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“Kids grow up and don’t play outside as much,” he agrees.
We walk along the shore in silence for a while, watching a man fly a kite and kids building sandcastles.
It’s a nice, sunny day today, but winter is just around the corner, and I can feel the nip in the air.
“You know, I just realized that you haven’t mentioned having a headache lately,” I say. “Have you been feeling better?”
“I haven’t had one in a couple of weeks,” he confirms. “And I won’t complain about that. I hope that as time goes on, they become rarer. But it could be a fluke. Who knows, right?”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve been feeling better.” I take a long, deep breath and smile as a big, yellow dog chases a tennis ball on the firm, wet sand. “Have you heard anything else about the fire? About who started it?”
“No. The investigator said it could take several months to piece it all together.”
“Bummer.” I brush a lock of hair off of my face. “Maybe we should get a dog.”
“Yeah? What kind of dog?”
“I don’t know. I like the big dogs like that one,” I say, gesturing to the yellow dog. “Maybe after the B&B is up and running, and life calms down just a smidge, we can look into it.”
“Sounds good to me. It could go to the shop with me sometimes, too.”
“Maybe we should get a llama,” I suggest and bite my bottom lip.
“That seems extreme but sure. Whatever you want.”
“You don’t want a llama,” I say with a laugh.
“If it’s what you want, we’ll make it happen.”
“So, you’re just going to indulge me, no matter what?”
“Haven’t you figured it out?” he asks, looking down at me with so much love, it steals the breath from my body. “I’ll give you anything you want. You’re the only one who matters, Luna.”
“You’re just a sweet talker.”
“No, I’m just telling the truth.”
June 20, 2005
* * *
Dear Diary,
We graduated! Thank God school’s over because it was SO HARD to concentrate the last few months! But we’re done, and now, I’ll have one last summer with June and Sarah before I go off to college in the fall.
June says she’s going to a trade school to learn welding and woodworking, and I think that’s pretty cool. She loves to do that kind of stuff and has worked construction during the summer for a few years now.
I don’t know what Sarah will do. Honestly, I worry about her. Her parents SUCK. They’re just horrible people. They didn’t even come to graduation, but my parents and Annabelle made it special for her, just like they do everything else. Sarah thinks she’ll just stay here and work. I wish I could take her to college with me!
Some of us are going to Gordy’s tonight for some burgers, and then tomorrow, my parents are throwing a huge party here on the property for my whole class and their families. We’ll have games and music and lots and lots of food. I can’t wait!
Love,
Luna
Chapter Nineteen
Wolfe
“I’d like to propose a toast,” I announce, getting the attention of everyone here at Lighthouse Pizza. The place is packed, full of the members of my community who have been an incredible help to Zeke and me over the past two weeks. “To all of you and the few who couldn’t make it here tonight. I always knew that Huckleberry Bay was a special place, but boy have you guys reminded me just how important it is to have a community rally behind you during a hard time.”
I let my eyes drift over the room. When I come to Luna, I smile softly.
“Thank you for helping Zeke and me these past couple of weeks to clean up after the fire. Because of your help, we’ll be ready to start rebuilding the garage very soon.”
“You’re going to rebuild?” someone calls out.
“Oh, hell, yeah. We’re not going anywhere.”
The room cheers, and I take a sip of my beer as I turn to Harvey, the owner of the joint. “Everything tonight is on me. For the whole place.”
“Susan told me,” Harvey replies with a wink. “My wife might have a crush on you.”
I laugh and glance over to where Susan and Luna are chatting at the end of the bar.
“I’m quite sure that’s not true. I’m just spending some money in here tonight, that’s all.”
“Hey, let’s play some pool,” Tanner suggests, catching my attention.
“You’re on,” I reply and follow him to where Apollo and Zeke already have the balls racked and ready to go.
Sarah and June walk over to join us after making some song selections from the jukebox in the corner.
“Hey, Sarah, how’s it going over at Annabelle’s house?” Apollo asks her.
Sarah pastes a bright smile on her pretty face. “It’s great.”
“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” Tanner mutters, but June just smiles in satisfaction, and the two women start playing a game of darts.
