He pulled his camera off from around his neck and skimmed through dozens of his photos. They were all of nature. My favorite was of a dew drop on a leaf with the sun shining through it. Every single picture looked magical; they took my breath away.
“Ben, these are fantastic,” I breathed in awe. “I don’t have anything like this in my gallery.” I stared at him with completeand utter fascination; he had a lot of talent. If only he was real and not just someone in my dreams.
Ben beamed and glanced down at his camera. “Thanks, Lydia. I would love for people to see my work.”
“Then it’s settled,” I said. “We can get together after the holidays and pick out your favorite prints. Several local photographers have had their work showcased in magazines because their prints were in my store.”
His smile faded and he sighed. “I want that more than anything, but I’m leaving the day after Christmas for England. I’m attending a photography art school, and I’ll be gone for the whole year. But I would love to get back with you when I return.”
Even though we were just in a dream, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. Ben was leaving for an entire year. How was he supposed to be one of my paths if he was leaving the country? Maybe I got it all wrong, and he wasn’t the one I was supposed to look for.
It just so happened that I always carried business cards with me. I pulled one out of my coat pocket and handed it to him. “Stop by the gallery when you get back to town. We’ll get your prints up for display. I know several people who’d pay good money for your work.” One of those people happened to be me.
Ben slid my business card into his jacket pocket and smiled. “I already can’t wait to get back.” He glanced down at his watch, and then his eyes returned to mine. “I should probably go. I have a lot to pack, and of course, there are all the family parties I have to go to. This morning was the only time I had for myself.”
That made me laugh. “I understand that. Then again, I love being busy at the holidays.”
“Merry Christmas, Lydia,” Ben murmured.
“Merry Christmas to you.”
He started to walk off down the path and the world around me started to fade. I thought I was waking up from the dream . . . but I was wrong.
6
LYDIA
Lydia’s dream, one year ago
One minute, I was on the walking trail with Ben, and the next, I was standing alone in Hailey’s parents’ study. I could hear everyone down the hall in the kitchen and dining room, laughing and carrying on. The whole house was buzzing with excitement.
I was about to leave the room and join everyone when Hailey walked in, dressed in a red skirt, silver glittery top, and red heels. I remembered that outfit well and thought she looked fabulous in it last year. She shrieked when she saw me. “Holy crap, Lydia, you scared me.” She grabbed her chest and sucked in a breath. “When did you get here?”
I shrugged. “Just a second ago. One minute, I was on a walking trail with a hot photographer, and the next, I poofed here.”
Her mouth dropped. “A hot photographer? What is it with you meeting sexy guys on Christmas Eve?”
That caught me off guard. Since this was a new dream, I was curious to see what the dream version of Hailey had to say. “Are you talking about Max from the retirement home last year?” I asked.
She nodded and laughed. “Of course. Kind of a bummer you haven’t seen him since then. I wonder what happened to him.” That was simple . . . he wasn’t real. Hailey grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the study. “Tell me about this photographer. Are you two going to go out on a date?”
“Nope.” We walked into the kitchen, and the first thing I grabbed was a plate full of her aunt Maria’s shrimp. “His name is Ben Davis. His photos are phenomenal.”
Hailey waved for me to continue. “And?”
I tossed a shrimp into my mouth and savored it while she waited impatiently. “And nothing,” I answered. “He’s leaving for the year to go overseas to England.”
Hailey frowned. “That stinks. I keep hoping you’ll have a Hallmark moment like all the Christmas movies you watch.”
“Sorry, Hails, but that isn’t going to happen.” I finished off my shrimp and grabbed a giant chocolate chip cookie from one of the dessert platters. “I don’t think I’m lucky enough for that.”
Hailey came over and touched my shoulders, her gaze serious. “You don’t need luck, Lydia. Any guy would be lucky to have you. He’s out there, I promise.”
“Who’s out there?” a voice asked from behind me. It was Jake. I hadn’t seen him since Christmas Eve the year before.
Hailey groaned in mock annoyance but then smiled at her brother, opening her arms wide. “Come here and hug me. It’s been too long.”
I turned to face Jake, who was dressed immaculately in an expensive, tan Armani sweater and jeans. Standing right by his side was his girlfriend, Daphne Elsher. She was even more gorgeous in person, with her shiny, dark brown hair and crystalblue eyes. Her skin-tight black dress fit her perfectly, whereas I had on a frumpy Christmas sweater that I made with black leggings and fuzzy black boots. I remembered meeting her in real time during this party last year, but this time, in my dream, it seemed different. She didn’t appear as friendly, or maybe I didn’t notice when I met her.
