Page 59 of The Seven Rings
Hands in prayer, Cleo breathed in, lifted her arms, touched palms again as she arched back, held, then flowed down, palms on the mat, nose on shins. By the time she lifted to Ardha Uttanasana, she’d blocked out the camera completely.
“This is good,” Sonya murmured. “It’s so good. The light’s perfect.”
When Cleo ended in prayer, Corrine straightened from her crouch.
“Beautiful. I’d like another.”
“I have to do three anyway. It’s the right number.”
When she completed the third, Corrine checked her camera screen, scrolling through shots.
“We’ve got it. You’re a pleasure to shoot, Cleo.”
“I’m going to start doing yoga out here, not at this hour, but this new mat handles the grass well.”
“I gotta go,” Owen called out. “Busy day, then poker night.”
“Tomorrow,” Corrine reminded him. “Ten o’clock. The two of you onThe Horizon.”
“I got it.”
“And you.” She pointed at her son. “In wardrobe in three hours for the on land. Tomorrow, two o’clock, wet suit. Waterskiing.”
“I know, I know.”
Sonya placated him with a pat on the arm. “How about some coffee, Corrine? And Cleo tried her hand at coffee cake.”
“I would love that. I’ve got time, since Cleo’s so easy to shoot.”
“I’ve got to go, too.” Trey leaned down, kissed Sonya. “I’ll be back tomorrow after my mother tortures me. I’ll bring dinner. I can buy it with my poker winnings from tonight.”
“Expect a small order of fries,” Owen told her. “Maybe a peanut.”
“If I lose that bad, you’re buying dinner.” He kissed Sonya again, then Corrine. “Let’s go, Mook.”
“I’m going to do a little more, since I’m up and out here.” Cleo stepped back into Mountain Pose, prayer position.
Since Yoda and Pye opted to stay out, Sonya led Corrine inside.
“I’ve said it before, but I really love the touches you’ve added to the kitchen.”
“Credit Cleo the most. She really uses the space, which is why we have coffee cake she made last night.”
Corrine set her camera on the table. “Would you mind if I walked down and looked at the portraits? The brides.”
“Of course not.”
“I’ll just be a minute.”
While Corrine walked down to the music room, Sonya made coffee, sliced cake.
Corrine came back, patted a hand on her heart. “Trey said you’d found more. It’s eerie, and it’s fascinating. I don’t know the history by memory. Who’s left?”
“Catherine. And Astrid. We think there’ll be one of her, too. Like a set, a series.”
“You’re a brave woman, Sonya.”
“I don’t know if it’s bravery.” She gestured for Corrine to sit, joined her. “I do know I need to be here, and I need to do this.”
