Chapter Two #2
Jason stopped with his spoon halfway to his mouth, glared at Shaun, then took the bite. If Shaun kept needling him about Lainey, Jason might have to set him straight about more than one matter.
Instead of letting the smile on his son’s face goad him, Jason set his attention on finishing the layered dessert.
He could taste lemon bars, the tang of cream cheese mixed with freshly chopped strawberries, and a creamy pudding layer topped by whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
The dessert held the flavors of springtime and made him glad Shaun had thought to add a scoop to his plate.
When Lainey got up and gathered a handful of paper plates from those at her table and carried them to the trash before disappearing inside the house, Jason shoveled in the last bite of his dessert and stood.
For once, Shaun wisely held his tongue as Jason took his plate and dropped it in the trash, then headed toward the back door.
Before he reached it, Lainey stepped out, carrying a tray full of cookies.
Jason watched her set them on the dessert table before she glanced around, as though she was looking for something to keep herself busy.
His gaze roved over the crowd, hoping to catch Andrew or Liz, but they were both deep in conversations, and he didn’t want to disturb them.
Instead, he made his way over to the dessert table, where Lainey used a napkin to clean up a puddle of melted ice cream.
“I heard you made the strawberry lemon thing. It was delicious.”
Lainey’s head lifted, and she stared at him. He saw recognition arrive in her expression. “Thank you. I like to make lush desserts. They’re easy and always taste good.”
“A whatsy?” Jason asked, not well-versed in culinary terms, even if he did know a little about cooking.
“A lush. It’s basically a layered dessert you refrigerate until serving,” she said, throwing away the ice-cream-soaked napkin, then using a clean napkin to wipe her hands before tossing it in the trash.
“It always has a crust, a few layers, and a whipped cream topping. I used lemon bars, strawberry cream cheese, and strawberry mousse for this one. I’m glad you enjoyed it. ”
“I certainly did.” He wiped his hand on the leg of his jeans, then held it out to her. “I’m Jason Price.”
“Elaina Collins, but everyone calls me Lainey.” She took his hand and gave it a strong shake, sending warmth coursing from the point where their palms touched all the way up his arm.
“Lainey.” He repeated the word, liking the way it settled just so on his tongue. “Liz’s son was telling me you’ve been here all week, taking photos for a project.”
“That’s right.” Lainey nodded and picked up a chocolate chip cookie. She broke off a small piece and popped it in her mouth.
“Tell me more about the project,” he said, not meaning it as an order, but hoping she’d take it as a suggestion to keep talking.
The woman was intriguing, and her voice was smooth and pleasant.
On top of that, she smelled like flowers and something sweet without being sugary.
The fragrance wrapped around him like creamy velvet, carrying a hint of roses and something utterly feminine.
To a man used to smelling horses, cattle, and sweaty rodeo competitors, it was an altogether welcome change of pace.
“I’m under contract for a book of portraits about women in the West. The focus is on family matriarchs, and it’s going to be called Pillars of the West, because these women are the pillars that hold up their families, like Liz.”
“Wow. That is incredible, and that title is great. Is this your first book contract?” Jason knew next to nothing about the publishing world.
“No. It will be my sixth published book of portraits.” Lainey stepped away from the table and started walking.
Jason moved beside her and adjusted his longer stride to keep step with her. He liked that she wasn’t too short or too tall. In fact, she seemed just about right for him, since he stood a little over six feet, even when barefoot.
“What were your other books about?” Jason asked as they walked out of the yard and started down the path toward the nearest barn.
“Portraits,” Lainey said, then looked at him and smiled. “I like to focus on faces, with a theme. My first book was called Coal Country and showcased American miners. I even went into the mines just to get a better feel for what the workers faced.”
“You’re the Faces lady!” Jason declared, recalling an article he’d read a few years ago about a photographer who had won awards and made all the bestseller lists with her unique perspective of people’s faces.
Lainey blushed, but nodded her head. “All of my books so far have been part of what the publisher named the Faces series. I did Protect and Serve with military members, Under the Hood with mechanics, A Life of Color with artists, Built to Last with construction workers, and Front of the Class about teachers.”
“My son-in-law is former military, and he has the Protect and Serve book. One of his friends was killed in action, but his photo is in the book. It’s something Tyler cherishes.”
Lainey stopped and offered him a sympathetic look.
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Please extend my condolences to your son-in-law, and also my gratitude for his service.
I know a few of those I photographed are no longer with us.
It breaks my heart because those who serve have already sacrificed so much, and what they’ve given so often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
My hope was that my book would shine a light on some of them. ”
Jason was touched by the sincerity in her voice and eyes. “I’ll do that. Thank you. My daughter, Lisa, is happy to finally have him home, as is my granddaughter.”
“Do they live near you?”
Jason grinned. “For a while, they lived down the hall from me in the farmhouse I occupy with my brother and dad, but they moved into town when Tyler was honorably discharged. Lisa manages a bank, but Tyler works on the ranch. He’s a great cowhand and pretty handy when it comes to mechanical issues. ”
“So, you ranch when you aren’t doing what you did at the rodeo today?” Lainey asked as they resumed their walk.
“I spend most of my time on the road going from one rodeo to the next as a pickup man for the Rockin’ K Rodeo Company.
My son is my pickup partner, so it’s nice to spend time with him.
When we aren’t on the road, we are at the ranch.
Shaun’s family is there too. They have a small acreage about a mile up the road.
His wife, Brylee, helps out when she can, but she and Shaun have two little ones who take up most of her time. ”
Jason had no idea why he was telling this stranger all about his family, but something about her seemed to loosen his tongue along with his good sense.
As the sun sank into the western horizon, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around Lainey and see if her lips would taste as sweet as he imagined.
Rather than succumb to the urge, he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and kept walking beside her, taking shallow breaths so her enticing fragrance wouldn’t completely addle his brain.
“Does your wife help at the ranch, or does she work in town?” Lainey asked, looking at the horses in the pasture closest to them.
That was a question he hated to answer because it made his heart hurt to think about Judy and his mother, and daughter. Instead of letting his maudlin thoughts steal the joy from the moment, Jason looked over at Lainey. “I’m not married. Haven’t been for more than twenty years.”
Both of her eyebrows shot upward in surprise. “Oh, I, uh … I just assumed you would be, with kids and grandkids.”
“I just have the two kids, Lisa and Shaun, and their spouses, and three grandkids. And my brother, and Dad. That’s it.”
“That seems like a lot. A wonderful blessing,” Lainey said as she stopped and watched the sun drop out of view. “We should head back before it’s too dark to see out here.”
“Probably,” Jason said, turning and heading back toward the house. “So, where is your next photography assignment? Andrew mentioned you’re leaving tomorrow.”
“California. The matriarch I’m meeting there is twenty-eight.
She lost her grandmother, mother, and older sister to cancer and took over the business her great-grandmother started in the 1950s.
They make high-end leather bags. Evie has three kids, owns a small farm with her husband, and still manages to run the company.
She’s earned the title of being a pillar in her family. ”
“Wow! She sounds like a strong, incredible person. I’ll look forward to seeing what you share about her in your book.”
Lainey cocked an eyebrow at him. “You’re going to buy my book?”
“Of course. If I don’t, Liz would never let me hear the end of it.”
A smile lifted the corners of Lainey’s perfectly kissable mouth. Her lips looked so soft and appealing in the fading light, Jason nearly tripped over a rock while he stared at her.
“Careful,” Lainey cautioned, her hand involuntarily shooting out toward him in a habit ingrained in anyone who has ever cared for a child.
“Thanks.” Jason tried not to let his embarrassment show. “Do you have children? A family waiting for you somewhere?”
“Nope. My parents are both gone, and my only sibling told me not to contact her again until I came to my senses and got a real job. That was nine years ago. As far as I know, she’s still living in New York, where she works as a corporate attorney. She never married, which is probably for the best.”
“That’s … hard.” Jason wanted to ask if Lainey had ever been married, but they were nearly back to the yard, and he had a feeling it wasn’t a topic she’d appreciate discussing any more than she wanted to discuss her family.
Her plainspoken words made it clear to him she wanted to move on to a less tragic subject.
“Have you always been a photographer?” he asked, hoping to keep her talking.
“I have. I took photography as an elective class when I was in high school and loved it. I learned all I could about it in college, then got a job as a real estate photographer for a big corporation. I lived in Los Angeles then. After years of staging photos to sell places that didn’t actually look that good, I could tell it had started to eat away at my soul.
I felt like I was creating images that tricked people, and it bothered me.
When I wasn’t working, though, I took photos for fun, things I liked just for myself.
One day, I captured an image of a homeless veteran, and it hit me like a freight train that I was wasting my time and talent in the corporate world.
That’s how I got started doing portraits, which led to the Faces series. ”
“It was great you could take something you love and pivot into a career that seems like it brings you a lot of joy.”
Lainey smiled. “It does bring me joy, and I love it. I love the people I get to meet and the places I get to see. It’s incredible and amazing, and it feeds my soul. There are days I just about have to pinch myself to believe it’s all real.”
Jason grinned. “From what I’ve seen in the book Tyler has, you are a talented artist. The photos you take are meaningful, honest, and wonderful.”
Lainey ducked her head, as though she wasn’t accustomed to compliments. “Thank you.”
“I’m just telling it like I see it. Kash Kressley’s wife, Celia, is a photographer.
She mostly shoots action at rodeos, although she’s been known to occasionally take photos at a wedding or a family gathering.
She takes spectacular photos, so when I say you are talented, I’m not just blowing smoke. ”
“I appreciate the kind words, Jason. Thank you. I’ve never taken action photos, although I did attempt to catch a few today. It was different and fun.”
Jason grinned at her. “I could be assuming things that aren’t true, but was today the first rodeo you attended?”
Lainey nodded. “What gave me away?”
“Nothing in particular, other than it all seemed so new to you. I’d be happy to share what I know if you decide to learn more, though.
I’m at a rodeo almost every week from mid-January through September.
If you ever drive through Eastern Oregon, you are more than welcome to stop at the Circle P Ranch in Baker City, whether I’m there or not. My family would welcome you.”
“That’s very kind of you. Both offers. Give me your phone number, and if I decide I want to go to another rodeo, I’ll give you a call.”
Jason tried not to appear overly eager as he took her phone and entered his contact information, then sent himself a text so he’d have her number.
“I’m serious, Lainey, about both offers.
If you’re looking for interesting faces, you’ll find enough for three or four books in the world of rodeo.
It’s different from ranching, but it still has that great Western lifestyle vibe.
The rodeo contestants are just a starting point.
As you saw today, there are people like Liz and youngsters full of wonder.
There are volunteers and staff. You’d find a lot of inspiration. ”
“I’ll give it some consideration.” Lainey turned to face him when they stood at the edge of the yard and held out her hand to him. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Jason Price. Thank you for the walk.”
Jason took her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the backs of her fingers while holding her gaze, feeling like something special was about to walk right out of his life.
“The pleasure was all mine, Lainey Collins. I hope our paths cross again someday.” He sincerely—and somewhat desperately—meant the words.
She turned and started toward the house, but gave him a look over her shoulder that made Jason feel like he’d just stepped next to a blazing fire. Before he sorted through his tangled emotions, a thump on his back nearly threw him off balance.
“Well, well,” Cooper James said, moving beside him with a big smirk on his face. “I didn’t know you had it in you, Jase. Where have you been hiding that Casanova cowboy persona all these years?”
Jason scowled at Cooper and gave him a guttural growl of warning. “Do not mention this to anyone, Coop. Understood?”
Cooper held up his hands in a gesture of innocence.
With a parting glower, Jason headed over to where Shaun spoke with Kash Kressley and Billy Clark. He needed to leave before rumors spread that he had shown interest in a female. Or worse … before he marched into the house and gave Lainey a kiss neither of them would ever forget.