The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  “Great. We’ll be down at my guesthouse.”

  Over the past two days, she’d walked every path that wound through the estate. There were eight guesthouses in all. Each one named after a different star Arty Max represented. Over the years, he’d done quite well spotting raw talent and nurturing it to the ultimate reward.

  * * * *

  Kasey made short work of processing the morning shots. She’d driven her RV to this shoot. It was the best investment she’d ever made. Not only could she develop film the old-fashioned way when it was called for, but she had a computer system to edit and crop the digital shots on site, and high-quality print capabilities.

  She gathered the proofs and went to meet with Cody and Arty. On her way, perfect orange and yellow rose blossoms caught her eye. Roses always made her think of her wedding day. One of her best memories ever, second only to the day she’d had Jake.

  A light breeze pushed her hair across her shoulders. She lifted her chin to enjoy the warm sun on her face. The low eighties here in the mountains was a relief compared to the blazing heat at home on the Virginia coast in August.

  Cody and Arty sat at a wrought iron table on the front porch of the guesthouse. Arty’s wiry arms moved in wide, exaggerated movements. Cody sat back in his chair, twisting a cloth napkin between thick fingers, looking a little bored.

  Kasey flipped the folder against her thigh as she walked within earshot. “Am I interrupting?”

  Arty stopped mid-sentence.

  Kasey’s glance connected with Cody’s just long enough to make her breathing stutter.

  Cody jumped up and pulled a chair out for her. “Naw. Join us.”

  Kasey sat, hooking her feet around the legs of the chair, and placed the proofs on the table. “The extra morning shoot produced the best pictures.”

  Cody flipped through them. “Damn, you make me look pretty good.”

  “It was a really tough job.” Kasey tried to look serious.

  Arty made approving sounds as he looked through the pictures. When he finished, he tapped the folder on the table and leaned toward her. “These are incredible. No one has ever caught Cody on film like this.”

  “I’m glad you’re pleased, Mr. Max. I enjoyed it.” Kasey extended her hand and stood to her full height of five foot three. Standing, she was barely taller than Cody, and he was still sitting. “I’m heading home. I promised my boys I’d be there this afternoon.”

  “Wait.” Arty bounced to his feet. “You have to shoot Cody’s tour. I’ve been after him for two years to do a tour picture book.”

  Cody turned from Arty to face Kasey. “It’s true. He’s relentless.”

  “It would sell millions.” Arty shook a proof under Cody’s nose. “Pictures like these could bring your tour to life in a book. You have to agree.”

  Cody looked at the proof for a moment. “Yeah. You know, you might be on to something there, man.” He looked to Kasey and lowered his voice. “Help me out here, girl. Get him off my case. If you can do that, I’ll owe you big.” He pretended to beg.

  “You’re too funny.” Kasey waved and turned to leave. “Thanks again.”

  Cody’s chair screeched. “No, seriously. Wait. We want you.” He stepped off the veranda to the walkway. “Come out on the road with us. I never liked the idea of some stranger hanging out with us, but you fit right in.”

  She froze, then turned back to face them. “You’re serious?” The two of them looked like bobble-head dolls the way they nodded in unison.

  This could be big. Huge. It could also mean fewer jobs on the road next year so she could spend more time with Jake and Nick. And it would keep her name out there, which was getting harder now that she’d cut back on the number of shoots she accepted. It was a tricky trade-off.

  Her heart skipped a beat, but she managed to keep it in perspective. “No. I can’t. I’m married and have a young son at home. I’m very selective about what I do these days. I’d be happy to refer someone.”

  “Naw, that wouldn’t work.” Cody shook his head.

  Arty slumped and ran his hand through his hair.

  “Tell ya what.” Cody took a card from his wallet. “Call me if you change your mind. The tour doesn’t gear up for a few weeks. You wouldn’t have to be gone long. We’ll email you the schedule. You can even pick the city dates you want to shoot.”

  “Cody, there are a hundred photographers who could do this gig.” She laughed. “And a million single women who’d kill for it.”

  “This isn’t a come-on, if that’s what you think. I’m not the horn-dog the gossip rags make me out to be.”

  She knew better than to believe everything in the tabloids, but it was hard not to believe some of it. Eyeing him cautiously, she said, “I don’t like to be away from Nick and Jake for that long. This kind of commitment takes time.”

  “Bring them with you. I’ll cover their expenses, too.” He looked flustered. “I’m serious. I respect you. I’m comfortable with you, so are the guys, and you’re hell with a camera. I’ll do that project with you, but no one else.”

  She took the card and rubbed her thumb across the raised letters. Four years ago she would’ve packed up and hit the road, but her life was different now.

  “Thank you. I’ll think about it, but changing my mind would be a first, because I never do.” She waved as she left.

  “Never say never,” he called after her.

  Kasey knew her best friend, Riley, would be giving her the same speech right about now if she’d been there.

  Never say never, and never tempt fate.

  Chapter Two

  Usually the ride home seemed longer than the ride to a location shoot, but today, as Kasey sang to the radio, the time passed as fast as the trees in her rear view mirror. It was hard to keep from speeding when she was anxious to get home. She eased up on the accelerator, coasting back to the speed limit.

  Her mind drifted back to the idea of photographing Cody Tuggle’s tour. The exposure would be good. Experience told her that she could probably get all the shots she needed in a few dates in key cities if she planned it right. She and Nick had talked about taking Jake to Sea World this year. Maybe we could turn this opportunity into a work vacation combo. It was worthy of a discussion.

  “Making memories.” Just saying Nick’s favorite words made her smile, and she loved making them with him.

  On autopilot, she turned down the lane that led home. The road to the Rocking R Farm ran parallel to their property. With road frontage of over a mile, she couldn’t see their farmhouse until she got past the second curve.

  Nick’s truck wasn’t there. Disappointment swept over her as she pulled into the driveway.

  She grabbed her bags and headed for the house. On a bright note, maybe she had time to whip up a quick surprise for them now. It wouldn’t take but a minute to throw some of those pre-formed chocolate chip cookies on a tray and get them in the oven. Even she could pull off that level of baking.

  Dutch, their black lab, greeted her with a yawn but didn’t bother to get up from the living room rug. She dropped her bags right in the middle of the hall and tossed her purse on the couch. She dashed to the kitchen to get started on the treats, patting Dutch on the head as she zipped by.

  Just as she slid the cookie sheet into the oven, she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway.

  “Perfect timing.” She set the timer to reduce the chance she’d ruin the cookies. Not that it was any guarantee. She’d burned so many meals Jake thought the smoke alarm was the dinner bell. He and Nick never let her live that down, but it hadn’t improved her cooking any.

  Dutch barked.

  “C’mon boy. I’m excited, too.” She hurdled the suitcase she’d left in the middle of the foyer and opened the door.

  “Oh!” Kasey halted, nose to nose with a stranger in her doorway. “Excuse me.” She took a step back.

  A man in a suit stared at her with his hand still in the air, mid-knock. “Mrs. Rolly?”

  “Ka
sey Phillips, but yes, I’m Mrs. Rolly.” She looked over the man’s shoulder. Only a blue sedan. No sign of Nick’s truck. “I was expecting.... Never mind. Can I help you?”

  Dutch pushed his nose between the door and the jamb, imposing himself between the stranger and Kasey.

  “I’m Officer Thomas with the Virginia Beach Police Department.” The man handed her his business card, then flashed a police badge. “May I come in?”

  “It’s okay, boy. Dutch, go lie down.” Kasey read the card. “Of course. What can I do for you?” She glanced at the card again. “Officer Thomas.” She motioned him into the living room.

  He stepped inside, but remained standing.

  Kasey gripped the arm of the chair and lowered herself into it. “Is something wrong?”

  “Are you the wife of Nicholas Rolly?”

  Anxiety bit at Kasey’s nerves. She couldn’t even nod. “Yes,” she answered, but it sounded more like a question.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am.” He paused, his eyes avoiding hers. “There’s been an accident.”

  “An accident?” She leaned forward. Icy fear prickled her skin. This only happens in the movies.

  “Yes ma’am.” Officer Thomas shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “At about 11:15 this morning we received an accident report of a truck going off the road into the river, and a separate report of gunshots on Route 58. We aren’t certain if the two are connected.”

  The words replayed in her mind. Slowly, like translating a foreign language, then a wave of concern consumed her.

  “I’m sorry to deliver this news.”

  Kasey grabbed the arm of the chair. The room swirled around her. “He’s going to be okay, right?”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Rolly. Your husband didn’t survive the crash.”

  “No. It can’t...Nick?” Her heart pounded too fast, and her brain buffered everything around her.

  “His body is at Southeastern Virginia Medical Center. Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the accident.”

  She swallowed with difficulty, then found her voice. “What about Jake?”

  His brows flickered a little. He looked uncertain as he tapped the keys on an electronic device for information. “There were no other passengers —”

  From that point, the officer’s lips moved, but his words didn’t register. “No. My Nick wasn’t alone. You’ve made a mistake.” She raised her hand to quiet him. “Where’s my son? This doesn’t make sense. Where did you say they were?”

  “Traveling east on Route 58, not far from I-95 and Emporia. The vehicle, the registration and ID all match.”

  She rubbed her palms against her jeans and let out a long breath.

  “My husband was on the Eastern Shore this morning, and he had Jake with him. It can’t be him.” She twisted her wedding rings, letting them glide up and down her finger. “Thank God,” she whispered into folded hands.

  His tone was apologetic. “We’re careful with this information.”

  “No.” She hugged her arms to her. “It can’t be. Not on Route 58. That’s too far out of the way.” She pushed her shaking hands into her lap and took a deep breath. “I’m telling you there’s been a mistake. Nick’s an excellent driver. He’s very careful. And he’d never leave without Jake. They’re fine.” Kasey moved to the edge of the seat. “I just spoke to him this morning.”

  “When did you expect him back?”

  Stress lined the man’s face. She forced herself to look away.

  “We just talked at nine this morning. I was on a photo shoot.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I expected they’d be here when I got home.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll connect you with the officer in charge of the case for details. Meanwhile, I can offer you a ride to identify the body.”

  She recoiled. “Identify? No, I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  He paused. “Is there someone I can call for you?”

  She glared at the officer. “Nick. You can call Nick, because this is a mistake. He’s fine. Do you hear me?” Kasey snapped her head up, meeting the officer eye to eye. She gathered her composure and stood. “I don’t need comforting. They are just fine.” She went to the front window and pushed the curtains to the side. The country lane was empty. “Officer Thomas, I think you should leave.”

  “Ma’am?” He called after her as she stepped from the front window toward the hall.

  She spun around. “I know you’re doing your job, but this time you’re wrong. Nick wouldn’t have been on Route 58, and he wouldn’t have been alone. I’m telling you there is a mistake. Why aren’t you listening to me?” Kasey grabbed her cell phone from her handbag, punched speed dial to Nick’s cell and waited for him to answer. “I’m calling him.” She redirected her stare at the officer as the first ring sounded on the other end.

  Officer Thomas held her gaze.

  The phone rang a third time—no answer.

  The room shrank around her. A loud hum filtered the sound from the phone. Her heart beat so hard it constricted her breathing. Nick always answered his cell phone. Even when he was on the tractor he put it on vibrate. There had never been a time she’d dialed his number since the day they’d met that he hadn’t answered.

  Pick up.

  Ring.

  Please, answer.

  “Voice mail.” She mouthed the words, and her jaw went slack.

  Officer Thomas must have predicted the next move because he was already at her side, to steady her, as her knees gave way. He reached for the phone as she shouted into it.

  “Nick. Nick, it’s me. Where are you, honey? Why aren’t you answering? Please?” She knelt or fell. She wasn’t sure which. “Oh. God. No.”

  Officer Thomas caught the phone mid-air as it fell from her hand.

  “Who can I contact? A family member? A friend?” He released her as she settled back into the chair. He closed the phone and placed it on the table. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Rolly.”

  “How can this be happening? Where’s Jake?” Kasey pulled her hands to her chest. She opened and closed her fists, as if to pump her lungs to make herself breathe. “Why is this happening to me?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. It showed 4:11, like 4-1-1 for information. This was information she wished she wasn’t getting. She slumped forward as reality struck, clutching her heart, tears streaming down her cheek.

  The buzz of the oven timer broke the silence in the room.

  The cookies.

  Thankful for a reason to flee the room, Kasey shot straight up in her chair, then to her feet to escape this man and his message.

  She punched the buzzer on the oven to silence it. The smell of the warm chocolate chip cookies only made her cry more as she slid the metal baking sheet on top of the stove. She leaned forward on the kitchen counter, breathing in the smell of better memories, hoping to push the terror out of her mind. If she had come home yesterday as originally planned, would this be happening right now?

  Kasey edged toward the doorway to the living room praying it would be empty, and that she’d imagined all of it. If Nick and Jake were gone, she prayed God would take her, too. She pulled her shirt tight across the front of her, suddenly chilled despite the hot August temperatures.

  “Mrs. Rolly, who do you want me to contact?” Officer Thomas opened her cell phone and clicked through the directory. “You have numbers for Grandma Emily, Riley Randals, Dean Zander....”

  He didn’t mention Nick, though she knew there were entries for him at home, at the barn and for his cell. Her chest burned. A moan escaped as she choked while trying to gulp air. Tears streamed along her cheeks and settled in her fists. Kasey opened her hands and rubbed her fingers across her eyes.

  “Riley.” Her voice strained. “Call Riley.”

  Officer Thomas punched keys on the phone and headed to the hallway. Kasey heard him ask for Riley, overheard him explain the situation, and then the phone snapped closed.

  “She’s on her way, Mrs. Rolly. I’ll stay with you unti
l she arrives.”

  “Thank you. She’s just up the street.” Why was she being polite? Thank you? She wasn’t thankful for him at all. This man had just unraveled her world. She lowered her head to avoid looking at him. She couldn’t bear it. “Jake. Where are you, baby?”

  The front door burst open without a knock. Kasey jumped to her feet, wishing for Nick to saunter through the front door with Jake on his hip to set everything right again. The spark of hope vanished.

  “Kasey?” Riley raced to Kasey’s side and held her. “I’m here. What happened?”

  Kasey’s voice trembled. “I don’t know. I can’t really.... He was shot in a car crash?” She ran her hand across her nose and tear-stained cheeks. “I don’t know. It’s some kind of mistake. You’ve got to help me.” She turned into Riley’s arms.

  “Shot in a car crash? Which was it? He was shot, or in a car crash?” Riley asked Kasey, and looked to the officer for help.

  “I…I don’t....” She slumped forward, releasing control into Riley’s capable hands.

  Riley wrapped her arms around Kasey, and then directed her gaze to the officer. “Thank you for calling me. What exactly happened?”

  “When police arrived on the scene, Mr. Rolly’s vehicle was in the river. Witnesses heard a loud series of shots just before the vehicle swerved off the road, making impact with several trees. The truck flipped, then careened into the river below. It was clear the driver....” Officer Thomas took a deep breath. “He didn’t survive. Investigations are under way to determine the chain of events.”

  “Shots fired?” Riley pressed her hand over her heart. “And Jake? What about Jake?”

  “No one else was in the truck, ma’am.”

  Kasey’s tears flowed, but her voice was strong and steady. “We have to find him.” She grabbed for Riley’s arm, her eyes pleading for one shred of hope.

  “Jake’s her son. He’s three.” Riley pointed to the picture on the table of Nick and Jake.

  “There was no sign of a car seat to suggest a child was in the vehicle at the time of impact. Could he be at a sitter’s, or with a family member?”