by Andrea Thome
“I’m fine, and you know I wouldn’t have accepted if I hadn’t checked him out and decided he was totally normal. And, Jules . . .” She paused, conjuring up the image of him, which wasn’t hard, considering he’d filled her naptime dreams. “He was really, really hot. I mean, like, super hot. He was nice too . . . but mostly hot.” Julia was cracking up now.
“It seems like he knows everyone here at Blackberry,” India continued. “He must have grown up with the family that owns it or something.”
Julia sighed dramatically, but her tone was teasing now. “When I told you to find a plaything, I guess I didn’t expect you to start trolling for men at the airport. But, hey, I’m glad he did it for you. Wait. Where is he now? Are you alone?”
India giggled. “Are you seriously asking me if I brought him back here to have my way with him? Please. It was all very proper. He dropped me off at reception, and that was that. It was a harmless flirtation. Get ahold of yourself!” Julia laughed as India continued. “Might I recommend a trip to Walgreens? It sounds like you really need to get out of the house for a few!”
The friends had settled right back into their good-natured banter. It was almost like Jules was there with her. Almost.
India rolled over to glance at the clock, and then shot out of bed with a start.
“Oh my God, Jules . . . I have that welcome dinner in, like, thirty minutes, and I have total sleep-face. I have to go scotchtape myself together. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you, bye!”
She barely heard her friend urge her to go before she rushed to the bathroom to see what she was working with.
Oh. OK.
The crazy-lunatic-meets-ragged-out-rock-star look wouldn’t fly here. Her go-to messy braid was clearly in order.
She threw on a long suede skirt, riding boots, and a white belted off-the-shoulder peasant top she had packed for the welcome dinner. That left her three minutes to apply some mascara and a swipe of lip gloss. Not bad, she thought, minus the pillow crease on her cheek, but hopefully that would fade once she hit the fresh air.
She grabbed the key to the cottage, switched off the lights, and slipped out the door. Pausing for a moment, she decided that she had just enough time to walk to the pavilion rather than taking her golf cart. It was such a beautiful evening. It would be a shame to miss the chance to stroll along the gorgeous landscape.
He was barely out of the truck before his favorite three-yearold was stumbling down the porch steps of the farmhouse on her chubby little toddler legs, making a beeline for her uncle Wyatt.
“Hold you! Up! Mwah!”
Wyatt gladly accepted Sadie’s moist little kisses on the side of his stubbly face. This was the best part about coming home. He felt so loved here, and he realized in that moment just how much he’d missed them.
He gave the little girl a big squeeze.
“Hi, toots! Do Mama and Daddy know you’re out here?”
He carried her up the steps, and he was just about to rap on the screen door, when he saw Violet making her way toward him from the rear of the house.
“Mama! Uncle Wyatt is home,” Sadie sang, her little milk teeth gleaming inside her broad smile.
Her mother was just as enthusiastic, pushing open the screen door and enveloping Wyatt in a warm embrace.
“Welcome home, stranger,” she said.
Rex was right behind her, equally eager to greet his friend.
“Hey, man, long time no see. Now it’s a party, huh, Sadie?”
The toddler reached for her daddy’s arms, and Wyatt reluctantly let her scramble onto Rex like a baby monkey. “How about a cold one? They’re brewing up some pretty great stuff here these days.”
Rex was fond of all the farm had to offer, but the craft beer was a particular favorite. Blackberry Farm had started brewing their own beer several years back, and they were earning quite a reputation within the industry.
“Sounds awesome. Thanks, man. It’s great to see you guys.”
Wyatt accepted the beer with a tap against Rex’s own bottle.
“How the heck has little miss gotten so big? Is Finn sprinkling that organic fertilizer of his on her at night?”
Sadie puffed up at the mention and wiggled down to return to her coloring books, which were sprawled around the coffee table.
“Well, get in here and tell us what you’ve been up to since we FaceTimed you in Alaska.”
Violet led them to the kitchen table, where she had set out cheese and crackers.
“Didn’t you say you were finishing up your trip in Washington State?”
Violet was always captivated by the stories Wyatt brought home to them. She was the only other person he could talk to about his experiences behind the lens who understood him completely. Rex was a fine photographer in his own right, but his passion had shifted to video editing in recent years, so he didn’t quite share the same perspective as his wife and best friend. They talked several times a week, but it had been a few days since they’d properly caught up. Violet plopped down in a chair, resting her chin in her hand, waiting for the details.
Wyatt kicked back in his chair, taking a long drag of his beer before answering her.
“Yeah, I was up in Snoqualmie, doing a piece on the falls. It’s tough to do it justice, though, because there’s a power plant at the top on one side, and a resort on the other, so I had to get creative with my angles. It’s a beauty, though. The lighting is spectacular, and the green in those Northwest forests is just a different color. It’s the constant rain and mist, I guess.”
Wyatt reached for the cheese and crackers. He didn’t realize how hungry he was.
“Hey, what are you guys doing for dinner tonight? Can I crash?”
He knew he was always welcome, and it was a sort of tradition for them to share his homecoming meal together when he returned to town. But they were usually at Rex and Violet’s duplex in Knoxville. The farmhouse was just their temporary home base while Violet taught at Blackberry.
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.”
Violet smiled at Wyatt and angled herself so she was looking more directly at him.
“Uh, why do I suddenly feel nervous? That grin. What do you want? Do I have to cook? Are we having some new vegan creation? Rex, tell me she didn’t make you sell the barbecue.”
Wyatt was teasing her, but he knew something was up. He’d known her too long not to read her that way.
“No, no. Don’t worry, you’ll get your belly filled with Blackberry Farm deliciousness. Besides, I’m Paleo this week, so the barbecue stays. For now.”
Wyatt laughed at the relieved look on Rex’s face.
“We’re hosting a welcome dinner out at the Yallerhammer tonight for our student guests,” Violet continued. “We want you to join us. Susan already agreed to let Sadie spend the night with her, bless her soul.”
Rex sprouted a predatory grin, prompting Violet to give his arm a gentle punch.
“He thinks that means I’ll drink a bunch of wine so he can have his way with me. There’s a pretty good chance of that, actually,” she mused, and the three friends laughed together.
Wyatt took a swig of his beer and leaned back on two legs of his chair.
“Why don’t you guys go to dinner alone? I don’t want to crash your workshop thing. I can grab dinner over in the barn.”
He was well aware that India would probably be attending the dinner, and he was sure that he’d crossed paths with her enough for one day. Although it was more than a little tempting to clap eyes on her again, he thought better of it. He had the sense that she could be a slippery slope for him.
“No way! You’re coming. We insist,” Violet said. “Besides, we already have a place set for you, so it would be rude to have them switch everything around at this point.” Violet nodded, the issued settled in her mind. “There is just one more teeny-tiny thing.”
She and Rex exchanged a knowing look before turning their collective gaze back to Wyatt. Violet took a deep breath.
“What are your plans for the next year?”
Wyatt had just drained the last of his beer. Fortunately, he’d had time to swallow before she’d spoken, or he would have given them both a hops shower.
“Why? What’s going on? Did you win the lottery and you’re taking me on a trip?”
He was only half kidding. It was their dream to travel together one day. See all of the places they hadn’t yet, and take loads of photos of their dream locations.
The cliffside temples in Bhutan.
The ancient pyramids of Egypt.
For all he had done and seen with National Geographic, there was still so much left to do. Violet was smiling, so Wyatt knew it had to be something good.
“Not quite. I mean, Rex, Sadie, and I are going to be traveling around the word, but you’re not exactly invited.” She saw his shocked face register her words, and added, “Not this time anyway! But we need you. You can say no, but hear me out first.”
Wyatt nodded his head and waited for her to continue. Violet stood up and started pacing anxiously around the kitchen while she spoke.
“I mean, we didn’t see this coming. You know that piece we shot for Town & Country in the fall? The one where we talked about how Blackberry was on the cutting edge of a food revolution not only here in Tennessee but globally?”
Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, the one that made Finn strut around this place like a peacock for a month? I remember.”
“Well, we were approached by a publisher to write a book about it, using our photographs and stories from people on the forefront of the movement all around the world. The catch is that we need the next year to travel and gather their stories. But we really want to do it, Wyatt. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for us.”
Violet stopped pacing and squared up to hear his thoughts, her eyes sparkling and pleading with him.
He blew out a breath.
“Wow. That’s incredible! I’m so happy for you guys. I’ve always said you were hiding your light under a bushel basket by staying local. I knew it was just a matter of time before you got your due. I’m confused, though. Why do you need me?”
Wyatt got up to throw his beer bottle into the recycle bin, then turned back toward them.
Rex chimed in. “She needs you to be her for the year, brother. She doesn’t trust anyone else. We have all these photo workshops scheduled at the farm, and all of the marketing materials that need to be shot throughout the year. It’s a full-time gig. So we were hoping you might agree to put down some roots for the next three hundred and sixty-five days or so.”
Rex finished his beer, stood, and moved toward the sink where Wyatt was frozen in his tracks. Rex slapped him on the back.
“Don’t worry. We’re coming back. It’s just a year. What do you say?”
The kitchen was silent except for the sound of the crickets and frogs starting to fire up outside the screen door. Wyatt looked between them, first at Rex, then to Violet. How could he say no to them? They’d been his rock, his foundation. As much as the thought of being in one place for a year terrified him, he heard himself agreeing before his brain could craft a reason not to.
Violet shrieked and bounced over to plant a big kiss on his cheek.
“Oh, Wyatt, you are just the best friend ever. I know it’s going to be a big adjustment for you, but we think you’ll settle right back in to a life here.”
Violet saw him pale a bit at the thought.
“A temporary life! And you’ll be surprised at how much creative license you can take within the confines of this gig. The timing is perfect. We want you to help teach the workshop that starts tomorrow so you can get a sense of how we structure the itineraries. It’s settled. We’ll introduce you at dinner tonight, so get yourself dressed. We have to be there in thirty minutes, so see if you can come up with something presentable to wear.”
Violet gave him another quick peck on the cheek, and Rex slapped him on the shoulder. They rushed over and grabbed Sadie and hustled upstairs to get ready, leaving him standing there in the kitchen, wondering what the hell had just happened to his life.
CHAPTER
SIX
As India rounded the bend, having passed by the barn and a weathered-looking covered bridge, she was rewarded for choosing to walk that evening. Ahead in the distance, she could see the Yallerhammer Pavilion awash in candlelight, casting a stunning mirror image onto the still pond it was perched above. The sky was peppered with starlight, and she could smell the combination of wood smoke and the evening’s culinary delights wafting toward her as she drew nearer.
It was a feast for her senses.
Under the roof of the pavilion, there was a bustle of activity, likely the staff making final preparations for the evening. She slowed her gait, taking time to listen to the sounds of the nighttime creatures and their forest symphony. Ahead, she saw the lights of a golf cart swing into place next to the pond’s dock. Three people climbed out and headed toward the pavilion—from the looks of it, two men and a woman.
Off to her left, horses grazed in a large fenced pasture, but they were slowly being rounded up by ranch hands to head back to the barn for the evening. One of the horses whinnied softly as she passed.
India was glad she’d come. It felt like she never got this kind of alone time or connection with nature back in New York. Sure, she could zip out to the Hamptons, but convening with nature there meant standing barefoot on the trimmed grass on a billionaire’s bocce ball court, next to a clapboard seaside mansion.
It didn’t have quite the same effect.
Yes, she needed this time to reflect and figure some things out, and she planned to maximize every moment. She made a mental note to try to get up early enough the next morning to shoot the Yallerhammer at first light. She imagined it would be a whole different experience than the one she’d have this evening.
As she neared the final turnoff, she noticed that the pavilion’s deck was now filled with guests, some holding rocks glasses, most in groups of two or three, chatting. She climbed the steps leading into the space and graciously accepted the offer of a signature gin cocktail from one of the servers.
It was an eclectic crowd; there were people of all ages, from a couple in their early thirties to an elderly group of ladies, and everything in between. As the crowd ebbed, she spotted a twosome that she assumed must be the hosts, by the way they were animatedly talking with a group of captivated guests.
The woman was gorgeous; she was as tall as India but different in every other way. Her red hair was long and thick, framing her porcelain features exquisitely. Her green eyes sparkled as she looked at her husband, who was great-looking in his own right. He stood several inches taller than his wife, his handsome face and goatee reminding India of a famous country singer she’d interviewed a few weeks prior.
She slipped through the masses, making her way toward the duo. As she got closer, she could hear the woman suggest that they get the evening under way, and India watched as she nudged her husband toward the back of the deck to begin their welcome remarks.
With a gentle tap of fork against glass, Violet got the attention of the crowd and began the evening’s festivities.
“Welcome, everyone! I’m Violet, and this is my handsome and supremely talented partner and husband, Rex. Thank you for joining us tonight at the very beautiful Yallerhammer Pavilion to kick off our Behind the Lens event. We’re thrilled to have you share this special evening with us. I recognize a few old friends of the farm, and I’m pleased to see several new faces too. It’s going to be a wonderful week. A toast to you all for making this journey!”
Violet raised her glass, and the night air was filled with the sounds of crystal meeting crystal. Violet took a quick sip of her drink, letting the murmurs die down.
“Tomorrow we’ll get down to the brass tacks, but tonight is about making friends with your fellow workshoppers. We’ve taken the liberty of placing name cards at each setting, hoping to mix and mingle you in the most perfect and un
expected way. But before we begin, just a couple of announcements.
“First, we’ll be meeting tomorrow in the teaching kitchen up at the barn. Our award-winning chef, Roger Mend, has arranged for us to watch a cooking demonstration, so that we might practice some still-life or commercial photography while we learn his tricks of the trade. I like to start this way for two reasons: One, it’s a great way to keep us all in closeenough proximity so, if we have questions, they are easily answered for the benefit of the group. And two, there’s rain in the forecast tomorrow, so let’s try to stay dry on day one, shall we?”
The crowd laughed, nodding their heads in agreement.
“One last thing. My husband, Rex, and I are thrilled to welcome a surprise guest instructor for the week. We’ve personally known him since he was a very young man; heck, I guess we were all pretty young back then.” Another murmur of laughter.
“He’s an award-winning photographer for National Geographic, and he’s sure to offer you a most unique perspective, especially once we move out into the woods and begin the landscape portion of the week. He also happens to be one of my favorite people on the planet. Please give a warm welcome to our good friend, and a very talented guy, Mr. Wyatt Hinch.”
Wyatt had been hanging back against the rail, under the shadow of the eaves, watching the crowd with growing interest.
That’s not true.
He’d been watching India.
Wyatt saw her shyly enter the party and accept her drink. He watched her assess the crowd, as if she were collecting data to process later, and then zero in quickly on Violet and Rex.
He watched her face go from a pleasant smile to realization to outright shock at the announcement of his name.
He felt a thrill when he registered another emotion in her eyes. Excitement.
It had flickered across her face before she could help it or notice him, and it was in that moment that he knew he had to kiss her. It would be on her terms, but it was inevitable as far as he was concerned. He was bewitched.