A Boy Worth Choosing (The Worthy Series Book 2) (3 page)

I hope to look as good as my father does when I get to be his age. The man has kept in shape, mostly by still maintaining the farm. His eyes still dance with youth, letting only the white hair that he keeps buzzed and the laugh lines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth show the signs of his age. He wears the signs of a life well lived well.

I take a sip, trying to stall hoping the phone will ring or something. I don’t necessarily want to tell them anything until I’ve had the chance to talk to Jessie’s father. But I know I’m going to get a full interrogation if I don’t say something.

But it looks like I don’t have to. My mother’s intuition has kicked in.

“Jessie got in last night didn’t she?” There’s a glow in my mother’s eyes that tells me I can’t fool her.

“Friday night actually.” I say, trying to hide the obvious smile behind a cup of coffee.

“Hmmm,” is the only response I get from my mom before she gives me this look like she knows exactly what is going on. Dad winks at me as he picks up the newspaper off the counter, tucks it under his arm and exits the room. I probably should have followed him.

“I do have some good news, but I’d like to discuss it this afternoon, if you can be patient,” I tease my mother. She raises an eyebrow at me that says I better not push my luck, but there’s another look there, too, that says she knows exactly what is going on.

“Well I’m sure I will like whatever news you have to share,” she tells me, turning the stove off. “You’ve seemed a little less than happy lately, and I’m just glad that whatever has happened has livened you back up.”

She stands on her tiptoes so that her five foot, four inch self can kiss my cheek, then unties her apron and hangs it on the hook beside the back door. I follow her into the living room where my father peers over the glasses perched on the end of his nose to watch my mother walk through the room. Knowing he’s watching her, she gives him an ornery smile and shakes her hips as she rounds the corner toward their room. It used to gross me out when they would do stuff like that, but now I find it endearing. Doesn’t keep me from shaking my head at them though.

Their relationship is legendary, almost thirty-eight years of just about everything a couple can go through, multiple miscarriages, a failing business, moving themselves away from family and friends to serve at a church they knew next to nothing about.  Yet they still look at each other like there is no one else in the world.

I have been in love with Jessie for as long as I can remember, and even after everything we’ve already been through, I still think she’s the only girl in the world for me. I let myself wonder if we will look at each other the way my parents do after thirty-eight years from now, and the idea brings another lovesick smile to my face.

“Good news, huh?” my dad asks, bringing me back down to Earth.

“Yes, sir,” I tell him, taking another sip of coffee.

“She’s a remarkable girl,” he says slyly as he gets up from his easy chair and heads back into the kitchen to put his coffee mug in the sink.

***

The drive to church is agonizingly slow. I swear my father doesn’t know that he will not crash the truck if he drives above 45 down these back roads. When we finally do pull into the church parking lot, Jessie’s father is unlocking the door, and beside him stands the most beautiful creature God has ever created. She sees our truck and her cheeks flush the color of the red pea coat she’s wearing. Her father opens the door for her before we are fully parked, and again my self-control is tested as I fight the urge to jump out of the truck and rush after her.

I help my mother, who is oddly quiet for a Sunday morning, watching me with a careful eye, out of the car. I can’t hide the blinding smile Jessie inspires so I just go with it.

“Good morning Mrs. Cahill, Mr. Cahill.” Jessie addresses my parents politely as we all enter the building. “Stephen.” She nods at me with a grin that nearly breaks my carefully reinforced willpower.

“Jessie, honey, please. I think we both know it’s time you start calling me Janine, don’t you? You look so lovely this morning,” my mother gushes and grabs her into a tight hug. Jessie gives me a surprised look over my mother’s shoulder and my dad and I both chuckle. 

“Thank you. What can I help you with this morning, Janine?” Jessie asks hesitantly as she pulls out of my mother’s embrace. 

Informality time is over and Mom is back to barking out orders. Fortunately for us, she sends both of us to the printer. I wait until we are around the corner and out of earshot before scooping my girl up in my arms. She squeals and I have to cover her mouth with mine, you know to keep us from being heard.

“I thought you wanted to wait to tell them until you talked to my dad?” she asks pulling out of my arms and reaching for my hand.

“Ugh, my mom had it figured out not twenty seconds after I walked through the door,” I tell her exasperatedly. Jess gives me a suspicious look. “I honestly don’t know how she knew it was you, but seriously all I had to say was ‘good morning’ and that I had a good drive. She figured the rest out entirely on her own. Dad too.”

“It’s that ridiculous grin on your face.” She cocks an eyebrow at me, and highly inappropriate thoughts dash through my mind. I quickly remind myself we’re in the house of the Lord and decide I should probably focus on the task at hand.

“By the way,” she starts again, “Dad is already looking forward to a conversation with you this afternoon.” She winks, let’s go of my hand, and picks up her pace toward the printer room.

Chapter Three

~Jessie~

I get stared down by a slack-jawed Daphne as I trot through the lobby in my best gray pencil skirt and black pointed toe stilettos. I really can’t help that I’m feeling on top of the world, and apparently it’s noticeable because she storms into my office once she recovers from her shock and awe.

“Wowza!” Her eyes sweep me over again before a knowing smile splays across her face. “You did it, didn’t you?” she demands.

“Did what?” I ask, pulling my laptop out of my bag.

“You finally let go and gave in.” Okay,  I can’t help but match her smile.

“I did.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And how do you feel? How is life so far with the hottie?”

“You do realize that I didn’t go and elope over the weekend, don’t you?” I ask, concerned that she may have the wrong idea on what I may or may not have done.

“Well that would have really been the best ending to a great vacation. But yes, I do realize that you are too uptight to have done that,” she says very matter-of-factly. I roll my eyes at her.

“So far, things are great. We told our parents yesterday. He even cleared it with my dad.” I smile at the look my father gave me when I left his house yesterday. He seemed really proud of both of us.

“Aww. That’s sweet. So when am I gonna get a sweet baby niece or nephew?” she asks as if we’re discussing our appointments for the day.

“Daphne Thomas! Get out, right now!” I tell her, mostly serious.

“Oh, you’re no fun. I have important business stuff for you though,” she says sitting on my crowded couch. “We’ve had seven cancellations in the last two weeks. We barely have seven cancellations in a year; something is definitely up.”

“Ok, I have a couple of ideas for damage control.” I hand her a printout and pick up the parcel left on my desk while we were out. I know it’s the extra memory cards I ordered just before we left for Mexico, so I set them along with my notebook to hand out during our Monday meeting.  “Wait. Who’s in charge of coffee?” I ask, realizing now that Daphne beat us all here.

“Shelby and Isaiah. I like these,” she says pointing at the paper in her hand, “let’s run with them and make sure that everyone understands we need to try to reschedule or get some sort of reasoning behind any cancellations going forward. We have to get this under control.”

“Agreed,” I say as I hear the back door to the studio open. I grab my notebook, laptop and box of memory cards and head toward the conference room for our coffee and Monday morning meeting.

***

“So as you all know, we have a problem. We HAVE to start figuring out what the deal is with these cancellations and get them under control,” I say after Daphne has hammered out the weekly schedule. “We obviously want to retain as many customers as possible so we are authorizing you all to offer a ten percent discount on any future packages to customers who are not willing to reschedule. We don’t necessarily want to brow beat anyone into keeping a session they don’t want, but please make an effort to save the clientele. You all know that Daphne and I feel that this is your business too. I think it goes without saying that any information you guys can collect on why we are getting so many cancellations needs to be immediately reported to either Daphne or me.”

There are nods all around the table, and I can tell that everyone is taking our predicament as seriously as Daphne and I are.

“Lastly,” Daphne picks up, “we need some ideas to promote business in the meantime. We are still on track to interview interns for the fall semester and interns always bring in more clientele, but we need something now. Any thoughts?”

“I know the marketing department head at UMKC. I can reach out to him and see if they have any insights on what is hot right now and how we can use it,” Jason speaks up.

I sometimes worry if he still feels like he needs to prove himself since he has been hired on permanently. He’s continued to carry the same enthusiasm and drive he had as an intern, and I know I can say for the entire team, he has nothing left to prove. I love his gusto though, and I want him to know that.

“That’s perfect, Jason. Thank you.”

“I heard on the radio this morning that they are doing a bridal show at the Crowne Center next month. I’ll dig up the info and see if we can get in on that. Maybe do a raffle for a free shoot and discounted prints?” Shelby writes herself a note, and I nod my encouragement. I can’t help but feel so blessed to have such a dedicated team.

“This is great guys, thank you.” I check my watch to find we should be opening the doors in just a few minutes.  I slide the box of memory cards toward the middle of the table. “Let’s keep this going as we move on throughout our day. Just make sure to run any ideas you have by Daphne or myself before you move on anything, please. Don’t forget your memory cards and let’s capture some memories today,” I say with a hopeful smile, giving my dismissal.

Everyone picks up their belongings and scatters to start their day. Daphne gives me an optimistic smile as she stands and picks up her notebook.

“Ddon’t you dare think I’m letting this whole Stephen thing go, missy. I want details,” she says as she walks out of the room. I shake my head as I pick up the nearly empty box and make my way back to my office.

Most of the appointments that have been canceled are mine, which makes me feel even worse that this is happening. I now do not have a shoot scheduled until Wednesday, so I get to come back from vacation dealing with some of the other issues I’ve put on the back burner. Like cleaning my office and addressing the broken and misplaced equipment scattered about it. I make a couple quick calls to my normal fix-it guy and am able to get some lighting pieces into him this afternoon. I collect all the damaged equipment and move them to my car.

As I’m walking back into the office, I make a proud mental note that even though my really good mood has been slightly dampened, I haven’t been all over my phone wondering what Stephen has been doing this morning. I stop by Daphne’s desk on my way back in to check in with her and well, you know, see if he might have left a message or something for me, but she’s on the phone with a very upset look on her face.

“Yes, we understand, Mrs. Garcia. Well, I truly do appreciate your insight. I know Jessie and I will personally be checking the validity of this review. We aren’t in the habit of doing such shady business and appreciate your willingness to reschedule with us. I am making a note on your appointment to include a ten percent off discount on your portrait package for your advantageous feedback.” She pauses for a second, relaxing the scowl on her face before speaking again. “Of course, and again, I know I speak for all of us here at All of Creation when I say thank you so very much for your help….Absolutely. We’ll see you Friday. Have a very blessed day.”

She hangs the phone up and the fumes start escaping her ears.

“What did you find out?” I ask, completely forgetting my original reason for stopping by.

“Reviews, all over PicturePerfect.com. And they are not pretty,” she says, banging her mouse on her desk every couple of seconds. I lean over the half wall that separates Daphne’s desk from the lobby and place my hand carefully over hers. I really don’t want to have to stop by Office Depot to replace computer equipment this afternoon too.

“Breathe, love, breathe,” I say, trying to calm her. “We’ll figure this out.”

The doorbell dings and in walks a sight for sore eyes.  Shaina Sinclair waltzes in with the grace of a gazelle and the telltale signs of a growing baby bump. My heart explodes with excitement to see my new friend, quickly followed by guilt. In the aftermath of hurricane Caleb, I failed as a friend to call her and let her know that I really am okay. I rush to over to her and wrap her into a big hug.

“Oh, I’m so happy to see you!” I squeeze her tight, then remember that baby Sinclair likes to make her sick when she’s too constricted. I hold her hands out to her sides and take in her pregnant glow. “You look absolutely amazing.” I smile at her.

“Thank you,” she says confused. “I’m sorry to bother you, but all my calls went straight to -“

“Oh Shaina! I’m so sorry. I was out of the country all last week and had my phone set to send all calls to voicemail. I promise I haven’t been ignoring you. I’ve missed you actually. Come, let’s go to my office.” I grab her hand and lead the way. “I want to hear about everything. How are you? And the baby?”

“I’m good, great actually now that I’m not vomiting every twenty minutes.” She chuckles. “Baby’s great. We’re having a girl,” she says, rubbing her belly as we enter my office. I make some room on the sofa for her and pull my chair in front of my desk so I can visit with her.

“That’s great!! Aww, a baby girl! I’m so excited for you. I must book a maternity session and newborn session…” I find that I truly am excited. I’m reminded of her New Year’s party and her telling me that she was pregnant and flooding feeling of being sorry for myself. The guilt just piles on more now. There’s something comforting, though, about being in a relationship with Stephen that has me at peace with where my life is currently. I still want the same things, I’m just not in as much of a rush to get them anymore.

“Shaina, I can’t say I’m sorry enough. I haven’t been a good friend to you after all you’ve done for me. I hope you can forgive me,” I say timidly.

“Oh honey, of course I can. I just thought you were upset with me. I dropped a serious bombshell on you and you up and left and haven’t said a word to me in over three weeks. I thought you really were angry with me for telling you about Caleb.”

“Shaina, I could never be mad at you. What Caleb did, the choices he made, you have nothing to do with any of that. I know that. I just…well things got crazy for me after the party and I kind of stopped talking to people in general. But.” At the mere thought of him, that ridiculous grin spreads across my face again. “Things are better now. I’m better now.”

“I’ll say,” she says giving me a knowing look. “So what’s his name?” she drawls out.

“Stephen.” I blush, he’s having an embarrassing effect on me.

“Your family friend? The one Caleb was concerned about?”

Caleb was fearful of my relationship of Stephen? I guess in hindsight, he probably should have been. That makes me smirk though.

“Yeah. It’s kind of a long story actually-“

“Jess, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I came here with a purpose this morning. I really want to hear all about Stephen, but I think you need to hear this first.”

“Okay, what’s up?” My mind immediately goes to something being wrong with her or the baby, or even her husband Lucas, and I feel the color drain out of my face.

“Jess, Caleb is spreading rumors and having people post negative comments on your studio.”

I feel the ground crumble beneath me and grip my chair just in case it really does. I knew he was upset about my breaking up with him, but I would never have guessed him to stoop to a high-school drama like low.

“We were at one of his dinner parties two weeks ago and I heard Alexis say that she had posted the review for ‘that studio’ he requested. I asked what she was talking about and she told me he had this horrible experience with this studio he contracted to take head shots for the firm’s new ad. She said that he showed up and the photographer was some drab, unkempt woman who was too focused on her personal drama than to take a decent head shot. I really think I knew who she had been talking about before I even asked her, but I couldn’t believe he would do something like that. So when she said All of Creation Studios, I immediately made an excuse for us to leave. Lucas confirmed with Caleb, and isn’t really on speaking terms with him right now.”

I think my jaw literally hits the floor by the time she finishes her story. Of all the incredibly juvenile, outrageously stupid,....ugh. I’m so mad I don’t know what to say.

“DAPHNE!” I yell, not minding the fact that there is a family in the waiting room. 

She looks like she could breathe fire, too, when she walks in the room.

“You should
see
the audacity of some people-“ she starts but stops as soon as she sees my face.

“You need to hear this,” I tell her as I reach for my desk phone. I dial the number I know by heart and wait for him to pick up.

“This is Stephen.”

“I need you. Now.”