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Clive was happy that he had downloaded the file from Rowena before the service went down. It could be days before they got the Internet back up.
Colette sighed. “I hope Rini isn’t worried.”
“If we don’t get the phone line back by tomorrow morning, I’ll drive you to the general store. We can use Elmer’s phone if it’s working. Or we can drive to the other side of that big hill until we get cell service.”
Colette felt a sense of relief. Little did she know that her sister didn’t feel the same way.
Chapter Nineteen
Stillwell Art Center
That same Saturday evening
The big day finally arrived, and Luna was fretting over what she should wear. She wanted to look pretty but not over-the-top. She didn’t want to give Gaines the wrong impression. Or was it the right impression? She settled on a long denim pencil skirt with a soft, flowing white blouse. A long silver necklace with chunks of lapis and matching earrings completed the look. Hair? Loose, flowing down her shoulders. She applied some makeup, blush, and lipstick. She took a good peek in the mirror. Powerfully feminine. Exactly the look she was going for. She wanted to erase from his mind his memory of her crawling under the table.
Fat chance. Little did she know he had been taking copious mental notes about her:not exactly delicate, yet girlish at the same time.The juxtaposition was endearing.
She packed a little makeup bag in case she needed to do any touch-ups at the end of the day. She wanted to look fresh for the evening. She dabbed a little Santal perfume on her wrists. It had a subtle woodsy fragrance. She was happy she had gotten off the patchouli kick years ago. How she had been able to stomach it was still a mystery.
She recalled the time when Cullen came into her bedroom and literally gagged. “Whatisthat?” He sneezed several times. Then it dawned on her. She was drowning in patchouli. Apparently, after a while you can’t smell what you’re wearing. She had never touched it again after that.
Luna was counting the hours. Not only was she excited about seeing Gaines again, but she was also curious as to what they should do with the will. If it was, in fact, real.
She and Cullen decided they would bring Gaines to the Chestnut, where everything is grown locally. Even though he had the restaurants at the Biltmore at his disposal, something quaint, with crafted food and drinks, seemed appropriate. She also decided to invite Chi-Chi.
Luna had a feeling Cullen had a soft spot for her, but she knew that Cullen would never admit it. He was unusually shy when it came to women. Luna would tease him and say, “Not every girl is as nutty as I am!” Although that was a hard one to prove. As far as Cullen was concerned, women were enigmas. He’d had his fair share of broken hearts, although none seemed to haunt him like most people. He could never understand “carrying a torch” after a breakup. Sure, for a little while, but some people carried it forever, refusing to move on with their lives. Such a waste.
The day seemed endless. She must have checked the clock every five minutes.Why is it when you’re waiting for something the time seems to drag on forever?
She was happy to see Chi-Chi’s beautiful face as she moved across the courtyard. Luna wished she could move the way Chi-Chi did. She always appeared to be gliding.
“Sannu.” Chi-Chi bowed to Luna. Luna said, “Sannu,” in return.
“My, aren’t you looking quite lovely this evening?” Chi-Chi’s melodious voice rang like soft, low-pitched wind chimes. “I am sure the marshal will be very impressed with your aura tonight.” Chi-Chi took both of Luna’s hands in hers. “Please try to keep it working this evening.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Luna looked at her with a pout.
“I know you are standing on a cliff. ‘Should I jump? Should I run the other way?’” Chi-Chi had hit the nail on the head.
“Oh, Chi-Chi. I do like him, very much, but he lives so far away!” Luna frowned.
“Oh, don’t you be silly. It’s two hours. You must learn to relax and go with it, wherever it takes you.”
Luna chuckled. “You sound like me! I suppose I should take my own advice!”
“Now that is what I am talking about. You are so lovely. He seems like a genuinely nice man. Good-looking, too.” Chi-Chi was still holding on to Luna’s hands and started rocking them back and forth. “Good girl. Getyourchi going. So says Chi-Chi.”
They laughed and hugged. “Oh my gosh. Here he comes now!” Luna stepped back and waved him in. “Marshal! So nice to see you!”
He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and missed, causing their noses to smash into each other. Awkward, but funny. They both laughed. Gaines was first to regroup. “Let’s try this again. Aim for the right one as in opposite of left.”
Luna couldn’t help but giggle. “Great. Kissing instructions. How lame is that?”
Chi-Chi gave her a wide-eyed look. Luna took the cue.
“OK, Marshal. On three. Ready? One. Two. Three!” This time their lips landed in the right place. Chi-Chi clapped her hands wildly.
“That was some kind of negotiation.” Gaines chortled.
