Page 103 of Proof

“I guess it was a tie?” She was being cheeky.

“I think you had more points on the board.” He was smiling. “It wasn’t as if I doubted you personally.”

“Well, then, who were you doubting?”

“Perhaps myself. But, in my defense, you didn’t look like the Luna I know. It was a little unnerving.”

“I get it. But you said you liked the new look.” She was almost purring.

“Luna, I would like almost anything you’d do to your hair.”

“What do you mean almost?”

“Just don’t go all mohawk or mullet on me, okay?”

“Deal!”

“I think we should both try to get some rest. I have to pick up Carter tomorrow in Hickory. What if we swing by?”

“Are you sure? I mean, you haven’t seen him in three weeks. Maybe he doesn’t want an audience while he spends time with his dad.”

“I have a confession to make,” Chris said.

“Oh? What?” Luna’s curiosity peaked.

“Before we both left, I told Cullen to keep an eye out for a 1959 Thunderbird that needed to be restored.”

“You did what?” She was half surprised and half elated.

“Yeah. He’s having it delivered tomorrow morning. I thought I’d show it to Carter and see what he thinks about our project.”

“Wow. You are some quick operator.” Luna chuckled.

“Why wait?” Chris laughed. “We can swing by and have lunch, and then I’ll drive him back to my place. Sound okay with you?”

“Sounds close to perfect to me.” Luna was smiling from ear to ear.

“Great. I’ll see you around noon. Goodnight, my little lunatic. Love you, babe.”

“Good night, Marshal Gaines. Love you, too.”

Chapter Twenty-two

Back to Normal

Sorta

Luna slept like she was in a coma. She didn’t even hear her alarm go off. But Wylie was determined to get her up so she could let him out and give him his breakfast. Luna rubbed her eyes. She was a little disoriented. Home. Right. Got it.

“Hey, pal. Give me a sec.”

She sat up and looked at her new phone. Yes, she’d made an outbound call. Yes, it was to Chris. Then she replayed the conversation from the night before to make sure it wasn’t a dream. When she was convinced it was real, she threw off the covers and bounced out of bed.

“Come on, pal! What are you waiting for?”

She let Wylie out, opened a can of his food, and set it on the floor. He must have known, because he was scratching at the door tout suite. Luna padded to the bathroom and went through her normal routine. Normal. What a nice change. She loved Sedona and was thrilled she’d had the opportunity to see her friend and the glorious surroundings. She could have used a tad less drama. On the other hand, she was happy to know Brendan was alive and well. At least she hoped he was well. Knowing he was being protected by people like Chris gave her some comfort. They were all over the situation like ants at a picnic.

Luna and Wylie piled into her SUV and headed to Stillwell. It had only been five days, but it seemed like weeks. Chi-Chi was the first to greet her with her big, beautiful smile. She was waving her hand in the air, as if she were swatting away flies. Then Luna noticed the sparkling diamond on her left hand. Luna grabbed it immediately. “What? When did this happen? Oh, my goodness! We’re going to be related.” Then she paused. “You are marrying my brother, right?”

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