CHAPTER TWO
MEADOW
Two hours earlier
What a freaking week.
The Davis Drive streetlights reflect an array of colors against the wet asphalt as I pull my rental into the parking lot of a local bar where I’m to meet a friend. After getting run off the road in a horrific highway pileup last week, my car is finally out of the shop. Since then, I’ve had to deal with police reports, insurance claims, and pissed-off clients whose appointments I’ve missed throughout the week due to the hassle. I deserve a drink. Or two. Maybe three.
“You made it!”
I look up to see my friend Becca waving at me from a booth against the side of the room.
I smile and quicken my steps toward her, happy to find a full drink on my side of the table. “Is that what I think it is?” I ask and gasp with delight.
“Whiskey sour on the rocks.”
“You remembered,” I gush, genuinely emotional over the fact that my old friend remembered my drink order from our college days at UCF.
Becca jumps up from her seat with a little shriek. “It’s so good to see you.” She wraps her arms around me and pulls me in for her signature hug. It’s just how I remember it from back in the day. Warm, strong, loving. She’s like a soul whisperer, the way she tugs all the emotions to the surface with that one embrace.
“It’s so good to see you, Bec. It’s been too long.”
She pulls away, still gripping my shoulders, her expression flooding with empathy. “What are the odds you’d get into a wreck the same week you move here?” She narrows her eyes at mine like she’s trying to read them for clues. “You okay?”
I let out a small laugh and take a seat across from her. “I’m exhausted. I’ve had a lot of photo shoots to make up for because of that horrific accident. It’s been one thing after the other ever since. Physically, I’m fine, though. I just hope everyone else is okay too.” I shudder at the visual that just passed through my mind. “They had to use a saw to get a man out of a car. I don’t even know if he’s still alive. It was awful, Bec.”
She frowns and reaches for her drink. “I’m glad it wasn’t worse for you. I hear so many stories from Aaron. He’s always warning me to avoid that turnoff on foggy mornings, like the one you got caught in. Those guys just know what to expect by this point. I would have warned you if I knew you were heading that way.”
I give her a small smile. “You cannot control my fate, Becca Ann. You never could, and you never will.”
She folds her arms while giving me a smug smile. “That’s what you think. You’re in my territory now, which means you need me. I’ll show you around, introduce you to people…” She grins. “And you have a sitter for little Tate whenever you need one. Just ask.”
I tilt my head, wondering how I had ever managed without my friend all these years. Our distance has been entirely my fault. After Milton and I married, he graduated from the police academy, and we moved around from city to city, to wherever a new opportunity took him. So while Becca and I spoke often and had seen each other a handful of times, she’s never even met my little boy.
“Shouldn’t you be focusing on your wedding first? We can talk about babysitting later.” I take a sip of my drink and sigh as I feel my entire body relax. “Oh god, I needed this.”
“Good. Drink up.” Becca leans forward and smiles. “Speaking of my wedding. I have a job opportunity for you.”
I perk up and lean forward. “You need a photographer?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “No, you’re a guest at my wedding. I will not let you work. Besides, we already signed a contract with someone long before I knew you were moving here. I have a different job opportunity. Kind of. This is with someone who will be at my wedding.”
I lean back, ready to hear it. “Considering I blew it with two of my new clients today, I’m listening.”
“Well, Aaron and his buddy have been working on this fundraising venture to help burn victims and their families. They got this crazy idea to put together a firefighter calendar that they’ll sell to raise money for their charity. But they still need a photographer.” Becca searches my eyes, and I know she’s assessing my reaction. “It wouldn’t require too much of your time, and they would be so grateful. They’ll pay for all your supplies, your food, any lodging required, and your gas. It wouldn’t put you out of pocket at all.”
As soon as I get the gist of what she’s asking and realize the job would require me to volunteer my time, my gut churns. I set my drink down, my eyes lingering on the amber liquid, before I pull in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Becca,” I start then flip my lids up to look back at her. “I’m so flattered that you thought of me, and it sounds like such a great idea, but I don’t think I’m the right fit.”
She looks visibly dejected. “What? No. You’re the perfect fit. I was just looking through your website again, and I’ve never been so stunned over photographs before. The way you use lighting to capture your subjects is just awe-inspiring. They’re strangers to me, but it’s like I can see their souls. As soon as Aaron told me they still need a photographer for the calendar, I immediately thought of you.”
Guilt and embarrassment swarm through me. “That’s so sweet of you to say, but I still don’t think I’m the right person for the job.”
She presses her shoulders back and regards me with a challenge. “Why not?” This is the Becca I remember. Adamant, persistent, yet supportive in every way. Which is why I should just come out with the real reason.
“It’s just—money has been tight ever since Milton died. He didn’t tell me about the kind of debt he was in before we married. It was a sore subject, especially with a baby on the way. My photography business did okay, but it didn’t cover what I had to pay to the credit companies and whatnot. The only way out of it was to sell the house, use the equity to pay off what he owed, and move in with my mom for a bit. Anyway,” I shake my head, not wanting to sour our happy reunion, “that’s the main reason we moved back home. Between finding new clients and caring for Tate, I can’t even imagine taking on something so important.”
Becca sinks back, looking dejected. “Oh, Meadow, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She looks over my shoulder for a bit like she’s in deep thought and then looks back at me. “I hate what you’ve been through. I wish there was a way I could help.”
I shake my head. “You are too sweet, but it’s not your responsibility. I think moving here was the right thing to do. Tate is young enough that he can make new friends easily, and the area is so beautiful I’m sure I’ll find clients in no time.”
Becca nods. “I’m certain you will too.” She opens her mouth and then snaps it shut again.
“What?” I ask with a laugh.
She sighs. “I mean, the calendar is totally Aaron’s thing, but I can’t help but think it’s a great opportunity to get your name out there. He knows a lot of people, most of whom have families. And they’d only need you for a few hours here and there. I really don’t think it would take away from your normal schedule too much. And I’m sure they’d let you bring Tate if you wanted to.” She tilts her head, her eyes wide with hope. “Are you sure you don’t want to at least think about this?”