Page 87 of Secrets (Lost and Found 2)

Luna reached over and patted the woman’s hand. “You have been extremely helpful. We are going to grab some lunch. Can we get you anything?”

“Oh no, I’m fine. I brought my lunch. Will you be coming back?”

“Yes. I want to find out everything I can about the fire.”

“Any particular reason? You said you were doing research,” the librarian asked.

“It has to do with an old mysterious trunk. We’re trying to put the pieces together.”

“Sounds intriguing. If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know when you come back.”

Luna and Ellie got up, thanked the woman, and scurried out the door.

“Can you believe that?” Luna was all atwitter.

“When you get a feeling about something, you are on the money, honey.” Ellie put her arm around Luna.

“I don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me to ask her when we first got here. Librarians know everything!” They linked arms and practically skipped to the local tap house.

They both ordered cheeseburgers with fries. “I’m going to hate myself in a few hours, when the french fries start reminding me of what an idiot I was to eat them.” Ellie dunked one into the ketchup.

“Yeah. Why is that everything that tastes good and feels good is bad for you?” Luna wiped her mouth.

“Speaking of what is good for you, you have had a very different aura about you since you got back.” Ellie smiled as she slathered more ketchup on the crispy potatoes.

“Funny. That’s what Cullen said. Imagine him using the word ‘aura.’”

“I can. Because it’s true. You and the marshal had a nice time together?”

“We did, indeed.” She took another bite of her juicy burger.

“I don’t mean to pry. But I know how fond you are of each other. I guess what I am trying to say is that you and Christopher seem well suited for each other.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Luna pointed her pinky at Ellie as she chomped down on the meat.

“Goodness, girl. You aren’t getting any younger. Isn’t it time for you to . . .”

“Settle down?” Luna quickly interrupted.

“Not in the traditional sense of settling down. I know that’s not your thing. But having a nice, warm relationship with someone isn’t a terrible thing.”

Luna wiped her hands on the checkered cloth napkin.

“You are right. There are no rules anymore. Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes not so much.”

“Have you made plans to see each other again?” Ellie asked.

“Yes! I am going back weekend after next to help him pick out paint and a few other things.”

“Well, it sounds to me he surely wants your participation.”

“And I am happy to do it.” Luna reached over and grabbed one of Ellie’s fries. “You’re right. These are not good for you. I’ll help you get rid of them.”

Ellie smacked Luna’s hand with a fry. “Don’t get too handsy with me, little lady.”

Luna laughed and motioned for the waitress to bring the check. “I don’t mean to rush, but now that we have more pieces to the puzzle, maybe we can find a name or two in the newspapers.”

“I should probably stop eating these things anyway,” Ellie said.