Back in Fortune's Bed

Over the past two weeks Diana had done upset, disappointed, annoyed, indignant and a dozen other emotions too confusing and complex and maddening to label. Right now, walking through the breezeway in Skylar Fortune's barn, she would have chosen any one of them over her current state of jittery, heart-jumping nerves. Fitting, she supposed, since Sky's stables were filled with similarly high-strung thoroughbreds. Not that she could blame her current state on either the location or her semi-fear of horses. Nor could she blame the purpose of her early morning visit to the Fortune estate, which was to shoot her first professional we-payyou photos. Ever. That caused her nerves to hum with barely suppressed excitement not to wail with trepidation. The wailing and the jittering were all down to one thing. Here, in the stables that were his domain, she risked running into Max Fortune again. She hated that his snub at Case's party had tied her in knots for the two weeks since. Had he not recognized her? Did he not remember her? Or had he left so abruptly after their short exchange because he didn't want to acknowledge their history? Eventually she'd admonished herself for wasting too much emotional energy on an old love affair. After three years of widowhood she'd finally found her feet. Since moving to Sioux Falls she'd lucked upon an occupation she loved and had recently taken up a position at her mentor's studio/gallery. The last thing she needed was a force of nature like Max Fortune messing with her newly discovered contentment. For the duration of the twenty-mile drive from Sioux Falls to the Fortune estate, she'd reprised that lecture. Today was crucial to her aspirations. She needed to remain focused and professional. But all the self-talk in the world didn't stop her heart from leaping into her throat when she heard the crunch of hooves on aged brick cobblestones. Pivoting on her heels, she looked back over her shoulder at the approaching horse being led bySkylar. Thank you, God. She released a long breath and smiled as the youngest of Nash Fortune's five children came to an abrupt halt, her brows knit in a frown. "Diana.You're here. Already." "I know I'm a little early." On her first job she'd thought that infinitely better than tardiness. "I can wait until you're ready. There's no rush.""No, it's okay. I'm pretty sure Max has your model all gussied up and ready for the camera." The impatient horse at Sky's side stamped its feet in unison with the lurch of Diana's heart. She took a half-step back from its large feet, just to be on the safe side. "Max?" "Max Fortune. Our Aussie cousin. Didn't you meet him at Case's party?" Without waiting for an answer, Sky hurried on. "Not to worry, you'll meet him now. Max and his friend Zack Manning are starting up a stud farm back home and they're over here inspecting the setups and buying stock. Your subject is one of Max's first acquisitions and she's a real beauty. He bought her in Kentucky last week." "Do you mean that this job is shootingMax Fortune'shorse?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Diana wished them back. Not the question itself--that was perfectly valid since Sky had made the booking without one mention of a third party--but her horror-struck tone. Sky's frown deepened. "I didn't realize that would be a problem." "Oh, no, it's not a problem," Diana lied. "Really? Because you said poor Max's name as if you'd just as soon shoot him. And I don't mean with your camera!" Oh, joy. That's exactly what she'd feared. The perfect nonprofessional start when Sky had paid her a huge compliment by booking her instead of an equine specialist. "Would you prefer if I got someone else?" "Oh, no, that's not necessary," Diana said quickly. She'd come here as a photographer, not as a womanbruised by a past breakup or a recent snub.Jameson, Bronwyn is the author of 'Back in Fortune's Bed ', published 2007 under ISBN 9780373767779 and ISBN 0373767773.