Wishing for a Picture Perfect Love: A Small Town Romance

Chapter 1

Wishing Well,Texas?

Jo Stewart stared at her boss, momentarily stunned. This had to be a mistake. The town of Wishing Well was the size of a grain of rice when looking at a map. No, make that a mustard seed. Okay, that”s an exaggeration. But still, there was nothing about Wishing Well that should have snagged the attention of a large magazine. How did Delia Shaw, Jo’s boss and editor of Eternal Vows Wedding Magazine, know about that teensy town? “Please tell me I heard you wrong.”

Delia narrowed her eyes a fraction.

Whoops. Jo knew that look. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I’m just a little…” She shook her head. Delia didn’t need to know the backstory, nor would she care. “Did you say Wishing Well, Texas?”

Her eyes returned to their normal non-squinting-I’m-not-going-to-remind-you-I’m-the-boss look. “I did.”

That stupid well. Jo knew it was only a matter of time before the magazine got wind of her hometown, Wishing Well. Nestled in the Texas Hill country, it was a beautiful area. Lush, remote, and romantic—it was the perfect place for couples. Add a magical love-wish granting well, and well, who wouldn’t want to stop by, toss a penny, and make a wish?

Jo’s boss continued, “Serenity Harper is getting married there.” She waved her hand in the air, rolling her eyes. “She was filming there about a year ago, made a wish in some well, and now, she’s having her wedding there.”

The only thing Jo knew about Serenity was that she was the new it girl. She didn’t keep up with stars or the people back home other than the occasional news from her grandma. It was likely her grandma mentioned it, and Jo had promptly forgotten about it. Still, a big star getting married in her small hometown would be the talk of the town. May would be great weather-wise, too. “Oh. So…you need me to go there to photograph it?” That was the deal she’d made with Delia after the last article.

“No.” Delia smiled. “Not photograph it. You’re my best writer. I can’t trust this with anyone else.” Her grin widened like she was doing Jo a favor. “Plus, when I contacted Serenity’s people, she requested you. Apparently, you’re the only reason she reads our magazine.”

The corners of Jo’s lips drifted up. “Really?” Again, she shook her head, replanting her feet on the ground. She didn’t want to be a writer. She wanted to follow her heart. Her passion. Photography. “I mean, that’s flattering. I’m glad she likes my articles.”

“Which means you will be going. I need you to be on the next flight out of New York.”

“Delia, you said I could move into photography after the last article.” That was turned in the day before. That’s why Jo thought she was being called to the office… to get her first assignment as an Eternal Vows photographer.

The woman nodded. “I know, and if Serenity hadn’t specifically asked for you, I would, but the magazine needs this. It’ll give us the boost we’ve been looking for. Serenity is a big name with big-name friends. This could open doors to who knows what.”

“But I?—”

“I know,” Delia says, holding her hand up. “After this one, okay? Just do this one last article, make it great, and we’ll have…” The sentence drifted off as Jo felt a presence behind her.

Twisting in her seat, Jo’s gaze landed on Bridget, her best friend and Delia’s longest-running personal assistant. Two years and counting. Bridget was supposed to have her own column by now, and there was always an excuse why Delia couldn’t deliver on her promise.

“We’ll have Bridget take over,” Delia said.

Right. How many times had she said that to Jo? Dangling the carrot and snatching it away at the last minute. Jo wasn’t even sure why she was still working at the magazine.

Not quite true. The paycheck was generous and steady, and it was a comfortable job. She’d always had a knack for writing, which made any assignment easy. It was safe. Reliable disappointment was better than being blind-sided.

Bridget’s mouth dropped open. “For real this time?” She slipped the rest of the way inside the office. “I’ll be a writer?”

Delia hesitated a beat. “Absolutely.”

Jo knew what that pause meant. It meant not. They both knew it, too. Bridget gave Jo a side glance, and the hopefulness she’d seen moments ago was now gone.

Bridget’s smile dropped and returned just as quickly. “Great.” The enthusiasm in her voice was gone, too. “Vale Fairchild is on the line. He says it’s urgent.”

Delia shooed them. “You’ve got your assignment. I want you there tomorrow.” She looked at Bridget. “Run to Bake’n Brew and get me a?—”

“Non-fat chai.”

“That’s my girl.” She shooed them again as she picked up her phone, giving them one last look as they left her office.

As soon as their feet touched the sidewalk outside the Eternal Vows’ office building, Bridget’s shoulders slumped.

“Maybe she really will let you write this time.” Jo needed to believe that because maybe if Delia kept her promise to Bridget, she’d keep her promise to Jo too.

Her friend rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

“The only reason I’m not getting behind the camera this time is because Serenity Harper asked for me specifically.”

“What?” Bridget’s face lit up, and her normal chipper self was back. “Serenity Harper? She’s like?—”

“The biggest star there is?” Jo touched Bridget’s shoulder. “Which means Delia might actually keep her promise this time.”

The doubt crept back into Bridget’s face. “Right.”

Jo let her head drop to the side. “I mean it.”

“If she doesn’t, you need to move on. You’re too talented to just stay here. Your photographs are gorgeous.”

Shrugging, Jo lifted her head. “Maybe.”

“Not maybe. They are.” Bridget looked toward Delia’s office, and her eyes widened. “Oh, I need to get.”

“Me, too. I’ll call you later.”

Bridget went left, while Jo went right.

“All right. Wishing Well. I can do this.” She could. She’d done things much harder. Maybe this time, she’d wish to never return before she left again. She snorted and smirked. “Yeah.” Or perhaps that was a bad idea. She’d wished for love and got Craig—a guy who only cared about what he wanted. On second thought, maybe she’d avoid that pit of despair altogether.

After a long daythat started with a redeye before dawn, Jo stopped her rental car in front of the massive two-story house she’d called home until she left for college in New York. Most called it the Stewart Mansion because it was the largest residence in Wishing Well, along with the largest amount of acreage, some twenty acres that butted up to a small river.

It had been in her family for six generations, and it had started life as a simple farm. Shortly after being built, her ancestors turned it into a hotel of sorts and added to it over the years, although you couldn’t tell that by looking at it.

After Jo’s grandpa passed away, Jo’s grandma closed off everything except the three-bedroom, one-bath owner’s suite. More than once people had offered to buy it, but with its history, she wasn’t selling.

At one point, Jo had toyed with turning it into a bed and breakfast. Countless nights, she and her grandma had talked long into the night about restoring it. What they wanted to do to the rooms, the kitchen, the dining area for guests, and a million other details, she couldn’t remember right then why she’d abandoned the idea, but… she sighed. That was the past.

Scanning the house, memories flooded her mind. Some tinged with sadness. Some were etched with joy, laughter, and happiness that brought a smile to her face. None of which she’d change.

As Jo cut the car’s engine, the screen door swung open, and Jo’s Grandma, Charlie Stewart, was on the front porch, arms open wide, waiting for her.

“Grandma!” she called as soon as she stepped out of the car, sprinting the distance and up the steps, letting her grandma gather her into a hug.

She’d been more like a mom than a grandma. Shortly after Jo turned thirteen, her mom dropped her off and never returned. Grandma Charlie had taken her in, loved her, and dealt with a bratty, angry teenager. Not that Jo was trying to be angry or bratty, but she’d blamed herself for her mom leaving. More than once, she’d taken that frustration out on her innocent grandma. Later, she’d realized it was probably for the best. Her mom… well, that was a memory lane she didn’t want to walk down at the moment.

Her grandma rocked her side to side. “Oh, it is so good to see you! I’ve missed you so much!”

“I’ve missed you too, Grandma.” Jo had visited from time to time, but with her busy schedule, it wasn’t nearly as often as it should have been.

She leaned back, patting Jo’s cheek, then holding her out by the shoulders. “Just look at you. More gorgeous than ever. And you cut your hair.”

A light touch of her fingers on the tips of her dirty blonde not-quite shoulder-length hair. “It was time for a change.”

“Well, I think it looks great. Much more fitting for your cute, fun personality.”

“You’re my grandma. It’s required you say that.”

“I am not. I’m being honest.” She grinned and pulled her into a second hug. “Honey, I’m so glad you’re home. It’s been far too long.”

Jo relished the embrace like it was better than the first. She’d hated the idea of returning and now that she was here, she wished she hadn’t stayed away so long. She’d missed her grandma. “I know. I’m sorry.” More than her grandma knew, but she’d let work and life pull her away. Before she went back to New York, she would schedule a call with her grandma at least once a week, if not twice.

They released each other, and Charlie opened the screen door. “No need to say you’re sorry. You’re busy, and I understand that.” She waved for Jo to follow. “I’ve got lunch ready.”

“Please tell me it’s your chicken pot pie.” Her mouth salivated at the thought. Flakey-buttery-crust deliciousness that put all other comfort foods to shame.

Her grandma’s eyes twinkled. “Of course.”

Jo clapped with excitement and darted into the house.

As they walked through the living room, another wave of memories washed over her: all the times they’d watched TV on Friday nights, the movie nights, too. The book club that boasted five whole members, Jo, her grandma, and a few of the ladies from the church. Dancing in the living room after Jo won the local spelling bee. Her college acceptance letter. The love and support that filled every nook and cranny.

Once they had their plates brimming with food, they took a seat opposite each other at the round kitchen table in the nook right off the kitchen.

Bringing the bowl to her face, Jo inhaled deeply. Just like she remembered. “I?—”

“Charlie, I’ve got—” A man stopped in the kitchen’s doorway, his sentence abruptly ending as his gaze fell on Jo. “You must be the famous Jo I’ve been hearing about.” His gorgeous pair of perfect lips quirked up on one side.

Jack Turner. The Jack Turner was standing in her grandma’s house, looking like he just walked off a runway. Even more gorgeous than he was in high school. Taller too. Every atom in her body suddenly stood at attention.

The last time she’d seen him, he’d been a senior in high school and more baby-faced. His hair was a shade darker, his face now sported stubble, but those eyes—oh, those baby blues that every girl in Wishing Well High nearly dropping to the floor every time he looked their way—those hadn’t changed one bit. Still just as blue and every bit as mesmerizing.

Fit as ever, too. Based on the dirty jeans and shirt, sweat beading on his skin, and the farmer’s tan, he’d kept in shape through hard labor.

He’d been hot in high school, now he was en muy fuego. If she weren’t already sitting down, she’d be planting her face on the floor. Just a casual glance in high school had her fanning her face.

His parents were prominent in the Wishing Well community. Ralph Turner was a real estate agent who’d earned a seat on the city council just before she left, and last she’d heard from her grandma: his new title was mayor. Jack’s mom, Sophie, was the school librarian, and she also organized the Wishing Well winter love festival that was held each year.

“Jo?” Her grandma’s voice cut through her thoughts.

She blinked as she came out of the trance. “Oh, yeah, uh, hi.” The words nearly ran together. “Not famous, though. Definitely not famous.” She mumbled the last part under her breath.

He stepped forward, thrusting his hand out. “Jack Turner.”

“Uh, yeah, I know.” Her hand slipped into his, and electricity raced through her body. Craig had never elicited that reaction. There’d been the spark of attraction, but not this full-fledged forest fire. She shook off the feeling as a remnant of the crush she had as a kid.

His head tilted as his eyes narrowed. “You do?”

Catching her bottom lip in her teeth, she nodded. In her junior year of high school, she’d overseen the yearbook photos that year and photographed him more than once. She’d looked much different back then, too, so it wasn’t a surprise he didn’t recognize her. “Yeah, but you didn’t know I existed. I was a junior when you were a senior.”

“Oh. I’m truly sorry.” His gaze drifted over her face and down the length of her body. “I missed out.”

Did he just say what Jo thought he said? No way. Hallucinations from brain malfunction from being in his presence were the only explanation. How that was possible ten years later, was a mystery she was interested in solving. “What are?—”

“He’s doing a few repairs for me.” The statement was made with an attempt at making it sound nonchalant. Her grandma stood. “I’ve got chicken pot pie, hot and piping.” It almost seemed to Jo that Charlie was trying to keep attention away from the reason Jack was there.

He held up his hands, his gaze moving from Jo to her grandma and back. “This looks like a reunion, and I don’t want to intrude.”

Charlie waved him off. “Oh, no, you won’t be.” She glanced at Jo. She was getting ideas. Ideas that Jo had no time for now or ever. Not with Jack. He was a nice enough guy in high school, but he’d been out of her league then, and she wasn’t ready for another relationship yet. Not when her career was on the cusp of moving forward.

“Actually—”

“We’d love it.” Her grandma eyed Jo as she cut her off. Along with the grin, there was a sparkle in her eye. Fantastic.

Again, he looked from one to the other and back. “Well, I mean, it is your pot pie.” Okay, so that was a fair enough reason. Anyone who had ever tasted her grandma’s pot pie couldn’t resist it. “That is, if you’re sure I’m not barging in.”

“Sit! I’ll get you a bowl,” Grandma said. This time, she didn’t even look at Jo.

“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled a chair out and took a seat between Jo and her grandma. “Man, I love this stuff,” he said, shooting a smile at Jo. “Thanks for letting me join.”

“No problem.” She hugged herself, trying to hide the jitteriness. All these years later, he could still make her knees weak, and her heart flutter.

She quickly shut the thoughts down. All the girls in high school had those feelings. Her life was in New York, and she wasn’t ready for a relationship, anyway. Plus, once she finished this current assignment, she’d move into photography and traveling even more.

There was no point in even fantasizing about a guy. Her life was perfect the way it was, and once she finished interviewing Serenity, she’d be on her way back home.