by Carly Morgan
They all nodded.
“Did you always want to be a photographer,” Everett asked.
Maya shook her head while she chewed. The food was amazing. Milly knew how to cook. “No, I originally thought I wanted to be a teacher, but when I got to college I took a photography class and fell in love with taking pictures.”
“We really appreciate your willingness to take pictures of us tonight,” Milly said.
“It’s my pleasure. I’m happy to do it.” Since she brought it up, Maya thought she’d get a feel for what Milly wanted. “Did you have a idea about where you wanted to have them taken?
“The family photo will have to be taken upstairs in my husband’s room.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“No problem. But I’d also like some pictures of the four boys together, some of Jackson and Ava.” Milly laughed. “You get the idea.”
“Yes, I think I do.” She wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin. “Should we get started after dinner? It might take a while and I want to make sure I get as many as you would like.”
“Works for us,” Lance said.
“Yep, that’s why I’m wearing my butt hugging jeans.”
“Oh, Blaze, is that necessary?” Milly asked, laughing.
“It most definitely is, momma.”
The rest of dinner went the same. There was a lot of banter between the guys and their mom. The whole affair filled Maya with a great sense of peace. After dinner, they had peach pie and ice cream. Maya ate so much she was ready for a nap. She’d offered to help Milly clean up, but Jackson took her aside.
“Do you think you’d like to meet my dad?”
“Most definitely.” Maya understood then that it would good for her to meet him before she started taking pictures. Before she went up, she grabbed her camera.
The room was low lit, but she could see a man lying in an adjustable bed, similar to the ones used in a hospital. To the left stood a metal stand with plastic tubes coming off it and going into the man’s arm and hand.
“Dad, there’s someone here I’d like to introduce you to.” Jackson took his dad’s hand. Maya noticed the tender way he handled his father and her insides went gooey again. The man had no faults, it seemed. His dad opened his eyes and worked to sit up. Jackson helped him.
“Who is it?”
“Her name is Maya.” Jackson held out his hand. Maya came forward so that she stood next to his father’s bed. “Maya, this is Randall Bale. My father.”
Randall held out his hand and Maya took it. “It’s so nice to meet you, sir.”
“So you’re the photographer? Make sure to get my good side,” Randall said with a laugh. His words came out slowly and precisely.
Maya felt tears pressing against her eyes. She didn’t like seeing him that way. Jackson and his brothers, Ava and Milly were so full of life. It shredded her heart to realize Randall couldn’t be part of his family’s life. He was stuck upstairs in this bed. “I will,” Maya whispered.
“How do you know Jackson?” Randall asked, continuing to hold on to her hand.
“We met on the first day I arrived in town. He rescued me after I got bit by a rattlesnake, taught me how to ride a horse, and even introduced me to the music of Rascal Flatts.” Maya swallowed and a realization came over her. “Other than my aunt, Jackson is my only friend in Peach Valley.”
Randall smiled, causing the skin around his eyes to crinkle. “I see.” He swallowed. “Jackson, why don’t you go down and tell the others so we can get started as soon as possible.”
Jackson eyed his father. “Fine, but mind your manners.”
As soon as Jackson left the room, Randall perked up. “You like my son, don’t you?”
Maya didn’t see any way to deny it, especially since Randall seemed to have something on his mind. “Yes, I do. He’s the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”
Randall nodded. “It’s obvious he feels the same about you. Do you know about the ultimatum I gave him?”
Maya laughed. “Yes, it happened the same day I arrived.”
“Well, I’m so glad I get the opportunity to meet you. If I hadn’t met you and just watched the way the two of you looked at each other, I might have believed you were pursuing my son for his inheritance. But you aren’t, are you?”
“Does it seem like I’m pursuing him? I like him and we’ve spent some time together, but there’s nothing more to it than that.” She said the words, but didn’t believe them, at least where she was concerned. “I think he’s still dating other women.” She shuffled her feet nervously. In her heart she knew she didn’t want him to be dating. Earlier today she’d seen Jackson with Chloe. She felt certain there were many more women after him.
“Perhaps there are women still chasing him, but he’s already chosen. And he chose you.”
Maya shivered. “I don’t know, sir.”
“You may not, but I do. I know my son. His feelings for you are strong.” Randall reached out for Maya’s hand.
Maya took it and warmth enveloped her. She didn’t want to think Randall was wishful thinking, but he might be. “I believe you, sir,” she said.
“Good.” He patted her hand.
“Would you mind if I took some pictures of you?”
“No, go ahead, but if you have a way of making me look healthy and vibrant in the pictures, I’d really appreciate it.”
Maya snapped several pictures as she debated whether to tell him her idea or not. Finally she decided it wouldn’t hurt. She blurted it out quickly and to her delight, he seemed really excited about it and promised to have Milly find the pictures Maya needed to make her brilliant idea a reality.
Ava, Milly, and the guys showed up. Maya retrieved her equipment and got to work. For the next hour, she took pictures of every combination, including Ava and her grandfather, Milly and Randall together. Maya kept blinking back tears as she observed the way Milly and Randall cared for each other. It was almost as though they were two parts of a single soul.
She showed Milly a few to give her idea of how they turned out. Milly clapped her hands in happiness. “These are amazing, Maya. Every single one. I don’t know if I’ll be able to choose.”
“That’s okay. I’ll just edit them and then put them on a thumb drive for you.”
Milly gave her a strange look. “Thumb drive?”
“It’s okay, momma. I’ll show you.” Jackson wrapped an arm around his mom’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“That’s my good boy, Jackie.” She patted his hand.
Maya turned off the light she’d used and took down the tripod, placing it back in its case. “I should probably get going,” she said.
“Want me to help you load your equipment?” Jackson smiled and Maya felt the dandelion seeds in her stomach tickle her insides.
“That’d be great.”
Once the stuff was loaded, Jackson held open the door for Maya. “Have you thought anymore about getting a new car?”
Maya laughed. “Of course I have, but it isn’t feasible right now.”
“Humph.” He pushed the door shut and leaned down. “So the summer fair, we need a song to practice. Any ideas?”
“Uh.” Maya hadn’t even thought about it. “What about that song about the broken road? You think they’d have that in a guitar duet?”
Jackson’s face lit up with an amazing smile. “I’ll find out and text you.”
“Maya. Wait.” Ava ran down the stairs and quick as her little legs would carry her.
“Is everything all right,” Jackson asked.
“Fine. I just needed a hug from Maya.” Her bottom lip pouted.
Maya jumped out of the car and swept Ava into her arms. “I couldn’t leave without a hug from you.”
Ava giggled. “Yay.” She patted Maya on the face. “I really like your eye shadow,” Ava said.
“Thank you.”
“What’s it called?”
“Hmmm, I think it’s called shimmering emerald.”
&nbs
p; Ava got closer, studying her eyes. “Shimmering emerald. I like it.”
“Me too.”
Ava climbed down and ran back upstairs. Maya felt like she’d just received a whirlwind of love from the child. Now that she’d met Ava, she didn’t know if she’d manage without the child in her life. Jackson pushed the door closed once Maya had climbed back inside her car.
“You okay?”
“She’s amazing,” Maya whispered.
Jackson leaned in, kissing Maya on the cheek. “You’re amazing.” He said goodbye and told her to drive safe.
In truth, Maya drove home in a daze. The feel of his lips on her cheek still burned her skin. She kept placing her hand against the spot. Jackson truly had turned her life upside down. Not in a bad way, not even close, just in a way wholly new and incredibly satisfying. It was a feeling that grew as she clicked through each photo of his family. Jackson’s smile was the first she sought in the pictures. She’d snapped one at the very beginning, before they officially began that was of Jackson and his father. He was looking down as Randall looked up. Father and son shared an intimate moment of love and respect for the other. And she knew she loved him. Jackson Bale had stolen her heart. The thought made her dizzy with happiness.
The next day, Maya went into the Palace to talk to Patty. She was dying to tell her aunt and found her in her office. “Aunt Patty. Hi.”
“Hello, hon. How was dinner with the Bale’s last night?”
“So good,” she said, her cheeks beginning to hurt because of the permanent grin on her face.
“Well sit down and tell—” Her aunt’s focus moved to a point behind Maya. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m here to see Maya. Are you Patty Montgomery?”
“I am.” Her aunt stood, crossing her arms.
Every muscle in Maya’s body froze. She wanted to pinch herself, praying she was in a nightmare. Because she knew that voice. She’d known it for years. She’d fallen in love with it, even, and the man attached to it. Maya must’ve had a strange look on her face, because her aunt went on, “And who might you be?”
“I’m Quin Carone, her husband.”
“Husband?” Another voice chimed in.
Maya knew that was Jackson and sprang into motion. “Ex husband,” she said, standing and facing both men. Her knees went immediately weak at seeing them side-by-side. They were so different. Quin was dark and lean, almost too lean. He gave off the look of a starving artist, with dark eyes and the kind of face that made women swoon. Jackson was hard and ruggedly handsome. She noted Quin looked good, but next to Jackson he barely seemed to be a man. More like a boy still trying to find his manhood. She dared a glance at Jackson. His jaw was doing the clenching thing again and before she could convince Jackson that Quin was in fact her past, Jackson turned on his heel and left the room.
Quin acted like Jackson hadn’t even been in the room. “Maya. Maya. Maya.” Whenever he wanted her to do something or if he needed something, he would lay his Italian accent on extra thick. There was a time when she would’ve melted like butter at the way he said her name, but that was before she knew him to be nothing more than a liar and a cheat with only one desire—to get what he wanted.
“What are you doing here?” Maya asked, recovered. He smiled, coming forward to take her in his arms, but she stepped back. “How did you find me?” She put her hands up to keep him at a distance.
“It was Mrs. Deckland, our landlady. You remember her? I sweet talked your address from her.” He tried to get closer, but Maya took another step back, her legs pressed against the desk. “You aren’t happy to see me?” He frowned. “Perhaps it is because you’ve already moved on?” He clucked his tongue. “My sweet Maya, is that even possible?”
Anger welled up so strong that she literally saw red. “It is very possible, Quin.” She’d given Mrs. Deckland her forwarding address for mail with a promise from the woman that she wouldn’t share it. Obviously Maya wasn’t the only woman who’d been smitten by Quin. “If I never saw you again, that would’ve been too soon.” She’d slid against the table until she reached the end and then stepped further back. Quin followed step for step, like a fox after a hen. She moved to get away, but he took hold of her shoulders. “I’ve missed you, bella.”
“Don’t call me that.” She pulled from his grasp and ducked as she moved. “You lost the right to call me that.”
“But why?” He’d turned so that he still faced Maya and glanced in the direction of Patty. “Perhaps you can give us some space. I need to talk to my wife.”
“Ex! Ex wife. I have the paperwork to prove it. And I don’t want her to leave. This is her place. But you need to get out.” Maya was breathing heavily, her heart beating so hard she thought it might break her ribs.
“You can’t mean that.” He was still laying his accent on thick.
“Actually I can and I do.”
His soft, sensual features turned hard. She’d seen that look before too. When he took everything in the divorce and she was left in despair. “This is why I did what I did. You’re so cold. There is no feeling in you. Sleeping next to you was like sleeping beside a mountain of ice.”
“So, you’ve come all this way to insult me?”
Quin rolled his shoulders. “I guess so.” He pushed her away, and Maya tumbled back, falling onto her bum. “But I might stick around, let everyone know what kind of person you really are, see what country life is all about. It’s quaint and I’m sure there are plenty of country women I can cozy up to.” He looked back, grinning. “See you around, Maya.”
When he was gone, Maya gasped, as a strange sob-cry-emotional bomb exhaled from her lips.
“Up you go,” Patty said, holding out her hand.
“Thanks.” She sat, covering her face with her hands. “Please tell me that didn’t just happen.”
“I wish I could, honey, but sadly I saw him too.” Maya heard Patty sit in her chair and lean her elbows on the desk.
She glanced up. “He thought I would go back to him?” She said the words with incredulous wonder. Could he really be that arrogant?
“There are women who would. He’s a handsome man.” Aunt Patty reached out for Maya’s hand, patting it kindly. “Would you?”
Maya shook her head vehemently. “I’d rather sleep with a bed full of snakes then spend another second near that man.” Maya glared in the direction of the front door. “Plus, last I heard, he was getting married.” She remembered the look on Jackson’s face and shuddered. “Jackson?”
“I’m afraid he was here too. At least long enough to hear that man say you were his wife.” She patted Maya’s hand. “You’ve got yourself into a bit of a pickle.”
“Will he believe me if I tell him Quin isn’t my husband any longer?” She looked to her aunt for hope.
“Did he know you were married?” Maya noticed the reproach in her voice.
“No.” She sagged in on herself. She was in a pickle.
Aunt Patty leaned back, clapping her hands together. “Well, whenever I get in this much of a mess I find the best way out of it is by cooking. Come on. Let’s go bug my illustrious chef.”
13
Jackson had heard that guy call Maya his wife just as he walked in. Then Maya had said he was her ex. The revelation that Maya had gone from being married to divorced in the blink of an eye surprised him, especially since he hadn’t known either.
Shocked, he hadn’t known how to handle the situation. Leaving had been his first inclination, but before he reached the front door, he’d stopped. He wanted to fix things with Maya. He wanted to talk to her. Just before returning, he’d paused and listened to the exchange between Quin and Maya. It was obvious the guy was a sleaze ball. At one point he thought about going in and punching the guy, but when he heard Quin intended to make trouble for Maya, he came up with a better idea. It meant getting his brothers involved, which meant he needed to talk to them. So he left, knowing Maya’s aunt would protect her—for the moment. Jackson int
ended to make sure Maya felt loved and protected forever.
That night, Jackson and his brothers came together and were sitting around the dining table at the main house. They may have stopped sooner, but their momma kept pumping them full of chocolate peanut butter cookies and milk. She kept quiet, letting the guys’ talk, but every once in a while Jackson noticed his momma smiling. It made him happy. His dad’s cancer had affected everyone, but he knew it had to be a whole lot worse on his momma. She held herself together, but it hadn’t gone unnoticed that she looked older. Where once she’d been spry and full of energy, now it took her a little longer to do things. His heart ached for what she would go through when his father died, because it wasn’t a matter of if but when. And when he went, his momma’s heart would break. He knew because it’d happened to him. Even after four years, there was still an ache in his heart for Diana. Sure he’d put the pieces back together. And while he was ready to move on and be happy again, he would never fill the space in his heart for Diana. She’d been his first love. Before he met Maya, he’d believed his heart incapable of loving again the way he’d loved Diana. But on the day he met Maya he’d felt the stirring. As though the cobwebs, chains, and rusty old box he’d sealed his heart in loosened. And each moment he spent with her had only enhanced those feelings. It surprised him to realize that the way he felt for Maya wasn’t like it’d been for Diana. It’d started out light, like a feather on the wind, and slowly, subtly it’d chinked away all his defenses.
It upset him that she hadn’t felt safe enough to share that she’d been married. He wouldn’t have judged her harshly. In fact, he believed the knowledge would’ve brought them closer together, faster. Or not. From what he’d heard Maya’s ex say, the man hadn’t loved her. Not even close, and certainly not the way she deserved. He sighed. It might’ve been worse, especially for her had they discussed their pasts. He would’ve talked about how much he’d loved Diana, and Maya would’ve resented that she’d never experienced that. In the end, he knew he couldn’t fault her for keeping her ex to herself, not when he’d been keeping his own secret. And she’d handled the revelation of Ava better than expected. He smiled as he thought of the way Ava and Maya had taken to each other.