“That’s very interesting. Once in a while, I’ll find something in the house that I could swear I hadn’t put where I found it. Especially my keys. But I always chalk that up to my age.”
“Did you and Richard joke or argue about keys?” Luna asked.
Ellie let out a guffaw. “Yes! He could never find his, and I would tease him about it. I even put a silver dish on the table next to the front door. I’d leave notes. Keys go here. I cannot tell you how many times we were late to an engagement because he couldn’t find his keys. We would invariably end up using mine.”
“That’s another way of him connecting with you.” Luna tilted her head. “Do you ever feel his presence?”
Ellie looked up from the handkerchief, which was now in a big knot. “Sometimes. In fact, I felt it last night. I could have sworn I smelled his cologne. Kiehl’s Musk.”
Luna got up and wrapped her arms around Ellie and whispered, “Have no fear.”
Ellie hugged her back and thanked her for the insight and inspiration and assured Luna that unless Luna wanted to make her extra talent known, Ellie would keep it to herself.
Luna was relieved that her secret side wasn’t off-putting to Ellie. In truth, Luna was thrilled. That was an issue Luna was tormented about. What would Ellie say? What would she think? Would she kick her out? Luna’s instincts told her that Ellie would be supportive, but sometimes Luna’s talents were not self-serving. Otherwise, she would have won the lottery by now. She was eager to tell Cullen that the cat was out of the bag with Ellie. But she didn’t want to get interrogated about the night before. Besides, Marshal Gaines should be stopping by any minute.
Luna was dressed a little more casually than the night before. She was wearing a cream-colored gauze maxi dress trimmed in green embroidery, with green tassels hanging at the cuffs and two hanging down from the hand-stitched collar. Bronze metallic gladiator sandals adorned her feet, and a bronze fabric was woven into the long braid that fell over her right shoulder. Her fancy do was a bit disheveled from the night before, but it still looked pretty and feminine. Bronze-and-brass bangle bracelets with matching earrings completed her upscale bohemian look. She checked her reflection in one of the mirrors on the wall. She felt comfortable. Sorta. Anxious? Maybe. Terrified? Probably. Over her shoulder, she spotted Gaines’s handsome face as he moved through the crowd. She liked the way he walked. Long strides. Not rushed. A man who appeared to know where he was going.
“Good morning!” Gaines strode into the café, wearing jeans, a chambray button-down shirt, and a navy-blue corduroy blazer that set off his blue eyes.
“You look very pretty today.” Gaines smiled at her.
“Thank you, Marshal Gaines.” She was being coy, but neither of them seemed to mind. It was cute. Flirty.
“Sit.” Luna gestured to a table that had a basket of scones and muffins. “How do you take your morning coffee?”
“American, with a shot of espresso?”
“Coming right up. Cream or froth?”
“Talk about fancy. Just a dash of cream, please.”
Luna quickly made the coffee and brought it to the table. Gaines was about to get up, when she said, “Sit.” Then she giggled. “I didn’t mean it as in ‘sit’ like I tell Wiley.”
“You’re funny. You know that?” Gaines was amused by her for sure.
They sat for about a half hour as Luna described some of the artists and their work. He definitely wanted to see the beer-can art. Must be a guy thing, but Jimmy’s work was genuinely interesting.
Luna leaned in closer, lowering her voice to almost a whisper. “That Jimmy Can-Do artist? He’s an enigma. No one ever sees him. He gets here before the center opens, puts his stuff out, then disappears. I don’t think anyone has ever spotted the guy. I know I haven’t. Weird.”
“Want me to do a background check?” Gaines was only half kidding.
Luna laughed. “Not yet. But if things start getting a little hinky, I’ll let you know.”
“Good deal. Shall we get going? I have a meeting in two hours.”
“Sure thing.” Luna picked up the basket and the coffee cups. She rinsed the cups and tossed the remaining crumbs into a separate basket she kept for the birds. At the end of each day, whatever crumbs were left she would bring out to the back and toss near the bird feeders. Yes, Ellie had thought of them, too.
They made their first stop at Cullen’s. He was working in the back, getting some of the recent items organized.
“Hey.” Cullen looked up and wiped his hands on a towel hanging from the pocket of his work apron. “Good to see you, man. Thanks again for last night.”
Gaines extended his hand. “Don’t mention it. My pleasure.”
“So what are you two up to?” Cullen grinned.
“I’m giving him a tour.” Luna stuck out her chin as if to say What about it?
“Oh. Right. Well, I’m sure if she tries to give you any trouble, you’ll be able to handle it, Marshal.” Cullen smirked.
“See. Always the comedian.” Luna stuck out her tongue. She grabbed Gaines’s arm. “Let’s blow this Popsicle stand.”
“You heard her. I guess I am at her mercy for now. Catch you later.” Gaines almost stumbled as Luna tugged him harder.
* * *
Luna spent a delightful morning with Marshal Gaines. He was fascinated with the glassblowing place called Hot Sand. They made everything from bedazzled pumpkins to tableware. He purchased a set of blue drinking glasses for his new house. His other fascination was with Jimmy Can-Do’s art. He couldn’t resist the baseball bat that was made of hundreds of pieces of cut-up cans. He must have stared at it for several minutes. “I wonder how he did this,” he said out loud.
“Your guess is as good as mine. At least we can watch the other artists at work. Jimmy does his in private, then puts them on display.”
“Interesting. The honor system.” Gaines nodded in the direction of the sign. The tag on the bat was $150. “Wow, that’s steep for recycling.” But he seemed incapable of putting it down. “It’s well balanced, and the weight feels right. About two pounds.” He looked around to make sure nothing was in the way. He planted his feet several inches apart, pulled the bat over his right shoulder, and took a swing. “Impressive. It’s remarkable that he was able to spell out the word BASEBALL along the side. Maybe from Budweiser, Stella Artois? Very cool.” He turned the bat over in his hand. “Carter would get such a kick out of this.”
Luna chuckled. “Oh, Carter would get a kick out of it? I think Carter’s dad is getting a huge kick out of it.”
Gaines smiled. “You are so observant.”
“Nah. I got the vibe.” She laughed.
Gaines opened his wallet and took out a pen and one of his business cards. He wrote “baseball bat” on the back and placed it in the honor system box. “I guess this can’t be gift wrapped,” he said jokingly.
“Not here, but my friend Chi-Chi can probably help you out.” Luna gestured to the sign that said SILVER & STONE. “Follow me.”
They walked past the other galleries. Gaines stopped in front of the Clay-More pottery studio. “I could use a set of dishes.” He peered inside.
“Who knew I was taking you on a shopping spree?” Luna laughed.
“Honestly, I hate to shop, and when I do, I have little time. This is a much better way to do it. And I’m supporting local artists.” Gaines was very matter-of-fact.
“Well, I am happy to see you supporting Ellie’s project. She worked extremely hard to make all of this possible.” Luna followed Gaines into the pottery shop, where he was immediately drawn to a set of cobalt-blue dishes.
He picked up a dinner plate. “Very wabi-sabi,” he said casually.
“OK. Now I’m really impressed. You know what wabi-sabi means.” She was truly taken aback.
“Japanese for simplicity and taking pleasure in imperfections.” He said it quite casually while inspecting the matching pieces. He reached into the shopping bag that contained the g
lasses he had purchased from Hot Sand. The colors were a perfect combination of blues.
“You are a very interesting dude,” Luna said with admiration.
“Why, thank you, Miss Bodhi. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I think of myself as a Renaissance man.”
“Bodhi?” Luna stopped in her tracks. She wasn’t sure what was more shocking, his knowing her nom de plume or that he considered himself a Renaissance man.
“I am in the law-enforcement business. I know someone who knows someone . . .” His voice trailed off as Luna finished his sentence.
“. . . who knows someone.” She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. “I guess I’d better be on my best behavior around you.”
“I think I can handle it.” Gaines looked her straight in the eye. It sent a little shiver down Luna’s spine. But in a good way.
Jennine, the potter, walked over to them. “Hi, Luna. Who do we have here?” She eyed the handsome gentleman who was handling her workmanship.
“This is my friend Christopher Gaines.” Luna put a protective hand on his arm. Protective or possessive? Watch that body language, girl. But Gaines didn’t flinch or seem to mind.
Jennine held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Christopher Gaines. I’m Jennine May. I’m the shopkeeper and potter.” She held on to his hand a few seconds too long as far as Luna was concerned.
“I like your style.” Gaines eyed the dish, being complimentary without being flirtatious.
“Why, thank you.”
Luna was starting to get annoyed. She checked her own body language and tone. “Christopher? What do you think?”
He turned over the plate and saw that it was marked at twenty dollars. He did some quick calculations in his head. “Do you have matching cereal bowls?” He had a budget of $300 for tableware in mind.
“I do. I also have salad plates and mugs.”
“I’m looking for a service for four. Do you sell them in sets?”
“For you? Of course.” Jennine batted her eyes.
Jennine pulled out her pocket calculator. “Four dinner plates, salad, bowls, and mugs. “That would be $260 for the set. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good to me.” Gaines was pleased that he didn’t have to go over his budget, and he was getting exactly what he had been looking for. Something cool-looking yet masculine.
“I’ll wrap these up for you.” Jennine began to stack the dishes.
“Let me help,” Gaines offered.
“Me too,” Luna chimed in, and picked up the four mugs, two in each hand. “While Jennine is packing these, let’s head over to Chi-Chi’s.”
“Good idea. I’m going to have to hit the road soon,” Gaines agreed.
“We’ll be back in a bit.” Luna put her arm through his and steered him toward the doorway.
Gaines was laughing softly. “What was that all about? I sensed a little bit of tension between the two of you.”
Luna was totally forthright. “She’s a vampire.”
Gaines burst out laughing. “But it’s daylight.” He nodded up at the skylights with the bright sunlight streaming in.
“Ha. That’s what makes her a really good vampire,” Luna replied.
Gaines snorted. “You are a funny girl.”
“I come from a family of comedians,” she retorted. As they walked toward Silver & Stone, she stopped short.
“What?” Gaines asked.
“The Bodhi thing.” Luna looked up at him. “Why? How?”
Gaines cleared his voice. “Before we could hire you as a consultant, we had to do a background check. Strictly routine.”
“But I only use Bodhi for . . .” She wondered how she was going to explain her side job.
“I know. Your paranormal psychology studies.” Gaines didn’t flinch.
“So you know about that, too?” Luna hoped it wasn’t going to make any relationship impossible.
“I do.”
“And?” Luna held her breath as she awaited his response.
“I don’t judge. That’s for the courts. I only uphold the law.” Gaines smiled. “So as long as you aren’t doing anything illegal, I really can’t do much about it.”
“You don’t think it’s weird or spooky?”
“Remember what I said to you the first day we met? I’ve seen and heard a lot doing my job. I don’t disavow anything without proof or from my personal experience.”
“Hmmm.” Luna wasn’t sure how to answer. “So you don’t think I’m kooky?”
“I didn’t say that.” Gaines chuckled. “You’re an interesting person. Enough said.”
“Deal.” Luna was relieved he didn’t think less of her or worse of her.
They finally came upon Silver & Stone. “This is my friend Chi-Chi’s place.” Luna peered around. “Chi-Chi? You have company.”
“Be right there!” A melodious voice with a subtle Nigerian accent floated from the back room. Chi-Chi moved with the supple flow of her caftan. “Sannu,” she said in the Hausa language of Nigeria, placing her palms in a prayer position and bowing slightly.
Gaines responded in kind. “Sannu.”
“Ah, a man of many languages, yes?” Chi-Chi remarked.
“Not really. I know a few ways to say hello and good-bye. Believe me, I am no linguist,” Gaines replied.
“This is Christopher Gaines. Marshal Christopher Gaines. We’ve worked together on a few projects,” Luna explained.
“Ah, yes, you have told me about him.” Chi-Chi extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Marshal Gaines.”
“Please, call me Christopher.” He smiled. “I hope Luna has only told you good things about me.”
“But of course.” Chi-Chi wasn’t about to reveal Luna’s secret crush, which wasn’t much of a secret anymore. Nonetheless, Chi-Chi was keeping a lid on it. “I see you’ve been shopping.” She pointed gracefully at the shopping bag and the baseball bat.
“Yes, and Jennine is wrapping a set of dishes for him.”
Luna gave Chi-Chi an eye roll when Gaines wasn’t looking. He was busy gawking at the finely polished silver jewelry. “Chi-Chi, do you think you could wrap the bat in something? It’s a gift for his son. Or so he says.” Luna gave him a sideward look.
“I most certainly can do that for your son.” Chi-Chi emphasized the word “son.”
“Your pieces are stunning.” Gaines was looking at a bib necklace adorned in tourmaline.
“This is one of my favorites. I brought the stones back from Nigeria,” Chi-Chi said proudly. “I am working on a festoon with the same gems, for a customer who was here last night.”
“I arrived late, so I missed most of the festivities, but Luna was kind enough to offer me a tour this morning.”
Luna almost corrected him. Wasn’t he the one who asked her to take him on a tour? She was starting to get jumpy again. He would have to leave soon. How would that wind down? Or would it wind up? Darn it. Why couldn’t she “see things” for herself?
“Right, Luna?” Gaines had said something, but she was daydreaming about how they were going to part that day.
“Sorry. I was mesmerized by that stone over there.” She was half telling the truth. It was an exceptionally large piece of raw amethyst, the stone for intuition, psychic abilities, relieving stress and anxiety. Luna was hoping it would activate all those properties in her at that very moment.
“Ah, yes. You have admired that before.” Chi-Chi gracefully swept her hand in the direction of the quartz, with its brilliant shades of purple. “It calls to you.”
“Uh, we better not get too deep with Marshal Gaines here. He already thinks I’m a little quirky,” Luna quipped.
Gaines cleared his throat in an amusing way. He pinched his forefinger and thumb together, measuring about an inch. “Yes, this much.”
“Ha. Ha. If this marshal thing doesn’t work out for you, you should consider being a stand-up comic,” Luna mocked. “You and my brother can take it on the road. Steve Martin and Martin Short, look ou
t!”
Chi-Chi let out a big hoot. “You two are both very funny. It is nice to hear people laugh. Sometimes, the seriousness of the world can be heavy on one’s shoulders. We must lighten the load as much as we can for each other, if not in deed, then in word. It is important to have a sense of humor.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Gaines said. “I seem to have been doing a lot of laughing since I got here.”
“It’s particularly good for the soul. It gives it nourishment.” Chi-Chi was on a roll.
Gaines smiled and nodded. “Very true.” He was thinking about his own load of raising a son half the time but trying to be accessible all the time. There was always a lot of stress with his job, plus he was in the process of moving, with a huge renovation job ahead of him. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in he couldn’t remember when. Must be the endorphins and serotonin the brain releases when you’re laughing. That, he knew, was a scientific fact.
Luna was getting conscious of the time. “We should head back over to Jennine’s. She should be finished wrapping your dishes by now.” She gave Chi-Chi another eye roll.
“Ah, let me see the bat. I have tissue and a large tote bag.”
Gaines handed it over to Chi-Chi.
“We’ll go pick up the dishes and swing back here,” Luna suggested.
“Very good.” Chi-Chi went to the back room, and Luna and Gaines proceeded to Jennine’s.
Jennine was pacing the floor. “Oh, there you are.” Luna could feel her vibe gushing out of every pore.
“Yes. Is everything ready to go?” Gaines asked, noticing that there were no shopping bags awaiting him.
“Oh yes. But I thought I’d give you a tour of my workshop before you go.”
Luna was about to lose it, but Gaines immediately responded.
“Thanks, but I really have to get going. I have an appointment at the Biltmore in a half hour.”
“Perhaps when you’re done?” Luna couldn’t believe Jennine was so pushy.
“I’m afraid I’ll be tied up until I have to return to Charlotte.” He was beginning to get impatient. Luna could see his body language. He was moving his toe up and down slowly. Not quite tapping it, but the sentiment was there. Luna almost laughed out loud.
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