“Nothing.” Luna was trying to keep her equanimity, but her latest sip of coffee went up her nose. Cullen stood stoically. Luna tried to look up at her brother, but the coffee was now running from her nose and down her chin. She couldn’t stop laughing.

“I’ll come back later.” Cullen began to turn away.

“No. No. Please.” Chi-Chi beckoned him with a graceful wave.

Luna finally regained some poise. “What can I do for you, my brother?”

“I was wondering about that trunk.”

“Oh. And so you’ve been bitten by the mystery bug, eh?”

“I don’t know if I should deposit the money order or not.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.”

“Now, that has never, ever happened. What’s bugging you, bro?”

“The whole thing. The more I thought about it, and what you said, the creepier I felt.”

All eyes went around the table. “What is making you feel creepy?” Chi-Chi asked.

Luna and Cullen explained about the mysterious, smoke-laden steamer trunk, letter, and money order that had been delivered anonymously that morning.

“I really don’t have time to start the project right now, but I am curious about all of it,” Cullen added.

Ellie looked at her watch. “It’s almost time to open the center. Why don’t we reconvene later and we can have a group think about it?”

“I like that idea.” Luna shot up from her seat. “We can make it a group project. I’m sure there are a few things we can do to help.” She looked at her brother.

He smirked. “Not sure what I’m getting myself into, but yes, let’s meet up later. Say five thirty?”

“Works for me,” Luna said.

“We close at five today, so that is fine with me, too,” Chi-Chi answered.

“You’ve got yourself a deal, young man.” Ellie stood and patted him on the shoulder.

Cullen chuckled. “I hope I won’t regret this.”

Luna flicked him on the back of his head.

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Thirty miles from Stillwell Art Center
Present day

Tori was just leaving her doctor’s office. Her hands were still shaking from the news. She was pregnant. Again. Sure, lots of women have babies at thirty-eight. But those are normally planned. True, she had missed her last period; but she was never “regular.” She suspected it was a result of a not-so-romantic situation with her husband.