“She’s something else, but I’m guessing you already know that,” Caleb told Sophia.
“She’s everything,” Sophia said, tearing up. “Thanks for stepping in like that. I had no idea how to answer her, and that never happens to me. It just makes me realize that as she gets older, the questions are going to get harder.”
“I agree, but you’ve got this. Lily adores you, and you’re a nurturing and loving mother. A child couldn’t ask for a better home in which to thrive.” He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled Sophia against him. She had the same strength as Daisy—raising a child on her own and doing it like a rock star.
“You’re going to give me a swollen head, Mr. Stone,” Sophia said, leaning her head on his shoulder. They sat like this for a few minutes, comfortable in the silence that stretched between them. Caleb was content in a way he hadn’t experienced before. He didn’t need to be doing anything at all with Sophia in order to feel this way. No bells or whistles. No fancy clubs or the glare of the spotlight.
Being on reality television had done a number on his self-esteem. Sophia was enough to silence that little voice inside him that told him he wasn’t worthy of a happy ending.
Despite the winter thaw in Moose Falls, temps were still chilly as Caleb posed for Sophia’s camera at an outdoor shoot by the town’s historic waterfall. The last time he had seen Sophia had been a few days ago at her house when Lily had walked in on them. Even though they’d just been kissing, Sophia had been a little freaked out. Lily had never seen her kissing a partner before, not even her dad. And the little girl had later peppered Sophia with endless questions. He had to admit to being relieved that he hadn’t been present for the grand inquisition.
Like the true chicken he was, Caleb couldn’t handle such intense questioning. Being a sitter he could do, but being grilled by a four-year-old was out of the question.
His current backdrop was the gorgeous mountain range—craggy, towering mountains that seemed almost surreal.He couldn’t remember ever seeing anything so beautiful in his entire life. The sky—a pristine robin’s-egg blue—only heightened the effect. Judging by the sounds Sophia was making as she checked the photos on her camera, the end result was amazing.
“Just a few more,” Sophia called out. “Let’s get some shots with you on the snow machine with Hazel.”
It always cracked Caleb up that snow mobiles were called snow machines here in Alaska.
“Sounds good,” he said, rubbing his hands together. Thankfully, he had been given thermal gloves to wear during the shoot. Otherwise, his fingers would have been frozen to the bone. This photo shoot was shaping up a little differently than the previous one. This time he had a costar. Hazel Alexander was a model hired for the shoot due to Hattie’s belief that a romantic storyline might enhance the campaign. With black shoulder-length hair and stunning cheekbones, Hazel radiated model vibes.
Caleb and Hazel were led over to the snow machine by Sophia’s assistants, Max and Laura. The married couple had been working as a team for a decade, working on brand campaigns and enhancing the shoots with their experience in photography.
Caleb sat down on the snow machine with Hazel sitting in front of him, striking a pose as Sophia snapped away. Sophia called out compliments, praising them for nailing the shots. Although Hazel was a stunning woman, all Caleb could think about was the woman behind the camera. He loved watching her in action. Her movements were fluid and graceful. Poetry in motion. She was giving him the confidence to be completely at ease and in control of his own image. It was a nice feeling to be creative and finally have some autonomy.
For the longest time he’d been keeping a lid on the part of him that wanted the spotlight. He’d come out of his experience on the reality show feeling as if he should stuff all of his aspirations down into a dark hole and never pursue them again. He had changed his mind after licking his wounds. Now he still harbored hope that he could turn things around and pursue an acting career.
As the shoot concluded, Sophia and her team gave them a standing ovation.
“I think we’ve got it,” Sophia called out. “We’ve got some great stuff here.”
Caleb gave Hazel a hug. “Nice working with you, Hazel. Let’s hope we created a little magic on camera.” So much was riding on this.
“Same,” Hazel said with a grin. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Caleb wasted no time making a beeline in Sophia’s direction. Whenever she was in a five-mile radius, he just wanted to be as close to her as possible. Hazel was a stunner, but he hadn’t even thought twice about her.
“Hattie’s going to be really pleased with these photos. We got a little bit of everything,” Sophia raved. “You and Hazel’s chemistry was off the charts.”
“She’s sweet, but I think my chemistry with the photographer is much more intense,” Caleb said, resisting the urge to give her a celebratory kiss. Since they were on a shoot, he knew that showing his affection in that way would be crossing a line. He wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize Sophia’s professional reputation. She had worked tirelessly to make a name for herself in the industry and her efforts were beginning to pay off.
He would be content just to admire her from a foot away. She was wearing an adorable white parka, a matching hat, and dark jodhpur-style pants. Her brown cheeks were rosyfrom the cold, and she’d stuffed her long tresses under her hat.
“I have an idea,” she said. “Have you ever gone snow machine riding?”
“I can’t say that I have,” Caleb said. “I was a little too young when we left here to be able to ride.”
“Well, there’s still enough snow to do it. We could hit the trails and see some scenic views.”
“That sounds like my kind of fun,” Caleb said. “Just tell me when and where.”
“Lily is spending the weekend with her dad, so I have some free time on my hands,” Sophia told him. “I can pick you up at Hattie’s house.”
“How’s everything going with that situation?” he asked. Sophia hadn’t told him anything more about the custody issue, and he hadn’t wanted to broach the subject.
“Things have been quiet on that front, thankfully,” Sophia explained. “I’m hoping his custody talk was just a passing fancy. I don’t need or want any drama.”
“I hear that,” Caleb said. “I’ve had enough drama for several lifetimes. Who knew my life in Moose Falls would be so chill?”
