Love in Pictures

  Love in Pictures

  By Alexis A. Goring

  Copyright © 2018 Alexis A. Goring

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is coincidental.

  No part of this book may be copied or distributed without the author’s consent.

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-946939-87-6

  ISBN-10: 1-946939-87-0

  Endorsements

  “Love in Pictures is a good beach read to put on your summer list. Alexis A. Goring tackles an issue of our times with grace and faith through the characters, using humor and deep emotions to draw in her readers.” –Allison M. Wilson, inspirational writer/editor

  “Love in Pictures is a beautiful journey of faith, hope, and what it means to take a chance on true love. From quaint cafés in charming, coastal Annapolis to the Mediterranean seashore in Italy, this inspiring tale lifts the heart and soul. I couldn’t put it down once I started!” – Jessica Brodie, award-winning Christian journalist, author, and blogger

  "With a deft hand, Alexis A. Goring conveys the power and beauty of love in her charming story, Love in Pictures. Readers of varied backgrounds and cultures will readily connect with her engaging characters and their search for healing, forgiveness, and acceptance. Goring has written more than a “Will they or won’t they?” romance. Her modern love story will touch the hearts of women looking for something more than a happy ending. And they'll find it within the pages of Love in Pictures!" – Robin W. Pearson, Contemporary Women's Fiction Author

  “Love in Pictures is a story for hungry hearts, open hearts, and hearts in need of hope. Alexis has managed to navigate one of our country’s most divisive issues in a compassionate and respectful manner, which hopefully will spark future conversations on how we can be the change we seek. So much more than a contemporary romance story, Love in Pictures will take readers on a journey to challenge their own long-held perceptions about worthiness and how love can be found and thrive in unexpected places.” – Quantrilla Ard, writer at The PhD Mamma

  "Alexis A. Goring has a way of telling the sweetest of stories. Love in Pictures is no exception." – Cindy Flores Martinez, USA Today bestselling author of sweet and Christian romance

  “Love in Pictures is a heartfelt and tender book with a happy ending that will take you on the roller coaster ride of love surviving crisis and having the strength to survive. You will feel enchanted as you read this wonderfully written book.” – Naeem A. Newman, MD

  This book is dedicated to:

  True Love. May it always win!

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I want to thank God. He’s my Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and best friend. I am grateful for this writing gift He’s given me, and I hope that my words will help win souls to His Son, Jesus Christ.

  Quantrilla Ard who brainstormed with me, gave great feedback for the chapters in my story, and helped prevent writer’s block from suffocating my creativity. You’ve been my unofficial writing coach!

  Vanessa Riley, my author friend, who encouraged me in my writing journey and reminded me that the best cure for sleepless nights is to write!

  Abby Breuklander: Thank you for helping me get unstuck in a few places as I wrote this story. I appreciate your listening to me talk it out when I could not figure out a scene or two then helping me work through it.

  Pepper Basham, speech-language pathologist, M.S. CCC-SLP. Thank you for sharing insights from your work as an SLP to help inspire me as I wrote Mrs. Emerson’s character.

  Cris Carey, speech language pathologist, who checked my story’s scenes that contained therapy sessions for accuracy and believability. Thank you!

  Dr. Naeem Newman and Dr. Ronda Wells: Thank you for lending your professional expertise to ensure that the hospital scene was true to real life.

  Doris E. McMillon, thank you for lending your media industry expertise to help me make Logan’s journey to his professional career dreams believable.

  Cynthia Hickey, my publisher: Thank you for believing in me and publishing my stories!

  Thank you to those who wrote endorsements for my book! I value your thoughts about my characters and storytelling.

  Thank you to my church family and pastors. You all are such a kind, genuine, and wonderful support. God bless you!

  Thank you to all of my family members, especially my mom and dad who believe in my creative dreams and are willing to help me in my journey.

  Chapter 1

  Michelle Hadley stared at the Lightroom editing screen on her computer and studied the newlywed couple she’d captured in the photo.

  The bride held a beautiful bouquet of soft blue and pastel pink hydrangeas near her waist, while the handsome groom with skin the color of coffee stood close behind her, holding her in a loving embrace, kissing her forehead.

  Michelle sipped her favorite green tea as she sat and worked at Marie's Mocha Café and sighed. The forehead kiss. So romantic. Meant he loved her brains, not just her beauty.

  The bride’s olive skin glowed, and her dark brown tresses cascaded down her shoulders and rested at her waist. She peered at the flowers she held in her manicured hands, her golden-brown eyes sparkling, a sweet smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Everything about this picture showed that this couple was in love and happy to say I do, not only on their wedding day, but every day they spent together thereafter.

  Ah, love. Something she might never experience.

  She bit her bottom lip. Would she ever meet a great guy and be blessed with a real-life happily ever after?

  She reached for her cup and took a sip to the calming accompaniment of the smoothie machine.

  She tapped her fingers on her computer keyboard and opened Facebook Messenger. Writing messages to her best friend, Juliana Fernandes, who worked as a writer for Bridal Mode Magazine, also soothed her nerves.

  Michelle: Hey, girl. What’s up?

  Juliana: Michelle, mi amiga, it’s been such a long day! Want to meet me for lunch? I could use a little girl talk.

  Michelle: Sorry. I’m editing photos, and I’m on deadline.

  Juliana: Oh yes, my lovely friend the wedding photographer who’s all work and no play.

  Michelle: What do you mean?

  Juliana: You never make time for fun.

  Michelle: Yeah, I do. I meet up with you, and we go shopping and for coffee.

  Juliana: Yes, and I love our time together, but girl, you need to meet a man and go out on a date, several dates, with several eligible bachelors. I could find one for you. I meet plenty in my line of work.

  Michelle: Aren’t most of those men you interview getting married?

  Juliana: Oh yeah, that’s right.  But they have brothers, cousins and friends! Amiga, I could totally hook you up!

  Michelle: Lol. Thanks, but no thanks. God is my matchmaker.

  Juliana: Yeah? Well, sometimes God uses good friends like me to pull the strings.

  Michelle: Sorry to cut this short, but I need to get back to work.

  Juliana: And then you do that.

  Michelle: Do what?

  Juliana: When I get too close to the truth, you end the conversation.

  Michelle: Jules, you’re taking this way too personal.

  Juliana: You know I’m right. But it’s okay, I forgive you! Now go ahead and get back to work. Meanwhile, I’m going to pray that God shows me how to help you meet a great guy, and then I can be your maid of honor in your wedding. Oh my gosh, girl, who do you trust enough to be your wedding photographer? You’re such a good photographer. But you cannot photograph your own wedding.

>   Michelle chuckled as she typed a reply.

  Michelle: Lol. Let’s talk about this when I actually get engaged to Mr. Right.

  Juliana: Lol. Okay, amiga. Ciao!

  Michelle: Ciao, girl!

  Michelle smiled as she shut down her Messenger app. Not chatting with friends would make it easier for her to focus on her work. As she edited the photos of her latest wedding, the point Juliana made came to mind. If she was always busy working, she would not have time to meet Mr. Right.

  She shook her head. Why couldn’t Mr. Right find her? Is there a man for me, God? Did she want one? She loved the freedom of her single life.

  She reached for her tea. The cup slipped through her grasp and splattered across the floor near the entrance to the ordering line.

  A man came into her view. Before she could open her mouth to issue a warning, he hit the liquid, slipped, and fell.

  Michelle jolted to her feet and bent to assist him. She reached for his arm to help him up. “I am so sorry! I don’t know how that happened.”

  The man grasped her by the hand and pulled himself to a standing position with the agility of an athlete. He met her eyes and flashed an award-winning smile. His ocean-blue eyes took her breath away. At his smile, her heart skipped several beats.

  He finger-combed his dark-brown hair and laughed. “I didn’t plan to take a spill today, but that’s okay.”

  Warmth rose to Michelle’s cheeks. If her hazelnut skin were a few shades lighter, she’d be red.

  “Besides, if I didn’t take that spill, I wouldn’t have met you.” He winked, and her heart pounded.

  She had to get herself together. He was gorgeous, and he winked, but that didn’t mean anything special. Plenty of men flirted with women. Completely normal.

  But it wasn’t something that happened to her.

  She hadn’t felt giddy like this in years. She forced a smile and laughed nervously. “Oh yes, well…”

  The handsome gentleman reached out to shake her hand. “Logan Emerson. I come here for lunch often, but I’ve never seen you here before. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “I’m Michelle. I edit photos here a lot.” She managed to speak in a steady voice.

  Logan glanced at her laptop. “At least your computer didn’t take a fall.”

  Michelle gave a genuine laugh. “Tell me about it.”

  Logan glanced at the line, which was getting shorter by the minute, and then at his watch, before turning his attention back to her. “Hey, I’ve got to eat and run, but I’d love to have lunch with you here one day. My treat. What do you say?”

  “I…uh.” She had to get it together. “I’m too busy!”

  The light in Logan’s eyes dimmed at her blurted confession. He smiled and reached out, touching her arm, an innocent caress. “Well, I’d love to meet you here one day for lunch when you’re less busy.”

  All Michelle could do was nod.

  “I’ve got to go. God bless you.”

  Was he a Christian, or did he just say God bless you to everyone? As Logan got into line, Michelle returned to her seat. She stopped herself from banging her head on the table. She let a perfect specimen of a man walk away without taking him up on his offer of a lunch date. What was wrong with her? He was interested in her, but she told him she was too busy. Too busy! Juliana was right. She was all work and no fun.

  Suddenly, the hum of the smoothie machine sent shivers up her arms. She packed her things, grabbed her purse, and made a quick exit.

  ~*~

  Logan jogged at a steady pace. His sneaker-clad feet pounded the concrete pavement of the trail through Pond Park within a few miles of Marie’s Mocha Café in the Bowie shopping center. It was the place where he met the intriguing, too-busy-for-lunch woman with the gorgeous honey-brown eyes and sweet personality. Now he could not get her off his mind.

  Footfalls that were far behind Logan became louder and sounded closer. Logan turned to his left just as his best friend Cameron caught up.

  “Man. Your speed improves every morning. Are you on steroids?”

  Logan chuckled. “No. I just eat healthy and keep up the exercise.”

  Cameron stopped to catch his breath. He rested his hands on his knees and panted. Meanwhile, Logan ran circles around him. “Come on, Cam. You can do it. We’ve got two more miles to run before quitting time.”

  Cameron cast a look at Logan before shaking his head and returning to running. This time, Cameron kept Logan’s pace. “So what’s going on, man?”

  Logan looked at Cameron. “Why do you ask?”

  “You seem preoccupied. Like you’re thinking too hard.”

  Logan paused. Should he talk about the girl at the café? “I met a girl.”

  Cameron shot a quick glance at him and raised his eyebrows. “Really? Where?”

  “At Marie’s Mocha.”

  “Cool. When?”

  “This morning, before our jog.”

  “You mean before our run. Seriously, Logan. Can we slow down the pace?”

  Logan slowed down by a few paces, and Cameron breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Tell me about her.”

  “She’s beautiful. Sweet…and very busy.”

  Cameron narrowed his eyes.

  “She said she was too busy for me to treat her to lunch.”

  Cameron laughed.

  Logan furrowed his brow. “What’s so funny?”

  Cameron reached out and slapped Logan’s upper back. “This is progress. You haven’t even looked at another woman since London broke your heart and chose her career over marrying you. This is good. Now it’s time to throw her picture away that you keep in your office.”

  Logan paused. “Yeah. You’re right.”

  Cameron ran in front of Logan and faced him while jogging backwards. “I’m so proud of you, man. What’s her name?”

  A woman approached Cameron from behind. “Cameron, watch out!”

  But it was too late. He crashed into the woman, and they both fell to the ground. Logan rushed to the woman’s side and reached down to pick her up. “Hey. I apologize for my friend. He wasn’t watching where he was going.”

  As he helped the woman to her feet, he took a closer look at her. “Michelle?”

  Recognition dawned in her eyes. “Logan?”

  Cameron, who was standing now, interrupted. “Wait, you two know each other?”

  Logan and Michelle didn’t look at Cameron but answered in unison. “Yes.”

  Cameron paused. “How?”

  Logan turned to Cameron. “Cameron this is Michelle, the woman that I ran into at the café earlier today. Michelle, this is Cameron. He’s my best friend and jogging buddy.”

  Michelle smiled. She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Cameron.”

  Cameron shook Michelle’s hand. “Same.”

  Michelle withdrew her hand and looked at Logan. “It’s nice seeing you again, but I need to go. I was just on my way to meet a client.”

  Logan nodded. “Understood.”

  Michelle cast a timid smile before continuing on.

  Cameron leaned in and spoke to Logan in a low voice. “Now there’s a woman who will make you forget about London. Don’t let her slip through your fingers.”

  Logan slapped Cameron on his shoulders. “Thanks for the advice, man. Let’s finish our run.” He took off ahead of Cameron, his footfalls a few paces behind. But Logan wasn’t slowing down. Running was his release. The faster he ran, the clearer his mind became and the more he could focus and think through things. Right now, he had to think about ways to get Michelle to agree to a lunch date.

  Yes, she was busy, but Logan was determined. He was ready to leave London in the past and move forward with his life. He was ready to get back into the dating game. Only he didn’t want to play the field. He was interested in one woman.

  Michelle.

  Chapter 2

  Michelle sat in her favorite half booth at her favorite café within earshot of the smoothie machine. People’s chatter tende
d to drown out the machine’s noise everywhere else except this cozy area. Today she was writing a blog post for her business website.

  The sound of waves crashing against the seashore distracted her from her writing.

  Ugh. She picked up her cell phone. She puffed out a breath as she read the text. It was her wanna-be-matchmaker best friend.

  Juliana: If you run into that gorgeous man today, you better say yes to that lunch date.

  Michelle: Girl, let me work.

  Juliana: How about, ‘Girl, what color do you want your bridesmaid dress to be?’

  Michelle chuckled. Juliana could not be serious. Maybe working at a wedding magazine every weekday had marriage and romance on Juliana’s mind, but Michelle was more practical. She never dreamed of her wedding day as a little girl, and as an adult who had a lot of disappointments in dating, she’d probably never find her happily ever after. But being a wedding photographer and working with such lovely couples kept the hope in her heart alive that maybe one day it would be her in the designer wedding dress, walking down the aisle to a future of bliss with the one man she could not live without.

  Juliana: Hello? Earth to Michelle.

  Michelle blinked. The sound of the text message alert broke her out of her daydream. Her eyes focused on her half-finished blog post. She turned back to her cell phone.

  Michelle: Sorry, girl. Got to go.

  Juliana: Sigh. I will pray that you get a life.

  Michelle: Go back to work, girl. Talk to you later!

  She powered off her cell phone to avoid future interruptions. Just as she returned to typing, something else distracted her. Only this time, the interruption was about 5’8”, donned in athletic clothes, and towered over her. Michelle looked up into Logan’s sea-blue eyes. Juliana’s text message returned to Michelle’s mind, and heat rose from her neck to her cheeks. The man smiled, arresting Michelle’s attention with his pearly whites. He should be a TV journalist. Ladies everywhere would watch the news every day just to see him.