by Mary Manners
Jason checked himself as he switched on the camera. The viewfinder glowed in the darkness, the contrast of dark and light making the images crisp and clear.
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Avery whispered, her breath warm against his cheek. “Show me more.”
He scanned through the file of snapshots, taking his time. It was drawing close to nine, and Kenzie could use a bath. But it was Friday night, so what would a delayed bedtime hurt…just this once?
He’d like the evening to go on forever.
While he and Avery discussed which shots were best to keep and which ought to be deleted, he considered how he might ask to see her again.
In the end, Kenzie took care of things for him. Weary of chasing fireflies, she loped back to the porch and climbed into Avery’s lap. She settled her cheek against Avery’s shoulder and sighed.
“I’m sleepy.”
“I’ll bet you are.” Avery smoothed damp hair from Kenzie’s cheek as if it was the most natural gesture in the world. “You’ve had a big day.”
“Tomorrow’s another big day. Lila and Morgan are takin’ me on a s’cursion—I’m not sure where ’cause it’s a surprise. It’s my birthday present from them, and Sadie gets to come with. They said takin’ both of us will be good practice for when they have kids of their own.”
“On the job training, right?”
“Sure…whatever that means.” She yawned and curled a hand along her cheek. “And it works out good for Uncle Jason, too, ’cause he has to do a calendar shoot in the Smoky Mountains.”
“A calendar shoot?”
“Yeah…for the park. They asked him to take pictures for their ’ficial calendar. He’s got a contract and everything and they’re gonna pay him lots and lots of money.”
“Just enough to keep you in clothes,” Jason interjected. “Since you’re growing like a weed.”
“That’s funny.” Kenzie giggled. “Uncle Jason’s got May and October, which are the two most pop’lar months. And May is almost over, so he said he’s gotta get crackin’.”
“I see.” Avery covered her grin with the palm of her hand. “Well, that sounds like a mighty important task.”
“Oh, it is.” Kenzie sat up suddenly. “Hey, Miss Avery, why don’t you go with Uncle Jason tomorrow so he won’t be lonely in the mountains while me and Sadie are gone on our ’scursion?”
“Oh, that’s sweet of you to ask, Kenzie, but I’m sure he needs to work on his own. I wouldn’t want to distract him.”
Jason swallowed hard. Chances were, judging from the manner in which his senses tingled whenever she moved into his line of vision, she’d do just that.
He threw caution to the wind.
“Um…actually, that’s a really good idea. I can use a second pair of eyes. And if we get lucky and find a couple of decent shots early, I can tackle another project, as well. Lila asked me to do a little research for her, concerning Diamond Knot Dreams. I can really use your help with that, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Yay.” Kenzie did her signature little happy clap. Then she patted Jason’s cheek before she settled back against Avery. “I’m ready for bed. Will you tuck me in, Miss Avery, and read me a story?”
Jason started to say something, then thought better of it. So, the bath would have to wait until morning. What would it hurt?
5
Jason and Avery hit the motherlode of photo ops the next day. As fate would have it, Lila and Morgan wanted to get an early start with Kenzie on their trek to the local amusement park. This had allowed Jason to get an early start, as well.
He swung by to pick up Avery. She met him at the door dressed in shorts and a white sleeveless shirt paired with a baby-blue cotton blouse that was knotted at the waist. The outfit was complemented by a pair of hiking boots that looked like they’d seen their fair share of terrain. She might have graced the pages of an Outdoor Magazine.
Jason hadn’t expected that. He wasn’t sure what, exactly, he did expect, but it wasn’t a glimpse of Avery fresh-faced with her honey-brown hair hanging free as a veil, grinning as if she was about to embark on the greatest adventure of her life.
Together they’d tackled a variety of sites including Hen Wallow Falls near Cosby which he knew from his research was a difficult location past mid-morning, due to the way the sun came over the falls later in the day. He’d picked up a few decent shots of Mountain Laurel in full bloom as well as a meandering finger of river that showcased the flow of rapids over slickened rock—always a favorite—awash in sunlight.
His hours of online research of the park had considerably cut down on the foot-travel time needed to track the perfect image. Jason was glad he’d done his homework.
It gave him and Avery a chance to rest along the water beneath a pleasant breeze.
“Those pictures are amazing.” Avery settled on the boulder beside him. The song of the rushing stream coursed by as she dangled her long, lean legs. “How did you ever learn so much about nature photography?”
“Years of practice…more trial and error than I’d like to admit.” Jason made a mental note of half-a-dozen shots he planned to submit for the calendar. He’d have a better idea of which would work best when they were actually printed and in front of him. “I studied photojournalism in college—against my parents’ advice. They worried I’d have a hard time making a decent income or, an even worse fate, that I’d end up tumbling into a crevasse.”
“Oh, that’s awful…the crevasse, I mean.” She shuddered. “But I know all about the struggle to follow your dreams. My parents thought I was crazy to study computer programming and graphic design. But, for a totally different reason than your parents worried about your career choice. My mom would say, ‘What are you going to do all day shut up in a cubicle all by your lonesome? How will you ever find a husband—a family—if your nose is always buried in a computer?’”
“That’s uncanny. The speech from my mom was very similar.” He pinched his nose and humorously mimicked her tone. “‘Do you realize you’re going to be in the back-country for days? The wilderness is no place to make a home. Good grief, Jason, how will you ever fall in love with a woman and give your dad and I grandbabies?’”
He’d had no problem launching relationships, though none had ever led to anything permanent. His job didn’t allow for much permanence when it came to women, and he hadn’t really ever considered his future as a family man.
Until a few months ago.
How things changed in a single heartbeat…
“Wow, our folks sound like they’re cut from the same cloth.” Avery’s blue eyes rounded. “Maybe we’re long-lost siblings.”
“No way.” That brought on a bout of laughter, and Jason was thankful Avery’s words framed the impossible. He’d brought her along today for the company, and hadn’t planned on taking an emotional detour where she was concerned. “After they were married Mom and Dad tried for a decade to get pregnant, with no luck. Then Molly came along the year Mom turned forty. When they learned almost nine years later that I was on the way, to say it was a shock is sort of an understatement. I was the jackpot of all surprises—a miracle baby.” Jason paused as memories of his parents flowed through. “They’re both gone now…Dad six years and Mom just last year.”
“I’m so sorry, Jason.” Avery soothed with her heartfelt words. “You’ve suffered unspeakable loss.”
“At least they got to see Kenzie born and were spared the loss of Molly and Marshall. I hold onto that.” He offered her a bottle of water from his pack. “How about your parents? Do they live close?”
“They’re back in Chicago, most likely still trying to figure out why I came here instead of staying there. I’m an only child and that label comes with a bushel of expectations, many of which I fall pitifully short.”
“I cannot imagine you falling short in any department.” He smoothed a strand of hair from her forehead. She had kept up with him step-for-step through
out their trek, and that proved a pleasant surprise. While he handled the equipment, she carried their pack with sandwiches, trail mix, and bottled water that he’d prepared for their lunch. She seemed no stranger to the great outdoors, despite her mom’s reservations. “From where I’m sitting, you are just this side of perfect.”
“Thank you.” She drew a sip of water. “Give it time and you’re sure to discover a few flaws.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
The corners of Avery’s mouth crinkled as a hint of blush washed over her cheeks.
“What would you say to Kenzie if she wanted to be a nature photographer?” she asked as she adjusted the sunglasses she’d propped atop her head. “Would you encourage her or try to persuade her to explore different interests—ones that matched your expectations for her?”
“Umm…I’d tell her to go for it. I want her to follow her heart.” He set his camera aside on a flat part of the boulder and then climbed up and settled in beside Avery. The apple-blossom scent of her shampoo mingled with sweet moss that quilted the tree trunks. Damp, dank earth added depth to the air. “Unless it involves a boy. She’s not going to date—at least not until she’s thirty. My nerves can’t take it.”
“You’ll have to come to terms with that. It’s inevitable.” Avery laughed. “Of course she’ll develop crushes and sooner or later fall in love with a boy.”
“Not on my watch, and definitely not sooner rather than later.” Jason couldn’t imagine Kenzie of dating age. How would he ever survive it? He’d have to sit on the front porch with a shotgun at the ready because he knew how the male species thought. He knew the road to maturity was long and winding. Journeying over potholes and through detours left lots of room for mistakes and heartache.
He knew because he’d walked in those shoes. He’d made some mistakes, learned some tough lessons. He hungered for a deeper relationship with Avery, to rush things along. But maturity had taught him to take things slowly, to savor every moment.
Jason stood and paced along the river’s edge. Prior to returning to Clover Cove he’d had no trouble meeting women, despite his often lengthy photo treks. But things were different now. Becoming an overnight daddy had instilled a sense of responsibility that stood strong as a castle wall. He’d promised himself he’d honor Molly and Marshall by finishing the job they’d started and raising Kenzie in a walk of faith. The task settled firmly upon his shoulders, and he had no choice but to lead by example.
“Are you OK?” Avery asked. “I didn’t upset you, talking about Kenzie growing up, did I? You’ll have plenty of time to adjust to the idea. Dating is a long way off for her.”
“Thank God for that small grace.” Jason turned back to her. “It’s going to take me a while to figure out this whole parenting thing.”
“Good luck.” Avery laughed good-naturedly. “From all the parenting accounts I’ve heard, if you’re able to figure it all out, I’d say you’ve won the grand prize and the jackpot all rolled up together. It’s right up there with discovering the Holy Grail.”
“No, really…” Jason moved toward her, pausing half-a-foot from where she perched on the boulder. “I’m trying hard here, Avery, but you’ve tossed me off course.”
“I have?” Her eyes widened as her mouth curved into a sweet little oh. “How so?”
“How can I explain this…?” Not quite knowing what to do with his hands, Jason jammed both into the pockets of his jeans. “I have no idea how to say what I want to say to you.”
“The beginning is usually the best place to start.” She sat up straight and gathered her hair with one hand, fanning her neck. “I promise I won’t bite, no matter how awful whatever you’re trying to say is.”
“That’s the problem. It’s not awful at all. Just…really, really confusing.” He lifted his gaze to capture hers. “I like you, Avery. I like you a lot. I don’t know where this came from…this feeling right out of the blue. I’ve only known you for two days—two. Not counting the day I saw you crossing the parking lot. It’s crazy…totally and utterly crazy.”
“If you’re crazy, then I am, too.” Avery placed her fingers along his forearm and coaxed his hand from his pocket. She laced her fingers with his. “Because I like you too, Jason—a lot. And it doesn’t make any sense at all. Something strange is going on here, but not a bad sort of strange. It’s just…do you believe in love at first sight?”
“I don’t.” He shook his head. “At least I didn’t before I met you. Now I’ll have to rewrite the book on that, because my philosophy has totally changed.”
“That about sums it up.” Avery agreed. “This is insane. So what are we going to do about it?”
“We’ll take it a moment at a time.” He reached for his camera and framed Avery in the viewfinder. He managed to get the shot off while he continued to hold her hand.
“Yes, one snapshot at a time.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek with the briefest touch of her lips. Barely a whisper, but enough to ignite his insides. “I know you have to be careful with Kenzie and all. No matter what may happen from this point forward, I would never break her heart—or yours.”
“Ditto, sweetheart.” He took her hand and splayed it to his chest, directly over his heart. “Something’s changed in here.”
“I feel it, too.” Sunlight washed over her hair, coaxing the red highlights to burnished copper. “It’s almost…too perfect.”
The sudden concern in her eyes unsettled him. Had she been hurt before? Did she doubt her feelings…or his?
“I’m so glad you came today. I’ve always done these photo shoots alone. I’ve never brought anyone along…until you. I never imagined it could be like this.” He squeezed her hand, hoping to reassure her. But that would take time. He prayed they had enough. “Spending time with you is wonderful…almost magical. I’d like to do it again.”
“Me too, Jason.” She lowered her gaze. “We’ll see.”
“OK, partner…are you ready for phase two of this photo shoot?” Jason tucked his wide-angle lens into its case and draped the strap over his shoulder. “Lila asked me to do a little research for Diamond Knot Dreams.”
“Lead the way.”
6
Avery settled in at the reception desk at Diamond Knot Dreams on Monday morning. She switched on her laptop, glad that she’d finished the boutique’s new web design over the weekend. Everything was up and running with a fresh look. Even better, the message box was overflowing.
She began to sift through the digital mail, thankful for the distraction. Thoughts of the weekend adventure with Jason had caused a restless night filled with disjointed dreams that left her feeling a more than a little out-of-sorts.
She’d kissed him. OK, technically it was only a peck on the cheek. But the touch was enough to have her pulse thrumming as if she traversed a tightrope across the Grand Canyon.
She liked him—a lot. What was she supposed to do with these feelings that had sprouted overnight, like seedlings unfurling beneath the warmth of a summer sun?
What if this all tanked? What if the two of them decided things just weren’t going anywhere? Jason worked right next door. How would that change things? And Kenzie…Avery had meant it with every fiber of her heart when she said she would never hurt the child. So what was she thinking here? What was she doing?
She’d mixed her work and personal lives once before, having dated a guy from the graphic design department at Chandler-Tate. Things were OK until a few months in, when she discovered Bruce had a serious gambling problem. The subsequent break-up had jostled both her heart and her confidence. It also made her work life miserable. Just one more reason to leave the company and relocate to Clover Cove.
That was just it…she loved it here. She had no intention of leaving. So if things went south with Jason, they’d just have to find a way to work through it. They could manage that, right?
Or was it better to put on the brakes now, before it was too late?
Avery’s heart ached at the idea.
She missed Jason just thinking about it. So she forced the thought aside and turned her attention back to the laptop.
The website continued to hum through the day. Most of the messages included inquiries about full-service planning, including everything from invitations to cakes and pastries, dresses and alterations.
And photography. That’s where Jason came into the picture. Literally.
He’d given Avery a flash drive following their return from the Great Smoky Mountains. Now, Avery slipped it into the one of the laptop’s USB ports. She brought up a file and scanned through photos Jason had sorted into albums.
Each elicited a memory fonder than the last. Following their trek into Cosby, Jason had decided that a drive through Cade’s Cove would serve the needs of the project Lila had asked him to research. And he was right. The winding loop road proved tranquil and beautiful. As dusk descended, they’d even spotted a family of deer grazing along the pasture.
But the purpose of the trip was evident in the images Jason had recorded. He’d expertly framed a small grove of trees, a rolling pasture, sun-drenched mountains, a cantilever barn, the Tipton Place, and the Primitive Baptist Church. All could easily serve as beautiful backdrops for engagement or wedding photos.
When Avery had asked Jason what made him consider transitioning his focus from pure nature photos to the wedding genre, he’d thought for a moment before answering.
“I no longer have the luxury of stepping away from mainstream civilization for days—even weeks—at a time. Kenzie needs me, and I have to put her first. Luckily, I’d just fulfilled every contractual obligation for my freelance work when I got called home, so that isn’t an issue. It was also a stroke of luck that, when the marketing department for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offered to feature my work in their calendar, Lila and Morgan offered to help out by babysitting Kenzie for the day. I can’t impose on them too often, though they’ve been good as gold to both Kenzie and me. With a focus on wedding photos, I can still enjoy nature. With an established and systematic—yet unique—set of backdrops, I can complete sessions quickly and safely enough to bring Kenzie along.”
