Forever Series Box Set Books 1-3

by Mona Ingram

  “Do you mind if I join you?” He reached into the cupboard for two more bowls. “While you were sleeping, I was thinking how much I enjoy our evening cup of tea.”

  “Hmmm,” she said, spooning ice cream into the bowls. As she took the tub of ice cream back to the freezer, Brett squeezed chocolate syrup. It was amazing how easily they’d developed an easy rhythm in the kitchen.

  When she turned back, he handed her one of the bowls. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s join Danny on the deck.”

  “What did you do while I was having a nap?” Jenna asked. The three of them were sitting on the lower step, wiggling their toes in the sand.

  “Not much. Daddy mostly sat in the chair back there and looked at the scenery.” Danny wrinkled his nose. “He was kinda quiet.”

  “Tell Jenna about the cruise ship.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Danny pointed into the distance. “I saw a big white ship. It went past that island, then we saw it again between those two islands.” His chest swelled up. “I saw it first, didn’t I, Daddy?”

  Brett smiled indulgently. “Yes, you did.” He turned to Jenna. “I got out Scotty’s binoculars, but it was too far away to make out the name. It was one of those new big ones, though.” He looked into his bowl. “Someone ate my ice cream.”

  Jenna smiled. “Mine, too.”

  Brett stood up and reached for her bowl. “I’ll take it in and make us some tea.” He paused. “That is, if you want some.”

  “That would be nice,” she said.

  “I collected more driftwood,” said Danny once his father had gone back into the house. “Do you want to see?”

  “You’ve been busy. Yes, I’d like to see it.”

  “You wait there. I’ll bring it to you.”

  Within minutes, the two of them were examining Danny’s new collection, deciding which pieces would make the most attractive hangings.

  “You’re really good at this,” she said, observing as he switched positions on some of the pieces. His re-arrangement was more pleasing to the eye.

  “Daddy says I inherited my Mommy’s artistic talent.”

  “You’re lucky.”

  He gave her an odd look. “You’re artistic too, Jenna. You just don’t use a paintbrush like Mommy. You use a camera.”

  “Why thank you, young Mr. Carmichael. That’s a very kind thing to say.” She looked up to see Brett standing in the open doorway, watching them.

  “Daddy says that a photographer like you tells stories with their pictures. I never really thought about it much before.”

  She looked up again but Brett had gone back into the house. When he reappeared, he was carrying a tray with the tea. He’d also managed to find some chocolate chip cookies she’d forgotten about. Danny’s eyes lit up.

  “Two cookies and then to bed with you, young man.” Jenna’s heart swelled when she heard the affection in Brett’s voice. If nothing else, he had re-established his connection with his son. She didn’t believe in fate, but just this once, she couldn’t help but wonder if meeting Danny was part of her destiny. Perhaps that was nonsense, but seeing him with his father was a reward far greater than anything she could have wished for.

  It would have to do.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “THIS IS GOOD,” SAID Jenna, wrapping her hands around the mug. Danny had gone to bed and they were sitting in the chairs.

  “I brought out one of the throws from the living room if you’re getting cold.”

  Brett started to rise, but she stopped him. “I’m okay, Brett, really. It was just a headache.”

  “All right.” He sat back and looked into the gathering darkness. “I hope you don’t mind that I talked to Danny about your photography. I decided to take your advice and talk to him about his mother.” A wry smile curled up the corner of his mouth. “It’s hard sometimes, supporting his love for his mother, and yet I know it’s the right thing to do.” He shot her a quick glance. “He’s bound to have his share of heartbreak as he grows older, so it seems to me it’s the least I can do to give him the gift of this unblemished memory.”

  Jenna nodded her agreement.

  “And then somehow we got talking about different types of artistic ability.” He thought for a moment. “Now I remember. I was complimenting him on his mobiles. They really are quite good for a child his age, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, and I’ll bet he gets good grades in mathematics. I think it’s something to do with the way he sees things in balance.”

  “That makes sense, and yes, he’s quite good at math. I was proud of his mark last year.” Brett’s gaze drifted off again. “I suppose there’s also a certain amount of balance required in composing a photograph.”

  “So they say. When I started, I bought all the ‘How-To’ books. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot to learn about subject placement and composition, but after a while it felt too... I don’t know... too confining. You were right when you told Danny that I prefer to tell a story with my photographs. A certain amount of preparation is necessary of course, but I like to capture my subjects on the spur of the moment. I want them to look natural... surprised, even.” A soft smile lit her face. “Of course I enjoy portrait work as well. Some of my favourite subjects have been children. I’d love to shoot Danny some time.” She turned to find him looking at her. “I’m afraid I have a confession. I’m in love with your son.” She looked away. “I hope I’m not spoiling him.”

  “No, I don’t think so, and if it’s any consolation, I think he feels the same about you.” For several long minutes they sat quietly, listening to the lapping sounds of the incoming tide.

  Brett spoke first. “What are your plans when you’re back out on your own? Will you try to re-establish your portrait business?”

  Jenna hated to admit it, but it was a question she’d been avoiding. She had no real experience in any other type of work, and yet with no money it seemed pointless to even dream of setting up her studio all over again.

  But in those quiet moments, when she allowed herself to remember everything she’d lost, she had thought about it. About how she missed the creative aspects. She’d especially enjoyed the darkroom work, and after a short ‘how-to’ course, had become skilled at producing her own black and white prints. There was something soothing about working in a darkroom, where the outcome couldn’t be rushed.

  “Jenna?” Brett’s voice brought her back to the present.

  “Sorry. I was thinking about working in the darkroom.” She nodded to herself. “But to answer your question, I’ve thought about getting back into business but I don’t know how I’m going to swing it, financially. At least I’m not too old to start over again. I’m fairly confident I can get work in a studio in Victoria somewhere.”

  “What if I loaned you the money?”

  “What? Oh, no. You couldn’t do that.”

  “Why not? It’s my money. And you didn’t even think about it.” He leaned forward. “Tell me you’ll at least think about it. I’ll never be able to thank you sufficiently for making me see how I was treating Danny. Hell, I should give you the money.”

  Tempting as it was, she was determined to do it on her own. “Now you’re being silly,” she said, smiling to soften the words.

  “Maybe, but picture it... your own studio with a discreet little sign.” He framed an imaginary sign with his hands, then turned to her. “What was the name again?”

  “I don’t think I ever told you. It was Luna Vista Photography. Kinda corny, I know, but people seemed to remember it.”

  He sat back again. “Luna Vista. I like that.” He drained the rest of his tea and turned thoughtful. “Speaking of telling a story through your pictures, what type of story would you like to tell next?” He gave her a disarming grin. “Say you’re running a moderately successful photography studio and you’re in a position to choose your subject. What would it be?”

  “Wow.” Jenna grinned back. “That’s like asking my friend Andrea what type of chocolate she likes... she li
kes them all. But since you asked... and we both know this is a theoretical question... I’d like to do a photo essay on the homeless in Victoria.”

  “The homeless?” His surprise was genuine. “I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years.”

  She turned to face him, but her eyes took on a faraway look. “It’s not an answer I would have given a month ago.” Her throat tightened up and it was a few moments before she could continue.

  “Going back to my place and seeing it empty and then realizing what Phil had done was a shock. I didn’t have a lot of fancy stuff, but it was mine... you know?”

  Brett nodded.

  “So that was a major setback, both financially and to my self-esteem. But when I slept in my car for three nights... basically homeless... my eyes were opened in a way they’d never been before. I sat outside New Beginnings, that’s a fitness studio on Wharf Street. Do you know it?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “It doesn’t matter, but I was sitting there and started to really see the street people. I’d never actually seen them before, if you know what I mean. And suddenly I realized that I was only a few dollars away from being like them.” She paused for a moment. “Okay, I know I could have found a job to keep from starving, but I was homeless, just as they were. Sleeping in my car was the most frightening thing I’d ever done and here were these people, some of them living like that permanently. I decided that if I ever got my equipment back, I’d look into photographing them.”

  She chanced a look in his direction. “Of course I know you just don’t go up to a homeless person and stick your camera in their face. But if I approached them the right way, I probably wouldn’t get too many refusals. I have no doubt that their stories run the gamut.”

  “Victoria isn’t the first place one would think of to do a story on the homeless. Vancouver, maybe, but with Victoria being the Capital city and all...” His voice trailed off.

  Jenna lifted her shoulders. “It’s a city. What can I tell you?”

  “You’re right, of course. We had our share of homeless come into the ER when I first worked there.” He offered her a sheepish grin. “How soon we forget. Stella would be disappointed to hear me talk like that. She always insisted on treating the homeless the same as everyone else, no exceptions.”

  Jenna nodded. “I believe that. I liked her.” She pushed out of the chair and stood looking up at the cloudless sky. “The stars will be bright later on tonight, but I think I’ll go to bed now.”

  She turned to find Brett at her elbow. “I’ll probably stay up for a while.” There was something in his voice, but Jenna couldn’t put her finger on it. “I’ll watch for shooting stars, since we’re at the tail end of the Perseid meteor shower. If I see any, shall I make a wish for you?”

  She smiled and gave her head a shake. “No thanks, Brett. Make a wish for yourself.”

  “I’ll do that. Goodnight, Jenna.”

  “Goodnight.” She glanced up into the sky once more, then disappeared through the French doors.

  HIS HEART ACHED AS he watched her walk away. There had been a subtle change in their relationship tonight, but he had no idea what had caused it. She seemed to be slipping away from him and he didn’t know how to get back to their former easy rapport. But one thing he did know was that no matter how much he enjoyed her company, how much he was beginning to care for her, she had made one thing abundantly clear: she had no desire to continue playing the role of housekeeper any longer than necessary. She’d told him that before, but tonight she’d allowed him a glimpse into her dreams.

  The question was, did he possess the strength to let her go? Because he wanted a fresh start with this woman; he knew that now. His home had been a convenient place for her to stay, but that was an unhealthy way to start a relationship. Jenna was a proud woman – a trait he respected – and when they finally got together, he wanted her to come to him of her own free will, unencumbered by any financial constraints. He could make that happen... as a matter of fact, he’d already taken the first steps in that direction. But could he go through with it? Such a course of action would break Danny’s heart, and he wasn’t sure how much his could stand, either. But it was the only way. He saw that now.

  Chapter Fourteen

  DANNY SPOTTED THE KITES long before they arrived downtown. “This is going to be so cool,” he said, wide-eyed.

  Even with her limited experience, Jenna could see that the sky full of kites represented a wide range of skill levels. Parking was surprisingly well organized and as they made their way down into the park, she checked her small camera once again to ensure that she’d charged it. Today was for Danny and his father; she intended to step back, observe and take pictures.

  “What shall we do first?” Brett held Danny’s hand but Jenna could see that the boy was straining to examine the kite-making booth.

  “This is Danny’s day,” she said quietly. “Why don’t you two take your time and look around.” She gestured to a picnic table beneath one of the massive cedar trees. “I’m going to wander around and take some pictures then get a cup of coffee and sit over there, where it’s cool.” He started to object, but she touched him briefly on his arm. “Please, Brett. Come back and get me later and we’ll watch the kite flying exhibition together.”

  “Are you sure?” He looked into her eyes.

  “Yes.” She nodded toward Danny. “Now go.”

  Brett allowed himself to be pulled away. When he and Danny reached the large tent where the kite-making demonstration was under way, he chanced a look back at Jenna. Their eyes met and he wondered if he imagined the longing in her eyes. Then, as quickly as it had come, the moment passed and she lowered her head to fiddle with her camera.

  JENNA WANDERED THROUGH the park, pausing at various booths to examine the wares on display. They held little interest for her, but she photographed several as she followed her principal prey. Her goal was to get candid shots of Brett and Danny as they enjoyed the day together.

  Observing them through the lens of her camera was easier, somehow. They became her subjects as opposed to the two most important people in her life. Now if only she could continue to look at them like this, perhaps she could get through the next few weeks...

  “Are you stalking us?” Brett’s husky voice sent a flush of colour into her cheeks. She’d been focusing on Danny and hadn’t noticed him approaching. “How did you?...” She looked up into his smiling eyes. “I suppose I am,” she conceded, waving the camera. Danny was squatting on the ground, intently observing the finer points of kite-making. “I thought maybe a few shots to remind you of his birthday weekend... the time passes so quickly...” Her excuses sounded feeble even to her own ears.

  “Have you had that coffee yet?” If he’d noticed how flustered she was, he chose to ignore it.

  “Not yet.”

  “Let’s wander over to that food vendor.” He raised his eyebrows. “Trust me, when Danny sees us anywhere near food, he’ll show up soon enough.”

  Brett was right. As they were ordering, Danny appeared and asked for a hot dog and a drink from the limited menu.

  “Did you see that?” said Danny between bites. “They sell all the parts so you can make your own kites.” He looked expectantly toward his father.

  “Sounds interesting,” said Jenna. “How many hours does it take to put them together?”

  “Uh... Daddy?”

  Brett avoided Jenna’s eyes. “It takes quite a while, Son.” He threw up his hands in mock despair. “That’s the trouble when you have so many interests. He counted off on his fingers. “Computer games, driftwood hangings, ring toss, kite making...”

  “Ring toss!” Danny looked from his father to Jenna, then back to his father. “Did you get me one? Really?”

  “Oops!” Brett covered his mouth, but his eyes sparkled above his hand. “Maybe we did and maybe we didn’t.” He sipped at his coffee. “But perhaps we should get a kite kit and just keep it for those rainy winter days. If we make
it then, it will remind us of this weekend.”

  Jenna discreetly brushed away the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. Brett didn’t need her any more. He had established an amazing rapport with his son... one that would endure for the rest of his life.

  The loudspeaker squealed and they all covered their ears. “I think it was the announcement for the kite flying exhibition,” Brett said. “Apparently it’s best seen from down by the water’s edge. And guess what? Some enterprising service club was selling folding chairs. They only had two left, so I bought them and they’re holding them for me.”

  The afternoon passed quickly. Danny made friends with an older boy from Australia who was visiting with his parents. When they finally parted at the end of the day, the boy gave him the ultimate compliment. “You’re all right, mate,” he said, and with a wave he was off.

  Jenna was glad she’d planned salad for dinner. By the time Danny had finished the last of his ice cream, his eyes were drooping. “Did you have a good day today?” she asked when he came to give her a goodnight hug.

  “Yes,” he said, fighting to stay awake. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  Jenna looked up at Brett. “It was your father’s idea.” She held him away. “You can crawl into bed without a bath tonight if you want. You’ll feel more like it in the morning.”

  “HE WAS ASLEEP THE MOMENT I tucked him in.” Brett came back into the kitchen. “Shall I make the tea while you finish that?” She was rinsing the dishes and stacking them in the dishwasher.

  “Sounds good. I’ve got the kettle boiling.”

  They both let out a sigh of exhaustion as they settled into their chairs, then looked at each other and laughed.

  “He’s a handful, isn’t he?” said Brett.

  “No kidding.” Jenna sipped her tea. “But I think he enjoyed himself. Now if we can make tomorrow special, the weekend will have been a success.”