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Luna realized that instead of relaxing, she was getting energized and knew she had to turn down the kilohertz.
She went to her bookshelf and rummaged through her collection of New Age books. She found the one she had used in her class from several years ago, written by Albert Taylor, a former NASA aeronautical engineer.If he didn’t give it creds, then who could?She’d remember to quote him next time the subject came up. She laughed.Uh, maybe not. Not quoting, just not ever bringing it up.It was spooky even for her.
Before she settled down, she let Wiley out the kitchen door to the fenced-in yard so he could have his final outdoor break for the night. She peeled off her clothes, taking one last sniff before she tossed them in the laundry basket. It was a mix of smoke and lavender fields. She smiled, thinking about her makeover in the ladies’ room.God bless Chi-Chi.She wrapped Chi-Chi’s skillful braid around her head, covered it with a towel, and jumped into the shower. Satisfied she had managed to wash the dust and air freshener off her, she pulled on her favorite terrycloth robe, then padded to the kitchen to let Wiley back in. She made a cup of hot chocolate, tucked the book under her arm, and headed to her bedroom, Wiley at her heels.
She thumbed through the well-worn pages, reading the notes she had scribbled in the margins. A sense of elation came over her. She might not skyrocket into the astral plane, but she was going to set her mind on dreaming about Marshal Gaines.
* * *
The next morning, Luna awoke refreshed and buoyant. She always kept a pad and pen next to her bed in case she had a dream she thought worth remembering and dissecting. In her dream, she was at Cullen’s house with Chris Gaines. Cullen was showing Chris his new fly-fishing equipment. That was a given since they had discussed it over dinner. She hadn’t seen any of Cullen’s new gear yet, but in her dream, she watched Cullen show Gaines a spindly thing with orange and red spikes. The words “casaba melons” came to mind, so she wrote them down.
She bounced out of bed, and Wiley did the same. The two raced to the kitchen, Wiley yapping with excitement. His squirrel buddies were trying to get into the bird feeder again. It was their morning ritual. Squirrels, Wiley, and coffee.
Luna switched on the TV to see if anything had blown up while she was asleep. Just another politician hawking the latest book on “enough already.” A few minutes later, Wiley was scratching at the door for his breakfast. Luna let him in while she was still clicking the remote when she came across a cooking show. Then it hit her. She would invite Gaines over for dinner the next time he was in town. Why hadn’t she thought of that sooner? For someone with a good brain and instincts, hers did not seem to work on matters of the heart.Herheart. She shook her head. “What do you think of that idea, Wiley? Invite the marshal for dinner?” He woofed again. “Right, pal. If that doesn’t start a fire between us, then I’m giving up!” Wiley made a grumbling sound before lying prone and pulling his paws over his eyes.
Luna finished her coffee and shuffled her way to the bathroom, where she gave herself a discerning check. Except for a few wayward wisps of hair, the braid was still intact. She studied her face closely in the all-too-powerful magnifying mirror. “Why did I buy this thing?” She moaned, eyeing the pores that appeared as craters. Then she reminded herself that it was better if she caught the flaws before anyone else did. Why she cared so much was because she was in her midthirties and still single. Not that she had any intention of letting herself go, but why not be at the top of your game for as long as possible, looks included?
She splashed cold water on her face, then applied a daily moisturizer and eye balm. That was followed by a light foundation, blush, a dusting of shimmery eye shadow, a sweep of mascara, and pale lipstick. Pretty, without looking like she was going to a gala. The next challenge was deciding what to wear. She was standing in front of her open closet for what seemed like an eternity when her phone rang. It was Cullen. “We’ll be there in about ten minutes.” Luna was caught off guard. Shehadbeen staring at her closet for an eternity. Now she had to hustle. What hadn’t she worn in front of Gaines before? She racked her brain. A blue silk tunic at the far end of the closet caught her eye. She had been saving it for a special occasion and decided every day is a special occasion if you’re healthy. Today was as special as any other. Even more. A pair of slim white pants and a pair of metallic flats finished off her outfit. She grabbed her collection of bangle bracelets and hoop earrings just as Cullen’s SUV was pulling into her driveway. Wiley was already pacing the floor, his tail wagging a mile a minute.
“Come on, boy!” Luna grabbed her backpack, thinking maybe it was time to retire the hippie-dippie thing. She flung the coat closet door open and pulled out a decent-looking tote bag and quickly transferred her stuff. She let out a big breath of air as she unlocked the front door and stepped outside. “OK. Here we go,” she muttered under her breath. Wiley was already at the rear passenger door, barking his “hellos” to the men in the vehicle.
Gaines jumped out and opened the door for her and her pooch. “Your chariot awaits.”
Playing along, Luna put out her hand so he could assist her into the cab. “Why, thank you, kind sir.” He made an exaggerated bow.
“Please be sure to buckle up,” he instructed her. “And Lord Wiley as well.”
“But of course.” Luna enjoyed the little play they were performing for each other. Wiley sat next to her in anticipation of getting himself buckled in as well.
Gaines returned to his seat. “Tallyho, old man.” He quipped at Cullen.
Cullen groaned. “Thank goodness it’s not a long ride.”
“Party pooper,” Luna joked. She couldn’t hold her curiosity. “So how was the rest of your evening?”
“I’m going to be about three grand in the hole by the time your brother finishes with me,” Gaines said wryly.
“What do you mean?” Luna was surprised.
“He has a few very nice pieces of furniture that would look great in my place.”
“Cul? You’re going to sell him stuff from your house?” Luna was even more surprised.
“He was digging the dining-room table. If you recall, he wanted the table from the Millstone estate, but you commandeered it. I thought it would only be fair if I sold him the one I found. They’re very similar.”
“And what else are you going to try to fob off on him?” Luna poked at her brother.
“The wardrobe I’m working on. But that’s in the shop. It’s for Carter’s athletic equipment.”
“What else?”
“A dresser. The midcentury oak piece that’s in my dining room.”
“I don’t want to clean you out, man,” Gaines responded to Cullen’s inventory.
“That is a very nice piece. Are you sure you want to give it up?” Luna asked. “You spent a lot of time on it.”
“Shush. I have this guy on a hook. Let me reel him in,” Cullen said conspiratorially.
