Free Second Chance Christmas (The Colorado Cades) by Tanya Michaels Page B

. But she caught herself fighting a grin as she turned back around.
    “Did you two have something particular in mind for your pictures?” Arden was asking. “I have standard backgrounds and props, and we can try lots of different poses then see what looks best in the proofs. But some couples bring in meaningful items or request settings uniquely personal to them.”
    “We don’t have anything like that.” Elisabeth blurted her answer without thought. It was only after she’d spoken that she worried she’d made them sound like a dull couple. There were obviously moments and symbols of personal significance for them, she just couldn’t think of one off the top of her head. “Our main request is that you do a couple of shots that also include Kaylee. We’ll probably use one with just us as the official engagement photo, but we’re going to be a family. We wanted some portraits of all three of us.”
    Arden nodded. “If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping, a nice framed photo of the three of you could make a great gift for relatives.”
    Typically, Elisabeth was done buying gifts by the end of November. This year—with Kaylee in her life—was a bit different, but there was already a neat stack of family presents in her closet waiting to be wrapped while she listened to her carol playlist or watched White Christmas . In light of Arden’s question about special mementos, Elisabeth was suddenly second-guessing her high-tech purchases for Steven, including a messenger bag charging station for all his electronic devices. Should she have picked out something with more emotional significance?
    She’d never been particularly adept at the sappy stuff. Lacking her sister’s creative flair, Elisabeth’s forte was practicality. Back when she’d been dating Justin, she’d struggled with what to get him for his birthday. After two weeks of waffling between ski gear or a gift card, she’d given in to a silly whim and presented him with a book of erotic redeemable coupons. Not a groundbreaking gift in terms of originality, but he’d reacted with a wickedly appreciative smile. “Just what I always wanted. How’d you know?”
    She wasn’t sure they’d made it through the whole book before he ended their relationship, but while it lasted, it was difficult to say which of them had enjoyed his present more. The biggest downside had been not anticipating the moment when Patti Donnelly asked at the dining room table, “What did you get him, dear?” Elisabeth’s cheeks had burned hotter than the candles on the cake.
    “Okay, Arden.” The sound of Justin’s rumbling baritone snapped Elisabeth out of her memories. He was buckling the baby into the infant car seat that doubled as a carrier. “We already put the base for the seat in my SUV, I’ve got her feeding schedule, her blanket, the insanely heavy diaper bag, the folding travel crib, a partridge and a pear tree. If that’s everything, I’m heading out.”
    Kaylee’s bottom lip, much like the Grinch’s heart, grew three sizes. “You’re going already? Can I go with you?”
    While he’d been busy gathering baby gear, Justin had apparently missed the part about Kaylee being in the pictures. “Want me to get her out from underfoot for a couple of hours?” he asked Elisabeth. He no doubt thought he was doing them a favor, keeping the girl occupied while they had their photo shoot. “I could use an assistant babysitter.”
    Steven met her gaze. “You did say you wanted to run some wedding errands after. I don’t mind if she stays with Justin. If he doesn’t mind waiting a few minutes so Arden can take the pictures with her first?”
    Justin shrugged in agreement, and Kaylee beamed so brightly that pictures of her would probably come out overexposed. Elisabeth was the only person in the room who didn’t seem delighted with the arrangement. It wasn’t that she minded Justin looking after Kaylee. It would be much easier to concentrate on pricing at