Midwest Moonlight: Luna Family Trilogy, #3

By Kimberly R. Rose

Andrew Luna will admit that he could be called a player. He doesn't do commitment or serious relationships - there is enough serious in his life already. He made sure his chronically ill twin sister didn't miss out on anything while they grew up, including schoolwork. Teaching seemed the natural career path for him. He fosters dogs for the local animal shelter. Drew feels like he has it all – a great career, a family he loves and lives a couple blocks from, plus girls and dogs that come and go.

Then one night he meets Elena Calo – his new brother-in-law's sister. He's instantly attracted to her despite warnings that she wasn't someone to mess with. The shelter asks him to take their newest foster – a shy, skittish cat. Drew is far out of his comfort zone just with the cat. Then he finds out Elena has a stalker – and she needs help. He doesn't have the option to run away now… he's in too deep. Will he be able to help Elena? Will the cat grow on him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly R. Rose
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988224242

Kimberly R. Rose

An early childhood educator turned small business woman and author; Kimberly R. Rose grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. She has loved reading since she was a child, often neglecting her schoolwork to read a book. That love for reading turned into inspiration for writing. Her favorite things in life are her faith, her family, and chocolate.  The Luna Family Trilogy is Kimberly's debut series

Book preview

Chapter 1

Andrew Luna sighed and lifted the glass to his lips as he watched the newly married couple dance. The church was decorated with plenty of white and flowers, too much of both for his taste. He was happy for his sister. Her new husband seemed to be a good man. But weddings weren't exactly Andrew’s scene, they always made him uncomfortable.

Smile Drew. Lexi, his twin sister, hissed from beside him. It's their first dance. It's sweet.

Drew gave Lexi an overenthusiastic smile that made her roll her eyes. Not what I meant, she muttered under her breath.

Lexi wouldn't understand, Drew acknowledged. He glanced at the man sitting beside her in one of the many chairs adorned with a bow on the back. She had found the love of her life too, and he wouldn't be surprised if there was a ring on her finger before the end of the year. That was all well and good for his sisters, but it wasn't for him.

I'm going outside for some fresh air, Drew told Lexi. He slipped past the tables of people celebrating Natala and walked outside. The spring Wisconsin air was cool, and the moonlight lit the grass in front of the church. It felt easier to breathe out here.

Seems we had the same idea.

Drew turned to see someone had followed him out of the church. She didn't look familiar, but he felt like he'd seen her before. She was shorter than he was, with black hair that seemed as long as her yellow dress.

Guess so, he replied, walking over to a bench and sitting down.

The woman followed him and sat down next to him, then looked into the sky. It's so peaceful at night, she commented with a smile that seemed to brighten her face. I love nighttime. All the kids are asleep, the world is sleeping, and all is calm.

All the kids are asleep? How many kids do you have? Drew asked curiously. He didn't know how old she was, but she didn't seem older than him. At only twenty-five, he couldn't imagine having kids right now.

Oh, gosh. The girl laughed, a blush coming across her cheeks. I'm sorry. That sounds like I have children of my own. She took a breath to compose herself before continuing.

I don't have any of my own, but I've been a nanny for four children. Six-year-old twins, a seven-year-old, and the youngest just turned five.

That's a lot of kids to take care of, Drew replied, somehow glad to hear she didn't have any of her own. He'd also noticed she didn't have a ring on her finger. Not that that meant there was no man in the picture, but it meant she wasn't married. He didn't date married women, that was too complicated.

They can be a handful for sure, but they can also be a lot of fun. Do you know what one of them asked me before I left? She said, 'Miss Elena, if you are going to a wedding, does that mean you have to have a boyfriend?' The girl - Elena - laughed again. It's so interesting to hear how children think. I don't believe she has ever been to a wedding before so she has no idea what that means.

Drew watched her talk, amazed at how bubbly she seemed to be. Elena was a beautiful name, he mused. It was a shame she hadn’t answered the boyfriend question her charge had asked.

I'm sorry, I talk a lot. Occupational hazard I think, the children constantly talk and it's a habit I've grown accustomed to. That, and answering endless questions, she beamed at Drew.

Drew chuckled. I don't mind it, he replied. I'm a teacher, so I get plenty of questions at my job too. Mostly, ‘Do I have to do the homework?’

Elena's eyes brightened. You're a teacher? What age do you teach? She asked enthusiastically. She moved her legs onto the bench, so she was sitting on top of them, facing Drew.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math. Drew gave her a smile. So, as you can imagine, I'm a pretty popular teacher. Math being the best subject and all.

Elena giggled. I always loved math when I was in school. It made sense to me; there was a concrete answer. It was just a puzzle that needed solving. English on the other hand, she sighed. I always got C's in English. It just didn't make sense to me.

English is simple enough. Drew shrugged. I didn't have any subjects that I hated. I guess that interior design elective that I took wasn't my favorite.

Interior design? That's an interesting choice for an elective. Unless you had dreams of being an interior designer, if that's the case I didn't mean to insult them. Elena’s eyes widened in an apology. It would be a very cool way to be able to tour all kinds of homes or buildings.

Drew chuckled. No, I definitely did not. I took the class for my sister. It's complicated, she has some health stuff. He glanced up at the moon, wondering how the conversation had gotten personal. Usually, he had a routine when talking to girls, and it included a lot of flirting. He wasn't doing any of that at the moment. Maybe the wedding stuff had scared him out of it.

So why yellow? He asked her, staring at her dress. Most of the people here are wearing pastels or muted colors. You're like a sunflower in a sea of... Drew trailed off, trying to think of pastel flowers.

Daisies? Elena offered with a shrug. I like bright colors. They are fun and make people smile. Yellow especially is a happy color. Like the sun. When the sun is out, it just makes the day a bit happier. It gives everyone a little something to smile about.

Drew considered that. Elena didn't seem the type of person to be bothered by the extra attention that wearing bright colors could bring. At least that’s what he thought upon first meeting her. Most of the girls he dated were the shy, quiet type. He would know, because he dated quite a bit. His sisters, and likely his parents, thought he played the field too much. Sure, he dated a lot of girls, but that’s all it was. None of them lasted very long when they learned all Drew wanted to do was take them out to dinner or to do an activity. They were usually looking for something more serious, and serious was something he avoided.

Andrew?

Drew turned and saw his mom calling him. He grinned at Elena as he stood up. Nice to meet you, Elena.

She smiled back at him. Nice to meet you, Andrew.

He normally went by Drew, but he had to admit hearing his full name come out of her mouth was attractive. Speaking of which, Drew gave a quiet sigh when he looked back at his mom and began walking towards her. Why had she used it? What had he done to make her upset at him today?

Andrew, really? Leaving during your sister's first dance? Couldn't you have at least waited until now, when the dance floor is crowded, to disappear? Connie asked her son as she led him back inside the church.

I needed some air. I teach in jeans and a nice shirt; these duds are uncomfortable and hot. Drew looked down at the suit he was wearing, glad it wasn't a normal thing. I wasn't even part of the wedding party. I'm still not sure why the suit was needed.

Connie gave him a warning glance. Your sister and Tony didn't have a wedding party, for reasons I will never understand. She shook her head. Regardless, you are family and it is a wedding. Not wearing jeans is a requirement. You asked me to take care of it, so a suit is what you are stuck with.

I should invest in khakis or something. Drew spotted Lexi across the room, watching the door. She raised her eyebrows when she saw him.

He shrugged and tipped his head towards Connie. Lexi gave a matching shrug, then turned to whisper to her boyfriend. Drew took a breath and watched his mom walk back through the crowd.

The dance floor was crowded now, music blasting through the speakers. Natala and Tony were in the middle of it, doing some sort of line dance from the looks of it. Drew watched his older sister for a moment. He was glad she seemed to be enjoying herself. She likely hadn't even noticed his disappearance.

You got the lecture from Mom? Lexi asked as she moved beside him.

Drew looked down and blinked. I'm family. I must make an appearance the entire time, he replied.

Lexi smiled and followed his gaze. You could get out there, you know. Dance, enjoy yourself a little bit.

Drew shrugged, glancing at Lexi's wheelchair.