One of the gray-and-white seabirds circled overhead as they trekked along the narrow path. Libby unzipped the wet bag, handing Jefferson his camera. His eyes met hers in a silentthank youthat made her blush.
After he snapped a few pictures, they continued around the protected habitat, traversing the uneven terrain at the far end of the tiny island. The rocks ended in a sheer cliff battered by waves. Droplets sprayed over them, leaving puddles where the ground dipped. Hildy peered over the rim.
“That’s a legit death trap. Rule number one. Nobody goes over. I’m not sure even JJ could save you from that. Hashtag common sense social media.” Popping her hip, she twisted to the side, pivoting to face the opposite direction when the wind blew her hair in her face. “How’s the light, JJ?”
“It’ll do.”
Libby watched in fascination as Hildy cycled through poses: looking down, looking up, hand in the hair, hand at her neck, sad smile, poker face, touching her lip. It was a master class in knowing your angles.
“I want this to say,I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve learned. I’m a wiserwoman today than I was yesterday. It’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.”
Jefferson lowered the camera. “That’s a tall order, Hildegarde.”
“A thousand words. That’s what a picture’s supposed to be worth. I’m barely over twenty. Anyway, this is just describing the mood. We’ll get Lillibet to help with the caption.” She smiled winningly at Libby.
Libby tried to look like she had some idea what was going on, but it was a losing battle. “What is this for, exactly?”
Hildy held up a finger. “Before we get to that, I need to apologize. I haven’t been completely honest with you, Lillibet.”
One of Libby’s feet slipped on a slick patch of rock and Jefferson reached out to steady her. He was wearing the rashie inside out to hide the Aquaman muscles, but she could feel the strength in his grip. She wasn’t sure it would be enough to hold her up if Hildy was about to take back the job she’d never officially offered.
“What’s all this, now?” Jean demanded, tugging Libby away from Jefferson. Libby was grateful to her friend for asking, since she couldn’t get the words past the tightness in her throat.
“Let me finish the preamble.” Hildy hopped down from the boulder she’d been using for her impromptu photo shoot. “I’m sorry I lied to you. That’s a shitty thing to do to someone you want to build a relationship with, professional or otherwise.”
Libby could only nod numbly.
“However,” Hildy continued, “in my defense, it was more of a misdirect than straight-up falsification and I have trust issues due to previous experiences with personal betrayal. It’s hard to know if someone is being nice to me for me or because of my family name.”
“I’m sure you had a valid reason for—embroidering the facts. Life is complicated. We’ve all made certain choices that in retrospect could have been… better.” Libby would have gone on if Jean’s warning glare hadn’t stopped her cold.
“Thank you for understanding,” Hildy said. “I was afraid you’d be mad. But I should have known you’d get it, being such an empathetic person. In fact—cue the dramatic pause—that’s why I loved your story so much. About Tutu Lua.”
“You read it?” Libby flinched as Jean punched her in the arm.
“No, she’s a frickin’ psychic. Let the poor wee lassie talk.”
Hildy put a hand to her heart. “I feel like I know her. Tutu. This isexactlythe vibe I’m going for with the magazine. Gentle lessons in living an authentic life, with a delicious aesthetic. I want to go to her house and hear her stories. Maybe meet some of the big hunky grandsons.”
“I didn’t saythat,” Libby began, stealing a glance at Jefferson.
“I can read between the lines. It’s okay,” she assured a frowning Libby. “Wilderness Daddy doesn’t mind. You knowSpeed,right?”
It was Jean’s turn to scowl. “The drug?”
“The movie. Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. Where she tells him relationships that start under intense circumstances never last. And then some other stuff about the bus blowing up. But the main thing is the love story. You know what I mean?”
“Not—exactly,” Libby admitted. She’d seen it, of course. Keoki made them watch every Keanu movie, except the one where the dog gets hurt.
“I’m thinking that’s how we frame it. We flew too close to the sun, it was fun while it lasted, et cetera. Keep it archetypal. Easy to understand. Never underestimate the stupidity of the public.”
Libby was feeling pretty stupid herself at the moment. Like she’d been hit in the head.
“I know.” Hildy raised both hands in a be-patient gesture. “It needs your magic touch. And professional photography. I’m staring out to sea. Sun sparkles, maybe a rainbow. Or one of those birds swooping in! Lonely but beautiful and proud. What do you think, JJ?”
He shook his head. “I’m not an animal trainer.”
“We’ll hang around, see what happens. And then Lillibet will help me craft a poignant message about people who touch our lives for a season and then fade away, like autumn leaves or—something less trite. Every ending is a new beginning, lightly hinting that I might be available soon, after an appropriate period of mourning.” Hildy beamed at Libby. “I trust you.”
