“I got some really good ones. That old abandoned school up the coast? Got some good ones of that. And the church that had reopened but still had the pile of boards and bricks outside? That one turned out well, too. I also liked the one with the old live oak surviving next to the cement foundation that was all that was left of that one house on the point.”
“So all you saw was the destruction?” Keely’s eyes bore into him.
He shifted uneasily on the vinyl seat. “What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you see the spirit of the people? The old lady at the church who was so proud they’d fixed the church up enough for the Ladies’ Prayer Meeting. The mobile homes sitting on oceanside lots while the owners rebuilt their original houses. The grouping of trailers on the school lot used as classrooms? These are people who love their towns and are sticking with them, no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.”
Hunt hadn’t looked at it in that way at all. He’d focused on the destruction, not the rebirth. All of a sudden he thought his focus of his photo series was wrong. Terribly wrong.
~ * ~
Keely looked at Hunt. He had an almost guilty look spreading across his face. Now she felt badly, but it was like they’d been in two different places today.
“I guess I just hadn’t looked at it from your point of view.” Hunt’s face was creased in thought. “I’m not sure that your perspective isn’t a better one than I was going with.”
“Maybe you could do it from both perspectives. The destruction and the rebirth. Side by side.”
Hunt stared at her then scrubbed his hands over his face. “That’s a darn fine idea.”
Keely laughed. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“Sorry. I just hadn’t thought of it from any way but the destruction and ruin. Your idea is a better theme for the shoot.” He looked at her. “So, what were you writing in your notebook all day? Do you mind if I ask?”
“I was writing down my thoughts on what we were seeing. Some remarks the people made. I don’t know, it was like I was back to my journalism days in high school. I couldn’t help myself.”
Hunt stroked his chin. “So, what if you write the article up and I’ll submit it along with my photos? There is no guarantee they’d take the article, but it’s worth a shot. I could put in a good word with my editor.”
“Really?” Keely’s mind was reeling with possibilities of angles for the article. “I would love that. If nothing else it will be really great to write again.”
“It’s settled. We’ll go from the rebirth angle versus the destruction angle. How about you come back to the room and help me pick out some photos?”
“I’d like that. Then I’ll start writing.”
Hunt grinned. “It’s almost like old times, isn’t it? The dynamic duo back in action.”
It did feel like old times. Working together, grabbing a bite to eat, looking at his photos. Only now the photos were on his computer instead of hanging up in his darkroom.
The waitress delivered their meal, and Keely attacked it with relish. She was famished, whether from the fresh air and walking around today, or from the unexpected thrill of writing again, she wasn’t sure. She even squabbled with Hunt over the last onion ring until he graciously decided they’d split it.
Keely watched Hunt as he stared out the window of the diner, lost in thought, his strong jawline etched against fading sunset. He raked his fingers through his hair and crooked one corner of his mouth. She remembered that look so well. It was his I’m-thinking look. He turned from the window and reached across the table and took her hand.
“This is great. I’m going to enjoy working with you again. My photo assignments, well I’ve enjoyed them, but it gets lonely out there by myself all the time.”
“But you get to travel all over and go where you want. Choose the assignments that interest you. That sounds like a fantasy life to me.”
“A lonely fantasy life. It’s what I do, and I do enjoy the freedom, don’t get me wrong. My only responsibility is to get my assignments in on time. I can handle that one duty. I do like that. But after these months back in Comfort Crossing with Natalie and the boys, well, I can see why it appeals to her to live in one place and just enjoy her kids.”
“Living in one town my whole life seems so stifling. There is so much to see and explore.” Keely sighed. “But, that doesn’t really matter. I have the life I have.”
“Maybe Katherine can help out more, and you could take some time off to travel.”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to see how it goes with her taking over these few days. I talked to her tonight, and she sounded harried, but said everything was doing just fine. I’m not sure that I believed her.”