Page 13 of Proof

“Yeah, but you always knew somehow he was proud of you. And your sister. By the way, what is she up to these days?”

“Follow me.” Cullen walked to the door that opened to Luna’s café.

“Duke!” Luna squealed with pleasure when she spotted them. “What on earth are you doing here?” She gave him a huge hug, staying clear of his scruffy beard.

“Your brother asked me to deliver something that was in storage.” He looked around Luna’s place with the same awe he’d exhibited at Cullen’s. “This place yours?”

“It is.” Luna grinned. “Cullen figured if he kept me close by, he could make sure I stayed out of trouble. Welcome to the Namaste Café.”

Duke stopped short when he looked out to the atrium. “Holy smoke! I heard about this place but never came by. Thought it might be a little too hoity-toity for me.” His jaw was agape. “This here place has a bunch of artist types, food, and all that other stuff?”

Luna laughed. “Yep, and all that other stuff.” Duke was not quite a hillbilly. “How about a cup of coffee?”

“I don’t want to put you out.”

“Duke, this is a café. This is what I do. I make coffee.” She left out the psychic stuff. She didn’t want to spook the man. She had done that enough times, like when she was eleven and told him things she could not possibly know, such as how his brother had stolen five hundred dollars from Duke’s coffee can when he believed he had it well hidden in the back of the freezer. She’d thought he was going to have a heart attack when she asked him, “What happened to the frozen money?” He never answered her. It was hard enough for him to admit it to himself, let alone say it out loud: “My brother is a cheat.” He simply turned pale, got in his truck, and drove away.

Cullen pulled out a chair. “Have a seat.”

“I don’t want to take you away from your work.” Duke peered into the atrium and noticed the place was empty.

Luna was reading his mind again. “The center is closed on Monday and Tuesday, but I’m usually here and keep the coffee going for anyone else in the building. I’ll give you a tour after our coffee. What would you like? Cappuccino? Espresso? Latte?”

“Them’s too fancy fer me. Got a regular cup of java in that fancy machine?”

“Sure do. Cream and sugar?” Luna asked.

“Is there any other way? I mean besides all that other stuff?” He snorted.

“Coming right up.” Luna turned toward the coffee maker and began whipping up a latte for Cullen. She also brewed a regular cup of java for Duke. While Duke was gawking at the interior landscaping and the scope of the center, she grabbed a couple of scones and brought everything to the table.

“How’s the family, Duke? Still living in North Carolina?” Cullen asked.

“My daughter and her hubby moved to Georgia. He got a job in Savannah working for Gulfstream Aerospace. I’m glad I made that girl go to college so she could meet a fine man. And she did. She’s a teacher, you know.”

“I remember when she first went to school. You were so proud,” Luna said.

“Yep. Someone in this family needed an edge-u-cation.” He slapped his knee. “Still waiting for them grandbabies.” He slurped his coffee and then shook his head. “But I don’t think that’s gonna happen. But it’s okay, I guess. They’re happy.”

Luna patted him on the hand. “That’s all that matters. And health, of course. Speaking of health, you’re looking pretty fit!”

“Well, I try to walk a few miles every day. And then I help out at the local farms. It’s hard to find good workers, so I lend a hand when I can. Gotta be a good neighbor.”

Duke was a kind spirit. He’d worked for the Bodmans for over twenty years and was generous with his time. He charged a flat fee, even if the job took twice as long as he planned. But the Bodmans were appreciative and always gave him a liberal bonus each year. They also appreciated his babysitting skills, such as the times he would take the kids for a joyride while the Bodmans had business to tend to.

“So what did you bring for Cullen?” Luna asked.

Duke shot Cullen a look. He knew it was supposed to be a surprise, but maybe Cullen had already told her.

Cullen cleared his throat. “Just something I came across when I checked the storage unit a few weeks ago. I’m trying to clear it out little by little.”

“So you’re bringing stuff here,” Luna teased.

“Only stuff that’s salvageable. And one thing at a time.” Cullen peered over his coffee mug. It was true that he’d wanted this to be a surprise—well, it still would be when Luna saw it. He’d been hoping he could refurbish it first, but knowing Luna, she would have sniffed his secret out sooner rather than later. Besides, he might do something to it that she wouldn’t like. Yes, it was better to show her right away.

As they were finishing up their coffee, Luna spotted Chi-Chi in the distance and waved her over. A beautiful cloud of colors floated across the atrium.

“Lordy. Who is that?” Duke asked in awe. “Some kind of princess?”

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