“I can take you, then come back and figure out what’s been done.” Nicky’s keychain jingled loudly.
“Anything to get out of work. Why don’t I take her in your car while you work? Then, when I get back to you, I can tackle that chimney.”
Nicky stuck her tongue out at Ronan. “I don’t think so, fine Irishman. Forget it. I don’t do chimneys as I’m not Santa, and it's too dusty. It took me an hour to get this makeup right. All that dust will ruin it.”
“I recall a time when you tried to come down the chimney like Santa. You insisted there were more Christmas gifts in the chimney as your parents still had you believing in Santa. Do you remember that, Luna?”
“I do.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault if no one told me the truth. I was thirteen. Who keeps that from their kids that long? I mean, seriously, thirteen. I wanted a new purse, one of those Gucciones and a few other things. Not seeing anything under the tree, I took matters into my own hands.”
“Well, it didn't turn out so well.” Luna offered helpfully, grabbing her purse and standing in her half-done living room.
“No, it didn’t, but then again, half of your stuff and Phoebe’s didn't turn out well either. Come on Luna, let’s go. I can see Ronan is in no hurry to move. What a gentleman.”
Five minutes later, Luna saw that Emma was knee-deep in a macaroni and cheese mess. She swooped in, grabbing paper towels and napkins with Bonnie and Nicky as they cleaned things up.
“What happened?”
“Bonnie dropped the tray. Now we have nothing for the specials menu. Everyone loves this so much. I can’t serve it again until tomorrow unless I stay until 1 a.m. to make it.”
“I’ll help. I make really good macaroni and cheese. If this is the one Shaun used to make on Friday nights, that’s good, but I can do better.”
“Really! Luna, I’d love you for it! The patrons love the macaroni and cheese, but some say it lacks something.”
Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, they say it lacks flavor, but no one has the guts to tell Dad.”
Luna smiled, excited she had something to do besides getting the house tidy. “This is perfect! It will give me something else to do.”
The kitchen floor was spotless. After washing off her hands, Luna fussed with her apron and grabbed a pencil. “Okay. I’m ready to go. Later, when I get home, I can make a giant tray if you have an extra you can lend me.”
Emma hugged her, surprising Luna. “I’m so happy you're here. You do not know how much I’ve heard Shaun talk about you all the time about the good old days when you, him, Phoebe, Ronan, well, and Nicky, too, used to get into all kinds of trouble.He also often brings up the bonfires you used to have at your secret spot at the beach.”
“He told you about all that! We have to catch up, but I see a line of people waiting to be seated.” Luna took her leave, finally feeling a sense of peace that she was at home. She and Ronan had much to discuss, and there was so much to do, but for now, she was content to be working. “I may not be the best waitress this town has seen, but at least I get the chance to make some extra money.”
“Who knows, working here might give you a few new ideas for your books. We’ll get you back on the bestseller list yet.” Emma said.
Ronan was looking for something to eat in the restaurant’s kitchen. When he pushed the kitchen door open, it hit something.
“Ouch!” He heard Luna’s voice from the other side, and she looked around the door and frowned. “Ronan, what are you doing back here? You nearly broke my nose.”
Going by instinct, and with that same connection they once shared when he saw her smile, Ronan kissed her nose. “You're fine.” He rubbed it lightly, ignoring the shocked look on her face.
He immediately moved to her left so Luna could get out the door. “It’s a full house out there with a large lunch crowd waiting for some good eats.”
Emma stared at him, a slight smile on her lips. Bonnie did the same, looking like the cat that ate a mouse and wanted no one to know. “What?”
“Nothing.” Both ladies lowered their eyes to the counter, where a tray of vegetables was waiting to be prepped. “Just youcan’t, um, have that dog in here. The health inspector will close us down.”
Donnie came bursting through the door right after Luna left. “The health inspector is my uncle, so you're good. Nice dog, by the way. I was thinking of getting one. What is that, a Chihuahua?”
“No. And you’ll find none like her. She's one of a kind.” Ronan moved to the corner, avoiding the chance of fur flying while she sat comfortably in his arms. “Let me get the macaroni and cheese. I know it’s Shaun’s recipe and the best I ever had, except for Luna’s, that is.” He smiled.
Four
Keeping secrets was hard, and Luna had more than one to keep. Soon, it would be time to reveal all, as much as she wanted to avoid it. Her fear of losing Ronan again, and more tragically, losing her son when they both found out, was very unsettling.
After that kiss on the nose, she’d had a hard time focusing on the patrons. Thanks to a late-night agenda of making her family's secret macaroni and cheese recipe, she didn't have to worry about sleep.
