by Lara Swann
I grow used to it as the morning passes though, sinking into that stillness until my rumbling stomach eventually pulls me away from my book to go in search of the leftover sushi from last night. Of course, as soon as I settle down at the table with my half of it, my mind flickers back to last night and I start wondering about Tristan all over again. This time, my curiosity gets the better of me and I find myself pulling out my phone to see whether I can look him up.
To my surprise, searching for ‘Tristan Moore photography’ actually works and I see exactly what I’m looking for in the first few results - including his own website. I mean, damn, how’s that for a real professional?
It only gets more impressive when I click on the link and start looking at his photography.
“Hey, woah…”
I stare at the stunning background picture of the aurora borealis before immediately clicking through to more photographs, entirely ignoring the short bio I’d originally been looking for. I spend the next twenty minutes looking through the photos he’s taken in increasing fascination - not just with the beautiful shots or rare moments he’s managed to capture, but with the breadth of them too. It’s not just incredible scenery that he’s showcasing, but lively events, stunning portraits, cultural showcases…it’s like he doesn’t want to miss out on being able to capture any one thing, so he just does it all.
When I eventually pull myself away from them, I find to my disappointment that his short bio doesn’t tell me anything more than I learned last night - simply detailing his profession, interests and a few accolades - except for the name of the magazine he writes for, which I promptly search for, bringing up a couple of his articles that I dive head-first into.
By the time I’m done with my sushi, I emerge with several places on my new must-visit list, a dozen more questions, almost none of my curiosity sated…and a vague sense of guilt at having looked him up, knowing full well that he doesn’t have the same luxury of doing the same with me.
Oh well, it’s not like I found out much. I guess Tristan Moore is going to stay a mystery. A talented mystery with very good photos, but a mystery all the same.
After I semi-guiltily put my phone away and clear up lunch, I glance back at the corner I was reading in before heading towards the door and choosing to pull my boots on instead. I’m fully awake now and taking a walk in the winter wonderland around me seems just as appealing as my book - not to mention the vague feeling that I ought to head out and buy food for dinner if I don’t want to end up forced into another takeout tonight…though, hmm…another takeout…
Takeout is nice…and easy…and there were some other menus that looked pretty appealing…
I’m still trying to convince myself that I really shouldn’t have takeout every night out here, even if I am indulging, when I step out into the crisp winter chill—and take a breath at the sparkling white beauty of it all.
“Ohh…” I stop, my hand on the door frame as I look out from the cabin at the trees dotted with snow, set behind the log fence surrounding me. “Okay, maybe Tristan had a point. I really should have come out here earlier.”
I tug the door closed behind me and take a few steps forward, enjoying the snow crunching under my feet and the magical silence of the world around me. Tristan must have passed this way earlier, but there’s no trace of his footsteps or anything else - it really feels like I could be the only one out here - and the feeling of freedom makes me run forward with glee, grinning and laughing as I spin around, my arms flung out. The wind bites at my face, but bundled up in my jacket, scarf and gloves it’s a welcome feeling, one that makes me feel invigorated and alive.
I don’t stop until I get dizzy, stumbling forward toward the gate, out of breath and laughing as I start making plans in my head, feeling like such a child and loving every moment of it.
Snow angels. Snow men…ooh, how about a snow ball fight? I wonder if Tristan would be game for that…
“Hey, stop there! Don’t move!”
I jump, startled, my hand pausing on the gate as I look around to see Tristan almost hidden behind a small copse of trees on the other side of the fence, just around the corner.
“What? Why?” I look around instinctively, trying to work out what’s wrong.
Is there a snake? Do they have snakes in Colorado? In winter? In the snow? Seems unlikely, but I hate snakes—
“It’s a perfect shot!” He calls back. “Just stay…like that…”
“Wait…” I stop looking around and turn to look at him instead, belatedly taking in the camera lens in front of his face—pointing directly at me.
“No, no, don’t look at me—like you were before—”
Instead, I fold my arms and level a stern look in his direction.
“You’re taking photos of me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t you have to have some kind of…consent…or something for that?”
“It’ll be worth it, I promise.” He says, popping his face out from behind the camera to grin at me.
I make a show of considering it with half a scowl, but if I’m honest, my heart has sped up and I think I’m a little bit flattered. And amused. Now that the shock is wearing off, anyway.
And why the hell not?
A hot-shot photographer wants to take a photograph of me. That’s pretty damn cool.
“I get to veto anything I don’t like.” I call back. “And I get copies, too.”
“Of course.” He smiles broadly at me, then gestures for me to look back the way I was.
I roll my eyes but oblige, doing as he says and trying to ignore the weird butterflies in my stomach. This sort of attention feels strange…nice, but strange. He takes a few photos, has me shift position a couple of times, and by the time he’s done I’m actually quite excited.
Maybe some fancy new photos will finally convince me to jump back into those dating apps Hannah keeps recommending. Professional photos, at that. Can’t ask for much more than that to start a brand new profile and get back in the game, right?
“Okay, done.” He announces, turning to start putting his camera and elaborate set-up away. “That’s great—thanks, Lauren.”
“You’re not going to show me?” I ask, opening the gate and walking toward him as the camera disappears.
“Show you?” He raises an eyebrow at me, his face rugged and eyes sparkling in the cold air. I’m pretty sure mine has gone blotchy and red, but there’s no doubt I feel about as invigorated as he looks out here. “No, not yet - but I can tell you now, you’re not going to be disappointed.”
“Yeah, you would say that.” I try to lace my voice with skepticism, but I’ve seen his photographs. I can’t doubt his ability. And either way, it doesn’t seem to sway him.
“I would, yes.” He smirks, then tilts his head at me. “So you made it outside today after all?”
I flush, but can’t help enjoying the teasing all the same, grinning back at him.
“Yep. I wanted to see the snow—and I figured I should probably get some groceries, too.” I say, as that thought occurs to me again. “Do you want me to pick you up anything from the store? I might as well shop for both of us.”
“You’re going?” He asks, his brow furrowed. “You don’t have a car up here.”
“I don’t.” I shrug. “But I can get a taxi easily enough.”
He gives me a skeptical look, then gestures over his shoulder towards the woodland path I walked down last night. “I’ve got my truck back there. I was going to head to the store later, too—I can grab groceries for us.”
“Really, it’s no trouble.” I say, slightly amused at his concern. I’m an adult and I’ve made it this far in life just fine. Calling a cab to get groceries isn’t that crazy. “Besides, you’re busy with—all this.” I gesture vaguely, then try to grin encouragingly. “It’s not like I’m doing anything.”
He shakes his head. “I need to get a few things for my cameras and equipment anyway. I’m heading into town regardless.”
“Really? Y
ou managed to fill that bedroom and you still didn’t bring enough with you?!” I don’t try to hide my incredulity and he laughs.
“I’ve taken a few more photos than I expected and one of my SD cards is playing up. I want to get another and make some back-ups, just in case. So—what did you want from the store?”
I just look at him for a moment, caught between frustration and gratitude at his persistence and stubbornness, before finally giving in.
“Okay, fine. You go then. I won’t pretend I’d be able to buy the right camera and computer gear for you.” I shake my head. “You’re sure you don’t want me to come with you, though?”
“I’m sure. Stay here. Enjoy your walk—and the cabin. That’s what you wanted, right?”
“All right.” I say, smiling grudgingly as he finds exactly the right way to appeal to me. “Yeah, it is. Thanks, Tristan.”
“No problem—so what were you going to pick up?”
I shrug. “Maybe a few frozen pizzas - ham and pineapple would be amazing, but I like pretty much anything - and some sandwich stuff for lunch, that sort of thing. I eat most things, so any kind of easy, tasty-looking meal works for me. Oh, and pop tarts. I’ve been craving a couple of pop tarts for breakfast the last few days.”
His skeptical look returns. “Just…frozen stuff for dinner?”
“Yeah, exactly.” I laugh at the look on his face. “I’m on vacation, Tristan. I don’t need to be trying to cook in someone else’s kitchen with haphazard utensils and pans that I don’t find out are missing until right when I need them. I’m bad enough in my own kitchen. Between a few frozen meals and takeout, I’ll be fine here.”
“Aww, c’mon, that’s half the fun of it.” He says, grinning at me before continuing. “Okay, well how about this - I was planning to make a big batch of chili to tide me over for a few days and grab some rice and potatoes to mix it up. Do you want some of that?”
“You don’t have to—”
“I think I do.” He says, with a seriousness that surprises me. “I can’t have you subsisting entirely on frozen pizza while I’m cooking real food. It would just feel wrong.”
“That’s silly—it’s my choice, Tristan. It’s on me.”
“So the chili doesn’t appeal to you at all?” He asks, ignoring me. “I could pick something else. I’ve got a pretty long list of recipes that are perfect for making in large batches. Something I picked up through too many of your evenings working.”
“Tristan—” I try again, even though it’s getting harder to keep resisting. The idea of home-cooked chili in a snow-covered landscape like this sounds wonderful.
“Consider it compensation.” He adds, that charming smile making his eyes sparkle as he taps his camera. “For the modeling.”
“Hey, wait—just what are you going to do with those photos?” I ask, suddenly alarmed.
“Relax.” He laughs. “Nothing, without your permission. I’ll send you the copies and - depending on how they turn out - maybe see if you wouldn’t mind me adding them to my portfolio, or website. But if not, that’s no big deal.”
“But, then…” I frown, confused. It doesn’t sound like my ‘modeling’ is giving him much at all.
“Just say yes, damn it. Stubborn woman.” He grumbles, and I have to laugh.
“Okay, okay. Fine. I surrender.” I hold my hands up. “Sharing your chili would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“Finally.” He says. “Okay, I’ll grab some food for us both and see you later tonight, then. Enjoy your walk.”
He gives me a small wave, picks up his gear and heads off before I have a chance to fully process what just happened.
“Um, thanks.” I say belatedly, just watching as he leaves.
The guy is a whirlwind. A stubborn, insistent force of nature that just…takes over. I wish it was more annoying than it is, but since he’s been doing me no shortage of favors since we got stuck together, I can’t even complain about it.
Irritating guy. I mean, not really, but still…ugh. At least hang around and let me thank you or something.
I shake my head before pulling my hands under my armpits and stamping my feet, letting the chill from standing still spur me into following his suggestion and continuing my walk towards the woodland surrounding the cabin. If the information Greg left us is correct, there’s a pathway there that will take me up to higher ground and an opening in the trees that will give me a view of Aspen and the surrounding countryside - which seems like a good place to aim for to me.
It only takes a few minutes for my lingering bewilderment from my encounter with Tristan to give way to gratitude, as I lose myself in enjoying my surroundings and the sharp bite of the air around me. I really did just want to enjoy being here today and not having that errand hanging over me anymore is more relaxing than I could have guessed.
The path is steeper than I expected, but it’s clearly marked, and after my quiet morning I relish the effort as my breath slowly becomes shorter, my heart rate accelerating as I climb higher. After almost an hour - and several doubts about whether I’ve somehow already missed my goal - I finally find what I’m looking for…and as I emerge into the clearing, it immediately becomes worth every moment of struggle.
“Oh, wow…”
I walk towards the edge of the overlook to see Aspen laid out in front of me, the houses nestled in the mountain valley with snow-covered hills surrounding them and orange lights sparkling in between the bare winter trees. Even from this distance, I can see all the signs of life and revelry - the decorations and festive main street all aglow with light in the center of town - and I make an immediate decision to go and explore it properly tomorrow. It looks like something out of a postcard, or a brochure, or some advert for the most perfect Christmas ever…probably exactly the sort of advert that sold me on Greg’s cabin in the first place, actually.
I breathe in the cold, crisp air and sit down on the snow that crunches underneath me, my long jacket providing a soft, waterproof landing as I wriggle into a comfortable position. I stay up there like that, looking out at it and letting my mind wander for the longest time, letting the fresh feeling that I always get from a new place - and, soon, a new year too - fill my body and set me at peace.
Yes. This was what I came here to find.
It’s a long time before I finally get back up and say goodbye to the sight - wishing for a moment that I had one of Tristan’s cameras to do it justice - but I’m even more excited for the rest of my vacation as I make my way back down the path rather more quickly than I came up it, trying to get back to the cabin before the encroaching darkness starts to threaten me. It helps that it’s not hard to spot my earlier path, between my obvious footprints and the disturbed snow, and I get back without any trouble.
When I do, I return to find the cabin empty once again and a note waiting for me on the table.
Pizza in the freezer for you—I’ll finish the sushi tonight, make chili tomorrow. Tristan.
“Huh.” I follow the note to the freezer and smile when I see two frozen ham and pineapple pizzas, as well as an assortment of other snacks in the fridge. “Guess we missed each other again.”
I should probably be grateful about that - it certainly makes it easier to share the place - but I can’t help feeling strangely disappointed, too. I wanted to ask him about his trip into Aspen and thank him in person and…well…this ships-passing-in-the-night thing feels a little weird.
I shrug it off anyway and settle in for an evening enjoying the cabin without all the drama of last night. I light the fire again and go back to my book for a while, before preheating the oven and looking through the movies I brought with me—eventually selecting The Grinch and figuring out how to use the cabin’s TV while the pizza is cooking.
It’s not until I’ve settled into the movie and I’m fully enjoying my pizza that Tristan reappears, the door opening and startling me for a moment, before Tristan comes in, stomping on the ‘Welcome’ mat and shaking off his snow-covered jacket. I
shiver slightly under my blanket as the wind curls through the cabin, making the fire flicker brighter for a moment, before he shuts the door and strips off his outdoor gear.
“Brrrr...”
“Sorry.” He sends a smile in my direction, stepping forward and setting some of his camera equipment down. “It’s started snowing again out there.”
I lean over toward the window, flicking back the drape in the hopes of seeing an exciting swirl of snow, but instead it’s all black and dark, with just the vague reflection from the fire looking back at me.
“That’s exciting. I guess it will be all crisp and new tomorrow morning, then.” I say, tucking my feet back under the blanket.
“Yeah, should be able to get some good pictures.” He nods, removing his boots and walking further into the cabin to stand in front of the fire, holding his hands in front of it.
“Thanks for the pizza.” I say, holding the plate up in salute before searching around for the remote. A few moments of scrambling later and the background sound of the Grinch’s diabolical plans subsides enough for me to focus on the man opposite. “How much do I owe you?”
He shifts to the side so he can look back at me, rubbing his finger along the stubble of one cheek before shrugging. “Not sure. I’ll check and let you know later.”
“Sure. So what was it like in town?” I ask, smiling. It looked pretty spectacular from that overlook.
“It was fine. The store wasn’t too busy.”
“No, I meant the town center—all the decorations and events going on there. Aspen is meant to be stunning at this time of year and it looked pretty amazing from the overlook I found on my walk.”
“Oh. Yeah, there were lights and stuff, I guess.” He says, grabbing his laptop and joining me on the couch opposite.