Chapter Nineteen

Luna flipped open the newspaper, her gaze landing on Hunter's handsome face. He stood with the other members of the Pendleton Buckaroos baseball team. The Bucks had claimed the Tri-State League baseball championship and had posed for a photograph dressed not in their baseball uniforms but in wooly chaps, knotted neckerchiefs, and cowboy hats.

Lightly, her finger traced over Hunter's image, then she sighed and cast aside the paper, no longer interested in whatever news it might contain.

August had melted into September and was now heading toward October. A war raged in Europe, and one battled in Luna's heart—to love Hunter, or to let him go.

Luna desperately wanted to spend time with Hunter, wanted to love him. But the sensible sliver of her mind that was not thoroughly besotted with him argued she would never be good enough for him.

It wasn't like she'd seen much of him the past month anyway. With all the work he was doing at the ranch and his own place, not to mention the baseball games he'd been playing in, he was busier than most people she knew.

She had spent time with him during the Pendleton Round-Up, an event that was beyond her ability to aptly describe. Hunter and several of the cowboys at the B Bar D Ranch had competed in the rodeo. Luna had been both anxious and excited to watch Hunter ride wild, bucking broncs. Although he didn't win, in her opinion, he should have. Luna had sat between Dally and Ilsa watching Hunter compete.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas had decided to stay until Dally's baby arrived. Now that she was no longer keeping secrets from anyone, Dally seemed energetic and full of life. She positively glowed with joy each time Luna saw her.

Tomorrow, she'd promised to join Caterina, Marnie, Aundy, and Ilsa in helping Dacey paint walls and put up the wallpaper Dally had chosen for the nursery.

Luna hadn't been back to the B Bar D since the last day of wheat harvest when Harley John had driven out with Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and driven her back to town. Luna had been planning to head into Pendleton right after she served the meal, but when she'd seen Harley John outside, she'd rushed upstairs to change, packed her things, and left.

She couldn't explain why she'd felt a need to get away, but she had.

Part of it was because of the way Hunter made her feel. Not even with Matteo, to whom she'd been engaged for months, had she ever shared such a passionate kiss as the one she'd exchanged with Hunter at the ranch.

The love she felt for him was so different from what she'd felt for Matteo. Luna realized when she'd fallen in love with Matteo, she'd still been a starry-eyed girl full of countless dreams.

Now, though, Luna knew life had forced her to grow up and mature into a woman who had endured great pain and grief but had come out on the other side of it. Not since the day she and Hunter had been on the train that was robbed had the darkness and anxiety set upon her as it had in the past. Luna was hopeful it wouldn't besiege her again. If it did, though, she felt confident she could talk herself through it instead of succumbing to the enveloping blackness that sucked the light right out of her.

Luna might not have been able to spend time with Hunter, but she'd seen him. Of course, she and most of the women she knew had attended all the local baseball games to cheer on the team. She loved watching when it was his turn to bat. Rarely did he miss getting a run.

Hunter never missed a Sunday church service. Even though he sat in a pew behind her on the other side of the church, she was acutely aware of his presence and couldn't help but let her gaze linger on him when everyone gathered to chat on the church lawn after the service.

A few times, his family had come to the restaurant for dinner, and she'd helped wait on them, refilling beverages and fetching more breadsticks for their table. They'd smiled and said a few words in passing, but it wasn't the same as being with him where they could talk freely or hold hands or steal a kiss.

Regardless, the possibility of a future with Hunter seemed more like a wish that would never come true when she could see the wide gulf between their upbringings. Between their futures.

"You seem awfully quiet this evening," Ilsa said, reaching over from her seat beside Tony to touch Luna's leg. "Are you well?"

"Just tired, I suppose. It's been a long day."

"It was a long day." Ilsa glanced at Tony who had fallen asleep with a book on his chest and his head tilted against the back of the couch.

"I think I'll head up to bed. Good night." Luna smiled at Ilsa, stood, and carried the tray that held their empty teacups to the kitchen, then made her way up the back steps to her room.

Although she readied for bed, Luna didn't feel sleepy. For a long time, she sat by her window, staring out into the night, studying the moon she was named after, and wondering what her parents would advise her to do. Her birth parents had been good people but so different from the parents who had raised her. Would they give her different words of wisdom, or would they all tell her to follow her heart?

Luna climbed into bed and closed her eyes, picturing the day she'd blown her wishes across Hunter's land, wanting so badly to be part of his life.

The next morning, she felt encouraged. Often, all a body needed was a good night's rest for an altered perspective and renewed hope.

She hurried to dress and pin up her hair in a popular style, then rushed down to the kitchen. Tony was already at the stove frying strips of bacon.

"Good morning, Cousin," Tony said with a smile at her over his shoulder. "You look chipper this morning."

"So do you, compared to last night, when you sounded more like a bear heading into hibernation." Luna grinned at him as she poured a cup of coffee.

Tony scowled. "I did not sound like a bear, and I don't snore."

"You keep telling yourself that, Tony," she teased and handed him the cup of coffee, then poured one for herself. "Do you have a busy day today?"

"No. For once, I don't. The ice deliveries are caught up, and I only have one appointment at the studio today. Laila is going to keep me company. After I take the photographs, we're going to go for a ride and have a picnic lunch."

"That sounds wonderful. Laila will love the picnic and getting to spend time with you. Whether you realize it or not, you are her favorite hero."

Tony turned and stared at her. "You mean it isn't Kade or Lars?"

Luna smiled as she set butter and jam on the table. "Nope. Her favorite hero is her daddy."

Tony looked pleased as he turned around and finished cooking the bacon. When he set the platter on the table, he gave her an observant glance. "How are you doing, Luna? I mean really doing."

"Very well, thank you. I feel more like myself now than I have in a long time. I know I've said it before, but I truly am so grateful to you and Ilsa for giving me a place to live. It's meant the world to me to be here."

"You've been such a help to both of us, Luna, and Laila adores you. When we invited you to stay here, we had no idea what a blessing you'd be to us. Thank you for being here, little Cousin." Tony gave her a fatherly hug, then stepped back. "You know you are welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"I know, and I appreciate it. I've been thinking about making a trip home. Just to visit, not to stay. I miss everyone there. Mama says the boys are all growing like weeds, and Cara is carrying on conversations and bossing the boys around. They are growing up without me."

"They are, but they all know you love them, and that will never change no matter where you are. Do you think you might go home for Christmas? Or sooner?"

"I was thinking Christmas, then coming back in February, but I'll have to see. It is a long and expensive trip, and I'm undecided yet about making the journey."

Tony nodded in understanding as Ilsa breezed into the room.

He placed his hands on his wife's trim waist and lifted her off her feet, giving her a tender kiss.

Ilsa hugged him, then thumped him on the shoulder with a light laugh. "Set me down, Tony."

Laila skipped into the kitchen, rolled her eyes, then grinned at Luna. "They are already at it this morning?" she asked, making everyone laugh.

After breakfast, excitement bubbled in Luna's belly as she packed the food she'd made to take to Dally's for their shared lunch. Ilsa grabbed old aprons for them to wear over their dresses so they wouldn't get paint or wallpaper paste on them, and then they walked down the street to Caterina's restaurant.

Caterina was just setting a box of food into her auto when they arrived.

"Where's Rachel today?" Ilsa asked as she climbed into the front seat beside Caterina. With the back seat full of food, Luna scooted in next to Ilsa.

"She is with her father. Kade had a rare weekend free, so he took all three children fishing today. At least out there, the only thing the boys can terrorize is wildlife that will likely fight back."

Luna grinned, thinking about the mischievous Rawlings twins. Ben and Brett couldn't seem to avoid trouble when it trailed so closely behind them.

The conversation was lively and fun as Caterina drove them out to the B Bar D Ranch. Aundy and Marnie had just arrived when they got there. Together, the five of them walked up the porch steps, but before they could knock on the door, Dacey swung it open and welcomed them all inside.

The men were conspicuously absent, but Luna didn't mind. If Hunter was there, she likely wouldn't pay a lick of attention to what she was doing. Since there were more helping hands available than were needed in the nursery, Caterina and Luna volunteered to whip up a morning snack and oversee lunch.

They fried zeppole, coated them in sugar, and made tea, then Luna ran upstairs to let everyone know it was time for a break.

The nursery walls had been painted a pale, soft shade of green. Dally wanted the cute animal wallpaper she'd selected on the south wall where the crib would be, and a matching border would go above the chair rail around the rest of the room.

Dally looped her arm around Luna's on the way down the stairs. "Thank you for being here today. If I failed to thank you properly before, thank you for helping with the meals during harvest. We couldn't have fed everyone without you."

"I was happy to help and glad I could be here." Luna meant what she said. A week after she'd returned home from her stay at the ranch, Nik had dropped by with an envelope full of cash and apologized they hadn't paid her sooner. She'd tried to refuse it, but he'd insisted she'd earned every penny. Luna had tucked the money away with her earnings from Caterina's restaurant. Ilsa mostly paid her in clothes, which Luna preferred because she got the far better end of the bargain when she helped in the dress shop.

When they reached the dining room, Dally leaned closer to her. "He misses you being here," she said, then she walked over to take a seat between her mother and Aundy at the table.

Luna pondered Dally's words the rest of the morning. By the time they gathered for lunch, the wallpaper border was up, and the women were in fine spirits.

"Where are the men today?" Marnie asked, looking around as though she expected Hunter to join their women-only gathering like he had the day they'd met to help Dally choose the nursery's paint and wallpaper.

"Nik is at the hospital performing an emergency surgery," Dally said, passing a bowl of salad to Aundy after taking a serving. "Dad went with Hunter over to his place. Walker's crew is working hard on the house, and Hunter wanted Dad's thoughts on a few things."

Luna felt disappointed she wouldn't have the opportunity to see Hunter, but she was glad he was spending time with his father. Things he'd said and hadn't said, made her think his father had been upset about his moving to Pendleton. Perhaps Mr. Douglas had a change of heart after seeing how excited Hunter was about his place.

As they ate, Luna watched Dacey. She found the woman to be as full of fun as her daughter. But she wore expensive clothes, even to paint in, and she had the appearance of someone cultured, sophisticated, and wealthy.

Luna could never live up to that. Never be part of that.

The truth of her future, or more aptly, the lack of any hope of a future with Hunter, crashed over her. She might have wished for one with him, might have dreamed it would happen, may have even held out hope of the possibility they could be together, but she knew it was just wishes and dreams and pure folly on her part.

Suddenly losing her appetite and her joy in the day, Luna toyed with the food on her plate, unable to take more than a few bites. She volunteered to wash the dishes and clean up while the others returned to the work of transforming the bedroom upstairs into a nursery for a much-wanted and beloved child.

Luna wished she would be in Pendleton to see the baby once it arrived, but she knew what she had to do. It was time to return to New York City and her family.

Even if she had no desire to leave Pendleton, she couldn't stay. Not when Hunter would eventually forget all about her, fall in love with a suitable bride, and marry a woman who would fit in with his family.

When Caterina breezed into the kitchen to get a drink of water, she stopped next to Luna and put her hand on her cheek.

"Are you not feeling well, bambina?" Concern made lines deepen on Caterina's brow.

"No. I need some air. Would you mind if I walk home?"

"Not at all, but I'll drive you back to town." The woman took two steps toward the doorway, no doubt intending to tell everyone they were leaving.

Luna grabbed onto her hand to stop her. "No, Caterina. I'll walk. The air and exercise will do me good."

Caterina studied her a moment, then nodded. "I'll let the others know you needed to leave." Her cousin gave her a hug and kissed both of her cheeks, then Luna slipped out the door and walked back toward Pendleton.

She wasn't in a hurry and took her time meandering along the road. She stopped to get out of the sun beneath a big cottonwood tree and found a dandelion blossom that had dried to a puffball of fuzz.

Luna knelt down and plucked the stem, closed her eyes, and wished with all her heart that Hunter would spend his life with a woman he truly loved. One who loved him deeply and completely in return, even if that woman wasn't meant to be her.

Tears burned her eyes when she rose to her feet, and she ran the rest of the way into town. She cut through alleys and avoided speaking to anyone as she made her way to Tony and Ilsa's home. Once there, she threw herself on her bed and cried until her heart felt like it had cracked into a thousand pieces.

When Ilsa returned home, Luna rolled onto her side, with her back to the door, and pretended to be asleep.

The next morning, she rose early and went downstairs, making a big breakfast and forcing herself to act normally as they ate and then readied for the church service.

Once they were seated at the church, Luna could feel Hunter's gaze on her. Following the service, she walked with Tony, Ilsa, and Laila down the aisle, listening to her family and friends talk about their plans to gather at Dogwood Corners for the afternoon.

After she'd greeted the pastor and his wife and stepped outside, Luna wanted to run back to Tony and Ilsa's home and hide in her room.

Instead, she'd only taken a few steps away from the others when she felt the warmth of a big hand on her arm and turned to find Hunter giving her a curious glance.

"Luna, are you well?" he asked quietly, his voice and expression both holding concern.

"Yes, I'm fine. How are you?"

"Well enough." He took a step closer to her, then another. His hand captured hers, giving it a light squeeze. "I've sure missed you, Luna Moona. I'd hoped to see you yesterday, but you'd already gone before Dad and I got back to the ranch."

"I'm sorry I missed you." Luna couldn't bring herself to look into his face, to see the questions she was sure would be in his gorgeous gray eyes. "How are things going at your house?"

"Walker's crew is making excellent progress. He thinks everything may be finished by the first of November. It just depends on how the weather holds for the next few weeks. The new windows are all installed, and a new roof is on, though. They should finish the bathrooms this week and the downstairs additions by the end of the month. Then it will mostly be installing the flooring and painting. Once the siding goes up, the house will be just about finished."

"That's wonderful news. I know you are anxious to be able to move in and make it your own."

Hunter nodded and took another step closer. The toes of his boots touched the tips of her shoes. "Are you still interested in helping me sort out the attic?"

"I am interested in looking through all the treasures there, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to help."

"Oh," Hunter said, sounding disappointed.

Everything in Luna wanted to tell him she'd spend every minute she could with him, going through every box up in the attic if he wanted, but she didn't. Not when she needed to get away from him—leave him—and never look back.

The strength to do that, though, seemed to be more than she could summon at the moment. "I could help you this afternoon, I suppose."

Hunter grinned. "I would love that. Are you going to Dogwood Corners for lunch?"

"That's the current plan," she said, glancing to where Ilsa spoke with Marnie and Aundy.

"I'll meet you there, and then we can drive over to my house after we eat, if that would work for you." Hunter looked pleased at the prospect of spending time with her, and it made her heart ache.

Luna nodded in agreement when she really wanted to shout that nothing was working for her. Not her thoughts, not her hopes, and certainly not her heart. "I'll see you there," she said, then pulled her hand from Hunter's grasp and hurried toward Tony's automobile that he'd already started. Laila was riding out to the orphanage with Sophie and the Thorsen family, so that just left Ilsa to get into the auto so they could leave.

Tony took one look at Luna, tooted the horn, and yelled, "Chickadee, you can visit all you want when we get there."

Ilsa shot Tony a dark look, said something to Aundy, then rushed over to the auto.

"That was terribly rude, Tony Campanelli!"

"Probably, but it is time to go." Tony tipped his head toward Luna.

Ilsa glanced back at her, started to say something, then snapped her mouth shut and nodded once at her husband.

None of them spoke as they returned to the house. Luna went upstairs and changed into a dark blue riding skirt with an eggplant-colored shirtwaist, and added a jacket of dark blue that had purple and yellow flowers embroidered in vertical stripes along the front.

She didn't bother with a hat or gloves but pulled on a pair of sturdy walking boots before she hastened to the kitchen and helped Tony pack the food she'd made for the picnic into a large basket.

"Chickadee, let's go!" Tony hollered with his head raised to the ceiling, then looked at Luna. "If you aren't feeling well, you can stay here, Luna."

"No, I want to go." Luna didn't say she figured it would be her last opportunity to join in one of the shared meals that included relatives and friends.

Ilsa breezed into the kitchen in what she referred to as an older dress, but it still looked more stylish and expensive than the clothes most of the women in town wore. Luna admired the woman's style and exquisite taste.

The drive out to the orphanage passed quickly. The dogwood trees that lined the drive were still green, but Luna imagined what they'd look like after the first frost and the leaves turned crimson. She'd heard stories about how gorgeous the trees were in the spring when they bloomed. She'd hoped to be in Pendleton to experience it and the annual ball held there in the spring. However, it looked like she'd be back in New York with her parents and siblings.

Luna did look forward to seeing her family, even if she didn't want to leave the town that had become her home. But she had to.

Her inner battle of what she wanted to do and what she felt she needed to do continued through lunch. She purposely seated herself between Laila and Rachel with a group of the younger girls, listening to them giggle and chatter.

As soon as the meal was over and Luna had helped with the dishes, Hunter appeared at her side.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked, giving her such a hopeful, earnest look, she couldn't have refused to go even if it were the last thing she wanted to do, which it wasn't.

"Yes. Just let me tell Ilsa or Tony where I'll be." Luna hurried away from him and found Tony showing one of the boys from the orphanage how to use a Kodak camera.

He glanced over at Luna and took a few steps in her direction. "Is something wrong?" he asked with worry in his expression.

"No. I told Hunter I'd help him sort through some boxes in his attic. He wants to get it all cleared out before the house is finished. I just wanted to let you know that's where I'll be. He'll drive me home later."

"That's fine, Luna. Are you certain you feel well?"

A lump rose in her throat at how much Tony looked and sounded like her papa. "Yes, I'm certain, Tony. Thank you. I'll see you and Ilsa later. I'm not sure what time, though."

"That's fine. I trust you, even if Hunter may be questionable." He grinned. "Have fun."

"Thanks." Luna watched as he returned to helping the boy, who was about the same age as Laila, then hurried over to where Hunter waited at his automobile.

He helped her in and started it up, and soon, they were driving down the quiet road toward his property.

When he turned and drove up the lane, Luna looked around with interest. The overgrown grass and weeds had been mown, and the house looked different now with the new windows. The porch had been torn off, and a new one built in its place that extended around both sides of the house instead of just across the front. She could see the new addition taking shape at the back of the house. The shingles of the new roof looked so fresh and clean.

"Oh, it's wonderful, Hunter. It will look magnificent when it's all finished."

He smiled, pleased by her words. "I think it will too."

He parked and hurried around the auto to give her a hand, then led her up the new smooth steps of the porch, unlocked the door, and motioned for her to go inside.

The day was warm, so she removed her jacket and left it on the newel post of the stairs.

"Come on. You can see what they've accomplished since the last time you were here." Hunter showed her the repairs that had been made to existing rooms, the bookshelves that had been added for the library, the laundry room with two deep sinks, the bathroom, and the housekeeper's bedroom at the back of the house. The new additions were framed, and a roof covered them, but the inside walls were not yet complete. If it rained, though, workers could finish the job without worrying about the weather.

"They're doing fine work, Hunter, and so quickly. You must be thrilled."

"I am pretty pleased about it all."

"Shall we get to work?" Luna asked, wanting to accomplish as much as she could since it would be her only afternoon to help in the attic, not to mention her last day with Hunter.

Thoughts of telling him goodbye made her want to cry, so she ignored them and followed him up to the attic. Luna unbuttoned her cuffs and rolled up her sleeves, then opened a box and got to work.

Hunter organized while she sorted. Papers that were of no use to him, like personal letters of the previous occupants of the house, went in one pile. Other papers, like deeds and titles, and even the original blueprints of the house, went into another pile.

Luna found boxes of photographs of people neither of them recognized and decided to put them in a pile to take to Nora Nash. She and J.B. had been in Pendleton for decades and would likely know who the photos belonged to.

A trunk Luna opened contained an entire set of gorgeous, gold-edged delicate china painted with sprigs of violets. If she could have sorted through hundreds of dish patterns, it was the one she would have chosen.

"Well, Luna Moona, those dishes certainly look like you." Hunter picked up a dinner plate, brushed away the dust with his shirt sleeve, and held it up. "You should keep them."

"I couldn't." But Luna wanted to. She wanted them to belong to her, to use them in this house, and create a lifetime of memories of special meals and family gatherings right there with Hunter.

"They are meant to be yours, Luna," he insisted.

Disappointment rolled over her. "I don't have anywhere to put them, Hunter."

"Leave them here for now, but they belong to you." He returned the plate to the trunk, closed the lid, and shoved it to the side near the stairs.

Luna found a trunk full of beautiful table linens, another full of sheets, and a third one filled with finely made blankets. "These will be beautiful in your home, Hunter. They just need a thorough cleaning. It's a miracle that mice haven't found a way into these chests."

"They've probably been locked up tight for who knows how many years. I'll haul all this stuff to the laundry in town when I have somewhere to put them." He opened a small trunk and removed what appeared to be an ebony box.

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

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

"Yep. You want it?"

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

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

"Great. I'll have my yet-to-be-hired housekeeper see to that."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Only one way to answer that question."

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

"These are going to be perfect in the library."

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

"Because?"

"It would be a wonderful place to sit and read on a cold winter's day. Or evening."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He stood and drew her to her feet and into his arms. In need of a distraction from her attraction to him—her need to be held and loved by him—she leaned back and looked at him in the twilight. "Why do you call me that? Luna Moona?"

"Luna means moon, doesn't it?" Hunter asked, tracing the line of her jaw with the tip of his index finger. His touch sent a delicious shiver gliding along her spine.

"It does. So you're calling me my name twice?"

"No, it's just a nickname. For fun. Because I like you. A lot." Hunter sighed and pointed to the sky where the moon was moving into view. "Whenever I look at the moon, I think of you, Luna. I think of your beautiful eyes and your smile full of light, and your sweet face. I think of how you make me feel in here."

He took her hand and placed it over his heart. She could feel it pounding, just like her own thundering wildly in her chest. "Luna, you have to know by now how I—"

She couldn't bear to hear him say more. If he told her he loved her, she'd never find the strength to leave, and that was exactly what she needed to do. Luna didn't belong in a home like the one Hunter would soon live in, filled with costly things.

She was plain Luna, who grew up in a small apartment with four siblings and her parents. The nicest thing they owned was a clock her parents received as a wedding gift. They didn't have jewels or fancy china or leather furniture. Mostly, what they had was each other.

So, rather than allow Hunter to say something she'd never be able to forget, she stood on the tips of her toes, pulled his head to hers, and kissed him. Kissed him like it was the last time she'd ever feel his lips on hers. The last chance she had to be loved. The last moment she'd ever experience such ardent bliss.

Hunter took control of the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet. Luna had no idea she could feel so much all at once. It felt like a door to her heart had been thrown wide open, and now that it was, it would be impossible to ever shut it again.

She had no idea how long they kissed, but she knew how deeply she felt connected to Hunter. It was a connection that would never fade, never be severed, no matter how far she ran from him.

Yet, she wouldn't and couldn't stay.

Abruptly, she broke off the kiss and lifted her head. "It's time for me to go home, Hunter."

"I know. I sure wish it weren't, though." He set her back on her feet and then surprised her when he gave her a hug so tender she felt as though it allowed their souls to touch. He moved back and took her hand in his. "Let's get you home before I decide to keep you here forever."

His tone was teasing, but Luna wished the words weren't meant in jest.

Hunter locked the back door, then they walked around the porch to the front, and he locked the door. He led her out to his automobile and started the car, and soon, they were pulling up in front of Tony and Ilsa's home. Luna was chilled completely through, having forgotten her jacket at Hunter's house, but she kept it to herself.

"I guess this is good night," Hunter said as he dashed around the auto and gave her a hand as she got out.

"Your fingers are like ice, Luna," he admonished, took her hands between his, and blew warmth on them, weakening her resolve to never see him again.

Hunter wove their fingers together and led her up the front walk and porch steps. "I sure enjoyed the afternoon and evening with you, Luna Moona. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for letting me dig through your treasures, Hunter. I …" The lump that lodged in her throat threatened to choke off her airway. She swallowed hard and forced herself to speak. "I'll never forget today, Hunter, or you. Goodbye." She kissed his cheek, opened the door, and closed it quietly behind her, knowing she'd just closed the portal to the last of her hopes and wishes.

"Luna, is that you?" Tony called from the parlor.

"Yes. I'm filthy from digging through Hunter's attic. I'm going to take a bath and head to bed. Good night."

"Night."

Luna raced upstairs and took a bath, washed her hair, then sat by her window staring at the moon long after she should have been asleep. She finally climbed into bed and pulled up the covers, knowing it was her last night of sleeping in luxury.

When she awakened in the morning, she hastily packed her trunks, dressed in her traveling suit, and rushed down to the kitchen.

"Good morning," Ilsa said with a bright smile as she sat at the table, sipping from a cup of hot tea. "Did you have fun yesterday?"

"I did," Luna said, absently rubbing the pendant Hunter had given to her.

"What's that?" Laila asked as she skipped into the kitchen, then stopped to admire the necklace.

"We found it yesterday. Hunter insisted I keep it."

Ilsa rose and walked over to look at the beautiful purple stone. "It's lovely, and it suits you so well, Luna." Ilsa gave her a curious look, then took in her attire. "Are you taking a trip somewhere?"

"Yes, actually, I am. Is Tony still here?"

"Did I hear my name?" Tony asked as he stepped into the kitchen with a pail of milk.

"There's something I wanted to talk to all of you about."

Tony nodded and set the milk on the counter by the sink. "Let's eat first, then talk."

Luna helped him serve the casserole he'd made of leftover ham mixed with eggs and cheese. They enjoyed it with cinnamon apple muffins left over from those she'd baked yesterday morning.

Once they'd all eaten, Tony sat back and looked at Luna. "You're leaving us, aren't you?"

Luna nodded, forcing herself not to cry. "I don't want to leave, but I have to. Being here with you all has been an experience I'll never forget, and I'm so very grateful to the three of you for making me so welcome and giving me a home while I was here."

"You can't leave us, Luna. You just can't!" Laila wailed and jumped out of her chair. She plopped onto Luna's seat beside her and gave her a tight hug. "I'll miss you so much!"

"I'll miss you too, Laila. All of you. I hope you'll come and visit us in New York again. Perhaps in the spring?"

"Perhaps," Tony said, nodding slowly. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"It's not what I want at all, but it is what I need to do."

Laila's sobbing increased, and Ilsa stood, pulling her daughter up with her. "Come along, darling. Let's give your daddy a few minutes with Luna."

When they left the room, Tony cleared his throat, and Luna met his gaze. "I can't stay here, Tony. Not when I love Hunter so much."

"Did he say or do something to make you want to leave?" Tony's expression darkened. "If he did, I'll—"

Luna held up a hand and interrupted him. "No, of course not. He's a gentleman. Caring. Kind. One of the best men I've ever encountered." A sigh worked its way from the depths of her heart. "Hunter lives in a different world than I do, Tony. He's used to luxury and wealth and sophistication. I'm none of those things and never will be. He needs to marry someone who knows what an oyster fork is and how to use it, not a girl who is content just to have a knife, fork, and spoon to use."

"Hunter doesn't care about all that nonsense. He cares about you."

Luna stood and started pacing the kitchen. "But he shouldn't, Tony. I'm not good enough for him and never will be. He deserves so much better. What if we were at some fancy dinner party with his parents, and I had one of my anxiety episodes? They would be embarrassed, and I would be mortified. Hunter would be so much better off with someone more suited to his lifestyle."

"But Luna, you can surely see …" Tony paused and sighed. "If you want to go, nothing I say will change your mind. Are you really planning to leave today?"

Luna nodded. "Yes. I'd like to leave on the morning train if it isn't too late to get a ticket. My trunks are packed, but I won't need anything in them right away. Perhaps you could send them whenever you have time to leave them at the depot?"

"Sure, Luna. I can take them sometime this week. I'll drive you over to the depot, but I have a few errands to see to first. Will that be okay?" Tony stood and walked over to her, wrapping her in one of the fatherly hugs she'd taken such comfort in during the past few months.

"Yes, and thank you, Tony. For everything."

"You're welcome, Luna. I hope you'll come see us again someday."

"Someday." Luna stepped back from him and went upstairs to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything important.

She heard Ilsa on the telephone as she carried her traveling bag downstairs, but she didn't linger to listen to what she was saying.

An hour later, Tony, Ilsa, and Laila drove her to the train depot. When Luna got out of the automobile, Caterina, Kade, and their children were there.

Caterina started to cry, and Luna found herself unable to hold back her tears. Soon Ilsa, Laila, and Rachel joined them until it looked like they were all in deep mourning.

"Oh, stop with the waterworks," Tony finally said, settling one arm around Ilsa and the other around Laila. "Let's celebrate these months we've had with Luna instead of acting like we'll never see her again. It's not like the train will stop running between here and there."

Caterina sniffled and dabbed at her nose with a handkerchief Kade handed to her. "Well, of course we'll see her again. We'll plan a trip to New York next year." She took one more look at Luna, pulled her to her and began muttering in Italian. Luna understood what she was saying, but it didn't make her heart hurt any less as her cousin told her how much she was loved and needed there.

"All aboard!" the conductor called.

Luna took a handkerchief from her pocket, wiped away her tears, then hugged Tony, Ilsa, and Laila again. She kissed Ben and Brett on their cheeks, making the boys blush. She hugged Rachel and Caterina, then found herself pulled into a tight embrace by Kade.

"We're sure gonna miss you, little Luna." He kissed her cheek and grinned at her, then patted his pockets. "Would you mind doing me a favor when you arrive in Baker City?"

"Anything. What can I do?" she asked.

Kade pulled an envelope from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. "It would sure be a help to me if you could deliver that to my friend, Tully Barrett. You'll find him at the sheriff's office in Baker City. You should have plenty of time. The train usually has an hour wait there before heading down the track again."

"Tully Barrett at the sheriff's office. I can do that, Kade."

Luna took a step toward the train, then stopped, imprinting the faces of her loved ones in her memories and heart. "I love you all so much. Take care!" She waved, then hurried up the steps and found a seat at the front of a passenger car.

By sheer force of will, she kept from crying all the way to Baker City. When she arrived, she was hungry and heartsore, but she rushed off the train, stopped to use the lavatory at the depot, then asked directions to the sheriff's office. She headed directly there with Kade's letter in hand.

She opened the door to the office and saw a big man behind a desk who looked up at her with a welcoming smile when she stepped inside.

"Howdy, miss. How may I help you?" the man asked, rising to his feet.

"Deputy Kade Rawlings in Pendleton asked me to bring Tully Barrett this letter."

"I'm Tully. How do you know Kade?"

"He's married to my cousin, Caterina. I'm Luna Campanelli."

"I see the resemblance. Nice to meet you, Miss Campanelli." Tully held out his hand, and she gave him the envelope. She wasn't certain if she should leave or wait for him to read it.

"That was nice of you to bring this to me. I'll skim through it if you don't mind waiting a moment."

"No. I just need to be sure I'm on the train when it leaves for Boise." Luna glanced around the small but tidy office as Tully, who wore a sheriff's badge, read the note, grinned, and tucked it back into the envelope.

"Well, Miss Campanelli, it seems Kade has a couple of requests, and one is for me to show you something very few people who are friends with him get to see."

"Really?" Luna asked, wondering what the sheriff was about to show her. He walked over to a door across the room and opened it, then motioned for her to join him.

Inside were jail cells, all of them empty. He opened the door to a cell and stepped inside. "Come right on in. You ever been inside a cell before?"

"Gracious, no!" Luna felt uncomfortable and uncertain, but she followed him.

"See that up there on the wall?" Tully pointed toward the top of the cell by the ceiling.

"No. What am I looking at?" Luna asked, squinting her eyes as she tried to focus on something remarkable.

"Take a step closer," Tully said. "It's right up there near the top of the wall."

Luna walked over until she stood directly beneath the wall and stared upward. She could make out what appeared to be a few letters carved in the wall. She thought they might spell Fred, but wasn't certain. She heard footsteps and a creak. When she turned around, Tully had locked the cell door, trapping her inside.

"Sir? What is the meaning of this?" Luna rushed across the cell, which took all of five steps, and wrapped her hands around the bars. "Please, Sheriff? I don't understand what is happening."

"I'm not entirely certain myself, but Kade is quite adamant that you miss the train today. Settle in and make yourself comfortable. Would you like a book to read? Some lunch?"

Luna was so furious she couldn't keep from stamping her feet. "I demand you release me at once, sir. I don't know what prank Kade is pulling, but I won't stand for it. And what nonsense did you utter about me seeing something few of Kade's friends have? That was all a trick!"

The sheriff shook his head. "No, that was the truth. There are very few of Kade's friends who have seen the inside of one of my jail cells. As for what you were looking at, it's the nickname I gave my wife. I carved the name up on the wall in the cell where she spent some time when we were courting."

"You locked your wife in a jail cell?" Luna couldn't help but gape at the man. He appeared friendly and kind, but a terrible beast must lurk beneath his misleading exterior. "On what grounds?"

"Tickling my fancy," Tully said with a chuckle and backed toward the doorway. "Now, how about that lunch? The hotel makes a mighty fine meal. Do you like chicken?"

Luna wanted to scream and shout and kick things, like Kade and Tony. She had a feeling her cousin's important errand earlier that morning was to hatch this scheme with Kade to waylay her. For what purpose, she had no idea. Surely, one of them would send word to release her before she had to spend the night in jail. Wouldn't they?

She couldn't think of a single reason they would have her delayed in such a humiliating manner. Perhaps they thought if they stopped her, she'd have second thoughts about leaving. No wonder Tony had been so agreeable about shipping her trunks later. He'd likely never planned to send them at all.

After stamping her feet again, she released an angry breath, forcing herself to calm down. She couldn't spend the day in a fury. When she was no longer seeing red, she looked to the sheriff, realizing he was only doing what Kade had asked. "Chicken will do quite nicely."

Luna glanced at the lumpy mattress and resigned herself to standing until she was released. When she got her hands on Tony and Kade, they would regret interfering with her plans to run away from Pendleton, Hunter, and her heart's dearest wishes.