Fostering Love (The Soul Sisters Series Book 1) (10 page)

Last night I’d slept better than I thought I would and the soak in the tub helped shut down my whirring mind for a bit too.  At some point during the night I heard my answer machine kick in and Barbara leave a message saying she was sorry and that she hoped to see me soon.  At least she’d made the effort and the first move, this was because Barbara was never one to go to sleep on an argument, but I was more stubborn, in her words, ‘as stubborn as hell.’

Parking at the ranch I was surprised I couldn’t see Tommy’s cab, but as I looked over all the cars again I noticed he was sitting in the front of an old Ford pickup.  I climbed out of my jeep and wandered over to him.

“Hi, I was looking for the cab.”

“No, Joey’s got it in case any additional jobs come in,” he replies and starts to walk towards me. 
How had I not seen how sexy this guy could be?
  I was glad I’d made the effort and not gone for slob comfort work clothes today.  He was wearing old beat up Nike sneakers, a pair of navy three quarter length shorts that stopped mid-calf which was mixed with a fitted cream, blue and khaki camouflaged patterned base layer t-shirt which was tight and clung to his toned and muscled upper body.  To finish it off he was wearing Oakley sunglasses.  It appeared that Tommy Sevens was all kinds of cute and it wasn’t until then that I realized that I’d probably not noticed his body shape or physique because he was usually behind a steering wheel when I saw him, that and because ninety percent of the time I was possibly drunk and getting a ride home.  The remaining ten percent was probably mentally down to the fact that I hadn’t noticed him because he wasn’t Jonas.

“OK, I’ve put a strap on the big tripod so we can carry it on our backs, and I’ve got my expensive damagables and bits and pieces in my waterproof lock box.  I’ve got a cool bag, picnic blanket and....I think that’s it.”  I inform him.

“I’ll take the lock box and picnic blanket, you take the cool bag and tripod on your back and if you need to stop, rest or swap just let me know,” he says.

“OK, I’ll just get a camera out to carry so if we see anything on route I’ve got it ready.”  I bend, undo the box, take out the smaller camera and secure it round my neck with its strap.  We each grab our designated items and make our way through the ranch to the corner of the field through a gap that picks up the trail.  We trek for about twenty minutes until the ranch noise becomes quieter and the sounds of nature take over.

“So.... kicking ass in the supermarket?  You’re wilder than I thought.” He says it with a laugh and there is no judgment in his tone, he wants me to talk, but only if I want to.  I know he’ll drop it if I don’t continue.

“Yeah, it’s been a wild couple of days, I’m not really sure what came over me apart from the red mist and anger, I’m pretty embarrassed,” I reply.

“Violence doesn’t usually solve much apart from make the one dishing it out feel better for just a little bit, but I’m guessing that wears off after a while and you start to regret it.”

“I don’t regret all of it, like defending my family, but I regret flipping out.  Here’s hoping she doesn’t take it further.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure Jonas will put a stop to that if she does.  You know I’m always about if you just want to scream at someone.  I won’t take any offence and I may scream back.  Isn’t getting into a girl fight on every males bucket list?” he says smiling at me.

“Thanks Tommy.”  I reply very simply and the conversation is over.  If only last night’s conversation had gone so easily.  I like that he’s heard me out, and offered me something to think about and then just let it drop.

We’ve finally reached our destination and I haven’t stopped to take any pictures, this was probably due to our chat, it felt more comfortable to keep on the move whilst talking about it, stopping would have made it more intense and he may have asked more.  He probably doesn’t need to know any more details; he’ll know what went down with Tits in the supermarket. 

The weather report says that today is due to get into the late seventies or early eighties for the temperature, with midday sun and some cloud.  It’s hazy and foggy at the moment but it won’t be for long.  Tommy sets the lock box down and looks at me for further guidance, but right now I’m busy.  I’m simply staring around me and taking it all in.  I hear the gentle rush of the waterfall at the very far edge of the lake and I see the beautiful well worn path that takes you around the edge of the water which is quaint and invites you to just wander that bit further through the beauty.  It stops and swerves around boulders that beg you to explore what’s on the other side of them.  I look at the boulders made of rock and sandstone with its mixture of deep earthy colors; they randomly jut out of the foliage and greenery and are a contrast to the beauty of the wild flowers.  Some are pointy and rough; the kind of climbing challenge a child loves to play on and some are smooth and flat enough to stop and sit on for a while, to either rest or have a picnic.  I see absolute calm and stillness on the water until you look further towards the waterfall end which is bubbling and cascading over the rocks.

I take in the trees around me, they’re full of green and casting shadows on the ground below whilst having a spectacular reflection effect on the water.  Next I take in the different colors of the wild flowers but notice my mind is drawn to the bright yellow of the Goldenrod plant and the different shades of pink of the wild roses.  I quickly twist my head and follow a few birds that are flying between the trees as if they’re trying to suss out why we’re here.  Lastly, I tilt my head back to look at the sky as my mind quickly calculates the sun, its position and the light it’s going to offer me.  I watch the clouds to see how they move, how they break apart, reform and think about how they will enhance my photographs.

“Every time I see you get involved in your subject or surroundings you’re mesmerizing and I could watch you for hours.”  It’s a huge compliment to a photographer; I blush and smile because I know I’ve been caught in the moment.

“Wally always taught me that a photographer has to see first before they can capture something, he says that our main aim is to evoke the passion we see, in the person looking at the picture.  You need them to see what you see at that exact moment in a particular place.”

“What you do is felt in your pictures Dolly, you can see the passion and love for what you do.  It’s more than just a way for you to make rent and that shows, it’s a part of who you are.”  He makes me blush again, but this time it’s with pride and a sense of knowing that at least one person sees what taking a picture does for me.

“Anyway, today will be tough.  I’ve got to draw them into the shot, cram in that feeling and keep them looking for more without the picture being focused on a living person or breathing creature.”

“You’ll do it,” he says this with a confident nod.

“OK.  The order of the day is...to walk around the path and get hazy shots of the lake, different shots of scenery with other things in the foreground and background.  I’ll flip the lake too between the foreground and background as the subject of the picture.  I will also try and get shots of any wildlife we see.  I’m going to attempt some angle stuff as we come across it, so may take them from on the boulders and up in the trees, that kind of thing.  As we move round, remind me to keep an eye on cloud formation, it will do ace things for the lake as the day goes on.  When the sun really gets going, I’d like to wander round and get some aspects of the scenery making the most of the natural sunshine.  We’ll have lunch and then lastly, we’ll scuba up my babies for a few water perspective shots.  We’ll have a wade out and see what’s what when the water is almost at eye level.  If I’m feeling brave I may venture out behind the waterfall to get one from behind there looking back out at the lake.  I’m thinking I’ll carry the smaller camera and hook the big one up to the tripod for you to carry round.  We’ll leave the lockbox here and keep moving it with us when it falls out of eye sight, how does that sound?”

“Sure Gold Leader. Battle stations manned and armed. Roger that,” he says like a soldier underling so I smile back at him.

“Let’s get my babies ready then.”  We both then start to unpack the box, with me asking for stuff and him passing it, or him holding stuff as I change bits and pieces.  After twenty minutes and a check, double check of the kit, then some test shots and checking of those we begin.

Tommy is great; he follows and seems to understand when I want something doing, even if it’s just that extra set of hands to hold something whilst I change a filter.  We don’t really talk unless he asks a question about something I’m doing or calls me to indicate he’s spotted something of interest that I might like to include in the shoot.  After a while we’re both appreciating the calm and beauty this place brings and the only other noise besides nature is my own breathing and the quiet click of my camera shutter.  There are a few times when I see something that would make a great image of blended shots so in these cases I align the tripod for the shot and then stand next to Tommy with the other camera.  I take one shot as Tommy uses the remote trigger for the camera tripod.  This would be one of those times where a picture of a photographer being captured taking a photo would make a great shot.  We’re focused, surrounded by beauty and it would be an interesting take on the scene.

We’ve managed to move a good away round the area and only had to bob back and relocate the lock box a couple of times.  The sun is up and I’ve got my hooded sweater tied round my waist and I feel wonderful.  I’m soaking up the sunshine, in a place where I’m doing what I love the most.  We’ve stopped every so often to have a water break and do shot checks and I’ve also changed my memory cards over a couple of times.  I’m fearful that putting all your shots on one card is tempting bad juju; if the card becomes corrupt you’ve lost everything rather than just a small portion of work and that would be devastating not to mention adding additional time and expense to the job.  We come across one of the larger boulders suitable for picnics and a quick glance at my watch tells me it’s around midday and we need a rest.  I make the decision to stop for lunch, so I unfold the picnic blanket and start to unload the sandwiches and snacks I prepared.

“Thanks for your help, I think its fate you were available and we got to make the most of the weather.”

“Oh yeah.  Fate.  I’m a big believer in that,” he replies looking at me.

“At least it’s warm enough for the water part of the shoot; that would be no fun in the cold.  I’ll just need you to come in with me and keep me steady.  I don’t want to have to trust the waterproof camera bags too much.  If I fall, trip or stumble, forget about me and get my camera.” 

“I’ll catch you Dolly.”  He’s saying one thing, but is totally looking at me like he means something different.  I know I should feel awkward but I don’t, I feel brave and I want the attention.  I only hope I’m reading the right thing into what he’s saying and not leading myself on with my crazy imagination.

“I bet you would,” is my simple reply and a knowing look passes between us.  I’m fairly sure I could lean over now and kiss him, but I’m enjoying myself and the chase, it’s been a while since I’ve had this.   I go back to my camera and start to act like I’m checking the shots on the little screen, but I’m really not, all I can think about is him and what he will feel like when I kiss him. 

When
...it sounds like my brain has caught up and decided to take this further.  Now I’ve realized I’m going to go for it my stomach is churning with butterflies.  It makes me want to rub my thighs together to ease the tension, so I shuffle a bit and try to do this casually remembering that he is only three foot away from me, but he notices and he looks down at my thighs and then back up to my face.  Now it looks like he’s the one trying to make sure he’s picking up the right signals.  I gasp a little because I’ve just been caught, he hears this which makes him quickly look from my eyes to my mouth and back up to my eyes again.

“You finished Tommy?  I think it’s time to get wet.”  I try for casual because I definitely feel like getting wet, I need to cool down before I explode.

“Sure, Dolly.  Whatever you want.”  He’s onto me and there is no mistaking the double meaning in his words this time.

I slowly unlace my sneakers and kick them off and then stand and grab the bottom of my vest top and pull it over my head.  I hear his gasp and inhale as he sees me in my bikini top.  I’m not a small girl, I’ve got a decent handful and my bikini top makes the most of them.  I know it’ll be obvious now that I’m turned on because I feel my nipples go hard and poke against the tight flimsy material.  I then reach for the button on my shorts, undo it, lower the zip and then bend whilst taking the shorts down to my feet so I can step out of them.  I’m well aware that I’m teasing him, but I’m also teasing myself and bending forward to take the shorts from around my feet means my tits fall forward to create an impressive cleavage and at this point the bikini top is barely holding them in.  I move my hands down the sides of my thighs and over my bum to make sure that they’re straight and they’re not tucked into my butt crack and then bend back down again and to pick up my camera.

“Not yet Dolly, let’s go and cool off before we take the camera out to the water.  Let’s go see how rough the surface of the bottom is.  I want to know just how hard it will be for me to keep you steady,” he suggests.

“OK,” I swallow past the lump in my throat and wait for him to get ready for the water.  I’m praying that he is gorgeous underneath his clothes.  He stands up and kicks each trainer off by the heels and grabs his t-shirt like I did, when he pulls it over his head it reveals a smooth chest and a toned upper body with great pecks.  Over the left peck, side of his chest, shoulder and part of his back is an intricate amazing tattoo like a tribal design.  It’s like a hidden treasure, it’s not for show and isn’t seen when he’s got his clothes on; you can only see it if he wants you to see it and it really suits him.  He undoes the belt, button and zip on his long shorts and lets them drop to the ground so he can step out of them.  He’s wearing tight trunks that sit low on his waist.  They’re not speedo’s, they’re the Daniel Craig Casino Royale variety and he looks fabulous and....hard.  God, he really is hard and again I want to clench my thighs together and ease the ache I’m feeling.