Page 33 of Secrets (Lost and Found 2)

“Let’s not push it, OK?” Cullen gave her a big hug.

“I’ll go clean up the café. Be back in a few. Ta-ta!” Luna went outside to fetch Wiley.

“Hey, Alex. Has he been a good boy?” She squatted down to scratch the dog’s ears and give him a hug.

“Always. I swear, I wish some of these kids would behave as well.”

“I hear ya. I think Ellie has a plan to handle the little maniacs.”

“Really? Like putting Valium in their milk?” Alex was teasing, but Luna knew the sentiment.

She laughed. “She is going to hire a security guard.”

“But we have state-of-the-art security, right?” Alex looked confused.

“Yes, but a big man with a uniform and a badge is what will keep those hooligans in line,” Luna explained.

“Huh. That never occurred to me.”

“Me neither, but Marshal Gaines was here earlier and suggested it to Ellie. Kids under ten have a lot more respect for authority, especially when it isn’t their parents.”

“Good point.”

“So the moms can sip their chardonnay and pick at their salads, and the kids won’t be running around like a pack of squirrels looking for nuts to hide.”

“What do you suppose they’ll do to keep themselves entertained?”

“Not our problem.” Luna chuckled. “Let the mommies figure it out. Maybe they’ll bring them to day care or hire a babysitter or bring the nanny. They can certainly afford it.”

“I could never understand why parents bring their children out in public, then ignore them,” Alex wondered aloud.

“It’s an accessory. Or a ‘look what I did. I gave birth.’”

Both of them laughed out loud, and Wiley gave a woof.

“Right? You need to pass a test to deliver the mail, but you don’t have to do anything to deliver a baby.”

“Alex, that was quite an astute comment.”

“Yeah, I have a few every once in a while.”

Luna smiled. “Gotta run. Thanks again. See you tomorrow.”

“Have a good night,” Alex called out, as Luna and Wiley dashed to the café.

As everyone was closing up, Luna realized she had never pinged Rita. “Dang.” She picked up her walkie-talkie. “Rita, I am so sorry. The day just got away from me.”

“No problem.” Rita sounded sincere.

“I have a busy day tomorrow, but how is Wednesday looking for you?”

“That should work fine. After we close?”

“You bet. I am marking it down on my calendar.” Luna did exactly that. “Again, sorry.”

“Again, no problem,” Rita echoed.

Chi-Chi was crossing the atrium as Luna was closing up. “Good evening.”