Caught in the Frame (Ponderosa Pines Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) by ReGina Welling (novel24 .TXT) 📕

was late. Even Chloe and EV were late. Lila only planned to get married once in her life; everything had to be perfect. No one understood that but her. Frustration killed concern without mercy as she paced the length of the foyer where everyone should already have assembled.

Why had she let Javier talk her into this place? Sure, getting married in a castle sounded romantic enough, but the weather here this time of year was absolutely dismal. The sun was shining now, and, according to the photographer, this was the magic time of day when the light turned warm and rosy and flattering. Lila knew she looked good for her age, but she wasn’t going to turn down anything that capitalized on her efforts. Who knew when the next bout of good weather might strike?

She was just pulling out her phone to call Chloe when Javier appeared at the top of the staircase, Chloe and EV right behind him. Lila’s hand was still on her phone when it signaled a new text.

Unavoidably delayed. Sending my assistant to do the engagement photos.—Baylee.

“You’re all late.” Lila accused. Before she could wind up a tirade, the elevator dinged and the doors opened. Ross, struggling with camera bags, tripods, a battery pack, and a stand topped by a large light, attempted to exit the elevator car. Chloe rushed down the last two steps and over to help. Her lengthy and eclectic job history included a stint as a photographer’s assistant, so she juggled half the burden like a pro.

“Will Baylee be joining us?” Ross quailed at the sharp tone in Lila’s voice.

“She had to leave for the day, that’s all I know.” He pulled a small, spiral-bound notepad from his shirt pocket, and flipped the pages. “Outdoor shots on the parapet and near the fountain.” He cleared his throat, “Is that okay?”

Lila shot Chloe a look that boded ill for the hapless young man if someone didn’t intervene, and by someone, Lila meant Chloe. Chloe took the hint.

“Come on, let’s get this done before we lose the light. Ross, would you mind if I pitch in? I’ve got some experience.” He could have said no, though it wouldn’t have stopped her. Taking charge, Chloe handed a portion of the equipment off to EV, along with a murmured order to call Nate—something felt off to her about this whole scenario—and herded the group through the cafe and out the lower set of atrium doors, the fastest route to the fountain.

* * *

Two minutes of watching Ross fumble just getting the bags sorted turned Lila’s face an unbecoming shade of mottled red. Chloe gave EV the elbow and whispered, “She’s going to blow if I don’t do something, and if her face gets any redder people will think this wedding took place in Tahiti. Talk her down while I sort this out.”

Laying a hand on Ross’s arm, Chloe pitched her voice low enough that with EV serving as a distraction, Lila couldn’t overhear, and asked, “Have you ever done a shoot on your own before?”

Panic widened his eyes. “Does it show? All I’ve ever done are test shots.”

“Would you mind if I take over?” Ross shook his head, relief pulling the tension from his body and steadying his hands.

“Okay.” Chloe searched through through the equipment, chose a camera and lens. “Get me a gold reflector and start them out on the right side of the fountain. I’ll take it from there.”

“What’s going on?” Nate approached EV. “Something wrong?”

“Baylee bailed on the shoot,” she explained, noting the way his nostrils flared.

“And this required my presence because…?” He’d left Dalton waiting for confirmation to come in on a lead.

“You’re probably here for damage control. Ross the assistant doesn’t have the chops to handle it alone, so Chloe took over and that means her having to tell Lila what to do. I’m apparently not enough of an unknown quantity to ride herd on them, so you’ve been tapped for the job. And Chloe and I agree there’s something off about Baylee’s absence.”

“Javier, tilt your head down just a little more. Mom, angle your chin slightly to the left.” Barking orders and snapping the shutter, Chloe seemed in her element, and Nate was seeing a side of her he’d never observed before. Bossy but competent. He liked it. He liked it a lot. She put them through a series of poses that brought out a soft, vulnerable side of Lila he hadn’t expected.

Ross, to his credit, was actually a very good assistant. He remained at Chloe’s side, attentive to her every need, while EV stood behind the laptop to watch as the wireless transfer attachment on the camera delivered the images to a growing slideshow. Glancing at the scrolling pictures, then back at Javier and Lila, Nate noted the difference between the strain on their faces and the soft, romantic images Chloe was able to capture. He also noted the tension that ran between her shoulders, and knew that if he went to her, the muscles would be bunched and knotted.

Through the atrium glass, a sea of interested faces watched the process from cafe tables. It felt like being on the wrong side of a fish bowl.

All business, Chloe gave Lila and Javier a short break from posing while she quickly scanned through the slideshow, deeming the images good enough to continue on to the parapet while the light held.

“Pack it up, Ross,” she kept her tone even and professional, but Nate knew her well enough to know that this experience went deeper with her. While she would never have offered to perform this task, she relished the chance to create something timeless with her mother. Even if no one else saw it, he observed the tear of happiness that gathered in the corner of her eye when she saw the couple immortalized.

“Don’t we still need the poses Hannah requested? I have the list she gave me.” Ross asked, pulling a sheet of paper from his pocket.

Chloe stopped