Chapter 8
Cole clasped his bridge camera as his eyes scanned the field of sunflowers. He focused on the landscape, twisting the barrel of the lens as he zoomed in and out, using the weathered barn as an appealing contrast. He inched forward to focus the shot on the apple red paint peeling from the battered wood. A few more takes satisfied him. He checked the photos he had taken and made sure the brightness and details were nice and sharp.
Cole had forgotten the subtle beauties that made Piedmont Valley special. While his spirits soared as he traveled overseas, it didn’t compare to home. The familiar faces he greeted on his way to his studio, his mother’s home-cooked meals, and the splashing water of the town’s fountain… some things couldn’t be replaced.
Piedmont Valley had something else he believed irreplaceable. Leah stole his breath during their consultation, although Cole attempted to remain a professional. Still, she made his knees wobble. Her jasmine perfume tickled his nostrils. Cole’s mind drifted to their senior year at Piedmont High when they would so often meet at the bleachers on the football field, exchanging sweets.
Leah had nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t know if I want the white or milk chocolate.” Her head had tilted to the side. Her chocolate brown curls danced in the wind.
Cole held both cookies in his hands. “Pick because I’m taking the other one.”
She grinned. “Fine, I’ll take the white chocolate.”
Cole nudged her shoulder and handed over her treat. “Look at you, stepping outside the box.”
Leah gave half a smile. Her shoulders had drooped. “I’m going to miss you.”
He sighed. “I’m going to miss you too. I can’t believe we have three more months left until we graduate.”
Leah’s lowered lip had trembled. “Promise me we’ll stay friends? No matter what?”
Cole draped an arm over her shoulder. Leah had scooted closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He held her close. “I promise,” he had said.
A corner of Cole’s mouth lifted as he strode to his used charcoal 2016 Ford F-150 XL pickup truck. He’d purchased one at Lou’s Used Cars, noticing the inflated flailing tube man in front of the dealership. Cole then tucked his camera inside its bag, setting it next to him on the passenger seat. He rested his hands on the steering wheel and wrestled back control of his imagination. He needed to stick with one thing at a time. His focus needed to be on Leah’s photoshoot.
Seth had mentioned nothing recently. Would his brother tell him right away? Imprinted in his mind was the day his brother came home with his letterman jacket missing. Seth revealed he had lent it to Leah—his new girlfriend. His eyes had flickered with excitement.
Cole had eyed his brother. “Don’t hurt her.”
Seth’s eyebrows furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“It means all the girls flock to you. Leah isn’t somebody for you to play with. She’s real. She has a good heart.”
Seth had dismissed his comment with a wave of his hand. When his time came, and he left for college, Cole had picked up the pieces of Leah’s heart. She had rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes flooded with tears while they sat on the bleachers.
Leah had sniffled. “He’s leaving.”
He held her close. “I’m sorry, Leah,” he said. His blood had boiled. He loved his brother, but it had been so disappointing to see him treat Leah like that. The tears running down her cheeks had felt like a knife to his heart.
Cole drove back to his studio. He caught sight of a few jet trails in the blue sky, but kept his focus on the paved road ahead. Stopped at a red light, he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, but his eyes darted to the petite woman crossing the street. Leah’s face beamed and Cole froze as he stared at her. He assumed she was coming or going from the gym, since she wore athletic attire, toting a yoga mat on her back. Cole stretched forward to see where she was heading.
As far as he could see, she stopped in front of the library. His eyebrow raised as his curiosity flickered to life. He wanted to follow her inside, but Sunday would come soon enough. Cole didn’t think the photo shoot would take all day long. If it did, he wouldn’t mind. He would get to spend time with Leah.
****
Leah’s eyes bugged. After her hair being pulled taut and trimmed, the cold slickness of water and suds washing away extra hair color, and lying uncomfortably against the ceramic curve of the washing station, Gemma set the curling iron down.
Her friend ran her fingers through Leah’s loose curls. Honey blonde was her choice for highlights against her chocolate brown hair. Happiness flowed through her. She grabbed the arm of her chair to keep herself from bouncing in her seat. She didn’t want to embarrass Gemma in her beauty salon.
Gemma rubbed her hands together. “Well? What do you think?”
Leah drew her bottom lip in between her teeth. “I love it!” She rose to her feet and embraced her friend. “What do I owe you?”
Gemma held up her hand. “This one’s on me.”
Leah blinked. “What?”
A smile danced on her friend’s lips. “This is a gift from me to my best friend. Based on our last conversation, I know you’re making some life changes. So, this is my way of saying I support you.” Gemma wagged her finger. “Don’t expect this next time. Like you, I have a business to run.”
Joy bubbled up inside Leah. She hugged her friend once more. “You’re the sister I always wanted.”
“You’re my sister no matter what. Let me know how the photo shoot goes.”
“I still can’t believe I agreed to it.” Leah rubbed her forearms, feeling the goosebumps surface.
“Have you talked to Cole about the final details?”
“He said he would call.”
Gemma clapped her hands. “I’m so excited for you!”
“Me too. A little nervous, but excited. I’ll talk to you later.” Leah grabbed her purse and strutted past the front desk to the front door. She shrieked bumping into a hard chest. Looking up, her eyes met Chase. Leah wobbled in her wedge heels as an aftereffect, so he steadied her with his firm hand.
“Sorry about that Le—whoa your hair!” His eyes blazed with obvious surprise.
Leah threaded her hand through her locks. “Thank you. Your wife is amazing at what she does. I’ll see you two later.”
Chase kissed her cheek and then snuck over to Gemma. She wrapped her arms around his neck and greeted him with a kiss. Hope fluttered inside Leah as she exited her friend’s beauty shop. When her phone buzzed in her purse, she saw Cole was calling.
“Hi Cole.”
“Hey, Leah. You’re not too busy, are you?” he asked.
Her breath caught at the sound of his deep voice saying her name. It rang in her ears like church bells. “No, I’m not busy. I was heading home from Gemma’s beauty salon.”
“Getting ready for tomorrow?”
“Something like that. I wanted something different.”
“Don’t change too much. I like you the way you are.”
Leah massaged the back of her neck. When she arrived at her car, she leaned against the door. “Thank you. I forgot you were sweet.” Did I say that? She cleared her throat. “So, what’s up?”
“I wanted to give you a final rundown of tomorrow. We shouldn’t be more than a few hours. I suggest you bring the casual and formal wear for me to photograph. The casual wear will be for the park, and the formal can be at my studio,” he explained.
“Okay.” She let out a deep breath.
“Don’t stress, Leah. It’ll be fun.”
She unlocked her door and settled into the driver’s seat. “I believe you. I’m trying to wrap my mind around it.”
“Read any good books lately?”
Her eyebrows shot up. She made a trip to the library and checked out a few of the classic books on her “to read” list.
She joked, “Are you stalking me, Mr. Parsons?”
“I was passing by and I saw you go in the library. You still didn’t answer my question,” he replied.
“Okay, I checked out a few books. Classics mostly.”
“Have you finally branched out from the old movies? Something in the 2000s?”
Leah grinned as connected her phone to the blue tooth speakers in her car. “They’re a few. What can I say? I love the old films.”
“I guess they’re not that bad. I don’t mind watching The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.”
Leah’s breath hitched. “You know that film?”
“Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin.”
“I’m impressed.”
“I guess you rubbed off on me in high school.”
Her mouth quirked up into a smile. “I guess so.”
“What’s your film choice for tonight?”
“All About Eve.”
“Let me know how it turns out.”
“I will.” Leah pulled her car into her driveway and cut the engine.
“I’ll see you at church and then at my studio?” Cole sounded hopeful.
Leah rubbed her sweaty palm against her thigh. “I’ll see you then.”
“Goodnight, Leah.”
“Goodnight.”
She tucked her phone back into her purse. Leah stepped out of her car, but when she heard someone call her name from across the street, she turned to find a beaming Tyler Gage trotting over to her.
“How are you?” he asked, his six-two height towered over her five-four frame.
“I’m okay. How are you?” Embarrassment stirred in Leah. The last time she saw Tyler, she was moments away from insulting the male species. In that moment, she was even more grateful to Gemma for stopping her full-blown rant.
Tyler’s hazel eyes sparkled as he gazed at her. Leah tilted her head. She’d known Tyler for years, but this was the first time she saw affection glowing in his eyes.
She folded her arms. “What are you doing here? Are your grandparents alright?”
Tyler looked back across the street. “Yes, they’re fine. I was paying them a visit.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Are you okay? The last time we saw each other you seemed… a little… out of sorts.”
Leah let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I had a rough night, so you guys got the brunt.”
Tyler shoved his hands into his pockets. “I heard about you and Brian. Word is he left town.”
Leah gave a faint smile. “I don’t see why we need a newspaper in this town. Everybody knows what’s going on, anyway.”
Tyler laughed. “That’s Piedmont Valley. I’m sorry it happened. Are you okay? Seriously?”
“Taking it one day at a time.”
Tyler drew closer. “I don’t want to sound forward, but I would love to buy you a cup of coffee sometime.”
Leah’s mouth fell open. “Oh… wow.”
“Only if you want to stop by the coffee shop,” he said.
Leah gave him a once-over. She rolled her shoulders. “Tyler, I don’t—”
“No pressure, Leah. To be honest, I enjoy hanging out with you.”
She slipped him a curious glance. “Well… as long as I can get my Mocha Frappuccino. I’m busy with my boutique, but I’ll do my best to stop by.”
“I like your hair. You look great, Leah.”
She tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “I’m getting the feeling you’re flirting with me.” Nervousness twisted in her gut.
“Is it working?” A smile tugged at Tyler’s lips.
Leah shifted from one foot to the other. “Tyler, I’m flattered but—”
“I understand, Leah. Remember, no pressure.”
She exhaled. “Thank you.”
Tyler checked his wristwatch. “I better head home. I’ll see you around.”
“Sure.”
Tyler stepped back and waved goodbye. Leah returned the gesture and strolled into her house. Per routine, she stepped out of her heels and proceeded to her bedroom. That was unexpected. Leah tied her hair into a high ponytail and strolled to her closet.
As she selected her clothes for the photo shoot, she let her love of fashion and coordinating outfits silence the worry gnawing at her gut. The temperatures were still tepid outside, so she chose a strapless woven maxi in a floral motif. It fitted around her waist and its smocked bodice and would look great in the photos.
For her second choice for casual wear, Leah picked a yellow floral blazer. Her white t-shirt would match along with her fitted sky blue jeans. Though Leah’s stomach knotted, she packed her clothes in a small duffle bag. Shoes were next for her to pick out, but her buzzing phone interrupted her thinking. Leah retrieved her phone and grinned at the sight of Cole’s name.
7:26 PM… Cole: It’ll be fun don’t stress
Leah huddled in the corner of her closet. She typed her response.
7:29 PM… Leah: How did u know?
7:32 PM… Cole: I know u
7:34 PM… Leah: After all this time? LOL
She bit her bottom lip awaiting his response. Her phone vibrated.
7:38 PM… Cole: Some things u don’t forget
Leah moved to her bed and plopped onto the mattress clutching her phone. She pinched the bridge of her nose. She couldn’t look at him as anything more than a friend. They were only working together. She was doing this for her business, and for herself. Leah typed out her response.
7:43 PM… Leah: No u don’t. Gotta get some sleep so I’ll see u tomorrow
7:45 PM… Cole: Goodnight
7:46 PM… Leah: Goodnight
Leah set her phone on her nightstand to charge it. She reclined on her bed, tucking her hands underneath her cheek. You’re taking a break. She told herself.