Sanctuary(136)

The adrenaline carried Jo through that day and into the next. It fueled her, this new ambition. For the first time in her carcer, she hunted up faces with enthusiasm, began to study and dissect them. she thrilled at the way Gaff's eyes twinkled under the brim of his cap, the way his hand gripped a hammer.

she hounded Brian in the kitchen, using charm when she could, threats when she couldn't, to draw the right expression, to produce the right body language.

Lexy was easy. she would pose endlessly. But Jo's favorite shot was one of Lexy and Giff, the foolishly happy expressions on their faces as Gaff swept Lexy up to spin her in circles just on the edge of the garden.

she even trooped after her father, using silence to lull him into relaxing, then capturing the quiet thoughtfulness in his face as he looked out over the salt marsh.

"It's time you put that thing away." Sam's brows drew together in irritated embarrassment as she aimed the camera at him again. "Ri along and play with that somewhere else."

"It stopped being play when they started paying me. Turn just little to the right and look out toward the water."

He didn't move a muscle. "I don't recollect you ever being such a pest before."

"I'll have you know I'm a very famous photographer. Thousands cheer when I aim my lens." she clicked quickly when a faint smile tugged at his mouth. "You're so handsome, Daddy. And you look so masterful out here."

"You're so damned famous, you shouldn't have to flatter people to get their picture."

she laughed and lowered the camera. "True enough. But you are handsome. I was taking some shots over at Elsie Pendleton's. The Widow Pendleton," Jo added, wiggling her eyebrows. "she made a point to ask after you. Several times."

"Elsie Pendleton's been looking for a man to replace the one she buried since she tossed the first handful of dirt on his coffin. It ain't by any means going to be me."

"For which good sense your family thanks you."

He found his lips trembling again, shook his head as much over the reaction as the cause. "You're awfully chipper today."

"A nice change, don't you think? I got tired of myself." she crouched down to change lenses. "And it occurred to me that a corner riceded to be turned. Maybe coming here was the start of it." she paused for a moment, just to look out over the shimmering marsh.

I "Facing some things, myself included. And realizing that maybe if I didn't feel loved, it was because I hadn't let anyone love me."

she glanced up, saw that he was watching her, searching her face. "Don't look for her in me, Daddy." Jo closed her eyes as the pain stabbed through her. "Don't look for her in me anymore. It hurts me when you doJo Ellen-"

"All my life I've tried to stop looking like her. In college when the other girls were fussing and primping, I held back. If I fussed I'd have to look in the mirror. And I'd see her, just the way you do when you look at me." Her eyes swam as she straightened. "What do I have to do, Daddy, to make you see who I am?"

"I do see. I can't help but see her too, but I do see you, Jo Ellen.

Don't go spilling over on me here. I'm useless with that female stuff He stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned away. "You get hold of yourself now. It's Lexy who leaks at the drop of a hat, not you. Damn girl'Il leak if you look cross-eyed, and if she isn't leaking she's floune ing. she don't marry that Gaff soon and get on with things, I'll lose my mind."

Jo gave a watery chuckle. "Why, Daddy, I didn't know you loved her enough to let her drive you crazy."

'Course I love her. she's mine, isn't she?" He spoke gruffly and made himself turn back to face Jo. "So are you."

"Yes." she smiled and let the ache pass away. "So am I."

I When the light no longer pleased her, Jo locked herself in her dark room. There was excitement there as well. From film to negatives, from negatives to contacts. These she pored over, scrutinizing details, flaws, shadows through her loupe.

Out of a dozen she might select one that satisfied her strict requirements Still, her drying line filled rapidly with prints she felt were worthy. When she came to an unmarked roll of film, she clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Careless of her, she thought. she set the timer, flicked off the lights, and began the developing process. The dark soothed her. she could move competently, even mechanically, by feel alone. Anticipation hummed. What would she see here, what would she find? What frozen moment would be preserved forever simply because she had chosen it?

she turned on the red bulb, washed the room in that eerie work man's lighting. And gave a choked cry that was part shock, part laughter as she stared at the negative of herself, nude, sprawled on Nathan's carpet.