Chapter One

The Namaste Café Tuesday

I t was a quiet start to the week. The center was open Wednesday through Sunday afternoon. Mondays and Tuesdays were devoted to meetings, paperwork, deliveries, and catching up. Luna opened the café for anyone in need of coffee, and The Flakey Tart delivered a basket of croissants for Luna to oversee. She fired up the De'Longhi La Specialista espresso machine and put out cups and plates. It was a self-serve situation on the days the center was closed to the public.

Luna fixed a cup for her brother and brought it into his workshop, her dog Wylie following behind her.

"Why the long face?" Cullen asked as she handed him his java.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Luna glanced up at him.

"I know that look. Something is on your mind."

She shrugged. "No. Not really." She was lying, and he knew it.

"Don't give me that, little sister. What's up?" He leaned against the long shop table.

"I can't quite put my finger on it."

"That could be a good thing or a bad thing." Cullen was well aware of his sister's feelings . "Things okay with Chris?"

"Yeah, fine," she said mechanically.

"You sure?"

"Oh, yeah. Sure. Of course." She furrowed her brow, then turned and went back into her café.

Cullen knew there was something bothering Luna. The problem was, if she couldn't put her finger on it, then it was impossible for him to help. He also knew she would eventually figure it out.

Luna sat down at her easel. Nothing was coming to her. It was almost as if she were numb. Physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally numb. She closed her eyes, took her pen, and drew a large question mark on the pad. "So? What is it?" she shouted at the inanimate object staring back at her. Wylie also sensed Luna's uneasiness and plopped his head on her knee. Luna looked down into his big brown eyes. "You got an answer, pal? 'Cause I sure don't."

She got up and made herself a cappuccino, then spotted a glorious work of art flowing across the atrium. It was Chi-Chi. She often dressed in vibrant colors that perfectly draped her five-foot-seven-inch frame. A matching head wrap held her long, black box braids in place as they cascaded down her back.

No wonder Cullen is in love with her. Luna sighed.

"E káàrò." Chi-Chi gave her the morning greeting.

"E káàrò," Luna replied. "Your usual?"

"Thank you. I can do it. This is your day off."

Luna got up and moved toward the counter. She gave Chi-Chi a side hug. "What's on your agenda for today?"

"I am going through all the papers my brother left behind. He is so disorganized. It is astonishing he can get back and forth from Nigeria without finding himself in Nova Scotia."

"You don't know that it hasn't already happened," Luna joked.

"You are right. He would never tell me if such a thing happened to him."

"Because you'd never let him forget it."

"Please. I cannot unsee the spectacle that was on display when I walked into my house and found him with Jennine. I do mean on display. It was a very unpleasant experience."

"The thought is horrifying." Luna giggled. "But not surprising."

"We never should have left him alone."

"He is a grown man." Luna smirked.

Chi-Chi grunted. "I do not believe those two words go together: grown and man . They are just silly boys in larger clothes with bigger feet."

Luna barely stopped coffee from escaping out of her nose. "Do you feel that way about Cullen?" Luna had a twinkle in her eye.

"He is a man. A good man. A smart man. A kind man."

"Yep. All of those. But he's still a guy." Luna rolled her eyes. "I grew up with him. I oughta know."

"By the way, who were you talking to before I came in?"

"Huh?" Luna seemed confused. "You mean Wylie?"

"No. Before. You asked, ‘What is it?' Your voice was more demanding than usual." Chi-Chi winked at her.

"Oh, nothing." Luna sighed.

"My dear friend. You cannot pretend there is nothing bothering you. I do not mean to pry, but you do not seem to be yourself today."

"That's just it. I have this weird feeling, and I cannot figure it out."

"Weird in what way?" Chi-Chi pulled out a chair. "Please sit with me."

"Have you ever had the sense that something is gnawing at your subconscious, but you can't bring it into focus?" Luna asked.

"Not very often. But when I do feel that way, I go deep into my work. It brings me into a different state of consciousness. That is when many answers come to me." She patted Luna's hand. "But I am not telling you something you do not already know."

"You're right about that alpha and theta state. I just can't seem to get there today. It's as if my mind has drawn a blank. I feel edgy. Unsettled." "Do you think it

Chi-Chi eyed her friend curiously. "Do you think it could be that you are uneasy because of your relationship with the marshal?"

"No. Our relationship is solid. We're good," Luna insisted.

"But is it as good as you want it to be?" Chi-Chi pushed.

"What do you mean?" Luna peered at her friend over her coffee cup.

"You and Chris have been seeing each other for almost three years, am I right?"

"Well, we really can't count the first year." Luna stared back at her.

"Let me ask you: Do you want more?" Chi-Chi pried.

"More what?" Luna asked casually.

"Please, Luna. I am not a fool. Are you satisfied with the limited time you have together?"

"Okay, so he lives two hours away. We manage." She took another sip of her coffee.

"Is managing what you want?"

"I don't know." Luna sighed yet again. "We're very happy when we are together."

"Ah. That is my point: when you are together. How happy are you when you are not?"

"I'm busy." Luna swept her arm, indicating the café and her easel.

Chi-Chi smiled. "I can tell you are not going to discuss this with me."

"There is nothing to discuss." Luna shook her head for emphasis.

"If you say so." Chi-Chi got up. "I am going to say good morning to Cullen. Meanwhile, I suggest you continue your conversation with your sketch pad." She smiled and turned toward the door that connected the café with Cullen's showroom.

Luna remained in her seat, staring into space.

As Chi-Chi stepped into the showroom, a soft bell rang in the back, signaling someone had entered. Chi-Chi was familiar with Cullen's routine and made her way past the beautifully restored pieces of furniture, lamps, and a variety of once-discarded home goods such as old lanterns, plaques, a coatrack, and an umbrella stand. She called out, "E káàrò!"

"E káàrò," a voice in the distance replied. "Come on back."

Chi-Chi admired the most recent armoire Cullen had revitalized as she entered the workshop area. Cullen was wearing a work apron, and a face shield sat atop his head.

"Good morning!" He was grinning from ear to ear. "I'm covered in sawdust," he said apologetically as he attempted to brush some of it off.

Chi-Chi waved a hand in front of her face, fanning away any remnants from his work. "I can see that." She blew him a kiss.

"You look lovely today." He smiled at her.

"Thank you. And you? You look like you do every morning," she teased. "But I like it anyway."

"Good thing for me. So, what are your plans for the day?"

"I will be going through the paper mess my brother left for me." She paused. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"When I was speaking to Luna, she seemed very distracted. Almost worried. She was not behaving like her usual self."

Cullen picked up the damp towel that he kept on the workbench and wiped his hands. "I was thinking the same thing. She seemed a little off. I mean off as in not her usual kind of off." He managed a grin. "She was almost sullen."

"Ah. Yes, that is a very appropriate word. Sullen." Chi-Chi tilted her head. "Do you know why she may be in a mood? And please do not say hormones, or I will have to slap you." Chi-Chi was serious. She'd had enough of the female moodiness/hormone stigma. If men could experience having a period just one time, they would never criticize a woman again for going through her monthly challenges. Then add paying sales tax on the necessary items. It was infuriating.

"Easy." Cullen could see the fire smoldering in Chi-Chi's eyes. "I would not dare to suggest . . ." His voice trailed off before she could get in a good punch, verbal or otherwise.

Chi-Chi folded her arms. "What did she say to you this morning?"

"Not a whole lot. I asked her if there was something bothering her, and she was vague. Something about not being able to put her finger on it. Then I asked about Chris, and she said things were fine."

"Hmm," Chi-Chi responded. "I got a similar response from her."

"It's been several weeks since they've seen each other," Cullen reflected.

"Yes. And they usually spend every other weekend together. Something is not quite right. I can feel it in my bones," Chi-Chi said.

"You're beginning to sound like her, too!" Cullen chuckled.

Chi-Chi gave him one of her stop before you say something stupid looks. "Maybe you should call him and invite him to a game, or whatever men do together." She looked him directly in the eye.

Cullen blinked several times before replying. "I suppose I could, but Luna might get annoyed."

"Why would she? He is your friend, too, is he not?"

"True. And we have hung out together before." He looked up at the local community calendar. "There's a classic car show in Asheville on Saturday. That could be interesting. Maybe I'll get into the car restoration business."

"That is a brilliant idea," Chi-Chi said.

"Getting into the car restoration business?" He tightened his lips. "I was kidding."

"I know you were kidding, but that could be your excuse for going. You can tell him that you have been considering classic car refurbishing and want to research the idea." Chi-Chi was normally uncomfortable with subterfuge, but this was for a good cause. Plus, she wouldn't be the one carrying it out.

"Now that is brilliant," Cullen responded cheerfully. "We make a good team."

"I happen to think so." Chi-Chi was almost blushing. "You have your assignment, so now get busy." She turned on her heel and waltzed out the door.

Cullen watched the colorful fabric float away. He pulled his phone from the drawer that kept it safe from flying splinters and speed-dialed Chris's number.