Free Love's Story by Kristin; Dianne; Billerbeck Christner

“Got a mother who needs the money.”
    â€œGot a wife and kids,” another said.
    â€œWorking the trees chases the demons out of you,” offered a fierce-looking man.
    â€œIt’s the smell of the woods,” Silas said.
    â€œCame west looking for gold. Ended up here instead.”
    â€œWanted to see the West.” The phrase was familiar, as was the voice, and Meredith looked up at Thatcher Talbot. She swallowed when Jonah reached down for his camera and slipped away from the table.
    â€œAnd is the West better than the East?”
    â€œIt’s different,” he replied.
    Meredith tried not to concentrate on his handsome features. She pressed hard on her pencil until the lead broke. “Oh no.”
    â€œHere, let me.” Talbot’s hand brushed against hers and sent a flurry of sparks through her arm. With expertise, he withdrew a small knife from his belt and began to whittle the writing tool.
    A guilty stab pierced Meredith, but she squelched it. “Thank you.” She retrieved the pencil from Talbot, with a small gasp, for there was another jolt of physical awareness. She hadn’t distracted him long, but Jonah gave her a nod.
    A bell rang, and the loggers stampeded out of the mess hall. Meredith stuffed her supplies into her portfolio and smoothed out her riding skirt.
    Thatcher Talbot had moved away, and now he leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed against his chest, waiting for her.
    She gave him a weak smile.
    â€œOn behalf of the camp, thanks for that article.”
    â€œIt was just the truth.”
    â€œThe truth sounds lovely, coming from you.”
    â€œWhat a nice compliment.”
    His eyes were soft like suede; his hair hung in boyish waves across his forehead. “I’ll bet you get plenty of those.”
    â€œWhatever happened to that rude man I once knew?”
    He chuckled as they left the mess hall together. “‘I’d rather be hung from a rope and dragged by my heels through these here woods than be escorted by the likes of you.’”
    â€œYou’ll do.”
    He slapped his thigh with his hat as, together, they burst into laughter.
    Meredith experienced a sense of wonder at Talbot’s personality transformation and felt as if she were falling under a spell of charm. Such magical eyes.
    â€œI have to go out to the field. Are you coming?”
    â€œHmm? Not today.” She patted her portfolio and gave him a final smile. “I have what I came for.”
    He nodded. “Another time, then.” She watched him walk away, sorry that he was such an enigma, sorry she was pressed to investigate him, worried over what she would find.
    â€œReady to go?” Jonah asked.

    Back at his studio, Meredith helped Jonah process the photographs he had taken at the camp. Once they were hung to dry, she inspected them.
    â€œHere, Storm. This one of you with all the loggers would be a good one to show your grandchildren some day. Want to buy it?”
    â€œIt’s a moment I’ll never forget.” She sighed. “It was like being the belle of the ball.”
    His eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and amusement. “You brought some light into their lives.”
    Meredith’s tiny hand brushed away tears. “And they to mine.”
    Jonah said softly, “I was only teasing. You may have it.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œDon’t cry, missy.”
    â€œI’m not.” She sniffled as she turned to the next photograph. It was the one of Thatcher. “It’s good.”
    â€œShould give you the information you are after.”
    â€œDo you think I should send it to Asa?”
    â€œMaybe you need to set your mind at ease about him so you can…” His voice trailed off.
    â€œCan what?”
    â€œLike him.”
    â€œOh.”

    Once the photographs dried, Meredith needed to make her decision. Jonah was right. She must know. With decisive movements, she