Retreat to Love Read Free

back his long dusty locks to get a clear view. “I thought guests weren’t allowed.”
    “Don’t worry, I’m leaving soon. Right after we help Wren do the washing up.”
    “Suit yourself,” he shrugged. “I just woulda brought my girlfriends along if I knew.”
    “More than one?” Lizzy asked.
    I suppose he thought his smirk was a sly grin. “They like to travel in pairs, what can I say?”
    His food partner sized him up. It didn’t look like she would take his measure if offered. “Just let me know if they’re going to show up. You cook for a week for each one I convert.”
    “Yeah, well, whatever.” Brandon stood up and stacked his dishes with the others. “See you all later.”
    “Good night, partner!” Lizzy drawled after him as he shut the porch door behind him. “You think I made him uncomfortable?” she asked us.
    “God, I hope so,” said Caleb. “He was on the bus from Austin with us, and he thinks that he’s the hottest new photog in the world. If you call running every shot through a diffuser either ‘new’ or ‘hot’, I’m in serious trouble.”
    “You’re a photographer, too?” I asked. Having missed Margie’s introductions, as well as the informative shuttle from Austin’s airport, I was out of the FireWind loop.
    Turned out that Brandon and Caleb were the only photographers. I, to exactly no one’s surprise, was the only fiber artist. Lizzy, Wren, and the other woman there, Angelica Starlight, were all sculptors, but Wren concentrated on small-scale ceramics while Lizzy and Angelica worked on larger pieces. The skinny guy, Theo, as well as the amazing disappearing Rafael were painters. So was Margie, to judge from the small watercolors of hummingbirds in flight strewn about the dining room and hallway, but the general consensus was she might be better off trying her hand at cross-stitch or stained glass or something else with which she could use a pattern. Caleb suggested quilting for her, but at least had the decency to redden at my look.
     
    After the meal was cleared and the dishes dried, Zach and I walked first Wren then Caleb back to their cabins, all of which had the requisite earthy names. Wren was at RiverStone and Caleb at LakeFire, but mine stole the prize for most uncertifiably organic: ValeSong. It wasn’t even in a valley, more of a dip in the road.
    The guys planned to have some sort of ‘Zeke and Ned’ reunion, so Caleb invited us in while he fetched a notebook for Zach’s email address. We’d all be banned from bringing our cell phones, and apparently I wasn’t the only one who’d followed the rule. LakeFire shared darkroom facilities with Brandon in the adjoining cabin, but otherwise Caleb’s layout was almost a mirror of mine. I forced myself to admit to a stab of jealousy. He’d only been there a few more hours than I, but already his working space looked not only organized but like he’d actually used it. Three cameras were out of bags, a portable light table was on a desk back by his bedroom, and a multi-pocketed safari vest and light gauge hung over a chair near the door.
    Back at ValeSong we surveyed the carload of unpacking ahead of me. “You need any help with all this?” Zach asked.
    “No, thanks. You’d best to get back home. Some of us have to work in the morning and need their rest.” Zach programmed for a firm in the Silicone Hills of Austin, and not only did he pull some tidy cash, he also got to set his own hours and work near-exclusively from home. “Hey, listen, I appreciate your coming to get me and bringing me up here and all. And, you know, sorry I was a little brusque in the car.”
    “A little brusque? I was ready to call the exorcist by Bastrop. But what are brothers for? I’m glad you’re doing this thing. I hope it helps.”
    I hugged him and walked him to the door. “It should. I feel good here already, and that’s always a plus. Will you give Gran a call in the morning, let her know I’m settled in okay? I’ll