Luna looked at the clock. It was almost noon. She was happy Cullen had interrupted the morning’s conversation. The subject of U.S. Marshal Christopher Gaines always unnerved her. When it came to men, she was skittish. Especially the ones she liked. Any woman with a brain should be skittish around men. But Gaines was different. He had an easy way about him. He was patient, charming, and had a good sense of humor. She didn’t have to explain her “gift,” and he showed tremendous respect for her work with children. They shared the same quick wit and dry sense of humor although Luna knew she could be a handful. Not that she was a flake, but when she zeroed in on something or someone, it was like trying to wrestle a sock out of a dog’s mouth.

Weeks after the gala, Gaines had business in the area and invited her to dinner. She wasn’t sure if it was a date but when they knocked heads as he tried to kiss her, she figured that perhaps it was. It was awkward and funny at the same time.

Whenever Gaines was in the area, they would meet for dinner. Once they took a long hike in the mountains, and she went to Charlotte twice to help on a case. When they were alone, they would walk arm in arm as if they had been doing it for years. But they never held hands. It was OK if you were eight years old, but as an adult, holding hands was a sign of something more intimate. But she was comfortable and felt safe with him. He was always the perfect gentleman, never asking or pushing for her to bed down with him. He would kiss her softly at the end of the night, and Luna could feel the chemistry flowing between them. It was all she could do to maintain her balance. They were developing a bond. Something deeper. But it hadn’t gone any further between them. Truth be told, she wished it had, but she wasn’t going to push it. It had been sweet and lovely. Why mess with that? Which is exactly why she avoided discussing it with Ellie and Chi-Chi.

Luna pulled out her two-way radio and called Sabrina, one of the local college art students who volunteered at the center. “Bri? Can you hold the fort for me for a few minutes? I want to grab a sandwich and check on Wiley.”

A scratchy noise came through, then Sabrina’s voice.

“Sure. No problem. Be there in five. I’m upstairs at Hands of Time.” Hands of Time specialized in vintage watches, all refurbished to their original condition, and many fetching prices well into the thousands.

Luna then signaled Alex. “Hey, Alex. How’s my guy doing?”

Another scratchy sound before she heard his reply. “He’s napping under the tree. He got a pretty good workout with the Frisbee this morning.”