“Likewise.” Gaines put his hand on Cullen’s shoulder, wrapped his other arm around Luna’s shoulder, and gave her an exaggerated side squeeze. It was effortless considering it was almost two months since they had been in each other’s company. Lots can change in a short amount of time. But it was if they had simply picked up where they left off. It had been that way from the start.

The hostess greeted the frequent diners, reminding Cullen she had an old china cabinet she wanted him to look at. Luna gave Chi-Chi an eye roll. Both women knew the perky hostess was always flirting with Cullen. But Cullen never took the bait. He had other interests, even if the “other” person didn’t know it. Yet. Soon. Maybe.

As they settled in their seats, Gaines began the conversation. “So, what kind of trouble are you getting yourself into these days?” Everyone knew he was joking. It wasn’t necessarily trouble, but there was always plenty of activity swirling around Luna. She was a force of nature. Yet she navigated through it with aplomb. She was the calming center when things got a bit lively.

All eyes went to Luna. “What?” She slumped back in her seat, faking a pout.

“Well, that certainly tells me there is something afoot.”

“Says Sherlock Holmes,” Luna teased back.

Cullen jumped in. “Yes, there is something very puzzling going on. I received a very old trunk. A steamer. I’m thinking maybe 1920s. There was no return name or address, but there was a letter and a money order.”

Luna couldn’t contain herself and sat upright. “And it had been near a fire!”

Cullen leaned in toward the others and described the mysterious delivery. He went on to describe the contents, what little there was of them, and Gaines immediately knew what was going to come next. Luna was going to try to solve the puzzle. Who sent it? Who owned it?

“Of course, Luna has already tried to get a vibe off the wood and the letter.” Now Cullen was being serious. They could tease her, but not question her.

“So what did you get?” Gaines turned his attention to her.

“I drew a sketch of peaks and a boy. He was unhappy. Abandoned. And at some point terrified.”

“Could have something to do with the fire that the trunk was exposed to.”

“Well, yeah, sure. But the kid. It was a very sad feeling. I didn’t get a vibe that he had crossed over. So I’m thinking maybe he was around the fire?” Luna stared off in the distance, then shook it off. “No shoptalk.”

“As if,” Cullen joked. He turned to Gaines. “But I do happen to have a nice wardrobe closet that would be great for Carter’s baseball equipment.”

“That might work. Right now the laundry room looks like a grenade went off from a sporting goods shop.”

Luna giggled. “No shoptalk.”