Chapter Fourteen

Ten Days Later Off to Sedona

L una was a whirling dervish prior to her trip. She had several readings to do, a few wardrobe tweaks, organizing the café schedule and deliveries, and making sure all of Wylie's needs were taken care of. Chewies? Check. Toys? Check. Food? Check. Doggie bed? Check. If she missed anything, Cullen could manage.

She was disappointed she hadn't been able to see Chris before she left. Between her travel plans and his schedule, it was too much of a crunch, and neither wanted to put the other one or themselves under additional pressure. She had been so distracted with her to-do list that she almost forgot he hadn't seen her renewed look. A lot of people did FaceTime on their phones, but Chris wasn't into it, and Luna couldn't care less. As long as they had frequent conversations, there wasn't any need, and even if he'd asked to do a video call—which he didn't—she would have made an excuse. She wanted to see his reaction in person.

It worked out that Chris would take his training courses while Carter went to baseball camp, and Luna was off to climb a vortex. Chris left before she did, but they made a plan for all three to get together for the Fourth of July weekend in Asheville. It might get a little dicey with sleeping accommodations, but Chris was going to explain it all to his son. He didn't want Lucinda to get goofy over it, but Carter was almost a teenager, and he had a pretty good idea what adults did when they were alone. He lived with two of them, although he hardly ever heard the bed springs squeak. Chris vowed that discretion would be the order of the day when Carter was at Luna's. Chris was sure Carter's imagination might run wild, but he wasn't going to give his son any additional ammunition.

If the weather was good, Chris planned to set up a tent in Luna's yard. He'd also bring his telescope. There was much less light pollution at Luna's.

To celebrate the Fourth of July, Ellie hosted a barbecue on the patio of the center for all the artists and their families. To finish off the evening, a small but dazzling fireworks display would light up the sky and the gardens. It should prove to be an enjoyable evening, and for Carter, a new experience. Another reason to choose living with his father. His dad had fun friends.

The day before Luna left, she asked Chi-Chi to stop over to help her select her wardrobe. She didn't want to overpack, especially with her new clothes. Chi-Chi picked up some Mexican food on the way, "To get your tastebuds accustomed to the cuisine."

Luna poured them beers. It seemed to be a better beverage when the heat hit the palate. After dinner, Luna fidgeted with her clothing, packing and unpacking, until Chi-Chi took the wheel. "I shall decide for you. You will never make your flight tomorrow if you do not finish packing tonight."

"Always the adult on duty." Luna gave her a hug.

"It is a shame you were not able to see Chris before your departure."

"I know, but we have a wonderful weekend planned for the Fourth. He's bringing his son here for the barbecue and fireworks."

"Ah. That will be the first time, correct?"

"Carter has been here a few times just as a day trip, but it will be the first sleepover." She rolled her eyes.

"I am sure it will be fine. He seems like a very nice young man."

"That he is. Takes after his dad."

"I would hope so." Chi-Chi laughed as she folded the recently purchased items. "There. You have several options. I am sure you will not be going dancing."

"Only on the rocks, and it will be my woo-woo dance." Luna grinned. "I'm really excited about this trip. I haven't seen Gail in two years. Maybe three? Time just flies."

"Indeed it does, and I must fly home now." Chi-Chi wrapped her arms around her friend. "You be a good girl. Do not get into any trouble."

"Promise!" Luna hugged her back, then walked her friend to the door. "I'll be in touch. Will send photos!" She waved as Chi-Chi got in her car and drove away.

Luna inspected her tote. Ticket? Check. Wallet? Check. Credit cards? Check and double-check. She was ready. Cullen planned to take her to the airport. There was only one airline that had non-stop flights to Phoenix, but it also had the worst cancellations. When she made her reservation, she decided it would be better to fly to Atlanta, then on to Phoenix. At least if she got tied up, she would have a few options. She made a reservation for a car rental in Phoenix. The shuttle was an option, but it would take longer than if she drove herself.

Luna was up at the crack of dawn, pacing the kitchen. Her flight left in three hours, and Cullen was due in thirty minutes. Why she had to arrive at the airport two and a half hours ahead of her flight time was a mystery. The Asheville airport was nowhere near the size of other airports. The security line could not possibly be very long. But then again, people moved slower in this part of the country. Cullen arrived on time, and Luna gave Wylie big hugs and told him to "be a good boy for Uncle Cullen." He woofed back that he would behave.

Things went smoothly at the airport, taking less than fifteen minutes to check in and clear security. Now all she had to do was wait—something she was never comfortable with.

The flight was half full, and Luna had a row of seats to herself. She began to read a book, and before she knew it, they were landing in Atlanta for a thirty-minute stopover. She took the opportunity to step off the jet and stretch her legs in the waiting area. She was relieved she didn't have to run through the massive Atlanta airport to change planes. The place was bustling, and it would be easy for anyone to become confused and disoriented if you weren't familiar with the biggest transportation hub in the country. It serviced more passengers than any other airport and had held the title of busiest airport for over twenty years. While being the busiest, it was not the biggest, dwarfed by Denver, Dallas, Orlando, and Dulles.

They called her flight, and Luna returned to her seat, but for the second leg of the trip, she had a seatmate. One of those who couldn't shut up. She thought the next four hours were going to be torture. She snickered when she recalled the Seinfeld episode when Elaine pretended she was deaf so she didn't have to speak to the limo driver. But that wasn't going to work; Luna already had said, "Hello." She asked the flight attendant for a pillow, hoping her seatmate would get the hint. No such luck. Luna sighed and pretended to be a good listener.

The flight arrived on time in Phoenix. Luna made a beeline to the baggage claim and then hustled to the car rental agency. She punched in Gail's address. The clock said it would take two hours and twenty minutes to get there. Ha. That's what you think. She couldn't wait to get on the open highway, roll down the windows, and sing her lungs out to whatever was playing on the radio.

She drove north on Interstate 17 and exited at Route 179, where the Red Rocks loomed in the distance. It was truly awe-inspiring. Spectacular. As she drove, Luna recalled some of the local history she'd read up on.

One hundred sixteen miles north of Phoenix and 110 miles south of the Grand Canyon sat Sedona, Arizona, known as the southern gateway to Red Rock Country. The legends of the area's mystical powers had been widely known for decades. It was also a haven for artists and nature lovers alike.

The waters of Oak Creek had carved the deep canyon of scarlet, amber, pink, and rose into rock formations with names like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil's Bridge. There were many interesting formations, but only a few were deemed "vortexes," places that radiated a specific and particular energy. The four best known Sedona vortexes were Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Bell Rock. Luna had spent one of her birthdays at Airport Mesa, and a summer solstice at Bell Rock. She could attest to their unique vibrations—but then again, this was Luna, a woman with extraordinary and inexplicable perception.

Years before, circa 700 A.D., prehistoric Hohokam and Sinagua Indians built sheltered communities in the canyon walls. The vista from these cliff dwellings gave the inhabitants a vast overlook of the plains and desert that stretched for miles and miles, below and beyond. During one of Luna's past visits, she and Gail had climbed through a network of cliff dwellings where age-worn paintings were faded on the stone. The ghostly ruins marked the settlers' disappearance, but there was no clue as to their sudden departure. The mystery remained unsolved. Luna had received a very disturbing feeling as they wandered through the maze of stone dwellings, imagining living on the edge of the cliff.

Then they came to a spot where Luna felt violence and terror had occurred, and she urged Gail that they should leave as quickly as possible. Later, Gail admitted she'd had a similar experience once before, but she chalked it up to acrophobia, her fear of heights. The place wasn't outfitted with ropes and railings like a normal tourist attraction, so it was totally possible for one to literally fall from a cliff. The visit had been an interesting experience, but one Luna wouldn't want to repeat.

In the late 1800s, settlers arrived, and in 1902, Theodore and Sedona Schnebly opened the first post office. A steep, unpaved route from the north was named after the family. Schnebly Hill Road was breathtakingly scenic, with drops of more than 2,000 feet from a wooded mesa into the fairyland of Sedona. Gail had informed Luna that the road was used for many Jeep commercials. "And we are in a Jeep! No worries; I'll get you home safe!" As they had bounced their way down the rough terrain, Luna noticed a sign indicating that the road was closed between the months of November and March. It was terrifying in the summer. She could only imagine how treacherous it could be in the winter. She had to admit it was a glorious view, but she wouldn't sign up to do it again.

Gail promised no heart-stopping adventures this time around. In addition to delving into Sedona's art world, they would spend time restoring their spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. All good things. This was where Luna knew she needed to be at this moment in her life.

She pulled into Gail's driveway, where she was greeted by a Bernese mountain dog named Max. "Hey, Max! Remember me?" He bowed down on his front paws. "You do!" She gave him a hug and a cuddle.

From the distance, Luna heard a voice say, "What about me?" Gail came running from the front door. "Sweetcakes!" She threw her arms around Luna and rocked her back and forth. "Look at you! All grown up!" Gail stood back and eyed Luna's new appearance.

"What do you think?" Luna asked.

"I. Love. It!" Gail was animated. "I can't believe you're here. In the flesh!"

"Me either. Ellie couldn't have picked a better time for me to make this trip."

"Oh? Do tell." Gail put her arm around her pal and walked her into the house. "Robert wants to say hello. He's got a session tomorrow, and the driveway will be jammed with vehicles, so you can follow me. It's just a few minutes away."

"No problem," Luna responded.

Robert was a music producer who worked mostly on commercials. He and Gail had met in Los Angeles several years ago when she was a studio musician. Gail was one of the few people who could play a ukulele, guitar, piano, and sing backup. She was talented and reliable and had steady work, with Robert calling on her frequently. After several months of working together, they went out to celebrate Gail's birthday. It turned romantic, and they got married. During a trip to Durango, they stopped in Sedona and fell in love with it. Robert was able to set up a studio in their house, where he and Gail continued to work together on jingles. Luna admired their relationship and the gamble they'd taken to uproot themselves from Tinseltown. Los Angeles had lost its charm for them. The influx of celebrity wannabes with little or no talent, the regurgitated television shows, and the superficiality had been wearing thin. It was a leap of faith, and it paid off. Gail continued to give all the credit to Sedona. "This place just called to us. We responded."

Luna knew exactly what Gail meant. "Most people get messages but ignore them, and consequently, they live frustrating lives wondering when it's going to be their turn to flourish."

"I hear ya," Gail remarked.

"It's fear. Fear of change. Even if change could possibly improve their lives, it's still change, and change is scary."

The two went on to discuss the workshop they'd once attended conducted by Shakti Gawain. She had everyone write down what their dream job or situation would be. After a few minutes, she had them write down what was the worst thing that could happen if they pursued those dreams. She asked them to read their responses over a few times. Then she asked them to write down, What is worse than that? It was a real eye-opener. Really, what was worse than losing your savings? You could always get more money. But your health? Your life? Unless it was a threat to your physical and mental well-being, why not take the risk? If people didn't take risks, they would still believe the world was flat.

"I really enjoyed that workshop," Luna mused. "I feel as if it set me on the right course. I have to admit, it's still dicey trying to discuss metaphysics with people. A lot of people. I used to be defensive about it. Now I toss some science at them. You know, stuff like, ‘we only use a small portion of our brain.' Then I throw in a dash of quantum physics." Luna chuckled. "That usually stops them in their tracks. Their eyes glaze over, and they change the subject."

Gail laughed out loud. "Love it!" They came around the circular driveway in front of the house.

"Wow. So much has grown since I was here." Luna marveled at the succulents and trees.

"My hobby. Keeps me off the police band radio," Gail chortled.

Luna and Gail left their purses and tote bags in the entry and walked down a hallway that led to a patio. On the other side was a small building slightly larger than the size of a two-car garage. The exterior matched the main house and was beautifully landscaped courtesy of Gail, a woman of many talents. "The place looks beautiful," Luna exclaimed, noticing the different varieties of succulents.

"Thanks. I think I'm almost done." Gail led the way.

"What do you mean, ‘almost done'? It looks pretty done to me." Luna could not see anything that looked unkept, undone, or out of place.

"I want to add a few more things, but that can be next year's project."

"It's spectacular. I'm not used to seeing this kind of plant life except at a greenhouse."

"I'm thinking about making tabletop succulent gardens and selling them."

"That's a brilliant idea."

"Yeah, I need to keep myself busy when we're not recording, or I can get myself into too much retail trouble." Gail laughed.

"I totally get it."

Gail opened the door that led to a small lounge area with soundproof glass that separated the engineer booth and the recording area.

"This is amazing," Luna said with admiration. "You were just beginning to build this the last time I was here."

"Yeah, it was getting a little crowded in the spare room, so I put on my shop apron, grabbed a hammer, and went to work," Gail replied.

"You are amazing," Luna gushed.

"It was either me working on this or having to rent a space. This was the best option. Now if we get musicians from out of town, they can stay at the B some frowned. "I guess you have cranky people here, too," Luna whispered.

Gail laughed. "And they're not from around here, either!"

Luna made sure the waitress gave her the check. There was a little back-and-forth between her and Gail, but Luna won the tug-of-war.

When they returned to the B&B, Gail opened her laptop. "Let's do some investigating, Miss Marple. What was Brendan's last name again? Nelson?"

"Yes. His wife's name was Eileen."

Gail typed "St. Kitts newspapers" into the search engine. The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer came up. She clicked on the link. "When did this happen?"

Luna pulled out her phone and checked the notice. "January twenty-seventh."

Gail scrutinized the online site and checked for obituaries. "Whoa!"

"What is it?"

Gail turned her laptop around to face Luna so she could read:

American couple feared dead in St. Kitts due to boating accident.

No other details are available at this time.

"But it doesn't have their names." Luna stared at the two sentences. "How can we find out more?"

"That I cannot tell you. Not because I don't want to, but because it's a Caribbean island. Lots goes on down there, and unless you're going to hire a private detective, I don't think you'll get very far."

"Maybe Anthony will know more." Luna checked the time. It was past midnight on the East Coast. "This will have to wait until tomorrow."

"There's nothing you can do about it now, sweetcakes. Want to watch a movie?" Gail had decided to stay with Luna at the B&B so they could get an early start.

"Have you seen Bad Sisters ? It's a series, but we can probably binge-watch it while I'm here. It's British and darkly funny. I'm up to the third episode but will start from the beginning with you."

"Sounds like it's right up my darkly funny alley."