Page 68 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Giving herself up to the moment, she allowed Olivia to pick out an appropriate outfit.

Half an hour later, Olivia called Jake back into the living room.

He sat in one of the chairs so he could admire the women.

Olivia’s tank dress nipped in at her waist and ended above her knees.

Marnie's outfit was an understated white blouse and conservative pencil skirt. The matching jacket was folded over the side of the couch because the weather made it simply too hot to wear it.

Both women wore their boots, and each had done the other’s makeup.

The look of appreciation in Jake’s eyes made the extra effort worthwhile.

First, he examined Olivia's outfit. “I like it. The dress is a little short for my taste, but I’m aware this is the style.” His manner was mostly teasing.

Marnie appreciated his paternal instincts toward his niece. The look she received, however, was more…intense. She didn't miss the heat in his eyes, and she fought the urge to squirm under the scrutiny. The blouse covered her cleavage and the skirt fell past her knees but still…

Jake broke the moment of tension. “May I take a photo of the two of you?”

What?

People didn’t take pictures of her. Loriana’d taken one to put up in the library, but that’d been four years ago. Yet, in this moment, she wanted a tangible reminder of her time with Olivia and Jake. “That’d be great. We beautiful women need to be photographed.” She tried to hide the quiver in her voice.Just a photograph.Just a snapshot for Jake and Olivia’s private use. Nothing nefarious or devious.

“I'll be a moment.”

Marnie waited for his return with butterflies in her belly. She tried to focus on Olivia as the young woman paced back and forth. “Is this okay with you?”

“Yeah. It's weird, you know?” Olivia paused her pacing. “There are no photos of me. I mean, my mother wasn’t the sentimental type. They used the most-recent school photo when I disappeared because they only had the one.”

Marnie empathized as her situation had been similar. She had only class photos, and a few candid shots of her with friends. She posed with her father for the official annual Christmas card, but that was about it. There’d been no family photos in her home. Her home had been as devoid of sentimentality as Olivia's had been.

Jake's return brought her focus back to the present.

Olivia quickly placed her arm over Marnie’s shoulder, highlighting their height difference.

He snapped a couple of pictures, then rotated the camera ninety degrees and took a few more. “Well—”

“No, take a few more,” Olivia begged. She turned to Marnie. “You need to loosen up.”

“And how do you propose I do that?” Marnie was deadpan.

As Olivia rolled her eyes, hands on hips, Jake snapped another shot.

Inspired, Marnie extended her hands, silently asking for the camera. “Let me take a shot of the two of you.” At his look of skepticism, she spoke softly. “Niece and uncle.”

He relented and handed her the camera, moving to stand next to Olivia. Suddenly Marnie's inspiration became panic. She held one of those fancy SLR digital cameras, with at least twelve different buttons.

Evidently sensing her trepidation, he took a step forward.

Don’t come near me. Don’t get close…

Her posture must have telegraphed her panic at his approach, and he stepped back to his place next to Olivia. “It's on a point-and-shoot setting. Look into the viewfinder, and there's a button by your right—” His instructions were cut off by the flash.

She gazed at the LCD screen and grinned. “I did it.” Awe and eagerness overtook her. “Okay, stand still. Let me do this again.” She snapped off another dozen shots, amazed at the smoothness of the equipment. The camera was heavy, but it felt comfortable in her hands. Huh. She'd never taken a picture before.

The two goofed around as Marnie held out the camera.

Olivia grabbed it, then nudged Marnie toward Jake. “Let me get one of the two of you.” She looked at the camera, and her face mirrored Marnie's previous confusion. “Uncle Jake?”

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