Chapter Twenty-two

Back to Normal Sorta

L una slept like she was in a coma. She didn't even hear her alarm go off. But Wylie was determined to get her up so she could let him out and give him his breakfast. Luna rubbed her eyes. She was a little disoriented. Home. Right. Got it.

"Hey, pal. Give me a sec."

She sat up and looked at her new phone. Yes, she'd made an outbound call. Yes, it was to Chris. Then she replayed the conversation from the night before to make sure it wasn't a dream. When she was convinced it was real, she threw off the covers and bounced out of bed.

"Come on, pal! What are you waiting for?"

She let Wylie out, opened a can of his food, and set it on the floor. He must have known, because he was scratching at the door tout suite . Luna padded to the bathroom and went through her normal routine. Normal . What a nice change. She loved Sedona and was thrilled she'd had the opportunity to see her friend and the glorious surroundings. She could have used a tad less drama. On the other hand, she was happy to know Brendan was alive and well. At least she hoped he was well. Knowing he was being protected by people like Chris gave her some comfort. They were all over the situation like ants at a picnic.

Luna and Wylie piled into her SUV and headed to Stillwell. It had only been five days, but it seemed like weeks. Chi-Chi was the first to greet her with her big, beautiful smile. She was waving her hand in the air, as if she were swatting away flies. Then Luna noticed the sparkling diamond on her left hand. Luna grabbed it immediately. " What ? When did this happen? Oh, my goodness! We're going to be related." Then she paused. "You are marrying my brother, right?"

"Who else would I marry?" Chi-Chi wrapped her arms around her future sister-in-law. "He proposed two nights ago." Chi-Chi stared at the 3k solitaire emerald-cut gem.

"Gee, maybe I should leave town more often." Luna giggled. "That is absolutely gorgeous. I guess he's doing quite well in his workshop," Luna teased.

"Your brother can be a bit sneaky. He asked Abeo to find him the stone." Chi-Chi was grinning from ear to ear. "I cannot believe he trusted him." She laughed.

Luna put her hands on her hips. "That brother of mine has become quite the operator. It would appear as if Cullen is leading a double life. Chris asked him to find a 1959 Thunderbird that needs to be restored. It's being delivered today. Huh. He's been quite a busy beaver." She hugged Chi-Chi again. "I am so happy for you. And for me!" She linked her arm through Chi-Chi's. "Let's go see what that rascal is up to."

The two marched into the showroom and then to the back. "Aren't you full of surprises?" Luna said, and elbowed Cullen.

"Well, hello to you, too!" He gave her a kiss on the head.

"What is with this head-kissing?"

"It's the new 'do." Cullen chuckled. "So?"

"So congratulations, you big oaf. Why didn't you tell me?" Luna whined.

"Like you would be able to keep your mouth shut."

Luna stuck out her tongue and gave him a raspberry sound as a response. She turned to Chi-Chi. "Have you picked a date?"

"We have not. We were waiting to tell you, because you and Ellie are going to plan the wedding for us."

"A-ha!" Luna was giddy. "Does Ellie know?"

"That she is planning our wedding? No. We haven't told her yet," Chi-Chi replied.

"Well, let's get crackin'." Luna grabbed Chi-Chi's arm and dragged her into the café. Luna immediately buzzed Ellie on her walkie-talkie. "Hi! I'm back! Lots to talk about. Can you come down?"

"Be right there."

Within a few minutes, Ellie was briskly walking through the atrium. Ziggy, Marley, and Wylie bounded in from the patio. When Ellie saw the ring, she squealed, the dogs barked, and Luna yelled out a "Yippee!" It was a moment of wonderful chaos.

Once everything calmed down, the three women sat down at a table. "There's so much to talk over. Where do we start?" Ellie said.

Luna took her cue. "I have all the information on the artists. They are thrilled to be part of your exhibit."

"Wonderful. I spoke with a travel agent, and she will make all the arrangements for them. When we get a little closer, she'll reach out and get their information."

"This is so exciting!" Luna said. "All of it! An atrium exhibit and a wedding! We have a lot of work to do!"

Chi-Chi said she would like to have the wedding in the fall, outside in the gardens, and the reception in the atrium.

"Easy-peasy." Luna nodded. "Got something hard for us to do?"

"Keep Jennine away from my brother!" Chi-Chi cackled.

* * *

Chris arrived at the softball camp around ten thirty. He introduced himself to the teenager, who was sitting at a table with a clipboard. "I'm Carter's dad."

"Wow! Are you really a U.S. Marshal?"

Chris smiled. "Yes, I am." He pulled his jacket aside to show the boy the badge on his belt.

"Cool!" The kid stared at the gold shiny object.

Chris interrupted the kid's gaze. "Do you know where Carter is?"

"Oh sure." He pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Do you guys use these, too?"

"Sometimes." Chris smiled.

"Marshal Gaines is here for Carter," the kid said into the device, trying to be as official as possible.

"He'll be right over," a scratchy voice replied.

"Thanks," said the teen into the walkie-talkie. Then he turned back to Chris and asked, "So, do you have a gun, too?"

"Most law enforcement officers do."

"You got it on you now?"

"I can't say." He gave the kid a nod and leaned in. "That's classified information."

"Gotcha," the kid whispered back.

Carter came running from the barracks-style building with his backpack and a baseball bat. "Dad!"

"Hey, buddy!" Carter gave him a side hug. "How ya doing?"

"Great!"

"You ready?"

"Yes, sir."

Chris leaned over to the young man at the table and put out his hand. "Nice to meet you. Keep up the good work."

"Aye, aye, sir!" he said, and saluted.

Chris stashed Carter's gear in the back of his truck. "Listen, I have kind of a surprise for you."

"You're going to marry Luna?" Carter said, his eyes eager.

Chris laughed out loud. "I haven't asked her yet."

"Then what's the surprise?"

"Remember I went to that car show, and I told you that I'd like to get a classic car and fix it up?"

"Yep!"

"Ready to go look at our new project?"

"Heck yeah!"

Chris started the engine and began the hour-long trip to Stillwell Center. Carter chatted up a storm about camp, what he'd learned, and the new friends he'd made. He was one very happy young man. They talked about the upcoming appointment with the psychiatrist, and Chris explained about the preliminary hearing.

"Gotcha," Carter responded. "I'm ready, Dad."

Chris knew he was.

* * *

When they arrived at Stillwell, there was laughter in the air. Lots of hugs, smiles, and kisses, including a mushy one between Luna and Chris. "Get a room, Dad," Carter joked.

More laughter ensued. "Shall we take a look at your new project?" Cullen asked.

"Heck yeah!" Carter said again, and followed Cullen to the rear door. Chris lagged behind long enough to pull Luna aside.

"I missed you. And I'm sorry." He drew her close. "I don't want anything to come between us. Ever."

"Me either." She leaned her head against his chest.

"So, we're good?" He looked into her eyes.

"Couldn't be better."