Chapter Eighteen

Hunter tiptoed down the back stairs, careful to avoid the steps that creaked and made his way to the kitchen. Since it was barely four in the morning, he expected to find the house dark and quiet.

Yet, when he stepped into the room, Luna was already there, kneading a bowl of dough in the dim light of a lantern. Absently, he hoped the dough would turn into another batch of the tasty doughnuts she'd fried and fed to them for a morning snack yesterday.

She'd arrived at the B Bar D Ranch Sunday evening, driven out by Kade Rawlings and accompanied by Laila and Rachel Rawlings. Caterina had given Luna two days off so she wouldn't have to rush into the restaurant to work in the evenings.

Although no one had mentioned it to him, Luna and Dally had concluded it would be best if Luna could stay at the ranch instead of traveling back and forth to town. Hunter wasn't sure how he felt about sleeping just down the hall from Luna, but it helped that she had the two young girls staying in the room with her. Laila and Rachel both knew more about cooking than Corni and had proven to be capable and helpful the past two days.

The wheat harvest wouldn't wrap up on the ranch until tomorrow afternoon, at least if all went well, but Luna intended to head back to town right after she prepared the evening meal.

Once he realized she was staying at the ranch, any number of thoughts had popped into Hunter's head about getting Luna alone so he could do a little sparking. However, with the harvest crew there and the work involved with feeding them, not to mention Laila and Rachel clinging to Luna like burrs to a dog's tail, he'd not found a single moment to spend with the enchanting woman who had captured his heart.

Hunter knew it was crazy to even think about falling in love, but he had. He adored Luna and would do anything for her, but until his life was more settled, he had no intention of officially courting her. He didn't even have a home of his own to offer her, at least not one fit to inhabit until Walker finished the renovations to his house. He couldn't very well think about marriage when he lived with his sister in the house where they'd spent their childhood summers.

Someday, the time would be right for him to share his feelings with Luna. It just wasn't now or the foreseeable future. He could almost hear Walker's grandmother, Rebecca Williams, giving him sage words of advice about time waiting for no man or something along those lines, but he was young and busy and didn't see a need to rush into anything.

Besides, he wasn't one hundred percent certain Luna felt the same way about him. As far as he knew, she still intended to someday return to New York City to live. The thought of her being anywhere but Pendleton made him scowl as he flicked on the electric lights and bathed the kitchen in light.

"Oh!" Luna gasped, her gaze colliding with his as her hands stilled in the bowl of dough.

Hunter registered her surprise but also her welcome, as though she was glad to see him.

"Morning, Luna Moona," he whispered, not wanting anyone else to awaken.

"Morning. Did you pull on a pair of grumpy britches this morning?" she asked with a grin as she returned to kneading the dough.

Hunter realized he was still scowling and shook his head. "I did not. What are you doing up? It's too early for anyone to be stirring this morning."

She raised an eyebrow and tipped her head toward him. "Apparently, it isn't. You're up, and the work won't begin for at least three hours."

"True, but there's always regular work. I told Rowdy I'd look at one of the threshers this morning. It wasn't working properly yesterday."

"In that case, I don't have coffee made yet, but there is hot water. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No, not unless it's cold. It's already hot in here. How can you stand it?"

Luna motioned to the riding skirt she wore. "These new skirts help a bit," she said with a grin. "Ilsa was nearly scandalized when I asked if she had a pattern, but she helped me make these. The fabric is lightweight and much more comfortable than my—" She pressed her lips together as though she just realized she was rambling about her attire to him.

Hunter grinned and walked over to a cabinet, taking down two glasses. "They look nice, Luna, and I'm glad you're more comfortable. I don't know how you women survive the heat enshrouded in forty layers of froth."

She giggled softly as he opened the refrigerator and poured two glasses of sweet tea. The pitcher was nearly empty, and he knew gallons of it would be made before the day was through.

When he handed one of the glasses to her, she took it and held it against her flushed cheeks. He noticed tendrils of hair curled around her face and escaped the bun she'd pinned high on her head. "Do you have a minute to sit outside in the cool air?"

"No, but I will anyway." She gave the dough a few more kneads, then set it near the stove with a cloth covering the bowl.

"More doughnuts?" Hunter asked, aware he sounded hopeful.

She grinned and shook her head. "No, bread. The men ate twice as much as I anticipated yesterday, and there wasn't even a crumb of it left. I figured I'd double the amount today. But if you are requesting doughnuts, we can make more."

"Yes, please," Hunter said and watched as Luna stuck her hand in the cookie jar and fished out the last of the molasses cookies Rachel and Laila had made yesterday. She handed him three of the cookies and took one for herself.

"Will that keep you from starving until I get breakfast ready?"

"Maybe," he said with a grin, then motioned for her to precede him outside. It was quiet, with dawn not yet approaching. Rather than turn on any lights, they settled into chairs on the porch and sat in silence as they ate the cookies and drank the tea in the refreshing morning air.

"This is nice," Luna said as she brushed cookie crumbs from her fingers, then flicked them away from her skirt.

"It is nice," Hunter agreed, wishing he could start every day with Luna beside him. Perhaps one day it would be so when he wasn't up to his neck in responsibilities at the B Bar D and trying to get his own property whipped into some semblance of shape.

They discussed the crew who would be working that day, Luna's menu for lunch and dinner, and how she thought Dally was doing with the heat and stress of harvest.

"She's doing well, Hunter. She does her best to stay off her feet and rest when she can. Yesterday, she sat at the table and peeled potatoes and even kneaded the bread there. I noticed, though, she only took about a twenty-minute nap after lunch. Cornelia kept urging her to get more rest, but Dally is …"

When she hesitated, Hunter grinned. "Stubborn. It's not her fault, though. She comes by it naturally from both our parents, just like I do."

Luna laughed. "Well, that explains a lot."

"Here, now! I might take offense." Hunter feigned a wounded expression that only made Luna laugh harder.

"I'd better hush, or everyone will be awake," she said, rising to her feet.

Hunter stood, but before she could brush past him to return inside the house, he wrapped her in his arms. Just once, he needed to taste Luna's kiss. Just once.

Slowly, his head lowered to hers, giving her time to escape or protest, of which she did neither.

Hunter thought of what Rebecca had shared with Nik when he was tied up in knots over Dally before they'd wed, about kissing her in the morning with enough passion to carry them through the day.

Although he had no right to kiss Luna, no claim upon her, that's exactly what Hunter did.

He lifted one hand and trailed it along the smooth silkiness of her cheek before burying it in the thick, dark tresses of her hair. His lips brushed the left corner of her mouth, then the right, before they settled on the lips that had tempted him from the first time they'd met.

Unhurried, wanting to relish every second of the experience, he tenderly kissed her, savored her, loved her. When her lips moved beneath his in response, warm and soft, he deepened their exchange until Hunter forgot there was anything in the world beyond the two of them. He shifted, drawing Luna closer to him as his hands rubbed up and down across her shoulders.

Her fingers toyed with the hair at the back of his neck. When a soft moan escaped her, Hunter could have lost himself in the sweetness of her kiss—the sweetness that was all Luna—for the rest of his life.

However, after one more passion-filled exchange, he snagged his unraveling composure together, kissed the tip of her nose, and took a step back.

"Gracious," Luna whispered, her eyes searching his, even though it was still too dark to see any evident emotions despite the muted light spilling from the kitchen windows.

"I'm not one bit sorry I did that, Luna Moona. I'd do it all over again if I didn't need to see to the chores. If I don't get a chance later, I'll say it now. We're so, so grateful you're here and willing to help out. I wish you a wonderful day." Hunter took a step back and shook his head to clear his thoughts. "That isn't what I really wanted to tell you, although we do appreciate you being here, and I do hope you have a great day. What I want to say is that was the single best kiss I've ever experienced. Your unexpected arrival in my life has been an incredible blessing and joy to me."

Before Luna could offer a reply, he jumped off the porch and jogged off toward the barn, the outline of the building barely visible in the dark.

Hunter fed and watered the animals there, then looked at the thresher that was giving them trouble. He wished Harley John were there because he had a skill and talent when it came to machines that Hunter would never possess. Just when he was ready to beat the thresher with a hammer, he figured out the problem and was able to repair it before Rowdy found him and sent him in for breakfast.

Hunter couldn't help but think about the kiss—well, it was more like several kisses—he'd shared with Luna earlier. He'd meant what he'd said, that he didn't regret it. What he regretted, though, was the inability to repeat the experience, at least anytime in the near future.

After washing up, he walked into the kitchen. Luna glanced at him from where she scrambled a big pan of eggs, caught his eye, and blushed a becoming shade of pink. He might have teased her if Rachel and Laila hadn't dashed into the kitchen and Cornelia hadn't been pouring cups of coffee over by the sink.

Breakfast was lively, especially with the two young girls in attendance. As they ate, Luna took charge of giving all the females in the house assignments for the day. He noticed she chose activities for Dally that she could do sitting at the table.

The telephone jangled, and Nik hopped up from the table to answer it. Dally quickly stuffed strips of bacon and scoops of scrambled egg into two biscuits, wrapped them in a napkin, and handed them to Nik when he hung up the telephone.

"There's an emergency at the hospital, and I need to go. Have a good day, and everyone keep safe." He pulled Dally to her feet and kissed her right there in front of everyone. Laila and Rachel giggled behind their fingers, but Luna only appeared wistful as she glanced at Hunter and blushed again.

Hunter carried dishes to the sink, took a big jar full of cold well water Dally had set out for him, and left to get started with the harvest crew.

Two hours later, Laila and Rachel appeared in the field, pulling a child's wagon loaded down with cold well water and a basket full of fresh doughnuts.

Everyone stopped their work to get a drink and enjoy the treat.

"Those were mighty fine," Hunter said, winking at the two little girls who were growing up far too quickly. He was sure he'd blink, and they'd be wearing long skirts and putting up their hair.

He supposed they weren't the only ones growing up. He felt like he'd done a lot of that in the past year.

Although it would have been faster if the noon meal could be served in the field, the men working on the crew needed a break, so they piled into one of the wagons that hauled the wheat into town and headed to the house.

Dally stayed in the house, leaving Luna, Corni, Laila, and Rachel to serve the meal beneath the shade trees at the side of the house. The little girls kept pitchers of water and lemonade filled and dashed back and forth, bringing out whatever was needed.

Hunter could see how having them there was a help to Luna and Corni and a good experience for the girls.

Luna went inside as the meal wound down and returned with a large cake. She cut it into pieces, and Laila and Rachel passed them out. When Hunter took a bite, he wasn't sure what to expect, but the vanilla cake with a creamy, cool topping that had a slight tang to it, and fresh berries scattered over it was one of the best things he'd ever tasted.

There wasn't a single crumb left in the pan by the time the men finished having seconds and some of them three servings of the dessert.

A few of the younger men gave Luna interested looks as they thanked her for another fine meal. Hunter tamped down the urge to wallop them.

"That cake was spectacular, Luna. Thank you," he said as he handed her his dirty dishes, then hurried to catch up to the crew.

The afternoon was a blur of activity, and that evening, he spent hours with Rowdy trying to fix a broken piece on one of the threshers after taking care of the evening chores. There wasn't time for stealing kisses or even a few moments just to sit in silence on the porch with Luna.

Exhausted after he took a quick bath and turned in for the night, Hunter fell into a dreamless, heavy sleep the moment his head hit his pillow. He awakened early the next morning, though, and hurried downstairs, hoping to catch Luna.

The kitchen was dark and his disappointment keen as he helped himself to a handful of cookies and headed outside. Two hours later, when he returned to the house for breakfast, everyone was in a subdued, quiet mood.

"Did something happen I don't know about?" Hunter asked as he sank into his chair in the dining room.

"Did you see the newspaper?" Nik asked.

Hunter looked around the somber group and shook his head. "Nope. I didn't have a chance to look at it yesterday. What happened?"

"It looks like the world is going to war," Rowdy said, handing Hunter the previous day's newspaper that he'd been reading.

"War?" Hunter asked, taking the paper and reading the sensational headlines. It appeared Germany had declared war on France and Belgium, Russia was fighting the Germans, and the British had appropriated more than five million dollars for a war fund.

"What does that mean?" Laila asked in a frightened, small voice.

Hunter wanted to devour every word of the newspaper but purposely folded it and tossed it onto the china cabinet behind him. He looked to Dally and then Nik to answer the child's question.

"Do you remember the news about the Archduke and his wife getting shot a while back?" Nik asked Laila.

The girl nodded. "Sure. Everyone was talking about it."

"Everyone," Rachel agreed.

"Well, their deaths set something into motion that is going to be hard to stop," Nik said, simplifying what had turned into a battle between countries that would no doubt be bloody and disastrous. "Last winter, do you remember when Brett and Ben made that big snowball, and it rolled down the hill? The longer it rolled, the bigger it got until it was dangerous and hard to stop. Well, war is kind of like that snowball. It starts with something small enough, but then it gets bigger and bigger. However, this war is a long, long way from here, across the ocean in Europe, so the two of you don't need to be afraid or worry about it coming here. You are just as safe today, now that war has been declared, as you were yesterday when you knew nothing about it."

Laila and Rachel looked at each other, shrugged, then folded their hands on their laps, waiting for someone to ask the blessing on the meal so they could all eat.

Nik offered the prayer, adding a plea for the fighting overseas to be brief, then they ate their meal, mostly in silence.

Hunter had no chance to corner Luna in the kitchen alone as he rushed out the door to get to work. Since Nik hadn't been called out on any emergencies, he jumped in to help.

The morning went smoothly, with Laila and Rachel bringing out a wagon full of hand pies stuffed with peaches and berries, along with cool water and a big jug of lemonade.

Hunter thought he might suffocate in the wheat chaff and heat before the triangle clanged at the house to let them know lunch was ready. All the men took turns at the pump by the barn, pouring buckets of water over their heads to wash away the grime and to cool off.

The previous meals Luna had served had been primarily Italian food, filling and hearty and toothsome. Today, though, platters of fried chicken, bowls heaped with potato salad and coleslaw, baskets filled with golden biscuits, and slices of fresh melon lined the big table set up in the shade.

Hunter caught Luna's eye as she carried out jam and butter and nodded at her, knowing she'd made his favorite meal.

He wondered if Dally had told her how to season the chicken just right, because everything tasted just as good as any meal he'd ever eaten at Bramble Hall. Maybe better, because he knew every dish that had been prepared had been made because he would enjoy it.

Luna even served slices of apple pie for dessert, made with summer apples that had been shipped from a grower in California.

When he forked his last bite of pie, Hunter was full and content. He drained his glass of sweet tea and looked around for Luna, but she'd disappeared. As the men rose and prepared to head back out to the field, Hunter ducked into the house and nearly collided with Luna as she was coming out of the kitchen.

"The meal was fantastic. Thank you for making it." He kissed her cheek, then dashed back outside.

The harvest crew sent up a cheer when they wrapped up their work just before dinner. They were all in good spirits as they drove the equipment out of the field and back to the barn. Most of the men would eat supper there and then head out so they would be ready to start work at a different location in the morning.

Nik and Hunter helped Rowdy pay the men their wages, then headed for the house. The two of them were almost there when dust rolled up the lane, and an automobile tooted its horn in greeting.

"Oh, no," Nik said under his breath.

Hunter glanced from his brother-in-law to the occupants of the auto and groaned. The war raging in Europe had nothing on the battle about to ensue when his parents stepped into the house and saw Dally's condition.

His mother waved from the back of Caterina's car, which Harley John was driving. A few dozen questions rattled through Hunter's head as Harley John stopped at the end of the front yard gate and Dacey and Braxton Douglas stepped out of the automobile.

Nik, the coward, had disappeared and left Hunter to face his parents alone.

Harley John retrieved luggage from the back of the car and set it on the front walk just as Luna sailed out of the house, carrying her bag. She wore a summer dress he hadn't seen before and a hat pinned at a jaunty angle on her head.

Hunter had completely forgotten she was heading back to town that evening to return to work for Caterina. It seemed Laila and Rachel intended to stay to help serve the meal and wash the dishes, which was good because Dally would likely take to her room and refuse to come out the rest of the evening.

Aware he was filthy, sweaty, and probably smelled as rank as a Billy goat, Hunter broke into a jog, intent on speaking to Luna.

His mother's face brightened when she saw him, and she held out her arms to him. Unable to bypass her without appearing unforgivably rude, he gave her an enthusiastic hug that swept her off her feet and knocked her hat askew.

She laughed and hugged him back, then playfully thumped his shoulder, sending a puff of dust and wheat chaff into the air. "Land sakes, son, you sure know how to make a mother feel welcome. How are you?" She placed a gloved hand on his cheek and looked at him with a warm smile.

"Good, Mama. If you'll excuse me just one moment …" He darted around her and ran over to the auto where Harley John was giving Luna a hand into the front seat. "You're leaving."

Luna nodded. The smile she pasted on didn't reach her eyes. She looked sad about departing, but with his parents there, it was for the best. If he had anywhere to run off to, he'd surely head there now. In fact, the thought of sleeping on the floor at his house even with rodents running amok sounded more pleasant than listening to Dally and his parents butt heads over his sister's obstinance. For a brief second, he considered asking Harley John if he could bunk with him. However, he concluded running away wasn't the responsible grown-up thing to do, no matter how much he wished he could rush off with Luna and Harley John.

"I'm so glad you could be here during wheat harvest, Luna. Thank you for all your hard work. Did Dally pay you?"

Another head shake. "It's not necessary. I wanted to help."

"No. You earned a wage for all your hard work. I'll get it to you soon."

There was so much he wanted to say, but the only thing that came to mind in that moment was don't leave.

"Aw, just give her a smooch already so we can get out of here before the fat hits the fire," Harley John said with a knowing smirk.

Hunter glowered at his friend, but leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Luna's cheek, leaving behind a smudge of dirt. He would have wiped it away, but he was so filthy he knew he'd only make it worse. "I'll catch up to you later."

"I'll look forward to it, Hunter." Luna lifted a hand in parting, then Hunter turned around and faced his parents, who were studying him like he was some new invention they'd never seen.

"Who was that?" his mother asked as Harley John turned the auto around and left. "She looks like Caterina."

"One of her cousins from New York. Luna has been here all summer. I think I mentioned her in my last letter."

"Oh, yes, you did write about going to an Italian restaurant to do research for Caterina. I just assumed …" Dacey snapped her mouth shut and looked to her husband.

Braxton stared at Hunter, as though he couldn't quite figure out what to say to him.

Hunter nodded politely to his father. "It's nice to see you, Dad. Welcome back."

"Thank you, son. It appears we've timed it perfectly to not only arrive in time for the meal, but at the end of harvest. Did the ranch have a good yield this year?"

Hunter and his father talked about the wheat yield, what the going rate was per bushel, and the equipment Rowdy thought would help make things more efficient next year as they walked around to the back door of the house.

Corni nearly dropped the pitcher of lemonade she was carrying when she spied them. She passed the pitcher to Rowdy, then engulfed Dacey in a big, warm hug. "Oh, it's so, so good to see you. I miss you two being here all summer."

"We missed being here as well." Dacey's tone was slightly strained, and Braxton scowled.

Hunter couldn't explain it, but he felt the tension in the air coil around all of them like a spring about to break and fly off in an unexpected direction.

Nik had disappeared, and Hunter knew he'd given Dally a warning that their parents had arrived. In fact, as he faced the kitchen, he saw her look out the window, her eyes as wide as saucers before she pulled her head back inside.

"Let's all wash up and then we can eat," Hunter suggested, cupping his mother's elbow with his hand and guiding her up the back steps. His father kept in step close behind them. Corni chose to stay outside, out of the range of fire. He might have taunted her about being a coward if the entire harvest crew hadn't been watching their every move. Thankfully, Rachel and Laila were too busy filling glasses with lemonade and water to notice anything else taking place.

Nik appeared at the door, his face and hands washed although the rest of him was as dirty as Hunter. "Welcome, welcome!" he said, giving Dacey's cheek a kiss, then reaching out to shake Braxton's hand in greeting. "We didn't know you were coming."

"We wanted to surprise you," Dacey said with a wide smile. "Surprise!"

"Oh, it certainly is a surprise," Nik said, stepping back as Hunter trailed his parents into the house.

Hunter had known a day of reckoning would arrive when Dally had refused to share the news of her pregnancy with their parents. Now that it was here, though, he felt bad for Nik, Dally, and even himself because he was certain all three of them were going to regret Dally's decision before the evening was through.

"Dally's a little tired from all the work today and went upstairs for a brief rest," Nik said, giving Hunter a helpless look.

"There's plenty of room at the tables outside if you'd like to join everyone," Hunter said, pointing toward the door. "If you'd prefer, we could eat in the dining room."

"No, outside would be just fine," Dacey said, turning to smile at Hunter. "I'd like a moment to wash up, though. Could one of you boys retrieve our luggage? I think we left it sitting out front like a new lawn ornament."

"I'll get it," Nik said, hurrying down the hallway and out the front door.

Hunter waited as his father gave him another long, studying glance while his mother went to the downstairs bathroom to wash. Unable to stand Braxton's scrutiny, Hunter walked over to the kitchen sink and washed his hands and face, then dunked his whole head beneath the faucet. When he raised it, water dripping in his eyes, a towel was pressed into his hands.

"Thanks," he said, rubbing the towel over his head and face, then glanced at his father as he washed his hands. His brain seemed to have rattled to a stop the moment his parents had arrived and Luna had departed. He forced himself to latch onto something to say. "How was the trip?"

Travel and weather were generally safe topics of discussion.

"Good. It seems like the trains get faster or the tracks get shorter," his father joked. Hunter handed him a clean towel and glanced outside to see Corni and Rowdy both eyeing the house like they expected the roof to blow off at any moment.

Hunter heard Nik carrying the luggage upstairs. All was quiet, then his brother-in-law came down the back stairs and into the kitchen.

"Did you have a pleasant journey, sir?" Nik asked, appearing nervous and unsettled. Hunter felt pity for his brother-in-law. He knew Nik thought Dally should have reached out to her parents months ago, but he also stood beside his wife and supported her decisions. He'd likely get as caught in the crossfire as Hunter would be once his parents figured out what was going on.

His father already looked suspicious, but thankfully, his mother appeared oblivious to the tension as she returned to the kitchen and wrapped a hand around Hunter's arm. "Let's join them outside. I could smell the roasted beef as we came up the drive. Did your sister cook all the food?"

"No. Luna did. Luna Campanelli has been our harvest cook this week."

"Caterina's cousin from New York," Braxton said in a dry tone, then looked to Nik. "You probably know her from your time of living there with Angelina and Franco."

Nik nodded as he led the way outside. "I did know Luna, and do. She is an impressive young woman. Her parents were killed when she was quite young. Her father was Franco's youngest brother, and they lived in Italy. She was only seven, I think, when she came to America and was adopted by Brando, one of Caterina's brothers, and his wife. Luna is bright and intelligent, witty and caring, and full of joy despite more than one tragedy haunting her past."

"More than losing her parents at such a young age?" Dacey asked as they neared the table.

"Yes, but we can speak more of that another time." Nik pulled out a chair for Dacey and Braxton sat beside her.

Thankfully, the only other seats available were at the far end of the table. Hunter and Nik took them, trying not to let their worry show as they shoveled in roast with tender potatoes covered with savory gravy, cooked carrots and peas, soft rolls, and slices of ripe tomatoes seasoned with salt and herbs.

Hunter was surprised he'd been able to eat at all considering the way his appetite had fled with the arrival of his parents.

"This is going to be a disaster," Nik said under his breath, offering Rachel a false smile as he accepted the plate of chocolate cake she set in front of him.

"I'm thinking of Titanic proportions," Hunter muttered.

Nik looked like he might have laughed if it wouldn't have drawn attention to them.

Finally, the meal was over, the men dispersed, and Hunter and Nik were left with no excuses to hide.

Rowdy headed off to the barn with mumbled excuses about seeing to the animals, and Corni looked like she wanted to join him, but she took charge of the dishes.

Hunter and Nik helped by carrying dirty dishes inside while Corni and the girls washed and dried them. His parents remained seated at the table, as though they were waiting for something.

When the dishes were all put away, Corni and the two girls appeared outside. Laila and Rachel both had their bags in hand.

"I'm going to take the girls home. You all have a nice night." Corni kissed Dacey's cheek. "We'll catch up tomorrow, my friend."

"We will." Dacey smiled at her and watched as the two girls skipped beside Corni. Rowdy appeared with their auto, and the four of them waved as they headed off toward town.

Hunter could have found twenty things to do that would keep him away from the house until bedtime, but sooner or later they'd have to deal with what was coming, and he wasn't one who enjoyed putting off difficult tasks.

"I'll go check on Dally," Nik said, excusing himself and rushing up the back steps.

Hunter wanted to go with him, but instead, he took a seat at the table across from his parents. "How's Jeff? And Grandmama?"

"They're very well," his father said in a tone that wasn't warm or friendly. "You want to tell me what's going on?"

Hunter couldn't help it when both of his eyebrows shot upward. Apparently, he and Nik wouldn't make it in a life of subterfuge or acting on stage.

"I, uh … it's um … complicated."

His father leaned forward, both arms braced on the table, his forehead furrowed with a frown. "Well, uncomplicate it."

"We have no idea who sent it, but we received this letter a week ago." Dacey took a slip of paper out of her skirt pocket and slid it across the table.

Dally needs her mother.

Hunter read the short missive. Turned over the paper, expecting there to be something more, but there wasn't. No date. No name signed at the bottom. Nothing. The person who'd mailed the letter had block-printed the words so no one would be able to recognize the handwriting.

"The envelope didn't have a return address, but it was postmarked Pendleton. Of course, we came as soon as we could," Dacey said, leaning forward and taking Hunter's hands in hers. "What has happened to your sister, and why are you and Nik working so hard to keep it from us?"

"Is she hurt, Hunter? Did a horse throw her? Is she bedridden?" Braxton asked, his voice so thick with emotion his southern drawl became prominent as it did anytime he was upset.

"No. It's nothing like that. Dally does need you, but the reason why is something she needs to explain herself. Let's go inside. I think Nik was going to attempt to convince her to come downstairs."

His parents looked confused but followed him into the house. He led them to the sitting room, turned on the electric fan to stir the air, and wished he could race out to the barn, mount Wind, and ride off until the impending storm blew over.

"I'm too filthy to sit in here. If you'll excuse me, I'll go change."

Hunter didn't wait for them to respond but hustled down the hall and up the back stairs. He could hear Nik and Dally arguing in their room. Although he couldn't distinguish the words, the tones of anger were unmistakable. Before he got dragged any further into Dally's deception, he grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom. The bath he took was quick, but gave him time to wonder if Luna was struggling through her shift at Caterina's. She had to be exhausted after all the work she'd put in at the ranch the past few days.

He wished, quite desperately, he'd had more time with her. Since he'd kissed her yesterday, he'd been hard pressed to think of anything else. In fact, that afternoon, he'd nearly driven the thresher into one of the other machines when he was daydreaming about Luna's smile.

Memories of the day he'd taken her to his place filled his thoughts. He'd gone to check on his hired men and returned to find her sitting with the sunshine behind her, creating a halo of light around the mass of her dark hair that she'd turned free from its usual confines. She blew weed seeds into the breeze, looking young and enchanting, like a woodland fairy come to life.

The truth had slammed into him then. He wanted Luna for his wife. He wanted to build the land he'd bought into a legacy for the children they'd raise together. He wanted to wake up every morning beside her and fall asleep with her hair spilling across his pillow.

Still, he wasn't ready to share any of that with her, even if the passionate kisses they'd shared yesterday had left him so befuddled he'd nearly blurted his feelings on the way out the door.

By the time he dried off, drained the tub, and dressed, he could hear raised voices down the hall.

After rolling his dirty clothes inside his damp towel and leaving them in the hamper he kept in his room, he walked to Nik and Dally's door and knocked.

The voices quieted, and Nik swung open the door, his face a mask of anger nearly matching Dally's disgruntled appearance as she sat in a chair by the window.

"I could hear you fighting down the hall. Mama and Dad have already figured out something is amiss. The sooner you go downstairs and face them, Dal, the sooner you can get this all over with. You aren't arguing with Nik because you're upset with him, you just want someone to tell you it's okay to continue to hide from Mama. Well, it's not. You should have shared the news with her like a normal person to begin with, and before you unleash that sharp tongue on me, just reel it back in."

Hunter looked at Nik, and his brother-in-law nodded once. It was all the approval Hunter needed to march into the room, pull Dally to her feet, and tug her toward the door. "I've never once known you to be a coward, Dahlia Douglas Nash. I would think motherhood would make you stronger, not prod you to act like someone painted your spine yellow."

As he'd known they would, his words brought her up straight. She whirled on him with fury in her eyes and her hand clenched into a fist at her side. "I'm not a coward."

"Prove it," Hunter taunted and stepped aside, offering a grand, sweeping gesture toward the door.

"I will!" she shouted, grabbed Nik's hand, and hastened into the hall and down the stairs.

Hunter trailed behind them and watched the look on his mother's face when Dally marched into the room.

The voluminous apron she'd worn all day was gone, and despite her loose shirtwaist, her condition couldn't be hidden.

Dacey hopped to her feet, practically flew across the room, and embraced Dally in a suffocating hug. Braxton rose slowly to his feet, as though he couldn't quite bring himself to comprehend the fact that he would soon be a grandfather.

Hunter studied his father for a moment, seeing him in a new light. Not as the hero he'd always looked up to, but as a husband, a father, a man who worked hard for his family and wanted the best for them. The revelation threw Hunter as he watched his father walk across the room, then engulf both Dacey and Dally in a tight embrace.

"My little girl is going to be a mother," Braxton said when he released the two women and stepped back. "When?" he asked, looking to Nik.

"The end of October."

"So soon?" Dacey asked, bracketing Dally's cheeks with her hands, then hugging her again.

Both of them were crying and laughing at the same time.

"Why didn't you tell us, Dally? Why all the secrecy?" Dacey questioned when she pulled back. "We thought perhaps you'd been paralyzed when a horse bucked you off or some equally horrific tragedy. This is a blessing to be celebrated, not a secret to be hidden."

"I know, Mama. I know. I'm so sorry. At first, I just wanted it to be something Nik and I shared. Then Aundy figured it out, and everyone around here soon knew, but I still couldn't bring myself to tell you. Everyone at Bramble Hall always talked about me being so strong and independent and how I'd do great things training horses. I guess there was part of me that worried you'd be disappointed that I'm focusing on my own family instead of becoming a renowned female horse trainer. On top of that, I remember how much you complained about Grandmama meddling when you were expecting. I just didn't want to put up with the frustrations you had to deal with."

"I would never, ever be disappointed in your choosing your family first, Dally. Not ever." Dacey took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her tears. "What disappoints me is the fact that you felt you had to hide such joyous news from us. From me. I'm sorry we ever made you feel like you couldn't share it with us."

"No. It's me who is so sorry, Mama."

By then, Dally and Dacey were both bawling their eyes out, as Jeff would have said. Nik led Dally over to the couch, and Braxton helped Dacey settle next to her.

Hunter backed out of the room and left the house. He had plenty of work to keep him occupied while the two couples inside talked things through.

He glanced back at the house, pleased the roof hadn't been raised from yelling, nor had any dishes been broken as he'd half expected to happen when his mother discovered the secret Dally had kept from them.

As he walked out to the barn, Hunter couldn't help it if his thoughts once again drifted to Luna. Someday in the not too distant future, he hoped there would be time to court her properly.