Page 59 of Proof

“Like I said, I haven’t wrapped my head around it yet. I need to speak to Chris, you, Chi-Chi, and of course, Gail.”

“Okay, you’re speaking to me now. What do you need?”

“Wylie-sitting?”

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask me. You might have to ask him, but I’m good with it.”

“Thanks. I think this trip will do me a lot of good. Sit on a few Red Rock vortexes and open up to the universe.” She hesitated before she went on, but being Luna, she couldn’t help herself. “Maybe it will tell me what happened to Brendan.”

“Two things. One, it sounds like the perfect place for you.” Cullen smiled. “And two, you need to let this Brendan thing go. You’re the one who always says, ‘The universe is unfolding as it should, so let it do its job and unfold.’ Don’t obsess about this. You need to focus on your mission for Ellie. And have some fun with Gail.” He was relieved to see his sister’s mood lighten up.

“Right. I had better call her now to see when she’s available. Then I’ll give Chris a buzz.” She got on her tippy-toes and planted a sisterly kiss on his forehead.

“What was that for?”

“It’s forehead-kissing day. Didn’t anyone tell you?” Luna twirled around and headed back to her café. There was lots to do.

Chapter Thirteen

Asheville, North Carolina

That Same Day

The Makeover

The minute she returned to the café, Luna phoned her long-time college buddy. “Honey pie!” Luna always referred to Gail that way.

“Sweetcakes!” was always Gail’s response. “What is going on?”

“Got a minute?” Luna asked.

“Absolutely. Speak to me.”

“Ellie wants me to go to Sedona to check out some of the artists at Tlaquepaque. She’s doing an ornament exhibit featuring native and indigenous artists. She wants to display them with a placard explaining the origin of the pieces. I have to find five or six artists who would want to participate.”

“Oh, that is fantastic! I don’t think anyone would say no,” Gail said.

“Well, you know how some artists can be.”

“True. True. But I know several that would jump at the opportunity to have their work shown in a prestigious art center in Asheville.”

“Oh, good. That will save me a little time. Give us more time to play!” Luna began to immerse herself in the planning of her trip. “So . . . can I stay with you?”

“Do you have to ask?” Gail laughed. “Of course, you can.”

“I don’t want to impose on you and Robert.”

“Our B&B is available the entire month. You and I can stay there together. We’ll be out of Robert’s hair!” Gail hooted. “I sent you the pics, right?”

“You did. And it’s beautiful. I can’t believe you laid all that tile yourself.”

“Remember? My father made my siblings and me help him lay the paving stones for the rear garden.”

“That was a rather impressive undertaking.”

“I could probably become a mason, but now that I’m getting regular manicures, that’s out of the question.” She laughed. “Once I laid that last piece of tile, I decided that tile work, masonry work, or any other kind of construction work was going to be done by professionals. I’ll supervise,” she declared.

“Isn’t it funny how when we get older, there are things we wouldn’t dream of doing now?”

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