Luna stayed back. All the magic from earlier slipped away. Not that she wasn’t happy for Rachel, but now Luna had become an interloper to a celebration among friends. Carl and Rachel were co-workers. She was only a resident who’d made poor decisions in love that landed her here.
Chapter Eight
Carl stepped back to observe the work he’d already done outside. He’d spent the better part of his Monday morning hanging Christmas lights at the shelter.
So far, he’d tackled the outside. He’d have to wait until evening to see the full effect, but they looked straight and aligned in the daylight. His tools were spread across the front yard. He crossed the dead grass, gathered his belongings, and then secured them in his toolbox.
Clapping his hands to rid them of the dust, he spotted Rachel walking from her car. “Did your parents get off at the airport okay?”
“They had a problem checking in due to a software malfunction, but once that cleared everything went fine.” She hoisted her bag over her shoulder. Several file folders poked out, and he knew she’d worked from home despite being on vacation last week.
“Congratulations again. I’m really happy for you and Aaron.”
A silly grin swept over her face. “Thanks.”
“Did you set a date?”
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
He changed subjects and pointed to the lights. “I’m finished out here and about to move inside. Do you want the Christmas tree brought in today?”
“Yes, please.” Her face sobered. “Can you also stop by my office when you get a chance?”
“Sure thing.” He kept a smile, but his stomach knotted. He’d been expecting this since Thursday, but he didn’t know what the outcome would bring.
“I’ll see you inside.” Her gaze brushed over the landscape. “It looks good out here.”
“Thanks.” With his mind in overdrive, he busied himself with work.
He carried his tools inside and returned a load of unused decorations to the storage shed. His brain wouldn’t stop fretting over the meeting with Rachel. He’d faced enemy fire overseas, stormed into burning buildings to rescue one of his men, and had continued in battle with shrapnel dug into his flesh, all while keeping a level head. Why couldn’t he now?
Deciding he’d given Rachel enough time to settle in, he marched to her office. Before he entered, he took a deep breath and prayed for the right words to say.
Rachel’s desk was a scattered mess. By evening, once she’d caught up from being gone, she’d have it tidied into neat piles. She gestured toward a chair. “Close the door and have a seat.”
Her door only closed when privacy dictated so. Was he about to lose his job? He lumbered to the chair and lowered his body into it. “You want to talk about Luna.”
She sighed. “What’s going on between the two of you?”
“Nothing, exactly.” His heavy sigh matched hers. “What you walked into on Thursday just happened. We were excited about Hope, and I don’t know. I shouldn’t have let it happen.”
“I warned you this summer to be careful.” She crossed her hands on the desk. “Luna’s fragile. Her husband died not that long ago, and she has many issues to work out.”
He caught her warning, but that didn’t stop him from speaking. Her marriage has been over for a long time, and yes, I know she has baggage but that doesn’t make her fragile or worth less than any other woman.”
“I never said it did, Carl, but a romance right now will only confuse her.” Her gaze locked with his, and her tone spoke to him as a friend, not a boss. “I know how you feel about her. Anyone with eyes can see.”
“I can’t help how I feel.”
“But you can control your response.” She stood and circled the desk, leaned against it. “If you pursue this now, one of you will end up hurt. I’m not willing to see that happen to you or Luna.”
“Nothing’s happened.” He twisted his hands out of frustration. Logically, he understood Rachel’s point, but his heart didn’t agree.
“Make sure it doesn’t. Don’t forget in your contract, it states you won’t engage in a romantic relationship with any resident.”
Actually, he had forgotten. “What about Hope?”
She bit down on her lip. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated. “Hope means more to Luna than anything but those girls. I won’t tell you to stay away completely but use your judgment. Luna needs a friend right now, not a love interest.”
