“All the writers say so.” It was true. They’d all been drooling at the thought of getting a fun, intimate picture withtheWade Holbrook. And judging by the way Lina was staging the couples in the gazebo, there would be some intimate shots. The thought of Wade’s arm draped around her sent shivers up Trish’s arms.
“Wade,” Lina hollered. “Over here! Trish, you too.”
Trish took a deep breath. Why was she nervous? It had to be because of Henry seeing any photo she posted. Her desire to make him a little jealous. But her eyes trailed after Wade looking too good in that fitted blue shirt that complemented his eyes so well. His long days on the ranch no doubt accounted for that muscle definition.
“Okay, let’s have you two lean against the post,” Lina directed. Kate rested against the gazebo railing in the opposite corner, camera strapped around her neck while she waited for Lina to position her subjects.
Wade let his hip drop against the post, folding his arms in a manner tinged with sullenness. His scowl had yet to improve, but it made him attractive.Better than his fake smile anyway.Trish wondered if they’d use that picture right there to attract the next slew of attendees. Every romance writer loved a sullen cowboy. They’d have retreats booked for the rest of the year.
“Trish,” Lina directed, pulling her by the elbow toward Wade. “Let’s have you stand next to him. Kind of tuck you in there.” Lina used both hands to guide Trish right where she wanted her, which was apparently with her back flush against that rock-solid chest. “Wade, drop your hands. One behind her back.” Lina guided his other hand, placing it on her shoulder.
Could he feel how wobbly she was on her feet or how her breathing was becoming erratic? Surely everything was trembling. It was all a ruse, Trish had to remind herself. Everyone cared so much about Lina. This was for her.
“Dip your head a bit,” Lina said to Wade. Trish felt the brim of his hat brush the top of her head, his breath tickling her neck. She shivered. Lina gave out a few more commands, tweaked some limb placements, and finally backed up. But Trish couldn’t understand the words that left her mouth. Not with that breath on the back of her neck making her dizzy. Displaced.
Lina clapped her hands together. “Now, you two. Smile at the camera.”
Kate snapped continuously, even when Trish took a moment to close her eyes. It was a failed attempt to catch her breath.
“Perfect!” Lina called over her shoulder, “Glenda, your turn! Wade, you stay put.”
Trish broke free from Wade’s hold, her legs as reliable as overcooked noodles. She held on to the railing until she reached the opening.
“Hey.” Kate handed Trish’s cell phone to her. “Got a few good ones.”
“Th-thanks.” Trish’s eye caught a trail through the trees as Glenda posed with Wade for another photo. She needed to get away from everyone—and from the cowboy who was scrambling her ability to form words.
Looking over her shoulder to ensure no one was paying attention or trying to follow, Trish slipped into the cover of the yellowing foliage and followed the narrow dirt path until the laughing voices behind faded.
Finding a quiet place by a stream Trish suspected connected to the main river, she dropped to a seated position on a bed of soft leaves. What was happening? Being that close to Wade had her feeling as if she were plugged into a transformer. She’d never felt that kind of electricity with Henry.
Trish pulled her phone out, her trembling fingers flipping through the pictures Kate had snuck in for her. Those blue eyes staring at the camera made her come unglued. Mindy—and all of social media for that matter—would eat this up. But Trish was having trouble formulating a post.
“You get lost?” A voice startled her, and her phone tumbled to the ground.
Brushing the dirt from the screen, Trish wasn’t surprised to see Wade standing at the trail ending, but she’d really hoped to be alone. Had Lina sent him, or had he darted for an escape route the first chance he got? “Nope.” Trish pointed behind him. “The way back is through that trail.”
“Grams was worried.”
The way he wouldn’t quite meet her eyes left Trish suspicious. “Was she now?”
“Allen offered to come to your rescue, but one of your author buddies practically lassoed him before he could get away.” Wade leaned against a tree. He was missing his Stetson. Trish wondered who had it in their possession.
“That’ll be Marti. I think she has the hots for your cousin.”
Ignoring her comment, Wade nodded at the phone in her hands. “Get any reception out here?” he asked.
“Some.” She folded her hands around her cell.
“You must have some sort of super powered cell phone,” he teased. “Missing your city comforts?”
“Nope.” Trish might feel differently in a couple of days, but so far she loved the disconnection. She hadn’t once wondered how the office was functioning without her there to put out all the fires. “I like the quiet.”
“Even though we’re hours from the nearest mall?”
Trish leveled him with a glare, pushing up off the ground. “I’ve just about had enough with you and your assumptions of who you think I’m supposed to be.” She stormed past him, careful to avoid physical contact. That would only make her head spin. She didn’t need the extra layer of confusion.
“I didn’t mean—”
