Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“Daddy, they took your picture, too!” Em said, running the few steps to him when Gage opened the door and propelled him through first.
“That was crazy, wasn’t it?” Trent said, placing his hand on the back of her head. He looked up at the completed gallery, unprepared for the elegance. One of Gage’s photos, the shot he loved the most hung right up front. It was the only one unveiled in the studio. Gage had snapped the photo of children playing in a natural spring while covering the tsunami in Sri Lanka. Destruction lay all around them in the background of the photo, but the children’s faces held genuine delight in the spraying water raining down on them. It sank in a little more who Gage Synclair actually was in this world.
Trent looked down at Em’s smiling face and then looked back at the photo. If he were ever going to have a framed photo of Gage’s, this would be the one. It took a minute, but he realized Hunter was tugging on his jacket, and he looked down again.
“Daddy, I walked with my head up and smiled like Gage told me to,” Hunter said. Hunter stood close to Gage now and they were still in the doorway, cameras still clicking away.
“I’m very proud of you, Hunter. You did really good. Em and Rhonny, too,” Trent said, but he turned to Gage. “That’s my favorite picture out of all the ones I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you, it’s mine, too,” Gage said, giving him a small smile. “Come this way. Let me get you three on the back patio with my family. You’ll enjoy the whole experience more that way.”
Chapter 17
Gage ignored all requests for his attention and ushered them to the back patio. A gentle breeze blew and although the night was completely dark now, the area was reasonably blocked in and climate controlled. The festively decorated patio splashed with color shooting out from every corner. The understated elegance of the main room evaporated, and in its place a decidedly fun, easy, and definitely casual area for gathering took shape. Trent couldn’t believe the transformation now that the decoration and patio furniture had been added. Gage had done an outstanding job pulling it all together. A string quartet played in the corner, quietly filling the night with music, drowning everything else out. A small buffet took shape along a side wall and a mobile bar resided in the back of the patio.
The area was already packed and he’d seen many of these faces on local television. Everyone in the room seemed beautiful and well put together. Nothing about the occasion appeared new to them. They were at home in the elegance of what they wore. Gage escorted them directly to one table in the front of the patio and began to make quick introductions.
“Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet Trent Cooper and his family. This is Rhonny, Em, and Hunter. Trent, this is my mom and dad, Connie and Jack,” Gage said, but glanced up sweeping his arm around the room at the many faces staring at them. Judging the looks they received back, Gage apparently took everyone off guard with his introduction. Many of the eyes looking at them traveled down to their joined hands, then back up at Trent, speculatively.
“Trent, this is my brother, Garrett, and his wife Natalie. This is Gary, you might remember him from the other night. This is Ginny, my sister, and her husband Kent, and Ginger, my sister, and her husband Stephen. These are all my nieces and nephews.” Gage went through them all quickly and efficiently. There were at least ten children all ranging from four to twelve. Gage held firm to Trent’s left hand, which left his right hand free to shake his father’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Trent said. Em came to stand closer to him, wedging her hand in between his and Gage’s, until Gage was finally forced to let go so Trent could hold her hand. Hunter came in close, too, wrapping an arm around his leg. He didn’t blame them; they weren’t shy children by any stretch of the imagination they were just tossed into too many big situations at once to process all these inquisitive faces. And by the look of it, Gage’s family tried to acclimate to a new set of events as well; they appeared as surprised to meet him as he was them. Gage’s mother followed her husband’s lead and stood, tentatively shaking Trent’s hand.
Gage took after his mother. She stood tall, elegant, and blond. They shared the same eyes and lips. His father was darker and their other children shared more of his looks. Still, no one said a word. They all stood there staring at one another.
After a long uncertain moment and Gage’s acknowledging chuckle, it became obvious to Trent that Rhonny was the complication in this scenario. They didn’t know what to make of her. She stood beside him, staying quiet, but her hands rested on Hunter’s shoulders. Gage picked it up first, and his chuckle turned into a full laugh.
“Trent, honey, my parents never know what to expect from me… Mom, Dad, this is Rhonny. She’s a firm member of Trent’s family. She’s also the children’s nanny,” Gage said, and Trent couldn’t help the small laugh at the relief clear on his parents’ faces.
“Ahh… Trent, let me start over. It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” Gage’s mother said, with the others stepping forward. Em and Hunter were sucked into the fold with the children and Gary, Gage’s youngest brother, zeroed in on Rhonny.
After getting through all the hand shaking and introductions Gage interrupted them. “I have to get back out there. The guests are starting to arrive. I hoped Rhonny and the children could stay out here with you, have dinner, play, and be more comfortable.”
“I can stay here with them while you take care of business,” Trent said immediately. Through all the hand shaking, Gage retook and never let go of his left hand, but Trent began to pull free now.