Inked in the Steel City Series(83)
There were even assistants – photographer’s assistants, wardrobe assistants, the list went on – ready to primp and perfect every last little detail. They worked attentively, leaving Karen to focus on what she loved – taking photos. It definitely wouldn’t be hard to get used to that.
* * * * *
Jed’s phone rang just as he was exiting his half-booth. He pulled the door shut behind himself as he motioned for Abby to shut off the shop’s ‘open’ sign. “Hey,” he said, a wave of heat and awareness sweeping over his skin as he braced himself for the sound of Karen’s voice.
“Hey,” she replied from the other end of the connection, her tone pleasant, upbeat.
“How’s New York?” She’d texted him a few times to let him know everything was going well, but this was the first time they’d spoken. It hadn’t been long – today was day two of a three day trip, but he’d been constantly aware of her absence.
“It’s great, Jed. The shoot today was amazing. I had assistants! Not that anybody peed on anything in the studio, but it was nice having them around anyway.”
“I bet.”
He could practically hear her grinning, and it made him smile too as he leaned against the wall. Abby kept glancing his way, looking quizzical, but there was no one else in the shop, so he made no effort to seek out privacy. “You ready to fly home tomorrow, or has the Big Apple won you over?”
“Actually, that’s why I called – I’m not going to be coming home tomorrow.”
Jesus. He’d only been teasing. His heart slammed against his chest, then slowed, succumbing to a heavy certainty. It was like his brain was telling his heart I told you so. “Everything all right?” He managed to think rationally enough to ask, to make sure she wasn’t stranded or hurt somehow.
“Yeah, everything’s great. I managed to change my scheduled flight, and I’m paying the difference plus the cost of another night in the hotel out of my own pocket. It’ll be worth the money – I want another day to see the city.”
“You’re only staying one extra night?”
“That’s right. I made friends with another photographer today – one who shoots regularly for Marc St. Pierre – and she invited me to spend the day with her tomorrow.”
“Sounds fun.” His shock ebbed, but a deep-seated sense of caution remained. “What are you two going to do?”
“We’re stopping by her studio, going out to lunch and to a really cool framing place in SoHo. I’m going to buy a nice frame to use for a wedding portrait of Mina and Eric – it’ll be a gift.” She sighed. “This place does museum quality framing jobs, Jed. I don’t have a print with me, of course, so I’ll just be buying an empty frame, but it should still be amazing.”
Despite the heavy feeling in the pit of his chest, he couldn’t help but smile a little over her passion for photo frame shopping, of all things. “Hope you have a good time. Still need a ride home from the airport day after tomorrow?”
“Only if it won’t be too much trouble for you. If you’ll be with a client, I can see if Mina’s free, or take a cab home.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there. What time does your flight come in?”
“Six-thirty.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad you’ll be picking me up. I miss you, you know.” A breathy sound came from her end of the connection, and it sent a slow frisson creeping down Jed’s spine.
“Yeah. Spending the night in that big haunted house just isn’t the same without you.”
“You slept there alone?” She sounded genuinely surprised.
“Last night. Going back tonight, too.”
“Wow, you’re brave.”
“Just facing my fears.”
She laughed, but he hadn’t been joking. Spending the night alone in the place in Allegheny West had very much been about facing ghosts. Not the kind that walked through walls and whispered in your ear, but the ones in his head.
* * * * *
Karen reached out and touched one finger gently to the side of a thick picture frame, tracing the curve of a golden lily with the tip of one finger. Her grandmother would love everything about it – the way the burnished gold made it look antique, the way the ornate carvings scrolled from corner to corner in the shapes of dozens of lilies. She—
Realization hit Karen like an arrow to the heart, sharp and piercing. Her grandmother would have loved the picture frame. She lowered her hand and moved on, searching for something that would suit Mina and Eric’s style.