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When they entered the workshop area, Luna was once again pulled toward the mysterious table.
Cullen followed her. “Here is something that came in earlier today. Pretty sad-looking. Needs a lot of work.”
“How old do you reckon it is?” Gaines peered at the drooping trim.
“Great Depression. Mass-produced. Veneer over plywood.”
Gaines stood up straight. “What are your plans for it?”
Luna suddenly felt protective of her new inanimate friend.
“I think I might adopt it,” she broke in.
Cullen gave her a curious look. “But didn’t you say you—”
Luna interrupted him. “I said I had a ‘feeling’ about it. That’s all.” She folded her arms across her chest and immediately unfolded them. She didn’t want to appear defensive.Relax, she told herself. Even if Gaines wanted that piece, it would be months before Cullen would get to it.
Cullen continued. “It has that greenish tone that I want to recover. I’ll strip it down, fix the wood, prime, stain, wax. Not sure until I get started.”
“Well, if Luna decides to pass on it, let me know. I bought a house and it needs furniture. After my divorce, I moved into a furnished apartment until we got past the legal stuff.”
Luna was about to blurt out, “More!” but she didn’t. She appreciated Gaines’s not wanting to air his laundry, dirty or otherwise, in public.
“It’s not a big place. Two bedrooms, den, kitchen, two baths. The usual post–World War II ranch. It needs some work, too. Actually, it needs a lot of work. I figured it can be something my son and I work on together. Granted, he’s only ten, but he could be a good helper, and it’s an opportunity for him to learn how to use tools safely.” Gaines smiled, thinking about his son, Carter.
Luna appreciated the affection Gaines had for his son. There was something soft under that masculine skin.
“So, Luna, are we going to have a bidding war over this?” Gaines joked.
“TBD. To Be Determined,” she said, with a sassy tilt of her head.
“What are your plans for the rest of the evening?” Cullen asked Gaines. Luna thought that perhaps her Jedi mind tricks were working.
“I was about to ask you the same thing,” Gaines said.
OK, this is getting a little freaky, Luna thought.
“Even though there was plenty of food, I didn’t have a chance to eat,” Cullen said. “Or have a drink.”
“Your lovely sister was able to wangle a glass of wine for me, but food would be good. I haven’t eaten since lunch. I think. The day has been a bit of a blur.” He checked his watch. A little after ten. “Is there someplace that’s still serving food?”
“Three Brothers Pizza is open until eleven. I’ll let them know we’re coming. Let me go lock up. I’ll be right back.”
Luna snapped her fingers, and Wiley stood waiting for Luna’s next move.
Luna was feeling a sense of relief. She was tickled pink that Gaines had showed up, and even more tickled that he seemed genuinely interested in her. Normally, as whimsical as Luna might behave, she had it together in a kooky sort of way. She was rarely intimidated and decided to take her own advice.Go with the flow. What will be will be. And be yourself.
Luna checked the lights and plugs, making sure nothing was left on except the alarm system.
Cullen and Gaines were back in the showroom area. Cullen turned to Luna. “Since we each have a car, how about we follow you to your place so you can drop Wiley off? I’ll bring you back home later.”
“Sounds good to me.” Luna was already trying to figure out how to get Gaines to bring her home instead. Maybe another Jedi mind trick? She laughed to herself.
They exited through the back door of Cullen’s shop and drove to Luna’s house. Gaines suggested she ride with him so there wouldn’t be three cars heading to the same place. Dropping her back wouldn’t be an issue since it was on his way to the hotel. Well, not exactly, but close enough to make it an acceptable alternative.
Gaines opened the passenger door for her, and she slid into the seat of the Jeep Cherokee. Gaines did a little jog to the other side of the vehicle and hopped into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and turned down the music that he had been listening to earlier.
“The Dales?” Luna asked, but she knew the answer. Gaines looked surprised.He wasn’t the only one with a good memory.
