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Chapter 17
Luna had never intended to go to Rory’s bachelorette party, but Mandy had come to her room with an invitation. It had been from the bachelorette herself, stating that if Luna did not turn up, they would bring the party to her. Charlie had said she’d pick her up, but Luna wanted to be able to leave whenever she wanted, so here she was, driving past the lovely farmhouse and outbuildings on the Trainer family land and up the drive to Joe and Bailey’s house. Parking behind the other cars, she got out and looked at the house.
Luna owned a few houses, including her apartment in Chicago and holiday home in Hawaii, but none of those screamed “home” like this place did. Like a lot of buildings around here, it was nestled into nature as if it had always been there. The mountains seemed to embrace it, and she could only imagine what the view from inside was like. The door opened as she approached.
“Hi, Luna.”
Bailey Trainer was a gentle blond-haired beauty with two gorgeous children. Luna had seen the way her and her husband looked at each other; there was little doubting the love they shared. She had once been an acclaimed concert pianist. Luna had seen her at Madison Square Garden. She’d been amazing.
“Hi, Bailey. I hope you don’t mind me joining you. Rory—”
“I’m so pleased you’re here.” Bailey cut her off. “Come in, we’re about to get started.”
Luna had never been to a bachelorette night, which was probably sad if she thought about it. She was clueless as to what happened. She’d heard stories, of course, but had a feeling that like everything that happened in Ryker, it would be a bit different.
Buzz bounded out to meet her, tail wagging. With him was a miniature version.
“That’s Bee; she’s Maggie and Fin’s pup. Buzz thinks she’s his,” Bailey said.
“BuzzBee. I like it.” Luna patted the animals. “Your dog is something special.”
“We own him, but really he belongs to the town.”
After she’d given the dogs some love, Luna followed Bailey inside. Neutral tones in here with splashes of color in rugs and details.
“You have a beautiful home, Bailey.”
“Thank you. Joe had it built, and I added the feminine touches.”
“I saw you play once. You were breathtaking,” Luna said.
“Really? I wish I’d known you then; I could have done with a friend.”
Luna wasn’t sure how to answer that.
“I didn’t have many, you see, as I’d been traveling and practicing for years. There were other reasons too,” she said, entering a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased Phil and Roxy. “But I’m sure you know what it’s like to be in the public spotlight constantly.”
She did.
Luna had made friends when she’d been at university with her track scholarship, but they’d drifted apart when she started modelling. Now she had Hugo, who knew her better than most people and had been in her life for years, and Charlie.
She greeted the other ladies seated around the room, including the Robbins sisters and Aunt Jess.
“This is Branna McBride; she’s a friend of Rory’s,” Bailey said, waving a woman forward.
“Hello.” The dark-haired woman had a lovely smile and if Luna had guessed right, was Irish. “Lovely to meet you, Luna.”
“Look at those three,” Miss Sarah said. “So much fame all in one room.”
Bailey, Luna knew about, and of course herself.
“Branna is Declan O’Donnell’s daughter, and she writes under the name Rosanna Howling,” Bailey said.
“Wow, I love your books,” Luna said.
“Thanks. I love your face oil,” Branna said, smiling.
“Luna!” Rory arrived and hurried to hug her. “I’m so pleased you came. Can you put a good word in for me with Nash? I’m thinking Plucky Ducky now for Monica’s duck.”
