The Baby Album

by Roz Denny Fox

  “Whatever you just did capitalizes on Brenda’s best features. You know this software better than I do.”

  “I love what these programs allow us to do. I’d be happy to show you any of the shortcuts I know,” she said, glancing over her shoulder to find him standing way too close. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him tap a thumb on his lips.

  “I…may take you up on the offer,” he said, but Casey barely heard him. Her thoughts were too busy imagining how his lips would feel against her neck. It wasn’t all that warm in the studio, but she felt a ribbon of sweat slide down between her breasts. She wiped a nervous hand across the hollow of her throat. Wyatt’s voice seemed to come from miles away when he said, “I’ve been out of touch, remember.”

  “Hmm?” Jerking out of her thoughts, Casey did her best to refocus her attention.

  “You clean up a raw photograph ten times faster than me. But you sure get caught up in what you’re doing.” He smiled wryly. “Did you even hear me accept your offer of a few lessons?”

  The new, more playful lilt to Wyatt’s voice made Casey stop fiddling with Brenda’s picture. A hasty peek eased the nervousness in her poor stomach when she saw him smile again. But the silvery twinkle in his eyes suddenly made her pulse race.

  Ignoring it as best she could, she tried again to focus on business. “Once people see your ad, I know appointments will pour in. Everyone’s going to want holiday photos. We should post a comprehensive list of fees at the counter and by the phones. Uh, not that I’m trying to butt in to your affairs, Wyatt.”

  “No, that’s good. Butt away.” His good humor faded a bit, though. “You’ve probably noticed I’m having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. Fees were an area I left to…” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I suppose our fees are a bit outdated. Everything’s gone up in a year.”

  Casey was sorry she’d reminded Wyatt of his wife. “Later today I can call our competition. Get some idea of what others in the area are charging.”

  “I appreciate your willingness to help so much, but that’s something I need to handle myself. I’ll contact the Texas Professional Photographers Association for some information.”

  He reached around Casey and collected his gear. This time he didn’t stop on his way to the back door. “I’ll have the new fees by tomorrow,” he called over his shoulder. “Tell Brenda we’ll finalize her costs then. And if Gracie Swartz and Jana Mitchell book sittings as Brenda indicated, offer them the same courtesy discount. It’s the least I can do for old times’ sake. All I can do. You did tell Brenda about the discount, right?”

  “I did, yes. You know, if other former clients—not personal friends, but ones who used Keene’s in the past—book with us again, you may want to offer them a lesser, one-time discount. Think about it,” she murmured when he paused at the door to consider her suggestion. “Today, I can take messages and tell them you’ll call back.”

  “I trust you, Casey.” Wyatt shifted from foot to foot, acting for all the world as if he wanted to say more. But he left without another word.

  She found herself expelling her breath. Wyatt gave her compliments, then acted…guilty. Casey knew how guilt felt. Now that she’d glimpsed a few cracks in his armor and seen those few devastating smiles, it was even worse. She hated to think about the day she’d have to face Wyatt and confess her sins of omission.

  WYATT STOOD UNDER THE awning outside the studio door, debating whether to go back inside and apologize to Casey for not being more organized. She was certainly competent. But she unnerved him with the way she had of blinking owlishly at him with those huge, hazel eyes. She hadn’t really accused him of incompetence. No, it felt more like she was skittish. Nervous of him for some reason.

  Had she been like this during her initial interview? Hard to say. It had been rather haphazard, as she’d pointed out today. One thing he’d liked about her that first day was how she’d stood up to him. He hadn’t exactly presented his best side then. Or since, if truth be told. He’d have to try harder.

  Maybe he should have told her he’d forgotten he had a good side. At the interview and even now he felt guilty for enjoying watching Casey Sinclair work. He felt especially guilty for appreciating her enthusiasm. She’d understand if he told her no one had loved this job more than Angela. And now Angela was gone.

  No, he couldn’t do that. Angela had been one of a kind. It would be wrong to expect Casey to be a carbon copy. He didn’t want her to be. Getting a firmer grip on his camera case, he left the shade of the overhang and felt the sultry air press down on him. He unlocked the Subaru and tossed his bag on the backseat, impatient to crawl in and turn on the AC. Then the clouds lifted briefly to expose a clear sky. As Wyatt stood next to his car, letting the heat escape, his outlook shifted. For the first time since Angela’s death, he looked forward to getting on with his work. He’d loved taking pictures since his mother gave him a camera at age ten.

  But ever since Angela’s death, he’d wrestled with feeling disloyal about reopening the studio, never mind carrying on with his photography.

  Casey represented everything Wyatt had lost. So, yes, in the beginning he’d resented her for being vibrant, sassy and capable—for just being there, dammit. As they drifted into a routine, he had less resentment but more guilt—because the unthinkable had occurred. He’d noticed Casey as a person, as an accomplished photographer in her own right…and also as a woman. That was the last thing he’d expected. He never thought he’d have to keep reminding himself that she was married.

  Wyatt was about to climb behind the wheel when a big Suburban pulled up next to him. Brenda Moore hopped out. She gave a squeal of delight and engulfed him in a bear hug.

  “Wyatt, you have no idea how good it is to see you. Are you coming or going? I’m here to see my photos and to make appointments for Gracie and Jana to have their family portraits done.” She linked her arm through his and started dragging him toward the building.

  “Hold it. You were very clear about wanting Casey’s help, not mine. She’s inside waiting for you. I’m on my way to an off-site appointment.”

  Brenda’s face fell. “I never meant I didn’t want your opinion, Wyatt. I was just trying to help Casey get more involved in the business. It sounded to me like you were only trusting her with half the job. I like her—and besides, you can’t afford to lose her.”

  Wyatt did laugh at that. “Well, Ms. Nosy Buttinsky, not half an hour ago I told Casey she’s free to make business decisions on behalf of Keene Studio. As for the photos she took of you and the boys, they’re some of the best work I’ve seen.” He winced, realizing he was including Angela’s photos in that statement.

  “Casey’s efficient,” Brenda said. “And she has a good sense of humor. You should’ve seen her with my kids. A lot of people are overwhelmed by the three of them in one dose. Casey had an instant rapport. You still don’t look convinced. You aren’t having second thoughts about keeping her on, are you?”

  Wyatt tried to maintain a neutral expression. “Drop it, Bren. I’m not going to fire her. Casey captured an elusive spark in all her subjects. Photographers work long and diligently to acquire that ability, and some never do. Casey has the knack.”

  “Then why are you so grumpy? You should be thrilled to have hired a person who has the knack.”

  “Angela had it, too,” he said defensively.

  Brenda squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh, Wyatt. I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been going through. But I do know that every single one of your friends would’ve been happy to help you through it if you let us. Isn’t hiring Casey and getting the studio up and running what Angela would want? Surely she wouldn’t want you to be a hermit.”

  Wyatt ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He’d forgotten how persistent Brenda could be. “It’s a question I’ve asked myself a million times this past year. Would Angela want me to reopen? How would she feel about me bringing in a stranger to carry on her work?”

>   “Well, everyone knows she ate, slept and breathed photography. I’m no authority on the hereafter, but isn’t it possible that the best way to keep Angela’s spirit alive is to carry on with her passion?”

  Narrowing his eyes, Wyatt stared hard at his friend. “When did you become so philosophical?”

  Brenda shrugged. “I have my moments. Chalk it up to me being so darned happy to see you back in circulation.”

  “I’m back at work,” he stressed. “I meant what I had Casey tell you last night, Brenda. I don’t want to be put on anyone’s social calendar.”

  “Oh, all right.” She pouted. “Men’s softball is coming up, though. Greg’s counting on you as shortstop. Ian Endress is hosting the first player roundup on his boat Saturday at one. He’s still moored on Lake Austin. If you say no to a lake breeze when it’s so stifling in town, you deserve to suffer.” Sliding her jeweled watch around her wrist for easier reading, she swore gently. “Since I have a sitter, I’m meeting Greg for lunch. I’d better go look at those pictures now so I’m not late.”

  “Saturday is really the first team get-together?”

  Brenda had already moved away, but she glanced back. “Greg said he sent you an e-mail. I think he included a game schedule.”

  “Could be. I haven’t checked my e-mail in at least a week. Tell Greg I’ll let him know. Who do they have in mind if I opt out?”

  “Um, Larry Crabtree.”

  “No way. Crabtree can’t catch worth spit. Besides, he whines and blames his errors on Wes Bailey at second base. Wes will quit if Larry’s shortstop.”

  Brenda kept walking. She disappeared through the door with a wave.

  CASEY HEARD THE FRONT bell ring and came into the waiting area to find Brenda. “Hi. I’d about decided you weren’t going to make it.”

  “I’ve been here awhile. I was talking to Wyatt in the parking lot.”

  “Oh. I thought he left ages ago to take pictures of some guy’s sheep,” Casey said, busily setting out a series of matted photos on the counter.

  Brenda dropped her oversize handbag in a chair. “I’m feeling pretty smug, if I do say so myself. I think I’ve got Wyatt almost ready to come to a get-together on the weekend. The guys play softball every summer. Saturday is when they’ll organize this year’s team.”

  “I bet Wyatt tells you to forget it. I warned you last night, remember.”

  “No, no. I was brilliant. Wyatt loves to play ball. He asked who the team would get in his place. I named the one guy no one wants to be stuck with.”

  Casey stopped arranging the photos. “So, he’s going?”

  “Maybe. Wow, Casey, these pictures are fabulous.” Brenda zeroed in on Casey’s favorite—the Madonna and three cherubs. “I have to get this one for my mother. And another for Greg, and one for my sister. This shot of us with Hadley by the fireplace is perfect for Greg’s office. And it’ll be the best for his parents and his brother. Oh, but I want a copy of all these for the boys’ baby albums. And smaller ones, to tuck inside our Christmas cards. Except…” Brenda pursed her lips. “Greg should be in any photo I send with Christmas cards. After his birthday I’ll book another sitting for the whole family. We’ll leave the Christmas photo till then. Darn…I can’t decide.”

  Casey pulled out an order form, but her mind was stuck on Brenda’s mention of baby albums. It made her long to have one for her baby. “I’ll check the sizes you need.” She separated the two pictures Brenda had indicated from the rest. “Do you want a glossy finish or matte? Wyatt hasn’t updated the fees yet, but he should have them ready tonight. Tomorrow one of us will call you with the final price. Oh, and I was supposed to mention, too, that the friends’ discount he’s giving you will also apply to Jana and Gracie.”

  “That’s so sweet of him. It proves he’s not ready to cut himself off completely.” Brenda pored over each of the shots time and again, until Casey grew restless.

  She was trying to come up with a polite way of speeding the process along when Brenda suddenly changed the subject.

  “Do you know what Wyatt said about these pictures?” Brenda jabbed Casey across the counter and grinned. “He said you have a special knack.”

  “Really?”

  “Uh-huh. He said Angela had it, too.”

  Not knowing what to make of that, Casey didn’t react, so Brenda nudged her again. “Don’t you get it? Wyatt thinks you’re as good a photographer as Angela was. You’ve got no idea what high praise that is coming from him. He’s given you his seal of approval. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “I think maybe you’re reading too much into this. He was probably trying to get you to stop bugging him about playing softball.”

  “Pooh. All right, I deserve that. I swear, though, I heard Greg, Ian and Alec talking about Larry Crabtree. It’s not like I make a habit of lying.”

  Casey rolled her eyes. “Weren’t you the one who said I should hide my pregnancy from Wyatt?”

  “That’s different. You were desperate for a job. And it’s not really lying…it’s just leaving out part of the truth. We women stick together. But I promise on my daddy’s grave, Wyatt did compliment your ability. He said you captured a certain spark in us. And he’s right. I’m impressed.”

  Casey blushed. “Okay, but I almost wish you hadn’t told me. Now I’ll feel even more pressure to compete with Angela.” She drew Brenda’s attention to the work hanging on the walls. “Everywhere I look are reminders of how good a photographer Angela Keene was.”

  Brenda tapped the photos on the counter. “These are just as good as hers. Relax. Keep doing what you’re doing. Stop worrying and go get a calendar. Jana and Gracie want me to set up appointments for you to shoot their families.”

  Laughing, Casey rummaged in a drawer for a scheduling calendar. “Be careful where you say that. You sound like you’re ordering a hit.”

  “That’s the Dallas in you showing. Austin’s just a little ol’ country town.”

  “I can tell you haven’t driven in from Round Rock every day. Austin is spreading out. Kidding aside, Brenda, I have a fiftieth anniversary party tomorrow afternoon. That’s it for appointments until word gets out that the studio’s open again.”

  “Schedule Gracie at ten tomorrow. Jana wants Friday, ten or eleven if possible. It’s not perfect for your morning sickness, but at least you won’t have to deal with total strangers.”

  “My stomach’s better today. I’ve only needed two cups of ginger tea.” Casey gathered the prints. “Wyatt said he likes the smell of my tea. I thought he might ask why I wasn’t drinking the coffee he makes every morning, but he didn’t.”

  “Wyatt mentioned your tea? That’s not good.”

  “Why not? I thought it was sweet of him to notice.”

  “True, but if he noticed that, who knows what he’ll notice next. It might be hard to keep hiding the truth.”

  “Well, it’s not something I can hide forever.” Casey made a face. “I’ll try to be careful when I begin to show. Since I’m short, that may be sooner than for someone as tall as you.”

  “The most important thing right now is to make sure Wyatt never sees that you’re nauseated. That would be a red flag. But maybe you’re past the worst, since you said it wasn’t too bad this morning.”

  Casey flushed, remembering the dream that may have had something to do with her feeling better. “Let’s hope,” she finally mumbled.

  “Are we set for checking maternity clothes this afternoon? I have to renege on lunch. Greg invited me out. It’s rare to have a sitter, so I’m taking advantage. Can you get away and be at my house by two? That’s when Jana and Gracie are bringing their sewing machines.”

  “Hang on. I had a thought that might put a damper on our plans. What if people recognize your clothes? What if I have to photograph a baby and the mother knows I’m wearing maternity clothes? I mean, how many designers sell to stores in this city?”

  “I really wouldn’t be concerned about that. I knew a half-dozen women at our countr
y club who were pregnant when I was. I can’t recall ever running into my clothes on someone else. And this is only temporary, Casey. I predict that the longer Wyatt is out and about, the less grief-stricken he’ll be.”

  Tears filled Casey’s eyes as she finally realized the plan might work. “How can I ever thank you enough, Brenda? Maternity clothes cost a fortune. I’m living paycheck to paycheck as it is. I could never have afforded a whole new wardrobe.”

  “Listen, don’t you worry. And not when it comes to things for your baby, either. In our group alone, we have used furniture and outfits for infants coming out our ears. Most of us went overboard on our first babies.”

  Casey searched for a tissue, but couldn’t find one. Brenda dug one out of her purse and passed it to her. “You can’t let Wyatt see you crying, either. It’s hormones, hon. Angela had awful crying jags in the first few weeks, too.”

  Casey tossed the tissue into the wastebasket under the counter. “I’m not sure I can pull this off. I’m scared to death of slipping up. There are so many factors I can’t possibly control.”

  “The prize for pulling it off is helping your boss through a bad patch. He will get through it.”

  “You’re right. I have to do it. I may need frequent pep talks, though.”

  “Count on me. I’ll see you at two. Now I’ve got to get going. I told Greg to order for me, but if I’m not at the restaurant soon, he’ll eat his salad and mine,” Brenda said with a wink.

  Casey followed her new friend to the door. “He sounds like a great guy. Dane and his buddies are so superficial. I tried to imagine any of them caring the way Greg cares about Wyatt. Wouldn’t happen.”

  “It’s nice to know someone has your back. That’s how it is with our group. You’ll see what I mean when you meet the others.”

  IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR Casey to see what Brenda meant when she arrived for the sewing circle that afternoon. The rest of the women were already gathered in Brenda’s living room.

  Gracie Swartz was plump and jolly. She wore her long red hair in a single braid, and her freckles looked like spatters of rusty paint across her nose. Her first comment to Casey made her laugh: “You have no idea how happy I am to have someone here who’s my height. I’ve heard every short joke ever told. Start thinking of comebacks now. When you’re surrounded by willowy types, a girl can develop a complex.”