Page 6 of My Heart for Yours

Chapter 3

Lisa

This town is a photographer’s dream! I took up the hobby about a year ago and try to capture as much as I can whenever I get the chance. People are my favorite subjects but not everyone likes to have their picture taken. I should know. Instead, I concentrate on the scenery around me, which is why I don’t notice someone moving in front of me and we bump into each other.

“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” I say this at the same time as the words are said back to me and find myself standing in front of a gorgeous woman about my age with long blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a smile so wide I think I might be able to see all her teeth. “I really am sorry; I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” I glance down at my camera to indicate the reason for my distraction. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She follows my glance, and her eyes go wide.

“I’m fine, it was barely a nudge. That is an awesome camera. Are you a professional? You’re here for the festival, right? Are your pictures going to get published?!” Her excitement mounts with each question and I almost burst out laughing, but that would be rude, so I hold back.

“No, no I’m definitely not a professional. This is just a hobby, sorry.” She doesn’t hide her disappointment, but it only lasts a few seconds.

“I’m Tinsley and you should take my picture anyway. You never know, right?” Uh, I have no idea what she thinks might happen but decide to just go with it. I return her smile.

“I’m Lisa. It’s really nice to meet you.” The words feel awkward and stilted, but I decide to make the effort. Maybe Jay isn’t the only one willing to accept a stranger and make a friend.

Somehow, being on my own doesn’t feel as comfortable as it used to and I suspect it has everything to do with this town and its people who have been nothing but welcoming, with one glaring exception of course. But I’m not thinking of him today. As long as I can avoid running into him, I’ll be golden. Not that I haven’t thought about Shane a few times since yesterday at the diner. Okay yes, a few hundred times would be more accurate. I wonder if he lives here in town or has one of the bigger properties on the outskirts I passed on my way in. I wonder what the rest of his family is like and if he has a girlfriend. Ugh, I’m pathetic. The man all but ran me out of town and I’m mooning like a schoolgirl. Mooning? Oh, for crying out loud, pull yourself together, Lisa.

Tinsley stares at me as if she’s waiting for me to say something. The pictures, right.

“I’d love to take your picture. Just say when.” I didn’t think it was possible, but her face positively glows.

“Awesome! What are you doing right now?” She definitely isn’t making it difficult to like her.

“Uh nothing much, just bumping into people on the street.” Wow, I really suck at this, but she doesn’t seem to notice though, and grabs me by the arm.

“I know the perfect spot.”

She talks nonstop while we walk, telling me about her life here, her studies in fashion retail, and her search for the perfect employment which actually sounds more like a modelling contract than selling clothes, but what do I know? Then there’s Aaron, her boyfriend and love of her life. Her words, not mine. He actually grew up here and is just the most amazing guy ever. Again, her words. I asked her where she’s from and was surprised to hear she grew up in Philadelphia. Didn’t get that big city vibe from her at all. She said the same thing about me when I told her I’m from Chicago. I like that. It’s almost as if we have something in common and again I realize how lonely my life has been up to this point. I mean I have Joe who looks out for me, but he’s not someone I would confide in the way you would to a friend. I met him at one of the lowest points in my life, after leaving home when my mom brought home boyfriend-number-who-knows-what and his interest in me drove her to chase me away. I spent a few weeks on the streets before Joe found me, handed me over to CPS, and I ended up in foster care. I hadn’t spoken to my mother since I turned eighteen, and when she died shortly after, it was almost like the passing of a distant aunt rather than a parent. I made some friends in college, but they were not lasting relationships either, so maybe not really friends at all. More like acquaintances I saw regularly and had a superficial connection with brought on by our shared experiences while studying. It all sounds rather depressing now.

We finally reach our destination, a park with a rock garden off to one side, and I get some fabulous shots of Tinsley. She’s really photogenic, a naturally stunning woman and I’m sure that a modelling career is on her horizon. All she needs is a bit of luck. I mean, if I can win the lottery, anything is possible. Once we’re done, we swap contact information so that we can arrange to meet again.

“I’m going to a get-together at a friend’s house tomorrow. You should come. Jay’s cool, he won’t mind at all. And you’ll get to meet Aaron.” She gets all excited again, like it would be the best thing ever for me to meet her friends. I smile at that.

“I’m actually already going. Jay invited me.” She actually squeals!

“You know Jay?!” I think dogs in the next town can hear her right now.

“I met him when I first got here, at his brother’s bar.” I try not to let my distaste of that memory show, but Tinsley doesn’t even notice.

“Ooh, you met Shane. He’s dreamy, right?” Huh, is there another Shane who owns a bar in this town? That seems unlikely.

“Not sure that’s how I would describe him. I mean, sure he’s hot but the attitude kinda spoiled the effect.” She shrugs like she knows exactly what I mean. Then she looks me up and down as if trying to figure something out.

“Yeah, I can see how that might happen. You kind of look like her a little bit.” She says that last part almost to herself and then glances at me to gauge my reaction, as if she betrayed a confidence and needs to do damage control.

“Her?” I ask, not really sure that I want to know but curious, nonetheless.

“It’s not really my story to tell, but there used to be someone in his life, and it ended really badly. I still don’t think he’s gotten over Layla which is just sad because if anyone deserves to be happy it’s Shane. He has the biggest heart of anyone I ever met, with the possible exception of Jay. Let’s just say all the Cahill boys are great guys.” She gives this little sigh and for a moment I wonder if Aaron shouldn’t be a bit more attentive to his girlfriend. Wait, what was that?

“All the Cahill boys?” How many could there be?

“Yeah, there’s five of them. Shane is the oldest, then there’s Travis. He’s a bit too serious for my taste though. Then Jay and Derick and, last but definitely not least, Luke. He’s a Marine, deployed overseas. That man in a uniform is fiiiiiine.” She gives another sigh.

“Wow that must have been an experience growing up in their home.” I can’t even imagine it. Even in the group home I was sent to, there was only three of us and that was plenty. The other two children were quite a bit younger than me and we never bonded. I wonder what Shane’s parents are like and if they are still around. Something tells me their childhood was nothing like mine and I’m glad for them. Children should be cherished, not made to feel like a burden or regret.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow at Jay’s.” Tinsley drags me back to the present where I’m more than happy to stay. There is a strange glint in her eye and the kind of smile that suggests she’s up to something, but I’m probably wrong. My people-reading skills are just as rusty as my friend-making skills.

“Definitely, looking forward to it.”

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