“First of all, the wedding is four short weeks away. Are you sure you’re available?” The hopefulness in her eyes was palpable.
I double-checked my calendar for the tenth time that morning. “Yes. It’s my last open day this month so I am glad to fill it.”
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Wonderful. Now, will the photos be retouched and color balanced? Is that done before we see the proofs? I think that was one of Rayford’s big ones. He saw some of the photos on your website that looked a little rough and was concerned.” She crossed her arms as she waited for my reply.
I was completely taken aback. I prided myself on my photo editing skills, and if Rayford thought my editing style was “rough”, why was I even at this damn meeting?
“I can either show you the raw images or I can edit them beforehand and send them to you once they are retouched. I try my best to balance between looking photoshopped and being too real. I hope that makes sense.”
“Oh good. Rayford will be happy with that answer.” Misty feverishly scribbled down notes under the question.
She rattled off more of the normal questions about what packages I offered, what they all entailed, how long I was usually at the wedding, pricing, and so on. The entire time her brother just sat back quietly, occasionally shifting in his seat and rolling his eyes. I couldn’t help but notice he seemed tense every time Misty mentioned her groom’s name, which was just about every other sentence.
“Oh, and last one.” She bounced in her seat a little as we got to the end of the long list of inquiries.
“What ya got?” I asked before taking the last sip of my large coffee, which had gone cold.
“We saw you had a couple pictures of the bride or groom on a horse—is that a service you provide in one of your packages? Rayford wasn’t able to find it on your website, but I would so love to have some pictures of us riding off into the sunset.” Her eyes fluttered as the images seemed to pass through her mind, a little sigh escaping. “It would just be so majestic and memorable.”
“The horses that were in the other couples’ weddings were their own,” I explained. “Do you have horses?”
Trace let out a quick snigger. I supposed he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“What?” Misty snapped, whipping her long blonde hair around as she turned to glare.
His hands flew up in the air. “Nothing, sis.”
“Out with it!” she demanded while scowling at him.
“Fine. It’s just the thought of that princess on the back of a horse is the funniest thing I have ever heard in my damn life. The dude gets more manicures than you do. Does he know that horses live outside and roll around in the mud?” Trace’s face was bright red from his hysterics.
“Oh, shut up! Just because he doesn’t change his own oil or know how to bait his own hook, you think he’s a pussy.” Misty shouted the wordpussya little too loudly in her rant, and every person in the tiny coffee shop was staring at us.
“How about this.” I started typing on my computer, hoping to distract from the sibling scuffle unfolding before my eyes. I knew I was going to have hell to pay with Annabelle, but this couple was going to be paying me more than a month’s rent. If it was a horse this groom wanted, it was a horse he was going to get. “I have a friend who is an equestrian studies professor, and she has a bunch of horses that are extremely well trained. I am sure she would bring two of them to the venue for us to take a couple pictures with.”
Misty’s eyes were glued to the screen as I showed her the pictures of Annabelle’s stable. “You’re a lifesaver. Rayford is going to be tickled pink when I tell him the good news.”
“So does this mean I should draft the contract?”
I watched as she looked to her brother for approval.
“It’s your day, Misty. This is your call. She is the first photographer who has checked all of Rayford’s precious boxes, including the crazy horse one.” Trace gave me a little wink after his sister’s gaze shifted back over to me.
“We have a deal. Thank you so much, Sawyer.”
I started to put my things away again. “It is my pleasure. I am very excited to be a part of the happiest day of your life.”
I sound like a damn Hallmark card.
“Will you include your friend’s information in that email so I can contact her about the horses?” Misty scrambled to her feet, starting to follow me out of the café.
“Of course, and I will let Annabelle know to expect to hear from you in the next couple of days.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck. I hated hugging strangers, but she just seemed so relieved, so I let it slide and hugged her back.
“Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. We’ll be in touch. It was nice to meet you, Trace.”
The tall, dark, and handsome brother tossed over a crooked grin while waving. “Have a good one.”