Free Creighton Manor by Karen Michelle Nutt Page B

still a little sore and I didn’t want to break in a new pair.”
    “Odd-looking shoes, if you don’t mind me saying so. Where did you purchase them? I have never seen anything of the sort.”
    “Oh… well they were... specially made.” How did she explain tennis shoes when they hadn’t been invented yet? She glanced at Zachary. His brows drew together and she had the feeling her explanation didn’t sit well with him. She needed to distract him. The less he knew of her world the better. “So, does Tyler know about me?”
    “Hmm? Oh, yes, I am sure Lotti has brought him up to date.”
    Gillian nodded.
    “Mr. Creighton?” a man called to Zachary. He waved as he jogged toward them.
    “Who’s that?” Gillian shaded her eyes to have a better look.
    “Mr. Gurney’s assistant.”
    “Who?” 
    “The local photographer,” he whispered to her before he shouted his greeting, “Hello, Mr. Norman.”
    The man reached them and inhaled deeply to catch his breath. “Hello Mr. Creighton ... uh Miss …” He looked a Gillian.
    “This is Mrs. Creighton,” Zachary made the introductions.
    Mr. Norman’s face beamed. “Why Mr. Creighton that is fabulous. It is nice to meet you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat before he looked at Zachary again. “I would sure appreciate it if you and Mrs. Creighton would pose for me. The lighting is just perfect .” He didn’t exactly wait for an agreement, but ran back to where he had left his tripod.
    Zachary leaned near. “Mr. Norman’s an eccentric. He is always photographing the town for one reason or other.”
    “Norman,” she said the name thoughtfully. “Does his first name happen to be Henry?”
    Zachary looked at her just as Mr. Norman snapped the picture. “You know him?”
    “No, I’ve heard of him .”
    “You have? What have you heard?”
    She smiled. “All good.”
    “That’s not what—”
    “Did we do all right, Henry?” She waved to catch his attention.
    “Henry? You’re on a first name basis with him?”
    She ignored Zachary and stepped down from the walkway.
    Henry ran over to them again. “Yes, it was perfect. Thank you kindly for your assistance Mr. Creighton, Mrs. Creighton.”
    “It is an honor to meet you.” Gillian took his hand and shook it. Henry’s eyebrows rose and he tugged on his collar. Gillian didn’t notice. She was in awe. She couldn’t believe she met Henry Norman of all people. She admired his work. The man captured details that might otherwise have been lost. He would one day photograph the Omnibus that ran hourly from the river landing, the gorgeous interiors of the J.M. White and other steamboats. He had photos of wagons piled high with cotton, and the devastation caused by flooding. Henry Norman was there for all of it and he knew how to capture the moment. “Your work will one day be the most extensive collection of the nineteenth century.” She finally realized she was still shaking his hand and let go. “Look at me go on .” She laughed.
    Henry smiled with a nervous chuckle. “Thank you.” He looked at Zachary and the grin slid off his face.
    Gillian followed his gaze and frowned. Zachary stood there with a murderous scowl penetrating his feature.
    “Well thank you again,” Henry said before he turned and hurried away.
    Zachary’s nostrils flared as he turned his attention on her.
    “What?” Gillian shrugged.
    “What indeed. If I didn’t know better, I would think that you were infatuated with Mr. Norman.”
    She chuckled. “Don’t be absurd. I admire his work, is all.”
    “He’s only the assistant.”
    “Not forever he won’t be. Come on, we don’t want to keep Lotti waiting.”
    “What work does Henry have on display?”  
    “Geeze, you’re like a dog with a bone. Really Zachary. If you keep up this up, I might think you’re jealous.”
    He harrumphed, but he stopped interrogating.
    They reached the carriage and Zachary took hold of Gillian’s arm to help her into her seat.
    “Zachary