Secrets in a Still Life, Kari Ganske [best fiction books to read .TXT] 📗

a question as to why. I half believed he would have found me a juggling act had I requested it. This was quite different from working with Rick who, instead of helping me, would tell me what he thought was the best angle. Basically, mansplaining my job to me.

This was also quite different than photojournalism where I could manipulate nothing and was at the whim of the weather, the lighting, and the environment. Being able to control the setting was a refreshing change of pace.

Linc's laughter caught my attention. I glanced toward the sound, pushed aside the fog of jealousy, and held the camera to my eye. He was completely relaxed while chatting with Andrea, one foot resting on the bumper of the fire truck, his hands folded languidly across his chest. The light put a little sparkle in his already jovial eyes. I snapped away, glad I'd opted for my telephoto lens so I could zoom in a little without getting too close.

I backed up to get Andrea in the shot too. Their contrasting uniforms and Fang jumping around their feet might be the perfect calendar cover. Linc saw my movement and turned his sculpted face toward me. I snapped a few more shots before his expression changed from amusement to trepidation.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Testing the light and the settings." Not a complete lie. Untrusting, he narrowed his eyes.

A cacophony of barking drew his attention away from me and toward the open bay door. A frazzled woman holding three excited dogs and a cat carrier tumbled through the door. Linc rushed to help her with Fang at his heels.

"Oh, thank you, Linc. I was only going to bring Louie"—she gestured to the golden retriever—"but these two were giving me the serious puppy dog eyes when I snapped Louie into his harness. I couldn't leave them."

"These two" referred to a small fluff ball and a medium-sized teddy bear. I bent to get some candid shots of the dogs playing and loving on Linc. He laughed and roughhoused with them a little.

"Which one do you like, Andrea?" Linc asked. "You can do your shoot first. I'm sure you have duties to get back to at the police station."

She pointed at the retriever, the calmest of the three. "Where do you want us?" she asked me.

"In this general area. Try to stay on the edge of the shadow line." Andrea moved into position and stood there stiffly holding Louie's leash. I put the camera to my eye and waited for a moment. Andrea stood stock still and unmoving with Louie sitting dutifully at her feet. I lowered my camera.

"Andrea. Act natural. Interact with Louie. You can bend down to pet him if you want," I suggested. I wasn't used to directing people. And Andrea was clearly not used to being photographed. Which was a shame because she had amazing bone structure.

After a few more awkward moments, I dropped my camera again. "Shoot. I think I need a different lens. Why don't you and Louie get acquainted while I change it out."

I made a show of hobbling slowly over to my camera bag. I didn't need to change my lens, but I wanted to give Andrea some time to loosen up. And possibly sneak some shots while she didn't think the camera was on her. Effective—yes. Sneaky—double yes. But it got results. I'd made my career by being discreet and invisible. And a bit of a creeper. Minimal interaction was why I'd chosen photojournalism.

I fiddled with my camera bag as I watched Andrea out of the corner of my eye. Linc engaged her in conversation again. I admired that about him—how he could make anyone feel comfortable. Small talk, a personal nemesis of mine, seemed to come so naturally to him. Andrea looked looser already. She bent down to give Louie a rub behind the ears. I quickly snapped a bunch of pictures, then moved over a little to get a better angle.

When Andrea noticed me, she immediately stiffened. I said quickly, "Perfect. Scratch his head again. Tell him a deep, dark secret you wouldn't want your mom to find out."

Andrea laughed, a blush rising on her cheeks. "The dog?"

"He's the perfect secret keeper," I said. I crouched down to shoot them straight on as Andrea laughed into the dog's silky fur. The moment was so sweet, I barely noticed the pressure on my ankle. Everything else faded away as I focused on the scene through the viewfinder. On autopilot, I adjusted the settings to accommodate the changing light. I shot some with the fire trucks in focus behind the duo and some without. I had way more options than I needed for a simple calendar, but like that day in the woods, I felt back in the zone. Back in my comfort zone. Dare I say it, back in myself.

"I think we got it," I said, checking the back of the camera to be sure I got some with Andrea's eyes open.

"Wait? That's it?" Andrea asked. "No sitting still and trying to get the dog to look at the camera?"

"That's not really my style," I said slowly. Imposter syndrome set in once again. Was I getting this all wrong? Did they want boring, posed shoots?

"Okay. That was actually fun," Andrea said. She looked sternly at Louie. "Don't go telling my secret now." Louie licked her hand.

"Your turn, Linc," I said.

"Didn't you get enough earlier?" he teased.

"Practice shots," I reminded him. "None with the animals. They're probably throwaways anyway," I lied. No picture of Linc would be a throwaway unless it was completely out of focus. But I'd only admit that sentiment to Louie.

Linc grabbed the two other dogs. "Where do you want me?"

"Uh..." I stuttered. That was a loaded question if I ever heard one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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