Caleb’s gaze trailed after her. “I should have known better than to ask. Sometimes I feel like a fly walking right into the spider’s web.”
Sophia chuckled at the image of Caleb as a fly and Hattie as a spider.
“You need to bring your A game to deal with Hattie.”
“I know that’s right.” Caleb shrugged. “And she wasn’t even feeling well this morning. Imagine if she was in tip-top shape?” Caleb winced.
Sophia frowned. Although she had been noticing signs of wear and tear on Hattie, it was par for the course for someone in her condition. It was a bit sobering to hear she wasn’t feeling well. Most of the time Sophia thought Hattie sucked it up and put on a front for her family and friends. Being sick meant weakness to a woman like Hattie.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sophia said. “And a bit surprised she came to the test shoot.”
“I think she’s making a point to show my brothers and me how much she cares about us while she can.” She heard a little hitch of emotion in Caleb’s voice. Sophia sensed he was grappling with Hattie’s illness and coming to terms with the fact that the clock was ticking. Time wasn’t on their side. “I really don’t want to do a single thing to disappoint her as a spokesmodel.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about in that regard.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Caleb said.
“You’ve gotten close these last few months,” she told him. She had noticed their tight bond at True and Xavier’s engagement party. They seemed to get along like a house on fire. Objectively, she surmised that out of the three Stone brothers, Caleb was most like Hattie. They were both energetic extroverts who were at ease in social settings. Both had charismatic personalities. She found it interesting, since they’d been separated for the better part of two decades.
Caleb made a face. “We have. It seems unfair that for so long we were separated. I know it was hard for Hattie to come to us due to her dialysis and being ill, but I wonder why my mother wouldn’t take us back home for short visits.”
Home. He was now referring to Moose Falls as home, a development she found interesting. From what she had gleaned from True, the Stone brothers hadn’t thought of Moose Falls as home in decades.
“Have you ever asked Daisy that question?” Sophia asked. From her brief encounter with Daisy Stone, Sophia sensed she was a loving yet resolute woman. Raising three boys on her own couldn’t have been easy, and Daisy projected a little bit of Hattie’s iron will. She wasn’t a woman who would bend easily. “And not to pry, but maybe your parents’ divorce was a bitter one.”
“I used to ask questions all the time when we were kids,” Caleb explained. “But now, as an adult, I know it’s futile. She shuts down whenever we bring it up.” He made a face. “Matter of fact, it just happened while she was here.”
“You deserve answers. All of you do. I mean, it changed the course of your lives.” She didn’t want to overstep, but clearly Caleb was still affected by choices that had been made on his behalf.
“You’re right about that.”
There was a look in Caleb’s eyes that let her know that this issue wasn’t even close to being squashed. Caleb was struggling to get answers from his mother. And she had the feeling that he would be in limbo until he could get to the bottom of it.
“You did a great job today, Caleb. I’m really stoked about this campaign,” Sophia told him. Her words lifted him to the stratosphere, giving him a feeling of confidence about his new role. Normally he didn’t need a boost to feel good about himself, but ever since his reality show debacle, Caleb had allowed negative thoughts to creep into his head.
“Thanks, Sophia. It felt good to be in front of the camera again. I’m not sure why, but it always feels really natural.” Every single time it felt as if a light bulb had been turned on inside him whenever cameras were around. He never felt shy or uncomfortable.
“Well, you come across as if you were born to do this. Come take a look.” She waved him over to her side. “I know this isn’t your first rodeo, but you really took to my instructions well. These test photos are pure gold.”
Caleb moved closer to her and looked at the pictures shebrought up on her camera. As she flipped from one photo to the next, Caleb felt goose bumps pop up on his arms and neck.
“You’re an amazing photographer,” he said, awestruck. He knew that he was a good-looking guy, but Sophia had managed to capture him in the best light possible. And he didn’t mean the actual light. She had pulled something out of him that really popped in the photos. He had taken many head shots in his time, but none had looked this professional.
“I’m only as good as my subjects,” Sophia said. “Let’s just say we make a great pair. I think Hattie is going to love these test photos and where the campaign is headed.” Despite the positive words coming out of her mouth, her brow was furrowed, and there was a look of tension etched on her face.
“Hey, anything wrong?” Caleb asked. “Maybe it’s not any of my business, but I don’t like those little crinkles on your forehead.”
“Just some personal stuff,” she said curtly. Her mouth was set in a grim line that he wasn’t sure he should try to cross.
Was this her way of telling him to stay in his lane? He was going to press on anyway. If there was any way he could help her, Caleb was committed to doing so.
Some of her team members, including her married assistants, Max and Laura Abbott, were still in the room, so he knew she might be reluctant to discuss anything personal. But he was going to ask anyway and let her know he cared.
“Anything you want to discuss? I’m a good listener.” And he wasn’t exaggerating. Since he had two brothers, Caleb was used to having his ear bent with their troubles. Between cheating fiancées and underhanded colleagues at work, Caleb had heard it all.
“I’m just frustrated. Lily’s dad has been MIA for four-plus years.” She began packing up her camera equipment,her movements jerky. “Trust me, he would never be a candidate for father of the year. He has a history of canceling his allotted weekends with Lily.” She let out a snort. “And don’t get me started on child support payments. If he ever cuts me a check, I’m going to pass out from shock.”
“Sounds like a winner,” Caleb spat out. Men like Sophia’s ex made him angry. It wasn’t fair that she had to shoulder the child raising all on her own with no support.
