Page 9 of Pumpkins for Parker
“You built something with them. Trusted them. And they stole it from you like it meant nothing? That’s horrible, and they should pay for it,” I say between gritted teeth. Without thinking, I shift closer and put my arms around her. “One day, they’ll realize they burned down something rare. And by then, you’ll be so far ahead of them that they won’t even be a footnote. Fuck, you’re going to nail this assignment for American Lens,you hear me? Let’s not stop. Let’s keep taking pictures all over town. I’ll even let you photograph me if you think it could make a difference.”
She turns her head, and our eyes meet. “Really?”
“I mean it. Whatever you need, I’m in.”
Chapter Five
Vesper
I’m still buzzing from everything that happened at Lookout Rock. The incredible photos I took, Parker opening up about his past and how the Jacksons took him in, and the way he held me when I told him about my ex-fiancé’s betrayal. When he put his arms around me, I felt protected and safe for the first time in… well, forever.
“Thank you,” I say as we make our way back down the trail. “For listening to me and for understanding.”
“Thank you for trusting me enough to share.”
We walk in silence during the hike back to his truck, and I keep stealing glances at him. This mountain of a man has somehow become extremely important to me in less than forty-eight hours. The thought of having to leave him after my week here is over fills me with dread. If only there were a way to spend more time with him. I can’t, though. He’s already helped me so much today. He’s also got a job, so I can’t expect him to drive me around town all week.
But maybe he doesn’t have to. I have the perfect idea for an after-hours photoshoot. Last week, I got an email from Outdoor Living magazine asking for photograph submissions for their upcoming authentic wilderness lifestyle pieces. I thought Iwouldn’t have time to submit something, but the deadline isn’t for a couple of days.
“Parker, what if I told you I had an idea for another photoshoot? One that centers around the whole rugged mountain man lifestyle. You live in a remote cabin, right?”
He frowns. “I do. But… what kind of photoshoot are you thinking?”
“There’s this magazine called Outdoor Living, and they’ve been looking for authentic wilderness lifestyle pieces. Not the fake stuff, but real people living real lives in remote areas surrounded by wilderness. I’m talking stuff like cooking over a fire, chopping wood, drinking self-brewed coffee outside a rustic cabin… You’d be perfect for it.”
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “You want to photograph me?”
“I want to photograph the lifestyle. The way people live up in the mountains, connected to the land. It would be incredible. Do you have a fire pit? Outdoor cooking setup?”
He nods. “I have all of that and more at my cabin.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. His cabin. For this to work, I’d have to be in his private space.
“Would you be willing to let me shoot there?”
He’s quiet for a long moment, and I wonder if I’ve asked for too much, but then he says, “Yeah. I’d be willing.”
“Really?”
“Really. But first, we’ll need supplies if we’re going to do this right. Like fresh ingredients for cooking over a fire.”
He turns the truck toward Main Street. “Let’s stop at Joy’s store. She’ll have everything we need.”
We pull up to the Maple Ridge General Store, and I immediately fall in love with it. The wood siding is perfectly maintained, with cute seasonal fall decorations. A couple ofrocking chairs sit on the front porch, and everything about it screams cozy small-town charm.
“This place is adorable,” I say as we walk up the front steps.
“Joy’s been running it forever. She knows everyone and everything that happens in this town.”
The moment we step inside, I’m hit with the scent of cinnamon and coffee. The wooden floors creak pleasantly under our feet, and handwritten price signs are posted throughout the store. It’s exactly what I’d expect from a small mountain town with its perfect mix of everyday essentials and local handmade goods.
“Parker!” A plump woman with the warmest smile I’ve ever seen bustles over to us. “And you must be the photographer everyone’s been talking about.”
People are talking about me?
“Vesper,” I say, extending my hand.
Instead of shaking it, she pulls me into a hug. “I’m Joy Munson. Welcome to my little corner of the world.”
