Page 18 of Evergreen Desires
Who wouldn't want to see a hunk of a man with a lumberjack build with brown, well-kept hair and deep green eyes? Beau possessed a perfectly sculpted body. His biceps, built from farm work and swinging axes, were an impressive sight. And if he wrapped his arms around you, the rest of the world seemed to melt away. His hips were just the right width, allowing for a tight embrace. And then there was his ass, practically begging to be grabbed in handfuls. But I quickly reprimanded myself, reminding that this was a family Christmas tree website, not a porn site. My mind had taken an inappropriate turn.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I thought about maybe incorporating some wildlife photography. We could showcase the farm's concern for the environment. Native birds, squirrels, and deer could make for captivating subjects. I remembered taking a picture of a deer yesterday and rushed to my bedroom to fetch my camera. Thankfully, when Beau had picked up the laptop, he’d also grabbed a universal card reader and a spare SD card—thought of everything, apparently. I connected the reader to the USB port and slid in my card, heartbeat picking up as the files began to transfer.
I’d taken around fifty photos yesterday at the barn with Will Some were taken in rapid succession, capturing fleeting moments. Among them was a beautiful shot of adeer peacefully grazing at the tree line. I moved that photo into a separate folder, intending to play with its colors and lighting using the editing software. I continued sifting through the rest, searching for any other compelling images. Most of them were shots of the treetops against the sky, serving as a backdrop. However, one photo caught my attention.
In this particular shot, the front tree was in focus while the trees behind it appeared slightly blurred. But what intrigued me about the image was a shadow hidden in the trees. I began experimenting with different settings and techniques to enhance the details. The shadow seemed unusual, almost as if someone was peeking out from behind a tree.
Curiosity piqued, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Perhaps I could uncover something unexpected in this seemingly innocent photograph.
CHAPTER 16
BEAU
“Can you zoom in on that picture?" I asked excitedly. Jake had been brimming with excitement when I walked in the door for lunch. His smile and enthusiasm were infectious, filling my chest with warmth. I could have sat there next to him all afternoon, shoulder to shoulder, even if the photos turned out to be the worst ever taken. Just being near him, feeling the slight touch, was enough.
"Sure," Jake responded, pulling up a photo of a tree with the others behind it blurred in the background. "I really like this one. It captures the perfect tree in the front, the sapphire blue sky above, and the rest of the trees are beautifully blurred into the background. Once I get the hang of the new laptop, a few touch-ups and maybe a filter will make this image pop."
I agreed with Jake wholeheartedly. It was indeed a great picture that showcased the natural beauty of the tree. However, there was something in the blurred background that caught my attention—an odd shadow. It blended with the other shadows, yet it seemed out of place. I couldn't helpbut stare at it. Could it have been the silhouette of a human figure?
"You're right, it's a fantastic picture. When did you take it?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yesterday, early afternoon. While Will was working on my car. It's the line of trees just past the clearing."
"Can you zoom in on that part of the picture?" I pointed at the screen, indicating the area where the unusual shadow appeared. My mind raced back to yesterday when I was in the woods, following tracks. However, I had been closer to the greenhouse at that time.
"Sure," Jake zoomed in on the computer screen. "I noticed that odd lighting there, but I figured I could touch it up."
I silently stared at that blemish in the photo, feeling Jake's gaze on me. "Does it look like a person peeking out from behind a tree?" I finally asked, unable to contain my growing concern.
Jake snapped his head back towards the computer screen, adjusting his glasses. "I can see that, maybe. I assumed it was just a shadow from one of the trees."
My eyes remained glued to the screen. Perhaps it was just my imagination. But considering I had been tracking footprints yesterday, an unsettling feeling washed over me. I didn't want to dampen Jake's excitement or his good mood. "You're right. Maybe it could be a bear. They're common in these parts. Although we haven't had any on the property foryears," I replied, although I didn't think it actually resembled a bear.
"Oh, yeah. Will mentioned that I might encounter some interesting things in the woods here."
"He did, did he?" I couldn't help but smile. Will always had a knack for teasing. I should have expected him to drop hints about the mysteries of the woods. "Well, it's not Seattle. We do have a lot of wildlife here. While predators are rare on the farm, it's not unheard of. Just be careful if you're out and about, especially since you're not familiar with the lay of the land." I got up and walked around the dining room table, picking up a bag from Best Buy I had brought in last night. From it, I pulled out three trail cameras. "I got these to set up because I think I saw some wolf tracks out there yesterday. But wolves haven't been in this area since the 1920s."
Jake’s eyes lit up as he spoke. “How cool would it be to capture a picture of a wolf and include it on the website? Especially if it was the first confirmed one in the area in so long. I’m thinking of creating a whole section dedicated to local wildlife conservation. We could set up a presence on social media and share our sightings and any new wildlife we spot.”
His excitement was contagious—but all I could think about was that someone might be watching us.
I wanted to match his energy, to feed off that spark he had—but instead, my gut twisted. That prickling sense of being watched hadn’t gone away, and the idea of Jakewandering around with a camera while something—orsomeone—lurked nearby had every instinct in me on edge.
“You’re doing great,” I said, forcing a smile. “And I’m looking forward to sitting next to you tonight.”
I picked up the trail cameras, my jaw tightening. “I’m gonna get these set up now. Hopefully we’ll catch something on them. Before... whatever it is moves on.”
I didn’t say the wordif. Didn’t want to scare him. But the truth was, I wasn’t convinced whatever was out there had plans to leave anytime soon.
"Okay. I might go out and take some more photos before dinner. Don't worry, I'll stay close," Jake reassured me when he noticed the concerned look on my face.
He picked up his camera and walked around the dining room table, where I was unboxing the trail cameras and loading batteries into them. He got close, leaning in with a hand on my shoulder, and kissed me on the cheek.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Whoa! I dropped a battery onto the table, the clattering sound interrupting the moment.Jake had kissed me,not prompted or expected. It was his own choice. I looked at him, a smile automatically spreading across my face.
"No, thankyou."
