Page 49 of Wild Lies

“I’m a photographer,” I reply, rocking back on my heels as I puff out my chest.

“That’s so cool. Maybe you and I can chat once Maddie is done with you? I could do with getting some fresh shots done for my website. I’m thinking of branching out into catering as there are a lot of corporate companies moving into the city not far from here.”

I look down at my feet, trying and failing to keep my grin at bay. “I’d really like that. You’ve got a great place here.”

If everything goes to plan, I might get more work in Coldwater than I bargained for.

Wiping her hand on the dish towel tucked into her apron, she holds it out to me and smiles. “Thank you. I’m Autumn.”

I slide my hand into hers, giving it what I hope is a confident shake, but I can’t be sure my hands aren’t a little clammy. “Chloe. It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you too. Do you have somewhere I can follow you?”

Pulling out my phone, I load up my social media and then reel off my new website address. Autumn notes it down and my phone vibrates with the notification announcing that Chapters and Crumbs has followed me. I’m about to open up my app and follow her back when the bell above the door rings, announcing another customer.

“Talk of the devil and she will come,” Autumn teases, jutting her chin in the direction behind me and to the person who’s just walked in.

I turn, a ready smile on my face, as my eyes land on Maddie.

“Are you badmouthing me?” Maddie asks, a playful tone to her voice.

My focus jumps between the two as Autumn chuckles. “I’ll leave that up to Wyatt. But no, I was just telling Chloe here that I might have some work for her too.”

Maddie runs a hand through her hair as she comes to a stop beside me. “You two have met then?”

“Just now,” I reply.

“Has Autumn told you that she’s Kade’s cousin?” There’s a hint of mischief in Maddie’s eyes when she asks the question but nothing on her face to give away that she saw Kade and I at dinner on Wednesday.

I clear my throat and stand a little taller. “No, she didn’t mention that.” My voice comes out a little pitchy.

“Oh, you know Kade?” Autumn asks, genuinely curious.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I search for the right words. I can’t tell her that he pretended to be my boyfriend, can I? That feels like something Kade should be telling his family himself, if he ever feels the need to. God, what do I even say? She’s going to have questions either way.

Thankfully, Maddie comes to my rescue, looping her arm through mine as she turns me toward the couch by the window. “Chloe and I have lots to discuss, so maybe you can fill her in on all of Kade’s bad habits later.”

Autumn grins, arranging two huge coffee cups onto a tray along with my pastry before replying, “I can’t wait. I hope you’ve not got anything else planned.”

Maddie pulls me onto the soft cushions of the couch as she falls onto them. “The juicy details about you and Kade can wait; right now, we have exciting business to discuss.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, jerking my chin as I refocus my attention.

Pulling my laptop from my bag, I load it up as Autumn sets the tray of drinks and pastries down on the low coffee table in front of us, brushing Maddie off when she goes to pay.

“These are on me.”

I busy myself with pulling up the website that I made the other day. I’ve loaded it with pictures I’ve taken back in Seattle from my fashion days as well as most of the ones I’ve taken during my time at Coldwater. Thankfully it wasn’t difficult enough for me to have to hire it out, but if I do end up freelancing, it can be something I’ll invest in.

“Thank you for making the time to meet with me. I know that you’re technically on vacation, so it’s appreciated,” Maddie says.

“Of course, it’s my pleasure.” I pull in a breath, centering myself before continuing, “Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for and we can go from there?”

Maddie sets down her coffee mug and leans back into the couch cushions as she turns to face me. “Like I said when we spoke the other day, I need someone to take some new shots for the ranch. Essentially, that will cover our website, brochures and any advertisements we do online. If you’re looking for some more long-term work, our usual wedding photographer, Lisa, is going on maternity leave soon for a full year and I’ve not had much luck finding someone. Weddings are one of our biggest forms of revenue and we average around thirty a year, so I’ll need a photographer to cover that while she’s off.”

I want to say yes, to tell her whatever it is she needs to hear, because this could be life-changing, but I also don’t want to set myself up for failure.

Thinking over my next words carefully, I reply, “I’ll be honest with you. My expertise lies in fashion. For the past five years I worked at Glow, the magazine, and while I’m comfortable photographing anything and everything, it’s not something I normally do.”