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Cullen got up and brushed against Chi-Chi accidentally. He was mortified. “I am so terribly sorry.” Cullen spewed an apology.
Chi-Chi was happy her honey-toned skin didn’t reveal the blush in her cheeks. “It is not a problem.”
Luna piled the dishes, cups, and the basket onto the tray and placed it on the counter. Ellie said her goodbyes and thanked Gaines for his superb suggestion.
“If it doesn’t work out, let me know. I might have a few contacts of retired law enforcement in the area.”
“Thanks again.” Ellie gave him a hug.
“I must get to my shop,” Chi-Chi said to the group. “Enjoy the rest of the morning. Have a safe trip home.” She waved to Gaines as she turned to leave.
Luna could barely contain her excitement. She, Cullen, and Gaines were on another “assignment” together. She put the sign on her door that said:
PLEASE GO NEXT DOOR FOR SERVICE
Even though the sensor would trigger a bell in Cullen’s workshop, a sign was helpful.
“Let’s do this,” Luna said playfully, as she bounced toward the rear of Cullen’s showroom and into the workshop. She was as excited as a child would be going to an amusement park.
Gaines paused for a moment to enjoy her boundless enthusiasm. She was part nymph and part woman. Luna stopped in her tracks and turned to him. “Everything all right?” She cocked her head.
Gaines’s smile was from ear to ear. “Everything is just fine.”
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Your excitement to solve a puzzle,” Gaines replied.
“Well, isn’t that what you do at your job? Solve puzzles? You just call them cases.” She smirked at him.
Gaines nodded as he continued to smile. “I guess you are absolutely correct. I never thought of it that way.”
“Stick with me, Marshal. I’ll have you thinking things you never thought before.” She raised her eyebrows with a devilish smile.
Ifsheonly knew,he thought.
Ifheonly knew,she thought, as they caught each other’s eye. She felt her face get a bit flushed.
“Is it getting hot in here?” Cullen opened the rear door. He wasn’t being facetious, but he was right on the money.
Gaines tried to keep his cool. No pun intended. Luna started fanning her face with her hand and began her speaking with a Southern drawl again. “Ah do declare, I have the vapors!”
Cullen turned back in their direction when the double entendre occurred to him.Well, good. It’s about time these two got down to business.Cullen was well aware of the fondness between his sister and the good marshal. He also knew Gaines was sweet on Luna. The night before, after the fly-fishing show-and-tell, the two shared a beer before they turned in. Gaines tried to be subtle, but the more questions he asked Cullen about Luna’s social life, the more Cullen realized Gaines had real feelings for his sister. During their conversation, Gaines asked Cullen about his social life as well. Girlfriend? Clubs? Activities?
Cullen explained he had been through a few relationships and made a conscious choice to focus on himself and his work, and when the right person came along, he would be happy to pursue it. He explained he thought there was too much pressure to be “paired up with someone.” He wasn’t far from wrong. Dinner invitations at people’s homes seemed limited to couples. He also made a point to tell Gaines that Luna was usually his plus one, including the fact she didn’t have a boyfriend. He was subtle about it, but he knew that Gaines wanted that particular piece of information and was happy to oblige. When Gaines and Luna spoke on the phone, neither one ever brought up the subject of dating anyone so neither of them knew about the other’s social life.
Cullen gestured toward the trunk. “And there it is.”
The three of them gathered around the smoky wood. “There was no return address?” Gaines said rhetorically. He already knew the answer. “Let’s have a look at the letter.”
The three walked to the large worktable where the contents were laid out. Cullen handed Gaines the letter.
“Curiouser and curiouser,” Luna chirped. “Check this out.” She pulled on a plastic glove and gently lifted the diary from the table. “Cullen is going to pick the lock.” Luna handed it to Gaines, folded her arms, and started tapping her foot.
“OK. OK. I’ll do it this afternoon. I know it looks simple, but I don’t want to break it or ruin the flap. This is sensitive work, my dear.”
“You’d think he was performing surgery,” Luna joked.
“It’smykind of surgery.” Cullen made a face.
