“It was something in the letter. Something about the contents, and if they were in good order to please return them,” Luna said. “I would think that was a given. You return items contained within. But he made a point of it, so it had to be on his mind.”

“OK. But how do you know it’s a he?” Gaines mused. “Never mind. Dumb question.”

“And, so, maybe you could help us find the missing person?” Luna spoke in an innocent, childlike fashion.

“We don’t know if it has anything to do with a missing person.” Cullen jumped in, hoping to save Gaines the headache he was about to inherit.

Gaines leaned back in his chair. “As much as I would love to join the Jessica Fletcher Committee, I have to get back to Charlotte.”

“Tonight? But it’s getting late,” Luna said, disappointed. Disappointed for a couple of reasons.

Cullen decided to take a flying leap. “Hey, man, why don’t you crash at my place tonight? I have a foldout in my den. Then you can get a fresh start in the morning.”

Luna almost choked on her drink. Gaines staying at her brother’s house. That could go in many different directions. She wished she had the guts to ask him to stay in her spare room, but she still wasn’t ready for the totally awkward moment. If there would ever be one.

Gaines perked up. “Sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Give us a chance to catch up. I have a few new fishing flies I’d like to show you.”

“You tie them yourself?” Gaines was truly interested.

“I wish I could take the credit, but I’m learning.”

“I’ve taken Carter fishing a few times, but I’d like to get him into fly-fishing. Something we can keep doing as I get older.” He snickered. “Touch football is going to be out of my range soon enough.”

Luna jumped in. “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re in great shape!”

“Yeah, now. But in twenty, thirty years, I’d still like to have something in common with my son.”

“Christopher makes a very good point,” Chi-Chi added to the conversation. “It is important to have strong roots and bonds at an early age. Too often children grow up and grow out of the family unit. Even if they move away, it’s important to have something in common that can keep the threads of the family fabric strong.” Everyone stopped for a moment to digest what Chi-Chi had imparted. “Take the two of you, for example. You have restoration and design in common, as well as the soul of an artist.”

Luna was thoughtful. “True, but he still thinks I’m zany.”

Gaines laughed. “I don’t think that is something you can learn, or teach, for that matter.”