Free Black & White (Picture Perfect #1) by Traci Hayden Page A

wasn't normal. "Okay, mister, who the hell are you?" Disbelief was the only word I had for this new version of my brother.
    William chuckled, and again, it completely floored me. He hadn't smiled in so long and now he was laughing? "Anne, lighten up, please. I'm sure Beth won't do anything that will hurt Angel. She's the professional here," William answered, as he buttoned up his shirt. He turned his attention to Beth. "You must excuse my sister. She's a little over-protective of Angel sometimes."
    What the hell? I'm over-protective? Was he serious? His voice had gone flat again, but in that moment, he'd let down his guard and allowed himself a taste of joy. Maybe he did remember what it was like. The look he was giving Beth told me that he was struggling with the change.
    Beth moved past me without any indication of her being aware of her accomplishment. Did she even realize what she had done? No one had been able to bring William to life except Angel, not even the family. There was something about her which made it important to keep her and whatever spell she had used to captivate him.
    Glancing in Jude's direction, I saw she was shifting her eyes back and forth between William and Beth. Whatever her reasons were, she was reading the same mysterious book and was just as confused as I was. There was no doubt in my mind, Beth had a past that haunted her.
    William took Angel and moved towards the staged area in front of the tripod. The table beside it was covered with more cameras than I had ever seen in my life. I sat down to watch in fascination.
    Jude's elbow connected with my arm. "Have you ever seen a photo shoot before?"
    Shaking my head, she smiled and nodded back to the lit area of the room. Beth's demeanor completely flipped as she went into photographer mode. I was immediately amazed. She took a few pictures, adjusted the lighting and then took a few more shots. She switch lens a few times, snapping more pictures in between each switch, moving the tripod and checking through the lens before she seemed satisfied.
    Beth's body moved around with complete confidence as she approached William. She moved him onto the set, as I took my first real look at it. She had brought up a soft pink, pastel backdrop through the computer. There was a small bench covered with a sheet. It was very relaxed and comfortable.
    She gestured William to the bench and spoke quietly to him. Her attitude was very professional and her body language gave off a feeling of ease.
    I watched in amazement as she moved him into position and stepped behind the camera. She snapped a few shots, guided him to move his head a certain way and then shot a few more.
    Her voice rose a bit, so I was finally able to hear her. "William, could you turn Angel so I can get a better look at her face?"
    William adjusted the baby in his arms and looked down at her.
    "Perfect, William, hold yourself like that. She's a beautiful baby." Beth's voice was filled with wonder, and something else I wasn't able to distinguish as she moved behind the camera once again.
    She removed the camera from the tripod, moving around William and Angel, snapping shots with graceful movements. She reached out and move a section of Angel's dress or straighten William's shirt.
    She would cautiously touch William, turning his head or adjusting his shoulders. I could see uncertainty in her eyes when she turned away, as though she was confused by the simple touch. I felt it was necessary to figure out what was happening between these two. I was sure they didn't even realize there was something there, but one way or the other, I would make sure they did.
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    Beth
    Hoping to correct the problem I was having with the shots, I moved to the table to switch lenses. William was continuing to hold back, the sadness was evident even with Angel in his arms. I fiddled with my cuff before twisting the new lens onto the camera and stepping back into the light. Positioning myself behind William, I took a