She saw cars parked at the beginning of the trails, and beside them people. Her eyes found Newman. The sun was bouncing off his blond curls. Laughter had his head thrown back, and her fingers twitched for her camera. The shot would be a good one. He wore the Howling man’s standard uniform, like the others. Shorts, T-shirt, and on his feet were battered sneakers. He looked far removed from the corporate troubleshooter she knew him to be. He stood with his friends, Ethan, Annabelle, Jake, and Branna.
“I hope you have plenty of props,” Newman said, reaching the pickup first as Brad pulled it to a stop. “You’ve got some ugly people to try and make pretty, Hope.”
“If all else fails, there’s always Photoshop.”
He laughed, and then held out a hand to help her down. She looked at it, then him.
“It’s only a hand, Hope. Everyone needs one now and again.”
“I can jump down, thanks.”
He didn’t move, blocking her way. “If I promise not to kiss you, will that help?”
Hope didn’t gasp, but still made a small agonized groan as her eyes shot to the others to see if anyone had heard.
“Anytime soon, Hope. My arm’s starting to ache.”
She put her hand in his and he helped her down. Hope refused to acknowledge the tingle of awareness that slid through her. This man had seen her naked and licked—Stop right there, Hope Lawrence.
“So I was thinking here would be a great place to start,” Macy said to Hope, pointing to the beginning of the trail.
Hope explored the area, and found a tree stump beneath a setting that would be perfect. She got her gear and started to set up with Mikey’s help.
“I’m helping, Branna.”
“I can see that you are, Mikey, and Hope’s an expert, so none better to learn from.”
They all hugged the boy, and messed his hair, and Hope’s heart felt lighter knowing he had so many people loving him.
She let the conversations come and go as she got organized, and soon had shut everyone out. This was her passion. This was what she loved most in life. Photography made Hope feel alive. She’d chosen animals, and nature, but she loved it all. It didn’t matter to her what she took pictures of, just that she did.
“Okay, bring the first group in, and I’ll work with what I’ve got.”
“Heard that, Lawrence,” Brad said.
Of course, animals may be unpredictable,Hope thought thirty minutes later,but they don’t answer back.
Looking through the lens, she watched Jake lean forward and whisper something in his wife’s ear. Hope took the shot.
“It’s ridiculous how good-looking they all are, don’t you think, Mikey?”
The boy studied the group. They were dressed in winter clothes, some in dress trousers and sweaters, others casual jeans and long-sleeved tees. Macy was moving into menswear, and this would be her first catalogue. Newman wore a thick wool jacket, jeans, and boots. On his head was a woolen beanie.
“You do realize it’s eighty degrees today, and I’ll be ten pounds lighter soon, Macy,” he said.
“I promised food after, so stop whining.”
“Heartless wench.”
“That’s my woman you’re insulting there, boy.”
And so it went on. They insulted, teased, and generally annoyed each other, and Hope laughed softly behind her lens, and told herself she was not enjoying this day as much as she thought she was. Mikey, she sent to do her bidding, and tell them what to do. They were gentle with him when he handed out thick woolen scarves. Hope, however, got the stink eye.
“Okay, now just the men, and I want you holding the axes and pretending to chop wood.”
“Are you serious?” Newman glared at her. “My clothes are wringing wet, and now I have to chop frigging wood?”
“If you head on back to town, you may find someone who cares,” Mikey said, smiling at Hope. She’d taught him that particular saying.
