Chapter Seven

"You can do this. You absolutely can do this," Luna chanted to the image in the cheval mirror in her bedroom at Tony and Ilsa's home.

She smoothed a hand down the front of her deep purple cotton gown. It was one of her favorites, trimmed in matching lace along the yoke and down the center of the skirt. A high lace neckline hid her detestable scar and also made her feel more refined and elegant. She settled a fashionable straw hat on her head, accented with a plume and flowers in the same rich shade of purple that always made her think of royalty.

Another glance at her reflection left her annoyed to see fear lingering in her eyes. "Don't be a ninny," she warned her image. She would not have another attack of panic today. She simply refused to allow it to happen. Not when she wanted to enjoy the circus and an evening with Hunter.

Luna gave her image one last look, then spun away, picked up her handbag and gloves, and hurried down the back stairs. Tony and Ilsa had both closed their businesses early so they could take Laila and join the throngs attending the Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill'sWild West event.

The opportunity to see Buffalo Bill Cody would have drawn Luna to the show even if nothing else had. However, she eagerly anticipated the performances, not to mention the opportunity to spend time with Hunter. Despite her wants, she knew it would be wise to keep her distance from him.

It wasn't Hunter specifically she needed to avoid, but men in general. She still hadn't recovered from Matteo's loss and had no business getting involved in another relationship. Not when her heart still felt so raw and ragged and bruised.

Then again, Hunter had made no indication he was interested in a relationship with her other than perhaps friendship. Luna knew she needed all the friends she could make. Besides, what could it hurt to spend a few hours at the circus?

She heard the doorbell and rushed along the hallway. Before she opened the portal, she took a moment to inhale and release a deep breath, calming her skittish nerves. When she turned the knob and opened the door, Hunter greeted her with a warm smile, his hat held in one hand and the other behind his back.

At least, she thought it was Hunter. The man on the other side of the screen door had a clean-shaven face, showing off his incredible square jawline. His hair, dark and gleaming, was trimmed into a short style that waved and curled on top of his head. Instead of the dusty clothes of a cowboy, he wore what she knew to be an expensive pale gray suit made of wool so fine it was lighter than cotton. It was tailored to fit his broad shoulders, trim waist, and thighs muscled from all the time he spent in a saddle. He wore a crisp white shirt with an elegant, gray-striped tie. Even the shoes on his feet, which were polished to a high shine, looked expensive.

If he was nothing more than a ranch hand, Luna would eat her best hat.

"Howdy, Luna," Hunter said, drawing her from her gaping study of his finely attired form.

"Hello, Hunter." She pushed open the screen door, and he stepped into the house. Slowly, he brought the hand he'd hidden behind his back into view, holding out a bouquet of fragrant, colorful flowers in a heavy crystal vase.

"These are glorious. Thank you," she said, accepting the vase and sniffing the blossoms.

"You look wonderful, Luna." Hunter offered her a soft smile.

Uncertain of his intentions, or hers for that matter, she turned and carried the vase into the parlor, leaving the flowers on the end table nearest the door. Luna knew from having recently perused the selection at the crystal shop in Baker City the vase was expensive.

If Hunter were merely Dally's hired hand, he wouldn't be able to afford such lavish expenses. Furthermore, how could he look so at home in his stylish, tailored attire?

Confused and somewhat suspicious but determined to set aside her concerns and enjoy the evening, Luna turned and found Hunter standing in the doorway, hat in his hand.

"Dally helped me with the flowers," he said, as though he was perhaps as nervous as Luna felt.

Heartened to realize she wasn't alone in her uncertainty, she smiled as she walked out of the room. "They are truly lovely and so fragrant. It was kind of you to bring them. I can put them in a different vase if you need to return that one to Dally."

"No. She has a shelf full of vases and chose that one for you." Hunter motioned toward the door. "Shall we go? All anyone has talked about today is the circus."

Luna walked out the door ahead of Hunter. He turned the lock, then closed the door before he settled his hat on his head and held out his arm to her. She took it, and together, they strolled down the walk toward what was clearly a new auto. The cream vehicle with black trim, red wheels, and red leather seats looked luxurious, yet it also appeared as though it would go faster than most automobiles.

"What is it?" she asked as Hunter held open the gate for her to walk through.

"A 1914 Stutz Bearcat. It's a graduation present from my grandmother." Hunter motioned toward the street. "We can drive to the circus. However, considering the number of people attending, I thought it might be easier to walk. I'll let you choose."

"Let's walk. It's such a pleasant day. I'm sure finding a place to park will prove to be a nightmarish experience." Luna turned, and they headed up the street. As they walked, her thoughts circled around his mention of the car being a graduation present. What college had he attended? What courses had he studied? How could he, as a mere ranch hand, have afforded the education? If his grandmother had given him the auto as a gift, perhaps she was wealthy and the reason for Hunter's costly attire.

"I think I may have mentioned it earlier, but you are incredibly beautiful, Miss Campanelli," Hunter said, yanking her from her musings.

"Thank you, kind sir." She hoped her cheeks didn't appear as flushed as they felt as she caught Hunter staring at her as though he were committing her appearance to memory.

Which was ridiculous. Utter nonsense.

However, she cast several covert glances at him, wishing she could remove her gloves and rub her hand over the fine fabric of his suit.

Ilsa had all types of fabric at her store, from plain cotton to wool and silk. Luna had become familiar with most of them, learning about the different uses, weights, and textures. She knew if she touched Hunter's arm, the fabric would feel luxurious.

"You're awfully quiet, Luna. Are you well?" Hunter's voice held a note of concern.

"Oh, quite well. Thank you for inquiring," she said, then forced herself to act like a normal human being instead of one speculating about Hunter's finances and integrity. "How are things at the ranch? Have you been working with any new horses?"

Hunter nodded as they waited on the corner to cross the street. Three wagons and four automobiles full of happy faces drove by, all headed in the direction of the huge circus tent set up on the edge of town.

"The ranch is good. I'm working with three new horses. I spend an hour with each of them, and there are also four others in various stages of training I've been working with. Dally has finally arrived at the conclusion that I know what I'm doing and stopped sitting on the fence, barking orders nonstop." He grinned at her. "I'm not sure if the horses, Dally, Nik, Rowdy, or I are the most relieved."

Luna laughed. "All of the above mentioned, I'm sure." She pointed to one of the errand boys in town who held a sign on a tall stick that pointed the way to the circus. It wasn't as if anyone looking to go could get lost. Between the tent, the crowds, and the sounds of the animals, it would have been hard to miss.

"Shall we get something to eat? Or would you prefer to look around?" Hunter asked as they made their way closer to the event.

"Perhaps we should eat first, then we'll be free to look to our heart's content," Luna suggested.

"Would a hotdog suit your tastes?" Hunter asked as they reached the open field taken over by the circus for the day. A huge banner proclaimed the circus to be the largest in the world. Based on the size of the big tent, Luna thought the claims might actually be true.

"I heard the tent takes up eleven acres of ground, and it can seat fourteen thousand people," Hunter said as he headed toward a vendor with a hotdog stand.

"Really? That is incredible. I suppose that's why they only charge a quarter for admission while still making a profit." She glanced around at the throngs of people swarming around outside. "I think they might hit maximum capacity here in Pendleton."

Hunter grinned. "They just might." He placed an order for three hotdogs with the vendor. Once they had their food, Hunter tipped his head toward a stand selling programs. The side of it was in the shade, and no one was standing there. "Let's eat over there."

The two of them quickly ate their hotdogs, eager to explore. Hunter again offered his arm, and they strolled along the midway. Several people stopped to talk to them, and Laila ran over, showing off a kewpie doll Tony had won for her. Tony carried a camera, taking photographs to document the occasion.

"Would you like to sit on an elephant?" A woman in a dazzling costume asked as Hunter and Luna started to walk by.

Luna looked at Hunter.

He shrugged and nodded to the woman. "Sure. What do we need to do?"

The woman made the elephant get down on the ground, massive legs stretched out in front of it. Then she motioned for Hunter to climb onto the animal's back. He did, then reached down for Luna, pulling her up to sit in front of him.

"Smile!" Tony said, stepping close and taking a few photographs.

Hunter jumped down, then held his arms up for Luna. She felt his hands around her waist and experienced a thrilling jolt as he set her on her feet.

Luna purposefully ignored the feelings Hunter ignited in her and turned to pat the elephant's neck. "What's his name?" she asked the costumed woman.

"Clyde."

Hunter grinned and joined Luna in petting the elephant. "Thank you, Clyde, for letting us sit on you for a moment."

The elephant swished his ears, then Hunter again held out his arm to Luna. They continued strolling around, taking in all there was to see. Together, they looked at Bon, the hippo, watched clowns clowning around, and eyed the cages that held leopards, tigers, and lions.

"What is that?" Luna asked as an animal was led past them. It had stripes like a zebra but looked more like a donkey.

"That's a cross between a burro and a zebra," said the attendant at the fortune-telling booth.

Hunter gave the animal another look, and they resumed their stroll along the midway.

"Shall we take a seat?" Hunter asked as people began streaming into the big tent.

"Yes, please." Luna wasn't surprised when Hunter stopped and purchased two lemonades and a bag of popcorn for them to share, as well as a program.

"This isn't a very fine meal to feed you," he said as he offered his arm to her again, even though he held lemonade in one hand and popcorn in the other. She placed her hand on his arm, and they entered the big tent.

Inside, Luna tipped her head back and stared at the domed tent held up by thick poles and ropes. Two rings and three stages spread out in the center of the tent, with rows and rows of bleacher seats circling the edges of the massive space.

"There's Dally and Nik. Do you mind if we sit with them?" Hunter asked, tipping his head to the left.

"Not at all," Luna said, dragging her gaze from the ropes crisscrossing the tent to the couple waving at them from a few rows up.

Seated around Dally and Nik were Garrett and Aundy Nash and their children, Rowdy and Cornelia Logan, Lars and Marnie Thorsen, with several of the children from the orphanage, as well as the Walsh and Hill families. Luna caught sight of Laila skipping along with Sophie Thorsen as they headed toward the popcorn vendor.

"Hello!" various voices called in friendly greeting.

Luna smiled and settled onto the wooden seat next to Dally, with Hunter taking the seat beside her.

The more people who filled the seats, the more tense Luna grew. By the time the circus began, she'd consumed all her lemonade and placed the cup at her feet to keep from twisting it around and around in her hands. She knew she was safe. She knew she'd have fun. But something about the noise of the crowds, the bodies pressed close together, left her unnerved.

Hunter picked up her hand as she plucked at the lace on her skirt and held it between his. She felt a measure of peace return when she looked into his face, and he smiled.

"Are you well, Luna?" he asked, repeating the question he'd asked earlier.

"Yes. Thank you." She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile, then turned to watch the ringmaster enter, doff his top hat, and take a deep bow.

Twenty-six acts were billed, and Luna forced herself to pay attention to each one. There were astounding horses that raced, performed tricks, and even danced. Acrobats swung across the dome of the tent, earning loud applause, and gymnasts earned equal accolades as they leaped through the air from one bar to another.

The woman who had asked if Luna would like to sit on an elephant rode into the tent on the tusk of a huge pachyderm, drawing gasps from the spectators as she appeared to put her life in the hands of the five elephants in her act.

Luna joined her resounding applause to those around her as Zora, the elephant tamer, left the tent.

"Look! There he is," Dally said, pointing to an older man with long hair, a goatee, and a regal bearing as he rode into the tent.

Luna studied the famous Buffalo Bill Cody while his Wild West performers filled the tent with excitement and noise. He didn't seem particularly enthused to be there, but she supposed, after all the years he'd spent entertaining crowds, and the prestigious places he'd performed, Pendleton probably didn't seem all that wondrous to him.

After the Wild West performers left, there were clowns rolling and tumbling around. The band played a rousing tune. Unfortunately, the cymbals crashed at the same moment someone set off a string of firecrackers. Between the acrid smoke, the popping noise, the heat, and the jostling crowds, Luna felt the darkness begin to swallow her whole.

Before she fainted in the midst of the bleachers, she hopped up, scrambled past Dally and Nik, and raced out of the tent.

Outside, she kept running until she got past the vendors and braced a hand against a fence post. She closed her eyes, bent halfway over, and dragged air into her burning lungs.

Even though she knew she was in Pendleton, it felt like she was back in New York City. The screams and shouts of one terrible day echoed around her while she recalled her blood mingling in the pool surrounding Matteo as she held his head on her lap and he drew in his last breath.

"Luna?" A gentle hand touched her shoulder and she snapped upright, turning a panicked gaze to Hunter.

Concern etched a furrow across his brow, making the scar above his left eye stand out against his tanned face. Without thinking, she traced her finger over the white line. "How did you get that?"

He seemed confused, then realized she meant the scar. "My brother, Jeff, and I wanted to try fly fishing. Dad told us to wait, and he'd take us, but we decided to go without him. The first time Jeff cast his line, his hook caught me right there. I am eternally grateful I didn't lose an eye that day. Needless to say, once the doctor finished stitching me up, Dad paddled our backsides and sent us to our rooms without supper. Grandmama snuck up our plates later, but it was a lesson we never forgot. The scar is a reminder to me that I don't always know what's best, and it sometimes doesn't hurt to listen to instruction from those who are wiser."

Luna nodded and dropped her hand. "I'm sorry, Hunter. I don't want you to miss any of the fun."

He made a dismissive motion toward the tent. "It's almost over anyway. I will walk you home before the streets get crowded, unless you'd like to go back inside."

"No!" Luna shouted, then lowered her voice. "No, but thank you for offering. I would very much like to go home."

"Okay. I'll tell everyone I'm walking you home. Caterina and Ilsa, especially, are concerned for you."

"I didn't mean to worry anyone. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, Luna. Truly." Hunter gave her hand a light squeeze. "Would you like to wait outside the tent or stay here?"

"Here, please."

Hunter nodded and released her hand. "I'll just be a moment."

He took off at a jog and was gone only a few moments before he returned. Hunter wrapped her hand around his arm, and they started off toward Ilsa and Tony's house at a leisurely pace. Luna's legs felt shaky and weak, and she was grateful to have Hunter's arm for support. They were nearly to Ilsa and Tony's house when she felt a wave of dizziness pass over her. She stopped, and Hunter waited as she took several deep breaths before they continued up the drive and around to the back door.

Luna had her own key and used it to unlock the door. Inside, she yanked off her gloves, unpinned her hat, and motioned into the kitchen. "Have a seat. I'll be back shortly."

She walked down the hall to the bathroom, rolled up her sleeves to nearly her elbows, and washed her hands and forearms with cool water before splashing her face and patting it dry.

The image in the mirror above the sink showed not a happy girl who'd just come from an exciting circus performance but a woman who carried pain in her eyes and scars on her heart.

Luna stuck out her tongue at the image, then hastened to the kitchen where Hunter stood by the table looking out the window at the peaceful backyard.

"Would you like lemonade or tea?" she asked, shoving herself into the role of hostess.

"Tea would be nice. Thanks."

Luna filled two glasses with ice and poured in tea, then she took out a cake she'd baked that morning and cut two slices, placing them on dessert plates. After gathering napkins and forks, she loaded a tray and used her elbow to motion outside. "Let's sit on the porch. The evening breeze is always refreshing."

"Sure," Hunter said, going ahead of her to hold open the door.

Once they were seated at a table where the breeze blew over them, Luna took a deep drink of the tea.

Hunter forked a bite of the cake, gave her a look of surprise, then quickly ate two more bites. After wiping the napkin over his mouth, he grinned at her. "You can cook?"

Luna smiled. "I can. Surely, you didn't think Ilsa made that?"

"No. Not even for a moment. It's delicious. Do I taste lemon?"

"Yes, it's a lemon cream cake. My mama makes it in the summer. It's one of my favorite desserts."

"I can see why." Hunter took another bite, then drank half the glass of tea.

Luna pushed her plate of cake toward him, went inside to retrieve the pitcher of tea, and returned to refill his empty glass.

After she was again seated at the table, Hunter leaned back in his chair and studied her until she fought the urge to fidget. Finally, he reached out and took her hand in his again. The touch felt comforting. Reassuring.

"Want to talk about what happened at the circus? And the day you came to Pendleton?"

"Not particularly, but I suppose since you came to my rescue both times, you deserve to know."

"You don't have to tell me anything, Luna. Just know I'm here for you if you ever want to talk."

She nodded and let her gaze drift out to the barn. In the small pasture beside it, Tony's horses grazed in the gilded evening light. It was such a peaceful, serene picture, it helped her to relax her stiff shoulders and soothe her frayed nerves.

"The summary is that I was involved in a traumatizing experience, and now certain sounds and smells make me feel like I'm right back in the midst of it."

"I'm so sorry, Luna. What happened?"

"When I was seventeen, I met a boy in my aunt and uncle's store. He had recently arrived in America from Italy and was determined to make a good life for himself. He'd just turned eighteen and had found work as a bricklayer. Matteo Barone was a nice-looking boy, not as handsome as my present company, but attractive. The thing I noticed most about Matteo when I met him was his kindness. He was such a gentle, sweet soul."

Luna took a few sips of tea, needing to gather her thoughts before she could continue. Hunter's thumb lightly brushed across the back of her hand, lending her courage to go on with her story.

"We began courting and were eventually engaged to marry. Matteo had saved enough money to send for his brother to come to New York, so we were waiting for his arrival to wed. A year ago in May, we were out for a stroll on a busy street. The crowds were noisy and boisterous, nothing out of the ordinary, then suddenly, three men started shooting into the crowd. People were screaming and scrambling to get away. The acrid smell of gunpowder was heavy in the air, burning my nose and stinging my eyes. Matteo was shot three times. A bullet sliced across my neck. By some miracle, it didn't hit anything vital. I dropped to the sidewalk and cradled Matteo's head on my lap as blood gushed from my neck, dripping into the puddle created by his wounds. He looked up at me, whispered, ‘I love you,' and drew his last breath. His brother, Giulio, arrived on the day of Matteo's funeral. For months, I couldn't leave the house. Whenever I did, I panicked, seeing gunmen in every crowd, waiting for the first pop of a pistol or the smell of gunpowder to fill the air."

Luna sighed, hating what she saw as her weakness, something she had yet to entirely overcome, although she'd been much better the past few months.

Hunter lightly squeezed her hand. "You've been through so much, Luna. You're so brave to be here. It must have been hard to travel across the country alone."

She shrugged. "No harder than being at home with everyone tiptoeing around me lest they do something that sent me into another panic-driven episode, as my papa refers to them. After many discussions and much prayer, we all decided a fresh start might be good for me. Tony and Ilsa graciously offered me a place to stay, and Caterina offered me a job, although goodness knows she could hire someone far more qualified to work in her restaurant. At any rate, I'm sorry if I ruined your evening, Hunter, and I appreciate your kindness in making sure I made it home."

"You didn't ruin a thing, Luna. Not a thing." He looked like he wanted to say something more, then sighed and ran a hand through his hair, leaving it enticingly tousled. "If we're having confessional time, I ought to tell you something about me you may or may not know."

"What might that be? That you are not just Dally's hired hand, but a relative? Her brother, perhaps?" Luna felt irritation rising in her. She had no tolerance for being lied to and felt Hunter had purposely deceived her.

Hunter's expression revealed both guilt and surprise when his gaze connected to hers. "Yes. Dally is my sister. I would have told you that day on the train, but it was nice to talk to you as a cowboy named Hunter, not Hunter Douglas, son of Braxton Douglas and one of the heirs to Bramble Hall."

"Oh," Luna said, unaware he was an heir to anything grand. Earlier that evening, when he'd arrived at her door in his finery, with his fancy new automobile, she'd assumed that he had far more money than he'd let on, but an heir sounded … important and intimidating.

Silence fell between them as Hunter drained his tea glass a second time. Luna refilled it and sat back in her chair.

"What does that mean?" she asked quietly, trying to understand who Hunter really was. "Tell me your full name, about Bramble Hall, and why you think it was necessary to keep your identity a secret from me."

"My name is Hunter William Douglas. I am twenty-one, recently graduated from college, and the middle child of Braxton and Dacey Douglas. My mama grew up here in Pendleton, and we used to come every summer. Dally and I loved every minute of being here. Anyway, we spent the school year at our home, Bramble Hall, in North Carolina. I met a girl, Katherine, who made me think she was so deeply in love with me, nothing could ever change that. However, I discovered what she was deeply in love with was my family's money and the inheritance my grandfather left for me that I would receive upon my twenty-first birthday."

"That's terrible, Hunter."

He nodded and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. "It was a painful lesson, for sure, but a good one for me to learn. After Katherine's duplicity, I'm wary when I meet people. I'm never sure if they are nice to me because they like me or because they like my money. I really was in Baker City delivering a horse for Dally. You've probably heard by now she lives and breathes horses."

At Luna's nod, he continued. "When I boarded the train and saw the only open seat was next to you, I decided not to tell you who I was just to see if you might like Hunter the cowboy." He shrugged. "I thought you might figure things out on your own or that Ilsa or Caterina might say something to let you know I'm not just Dally's hired hand, although my sister sure treats me that way most of the time. I'm sorry for deceiving you, Luna. It won't happen again."

"Fair enough. And I'm sorry for ruining your evening, Hunter. I should have remained home because I had a feeling the crowds would be more than I could handle. I do apologize."

He leaned forward and sandwiched her hands between his. Luna found she liked the feel of his work-roughened hands around her own. She had no idea how much money Hunter may have, but his hands weren't those of a man of leisure. They belonged to someone who worked hard. He could make light of his situation, but a lesser man wouldn't have put in the long days he did training his sister's horses. He would have simply hired someone to do the job.

"Do not apologize, Luna. Had I known your story before, I would have been better prepared to help you. As it was, you didn't ruin anything. I'll admit I was rather disappointed ol' Buffalo Bill barely did more than ride around the tent and leave. I don't think the Wild West show held much excitement for the people who live in the town that hosts the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up."

"The Round-Up is certainly something everyone talks about all the time. Is it really as exciting as the claims make it out to be?"

Hunter grinned. "It certainly is. We'll plan to go in September, but I'll make sure you aren't packed into the crowds so you can enjoy it."

"Thank you. I'd like that very much."

Much to her shock, Hunter lifted his hand and pushed down the high lace collar of her dress. "Is this why you wear high collars all the time? To hide the scar?"

Stunned by his forwardness as well as the feel of his fingers brushing across the soft skin of her neck, she could do no more than nod.

His hand moved up to cup her cheek, and his thumb caressed her skin, while his gaze held hers. She could see warmth, admiration, and kindness in the depths of his captivating gray eyes.

"It's barely noticeable, Luna," Hunter said in a husky, hushed voice. "You shouldn't worry about covering it up. Let people see the brave woman you are. One who experienced something tragic and terrible but survived."

Tears stung her eyes, and she nodded, unable to speak. Before she could think of a suitable response, Laila raced onto the porch and plopped onto Luna's lap. "Wasn't it the best circus, Luna? Did you see the lions? They called them a troupe of lions! Daddy took photographs of them. I can't wait to see them."

The little girl's chatter erased any awkwardness Luna might have felt. Ilsa and Tony invited them inside, but Hunter shook his head. "I'd better get home before it gets too dark." He stood and gave Luna a long look. "Thank you for a memorable evening, Luna."

"Thank you, Hunter." Luna smiled and watched him walk down the porch steps and around the corner of the house.

"Come help me cut slices of that decadent cake Luna made, Laila." Ilsa held out a hand to her daughter. Laila took it and tugged Ilsa inside, clearly wound up with excitement from the circus.

Tony hunkered down by Luna's chair and stared into her face. He looked so much like her beloved papa she almost threw her arms around him and gave in to the urge to cry against his shoulder.

He must have sensed her mood because he placed a hand on her arm and patted it softly. "Are you feeling better, Luna?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

"I am, Tony. Thank you. I hope my abrupt departure didn't disturb anyone's joy in the festivities."

"Not a bit, Luna. Not a bit. We should have been more thoughtful about the circumstances and planned better. I apologize for not being more aware of your needs in the situation."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Tony. I thought I'd be okay once the circus started, but the noise and crowds and then the firecrackers all happened at once. I just wish …"

At her pause, Tony stood and pulled her to her feet, settling an arm around her shoulders. "Wish what, Luna?"

"I wish I could be normal again."

Tony gave her a warm hug. "Normal is boring. We all, every single one of us, have our own quirks and troubles. Sharing the burden is just part of the sweetness of life."

Luna tucked his words into her heart and joined Ilsa and Laila in the kitchen. Although she hadn't been hungry earlier, she eagerly took a piece of cake and listened as Laila animatedly described all her favorite things from the circus.

Although she wouldn't voice her thoughts, Luna's favorite part of the evening had been when Hunter had brushed his thumb over her cheek. For a moment, she'd thought he might kiss her. However, the very notion of him doing such a thing seemed preposterous.

They barely knew each other and were just getting acquainted. The tentative bonds of friendship that were forming between them had been slightly strained when she realized Hunter had been deceptive, at least in regard to Dally being his employer and not his sister.

She understood his reasons for not telling her his last name and explaining who he was, but she hoped he wouldn't feel the need to be misleading again. If he was, Luna wouldn't tolerate it.

A great sense of relief flowed through her that Hunter now knew why she reacted the way she did in certain situations. Going forward, Luna planned to avoid anything that might cue another episode of panic.

Later, as she let her body relax in her comfortable bed, she offered a prayer of thanks for the guiding hand that had led her to Pendleton. Even though she wasn't yet healed from her panic, she did feel stronger. At least this time, she hadn't fainted.

And she was ever so glad she'd met Hunter William Douglas, heir to Bramble Hall.