so I got out a few riding skirts that I thought might fit you," Dally said, motioning to three skirts draped across the corner of the large bed.
"That's kind of you, Dally. Thank you." Luna glanced around as Dally removed her hat and gloves and set them aside.
"You're welcome to change in the bedroom across the hall if you like," Dally said, stepping through the doorway and pointing to a room splashed with sunlight that streamed in windows framed with peach-hued ruffled curtains. There was a peach and white coverlet on the bed, and the furniture was a light birds-eye maple Luna found to be particularly lovely.
"It's a beautiful room."
Dally smiled. "Thank you. It used to be my bedroom, but we turned it into a guest room. Take your time changing. If I'm not in my room still wrangling with my dress, come on downstairs to the kitchen."
"Oh, let me help," Luna said, setting aside the skirts and her bag and stepping behind Dally so she could unbutton the back of her gown.
"Thank you. I used to be able to work the buttons free with no trouble at all, but the wider I get, the harder it is." Dally grinned and walked back into her room and quietly shut the door.
Luna closed the bedroom door, kicked off her dress shoes, and hurried to change out of her new shirtwaist and skirt. She'd brought along a plain white cotton top with a wide collar that was cool yet still looked nice to wear. The first riding skirt she tried on felt too tight in the waist. Before she tried on the second, she concluded she'd have to remove her petticoats and did so, feeling instant relief from the heat. She slipped on the aubergine-hued split skirt and found it fit well. After carefully folding her clothes and tucking them into her bag, she pulled on a pair of comfortable walking boots, then opened the bedroom door and saw Dally's door was open. She set the two riding skirts she hadn't selected on Dally's bed, then hurried downstairs and followed the sound of voices to the kitchen.
Hunter and Nik were kidding around as they dished up the food, and Dally took a pitcher of tea from the refrigerator.
"I think we're just about ready," Dally said, handing Luna the pitcher and then lifting a pitcher of lemonade. Luna followed her to the dining room.
The table was set, and Rowdy and Cornelia were there, placing a napkin by each place setting. It seemed apparent napkins had been forgotten when the table was set earlier.
"Why is it those two in the kitchen can't ever remember most people don't want to wipe their mouths on their shirtsleeves and prefer a napkin?" Cornelia asked with a teasing grin.
"Because they would use those shirtsleeves if the women in their lives didn't fuss about it so much." Dally set the lemonade on the table and took the tea from Luna. "Which would you prefer to drink?"
"Lemonade, please," Luna said, wanting to offer to pour, but Dally was already filling glasses.
Hunter and Nik walked in with a carved roast, a bowl of mashed potatoes, and one of gravy, and a basket of bread.
"This all looks wonderful," Luna said when Hunter pulled out a chair for her, then took a seat beside her.
"We're so glad you could join us today, Luna." Nik smiled, then bowed his head and asked a blessing on their meal and time together.
The food was good, and the friendship was wonderful as they talked and ate. Rowdy mentioned an article he'd read about the possibility of war arising from the assassination that had taken place the previous month in Sarajevo. Luna didn't like to think about such things, but the open way the people around her discussed the possibilities made it feel important to talk about happenings in the world.
Once they'd finished the meal, Hunter and Nik insisted on doing the dishes while Dally and Luna went to the sitting room to rest.
"It was sure nice having lunch with you today, Miss Campanelli," Rowdy said, tipping his head to her as he and Cornelia prepared to leave. "We're mighty glad you could join us."
"I'm grateful for the invitation and pleased to share that delicious meal with you."
Cornelia smiled and squeezed Luna's hand. "Don't be a stranger."
"Thank you," Luna said. She watched as they left, then joined Dally as they took seats on the comfortable leather couch.
Unlike the furniture in Ilsa's home which was more about style than comfort, Dally and Nik's furniture was meant to be used and enjoyed.
Luna leaned back against the soft cushions and relaxed.
"Tell me more about your family, Luna. Nik mentioned you have several younger siblings," Dally said, easing back against the cushions and placing her feet on a footstool. It wasn't until the woman propped up her feet that Luna realized Dally was barefooted. How good that had to feel in the summer heat.
Luna wished she could toe off her shoes, peel off her stockings, and let air blow up the wide legs of her borrowed riding skirt. At any rate, it felt decadent to be able to forego her petticoats for the afternoon. Perhaps she'd ask Ilsa for a pattern and make her own riding skirt to wear around when she was working in the garden or helping Aundy at Nash's Folly.
While she spoke of her siblings and life in New York City, Luna watched the horses in the pasture, visible out the side window of the sitting room. A soft noise drew her gaze to Dally who had fallen asleep with her head tilted at an angle sure to leave her neck stiff when she awakened.
Uncertain what to do, she'd just stood when Nik and Hunter walked into the room. Luna held her finger to her lips and Nik walked over, moving Dally so she stretched out on the couch. Hunter disappeared and returned with an electric brass desk fan. He set it on an end table so it would blow on Dally, then the three of them left the room.
"I'll take Luna out to see the horses and show her around the ranch while Sleeping Beauty gets her rest. When we come back, maybe we can enjoy that ice cream Dally mentioned making this morning," Hunter said, edging toward the front door.
"Take your time. I have a feeling Dally will sleep a while. She tossed and turned most of the night." Nik glanced at his wife with such love evident on his face, it made Luna ache to be loved with the same devotion and intensity. Perhaps someday.
Instead of missing Matteo, though, when she thought about love, the face that came to mind was Hunter's.
Luna shoved the thought aside and followed as Hunter led the way outside. He guided her over to the pasture fence, where they watched the horses graze for several moments while he talked about the animals. Most of them belonged to Dally or Hunter, but a few were Rowdy's, and one was Nik's.
Another pasture held the horses Hunter was training. Some were Dally's horses, and others belonged to her clients.
"Will she be able to continue her training business after the baby arrives?" Luna asked, realizing it was probably considered a great breach of etiquette to speak of Dally's condition even if it was to her brother.
Hunter shrugged. "I have my doubts, but Dally seems to think in a month's time, she'll be fit as a fiddle and back to work. I sure wish she'd stop being so stubborn and send for Mama. She'd be able to talk some sense into her when it comes to what to expect now that she's … expecting."
Luna smiled and followed Hunter as he walked into a big barn that housed multiple stalls. Wind was in one, and Breeze was in another.
"I left them in here earlier on the chance you might like to go for a ride." Hunter gave her a studying look. "Are you up for a new adventure?"
Luna had always been somewhat afraid of horses after watching one trample a man in the street near their apartment. Now, though, after being in Pendleton, where so many people rode horses and even raced them just for fun, she decided she might like to try her hand at riding one.
"I will give it a try, but I make no promises."
"None needed." Hunter grinned at her, then set about saddling the two horses.
Once the task was complete, he led both animals outside the barn and gave her a lesson in how to properly mount and dismount, how to hold the reins, and how to make the horse go forward, turn, and stop.
Luna was sure she wouldn't recall a single detail by the time he finished.
"Let's go for a short ride and see how you feel," he said, holding Breeze's reins in his hands as Luna stared at the stirrup that seemed as high as her head, although it was closer to her waist. She gave Hunter a helpless look.
"Right. Sorry." Hunter led Breeze over to an old stump that was smooth from years of being used as a mounting block and seat. "Climb up there, then step into the stirrup."
Luna took his hand and stepped onto the stump, stuck her left foot into the stirrup, and swung onto the back of Breeze. The sensation of being on the animal coupled with sitting astride left her slightly discombobulated. She had no time to concern herself, though, because Hunter grabbed onto her leg and moved it out of the stirrup.
"These are a little too short for you. I'll lengthen the stirrups." He adjusted first one, then the other, then guided both of her feet back into the stirrups. As he handed her the reins, he looked up at her.
She could see admiration mingling with amusement in his eyes when their gazes connected. "Ready, Luna Moona?"
She nodded, although she was of half a mind to climb down, march back to the house, and request Nik drive her home.
However, Luna wasn't given to cowardly behavior in her past, and she wasn't starting now.
She adjusted her hold on the reins and watched as Hunter easily swung on Wind's back, then glanced at her over his shoulder.
"Breeze will likely follow Wind without much direction on your part. All you need to do is stay on."
Convinced he meant his words to be encouraging, Luna didn't find them to be particularly so as Wind started to walk away from the barn and Breeze followed.
Luna tried to recall what Hunter had said about using her thighs to squeeze the horse and hang on. Truthfully, she'd blocked half of what he'd shared because it had seemed rather scandalous. Now, she wished she'd listened as her backside shifted uncomfortably from one side of the saddle to the other.
They'd gone about a hundred yards when Hunter stopped Wind, swung off his back, and walked over to her. He pulled back on the reins to make Breeze stop, then placed a hand on Luna's thigh.
"You have to tighten the muscles here to balance in your seat, Luna. For now, you can hang onto the saddle horn, but as you learn to ride, you will need to let go of that and use your legs to stay in place."
Both mortified and enthralled by the familiar way he'd touched her leg, Luna didn't know whether to rebuke him or thank him.
She chose silence as he gave her knee an encouraging pat. "Balance is key to remaining on the saddle. Sit deep in the saddle. Keep your legs under your center of balance and in light contact with Breeze's sides. Sit up straight and tall, maintaining good posture but relaxing your back. Hold the reins gently, and just enjoy the experience. Don't be rigid or worried. Relax."
Hunter walked back to his horse, took a bouncing step, and pulled himself into the saddle using only his muscles and his grip on the saddle horn.
Impressed, she decided perhaps he really could have joined the performers in Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition.
As they rode around the ranch, Hunter pointed out the fields of wheat, ripe for harvest. The pastures where cattle nibbled at rich grass looked picturesque, as did the assortment of buildings all painted a matching shade of teal green with white trim. Hunter showed her where Rowdy and Cornelia lived, waved at a few cowboys who sat on the porch of the bunkhouse, and pointed out a little cabin where his grandparents had once lived.
By the time they returned to the house, Luna's backside was sore, and the insides of her legs burned, but she'd had a grand time despite the pain.
"You did great for your first lesson, Luna. I hope you had fun," Hunter gave her a cautious look as he helped her dismount.
"I did have fun. Thank you for allowing me to ride Breeze. May I help you put the horses away?"
"Sure." He went on to explain cooling down, currying, and caring for horses as they removed the saddles, brushed down the animals, then turned them out to pasture with Dally's big horse, Ben, and Nik's horse.
"Let's go see if Dally is awake. I'm ready for some ice cream."
Together, they walked around to the back door of the house. They took turns washing up in the kitchen, then made their way to the sitting room where Dally continued to sleep on the couch and Nik had fallen asleep with a medical textbook on his lap in one of the side chairs.
Hunter motioned for Luna to back out of the room and led the way to the kitchen. He added pieces of ice to two glasses and filled them with water, and they adjourned to the back porch.
"Do you know how to make ice cream?" Hunter asked as he set the glasses on a side table.
"I do. Does Dally already have the mixture ready to churn, or does it need to be mixed?"
Hunter gave her a bewildered look, and they returned to the kitchen, where Luna looked through the contents of the refrigerator and found a bowl full of a creamy mixture.
"I think this is it," she said, holding it out to Hunter.
He stuck his index finger in the liquid, then licked the tip of it. "Yep. That's vanilla ice cream. She said she was going to add peaches to it."
"Okay. We'll just need a few peaches then."
Hunter retrieved two peaches from a bowl on the counter and watched as Luna peeled and sliced them. She cut them into small pieces and stirred them into the ice cream batter.
"Do you have an ice cream freezer and plenty of ice?" she asked.
"Sure do. The freezer is on the back porch, and the ice is down in the fruit cellar. I'll go get it and be right back." He hustled off to get the ice. Luna went outside and found the ice cream freezer on the porch, wondering how she'd missed seeing it earlier, then decided it was easy to get distracted when Hunter was nearby. He was unbelievably handsome but more than that, he was kind and caring, funny, and smart. He made her feel beautiful and witty, and Luna realized she enjoyed the way he made her think and challenged her.
She removed the inner can from the freezer and carried it into the house. After washing it out, she poured in the ice cream mixture, screwed on the lid, and took it back outside. Luna had just set the can into the freezer when Hunter appeared with a block of ice and a burlap bag.
He stuffed the ice into the bag, set it down on the lawn, then lifted a mallet and began pounding the ice into chunks.
Luna watched, transfixed by the play of muscles beneath Hunter's cotton shirt. Her mouth felt dry, and she swallowed hard. When he glanced up at her and grinned, her heart melted like she anticipated the ice cream would if left too long in the sun.
"Let's get to cranking," Hunter teased as he carried over the bag of ice chunks. He dumped a layer into the ice cream freezer. Luna layered in salt, and he added more ice until the freezer was full. He sat on the top porch step and began turning the handle. She could hear the paddle inside swishing the liquid around and around.
Luna sat on the step, her back against a porch post as she watched him work.
He looked over at her and grinned again. "I see, of all the skirts in my sister's wardrobe, you somehow managed to choose a purple one."
"The color is aubergine, and it happened to be the one that fit." She didn't bother to tell him she'd only tried on two.
He gave her a pointed look. "Call it aubergine or eggplant, or mulberry, or what have you, it's still purple."
"What is your point, Hunter Douglas?" she asked, feigning exasperation.
"My point is that you look quite fetching with your cheeks all rosy and your hair windblown and your eyes full of mischief."
"My eyes are not full of mischief."
"Are you certain about that?"
Luna glanced away from him, looking out over the thick carpet of the lawn. "Absolutely."
He might have believed her had a giggle not escaped from her throat.
"Thought so," he said, and tossed a chip of ice at her. She grabbed the burlap sack of ice pieces, fished out a small sliver, and dropped it down the neck of his shirt.
He grabbed for her, and she squealed, then pressed a hand over her mouth and looked at the screen door.
"When Nik's tired, he could sleep through a dynamite explosion. By the time the ice cream is ready, he and Dally should be awake."
Luna took two more chips of ice from the bag, stuck one in her mouth to suck on, and gave the other to Hunter.
He offered her a nod of thanks and continued turning the crank.
"Does your family often make ice cream?" he asked after several moments of companionable silence.
"Not often, but sometimes. Usually, if we have ice cream, it is when we gather at Aunt Angelina and Uncle Franco's home, which is often on Sunday afternoons. My mama and aunts, who are really cousins, take turns making ice cream. My favorite is Anne's lemon ice cream."
"I take it from the amount of lemonade you consume, you must favor the tart flavor."
"Sometimes. Other times, I prefer chocolate or berry. It just depends."
"On?"
She grinned at him. "My mood. Don't you know females are moody creatures of mystery, and it's hopeless to endeavor to figure out the reasoning behind any of it?"
"I've been told that before," Hunter said in a dry tone. "I think I'll keep trying. I'm persistent, if nothing else."
Luna wanted to list all the things she found him to be, like amusing and intelligent, generous and good, but she kept her thoughts to herself and changed the subject. "Tell me more about your family and life in Asheville."
"What do you want to know?"
"What is Bramble Hall like? I picture it like Dogwood Corners, only older and grander."
Hunter nodded. "That's a good comparison. It is bigger and older. It survived the War Between the States, which my grandmother will often point out. There are acres and acres of apple orchards and pastures full of the horses my family raises."
Luna's brow furrowed as she fished out more ice chips for them to suck on. "What kind of horses are they again?"
"Thoroughbred. Like Wind and Breeze."
"Oh, I see," although she didn't. To her, a horse was a horse, although she realized there were vast differences between a pony and one of the hulking draft horses used to pull heavy wagons. "What color is your room at Bramble Hall?"
"What color is my room?" Hunter looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "My room." He paused as though he had to think about the color. "Mostly dark blue with some grays."
"I wondered. Those seem to be your preferred colors, as we've previously discussed," she said.
"They are. I know you love purple. What's your favorite holiday?"
Luna almost said Christmas because she did love the holiday, but spoke from her heart. "Easter."
"Why Easter?" Hunter asked, dumping more ice and salt into the freezer before he continued cranking the handle.
"Because it is in the spring, which is my favorite season, and I love that it marks a time of renewal and birth and fresh hope. It's a reminder that change can be a beautiful thing and life is very precious."
Hunter stopped turning the crank and stared at her a moment before he continued cranking. "I kind of think of Christmas in those same terms, not of things renewing, but of birth and hope and the reminders to treasure those we love because life is very short at best."
"You two sound like you're deep in some philosophical discussion my brain is too tired to grasp," Nik said, scrubbing a hand over his face, then forking it through his disheveled hair. "Thanks for letting us sleep. We needed it."
Hunter nodded. "We figured the ice cream would be ready about the time you two moseyed out here. Is Dally awake?"
"Yep. She's in the bathroom. Thank goodness for modern conveniences. Otherwise, I'd be up half the night walking her to the outhouse if we still had to use one."
Luna marveled at the frank way Nik and Hunter talked about ordinary, everyday things that some people would have viewed as quite impolite in mixed company. Or perhaps it was because Nik was a doctor that those everyday things didn't seem so odd to discuss.
At any rate, Hunter gave the ice cream one final crank. "It's ready."
"Dally made a peach cobbler to eat with the ice cream," Nik said, opening the back door.
"I'll help serve," Luna said, hopping to her feet and following him inside.
By the time Dally appeared in the kitchen, they'd dished four servings of ice cream with cobbler, poured glasses of sweet tea, and set everything on a tray to carry out to the table on the porch.
"Sorry I slept so long, Luna. That was terribly rude of me," Dally apologized, then fought to hide a yawn.
Hunter snickered, and Dally swatted at him, but since he was carrying the laden tray, she made a point of not actually hitting him.
Luna thought Dally looked lovely, though, with her cheeks all pink and her skin glowing. She wondered if she'd appear half as pretty when she was expecting a child, and if Hunter would be half as attentive.
What was she thinking!
Hunter would not be the father of her child because she had no intention of marrying him. Not ever. He deserved someone far more sophisticated and worldly than Luna would ever be.
But for today, she wouldn't think about tomorrow or a year from now. She just wanted to savor this lovely moment with Hunter, Dally, and Nik, eating a delicious dessert and enjoying the company.
When Hunter and Nik shared the last bowl of ice cream, and there wasn't even a spoonful left, Nik suggested they play a few parlor games.
Luna had to learn the rules of the first one they played but caught on without any trouble. The second game she'd played many times before and won two of the three rounds before Hunter suggested they play charades.
Although she was a little self-conscious about the game, Luna soon found herself laughing along with the others as they acted out words.
The telephone rang, interrupting their amusements, and Nik was summoned to the hospital.
"It was great to spend time with you again, Luna. Come out to see us anytime at all." Nik gave her a hug, then kissed Dally soundly before he grabbed his doctor's bag and jogged across the lawn. The sound of his motorcycle sliced through the peaceful afternoon as he zoomed down the lane and headed toward town.
"I should probably return to town before it gets too late," Luna said as she helped stack the empty dishes on the tray.
"Do you have to leave so soon?" Dally asked as she pushed up from her chair and followed Luna into the house and kitchen.
"I really should get going," Luna said although she had nothing pressing to see to and wouldn't mind lingering, but she didn't want to wear out her welcome.
Hunter carried the tray and set it by the sink. Without a word of discussion, he and Luna began washing the dishes, while Dally took a seat at the table and waved a paper fan in front of her flushed face. "I can't wait for the weather to cool down, but I think it's going to be hot and miserable for several more weeks."
"I think you're right, Dal. It's been a hot summer. I'm not looking forward to starting wheat harvest next week." Hunter glanced over his shoulder at Dally. "Have you and Corni decided what you're going to do about cooking for the harvest crew?"
Dally shook her head.
"No, not exactly. How many days does Rowdy think it will take to harvest the wheat?"
"Likely four if we have a full crew and the yield isn't heavier than we anticipate. Why?"
"Well, I figure I can handle the cooking for at least two days with Corni's help, but after that, I'm not sure what we'll do because it is going to wear me out." Dally sighed, looking frustrated. "I hate not being able to do whatever I want to do when I want to do it."
"Don't we all know it!" Hunter smirked at his sister, then grew serious. "You've been so tired, Dally. I really think you should hire someone to help out or take over. Did you talk to Aundy or Nora?"
Dally shook her head. "They've got their own meals to fix and things to worry about."
"I'll help," Luna said, uncertain where the words came from because she certainly hadn't planned on voicing them. "I like to cook, and as long as I'm at Caterina's by five, I can cook lunch and dinner."
"Do you know what you're offering?" Dally asked, getting up and walking over to Luna, turning her away from the sink so they faced each other. "It's hot and miserable, and the men eat like starved wild animals half the time. Rarely do you receive a word of thanks for your efforts. It's backbreaking work."
"It will be fine, Dally." Luna hurried to assure her. "If I make a list of supplies, can someone pick up an order and have them here?"
"Of course, but are you certain you want to help?"
"Absolutely." Luna hoped she'd convince herself as much as Dally. What had she gotten herself into? "It will be a good experience for me."
Dally made a noise that sounded like a half sob and half cheer of victory, then pulled Luna into a tight hug. "You are marvelous, and I'm so grateful. I'll let you know for sure, but Rowdy is planning to start cutting wheat a week from Monday."
"I'll be there. Do you need to feed the men breakfast, or just lunch and dinner?"
"Lunch and dinner are definite, and a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack are optional but always appreciated," Hunter answered before Dally could respond.
"Okay. I'll think up some menu ideas and get them to you, Dally."
"I don't care what you make. Corni and I will help you, mostly Corni, and our bunkhouse cook can also lend a hand as needed. He'll be in charge of feeding the men breakfast. I would have turned the whole thing over to him, but it's more than he can handle on his own, and I think the men would revolt if he fed them his famous ham and beans twice a day all week."
"Revolt and never come back," Hunter said, smiling at Luna as they finished the dishes. "Before I take you home, I want to take you to see my new place."
"I'd like that," Luna said, drying her hands and hanging the towel on a hook above the sink. "I'll just get my things from upstairs and change out of Dally's skirt."
"You keep it. That color suits you far better than it fits me," Dally said, giving Luna another hug. "I'm so glad you came today. Thank you for everything."
"Thank you, Dally. I'm grateful for the skirt, and your friendship." Luna hugged her back, then dashed upstairs to get her bag. Hunter met her at the base of the stairs, and together, they made their way outside and out to his waiting automobile.
Rather than take her back to town, he drove on a road she had no idea even existed. He turned onto a dirt lane and smiled at her.
"You are officially on my land now," he said, a hint of pride evident in his voice.
Luna gazed around at the newly planted poplar trees, the tilled fields ready for planting, and the fences that looked new. "It's wonderful, Hunter. Are the fields where you'll plant the apple trees?"
He nodded and pointed to where he planned to plant various types of apples, the names of which she was completely unfamiliar. She could see a dozen head of cattle grazing in a pasture, unlike any bovines she'd seen in Pendleton.
"What are they?" she asked, motioning to the herd.
"Angus. I bought them from a rancher in Holiday. It's a few hours from here. They originally came from Scotland—the breed, I mean. I think they'll be good beef producers."
"Oh," she said, more interested in a town named Holiday than the finer points of raising beef cattle.
Hunter stopped outside a house that was in need of work. As he'd mentioned, the windows would all have to be replaced along with much of the siding and the porch, but it was a grand house that included a turret that stretched up two stories.
Luna closed her eyes and pictured the house painted a light shade of gray with white and deep purple trim. It would look magnificent.
She opened her eyes and found Hunter staring at her with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Want to look inside?" he asked as he got out of the automobile and hustled around to her side.
"Of course!" she took the hand he held out to her as she stepped from the auto and didn't offer a word of complaint when he held onto her fingers as they walked across the overgrown yard and up the warped steps of the porch.
He unlocked the door and pushed it open. Half the windows were broken out and boarded up, but even so, plenty of light spilled inside the house, allowing her to see the beautiful hardwood floors and the curved newel post carved with acanthus scrolls.
Despite the dust and grime and the run-down state of the home, Luna could picture it as it had once looked. How it would look again.
She loved it. She stood in the entry hall that actually had two entrances: the one they came in, and another to the side.
"This is the parlor," Hunter said, stepping into a room with a corner fireplace and a bank of bay windows in the turret. The wallpaper was half-peeled off the wall and in a ghastly shade of grass green, but the room could be made lovely with a good cleaning and a coat of paint.
She followed as he led the way into the next room. "This will be my office and the library."
The word library made her perk up. She loved books, although she didn't have as much time for reading as she liked. She anticipated the winter would bring more hours for reading when the cold kept her inside. The room also had a fireplace, and she could envision curling up in a big leather chair by a crackling fire, reading as the snow blew outside.
They walked through the dining room into what Hunter called a butler's pantry, and entered the kitchen.
"I want to add a bedroom for a housekeeper, a laundry room, and a bathroom back here, connected to the kitchen." He pointed to a section of the exterior wall. "I want to put a small hallway here and build the rooms out this way."
Luna nodded, then accepted his hand as he led her up the narrow back stairs. There were four roomy bedrooms, with the largest located at the front corner of the house with the turret.
"You need a window seat here," she said, stepping over to the bay windows. What a delight it would be to sit there and look out over Hunter's property, especially when the apple trees were in bloom.
"That's a great idea, Luna." Hunter nodded in agreement and followed as she gazed into the small nursery attached to the room. It would be a wonderful convenience for new parents to have the baby so close until it was old enough to move into one of the other bedrooms.
"You plan to add a bathroom up here as well?" Luna asked.
"Yes." He walked down the hall and stood between two bedrooms. "I'll take space from both of these rooms and put a small bathroom here in the middle." He opened a door near the back stairwell. "Want to see the attic?"
Luna's answer was to hustle up the steps and come to a stop at the top, shocked by all the treasures crammed into the space.
"Look at this," she said, waving her hand around to encompass everything.
"It's all going to have to be sorted through. It'll be something I work on later in the year. Maybe this winter, although I'd prefer this all be cleaned out before I move in."
Luna blew the dust off the top of a camelback trunk and sneezed. "I'm happy to help."
"Bless you," he said as she took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her nose. "And I will gladly accept your help in bringing order to this chaos."
"It's not chaos. It's like digging for buried treasure. You have no idea what you might find."
"True. I suppose someone else's junk might just be of value to the person who finds it."
"Exactly!" Luna smiled as she edged past him and started down the steps.
They went down the front stairs, and she stood in the entry foyer, turning in a slow circle, letting her imagination fill in the missing details of what the house had once been.
"Well, what do you think?" Hunter asked.
She opened her eyes and spread her arms wide. "It's fantastic, Hunter. I can picture the lovely, wonderful home you'll create here."
He released a long breath, as though he'd feared her answer, then grinned and took her right hand in his. "I'm so glad you like it. There's a lot of work to be done, but one day it will be a grand house and more importantly—a welcoming home."
Luna took one more look around, then moved out onto the porch.
"Are you hungry?" Hunter asked, glancing at his watch.
Luna hadn't thought she could possibly hold another bite after eating cobbler and ice cream, but she found she was growing hungry.
"I'm getting that way. Did you have something in mind?"
"As a matter of fact, I do."
He dashed out to the auto, opened the storage box behind the seats, and retrieved a picnic basket covered by an old quilt. He jogged up the porch steps and held an arm out to her. "Might I invite you on a picnic?"
"You certainly may," she said, offering him a pleased smile as she took his arm, and they walked out to the creek.
Hunter spread the blanket, set the basket on a corner of it, then gave her a hand as she settled onto the quilt.
"The lemonade isn't all that cold, but it will still be refreshing," he said, handing her a jar of lemonade. He took out two plates, then set out fried chicken, wedges of cheese, a few peaches, and a jar of the olives that Luna loved from Caterina's restaurant. They were just like the ones Aunt Angelina and Uncle Franco carried in their store. She could eat a whole jar of them by herself, although she never had.
When they'd filled their plates, Hunter took her hands in his and asked a blessing on their meal and time together. They ate by the creek, listening to the water babble and talking about Hunter's plans for the house.
Luna offered a few ideas that he seemed to consider as valuable and thanked her for her input.
They didn't linger after they'd eaten since the sun was beginning its nightly descent toward the horizon.
"I'm going to check in with my crew while I'm here. They're just over at the other place, and it will only take a minute. Would you like to come with me or stay here?"
"If you don't mind, I'll wait here," Luna said as she held the folded quilt over her arm.
"I'll hurry," Hunter said, lifting the picnic basket, then kissing her cheek.
She watched him rush off, then wandered for a bit by the creek, thinking Hunter's property was quite pretty. The creek made her smile, especially when she saw a fish swimming in the shadows by a tree root.
She'd never gone fishing, but perhaps Hunter would teach her how sometime after harvest.
Luna knew his days were busy, hectic, and full, which made her even more grateful for special moments like these when she could enjoy time with him.
Feeling hopeful and full of dreams, Luna spread out the quilt in a splash of sunshine, unpinned her hair and shook it out, and experienced a wave of contentment. Filled with joy she couldn't contain, she plucked a large flower with a ball of fluff that looked like a dandelion, closed her eyes, and blew, wishing she could have many more afternoons just like this one with Hunter.
"I should have known if I left you alone for five minutes, you'd find a weed and scatter the seeds from here to kingdom come."
She opened her eyes and grinned as Hunter hunkered down by her.
"A weed?" she asked, holding the stem out to Hunter. "It isn't a flower?"
"Nope," he said, taking the stem, then handing it back to her. "It's got a fancy scientific name Flynn Elliott could tell you, but most folks call it meadow goat's beard, or even Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, because the yellow flower buds only open in the morning."
"What a wonderful name, even if it is a weed." Luna pursed her lips and blew more of the seed heads that looked like spiderwebs of fine white hairs.
"You little weed-spreader," Hunter groused, making her laugh.
He lunged at her, but she turned to the side and hopped to her feet, out of reach, finding such freedom in the split skirt. She would definitely need to ask Dally for a pattern. Perhaps Ilsa would have one.
Hunter grabbed the quilt and shook it out, then latched onto her hand again, and Luna felt warmth flow through her arm at his touch. She loved the way Hunter made her feel. Loved being with him. She loved him, but that wasn't something she would confess or pursue.
Not when Hunter deserved so much more than she could ever be or give to him.
He helped her into the auto, tossed the quilt in the storage box, and started the vehicle. They'd just pulled back onto the road when he reached beneath his seat and handed her a box.
"What's this?" she asked, looking at the long box with green printing on the package.
"Just open it. It's a new cookie I heard about. They're called Mallomars. I think you'll like them."
Luna opened the box and extracted two chocolate covered cookies, handing one to Hunter. The heat quickly melted the chocolate, but after Luna took a bite of the marshmallow and cookie filled treat, she didn't care that her fingers were sticky.
Hunter ended up with chocolate on his cheek when the car bounced over a rut in the road. She laughed as she wiped it away with her handkerchief.
By the time they reached Pendleton, only three cookies remained.
"Give what's left to Laila," Hunter said when he stopped at the end of Tony and Ilsa's front walk.
"Thank you for a wonderful, incredible day, Hunter. I enjoyed every minute of it." And she had.
Quickly retrieving her hairpins from her pocket, she pinned up her hair while Hunter extracted her bag from his storage box and walked around the automobile.
She took the bag from him, snagged the box of cookies, kissed his cheek, and stepped out of his automobile.
Questions and longing filled his gaze, but he smiled at her and nodded once, as though he understood now wasn't the time for them to linger in parting, particularly with Laila's nose pressed to the glass in the window by the front door.
"Good night," Luna said and blew him a kiss, then bounded inside the house, wondering why it hurt so much to know the wishes she made would never come true.