——
SIX YEARS AGO
Grey skies loomed over Loire Valley with the promise of an April rainstorm. The slow-moving river snaked through the scenic countryside and stretched beyond what the human eye could see. Trees rustled in a favorable breeze, stirring up aromas from nearby fruit orchids. Firecrests and turtle doves chirped in the distance, signaling the start of spring.
Nadine savored it all while crossing the bridge on her Beaumont bicycle. In the front wicker basket was her canvas tote bag containing her Kodak camera protectively wrapped in a pillowcase, a serving of fresh tapioca pudding she had impulsively purchased from the local farmer's market, and an unknown flower she had found under the oak tree in her backyard. Her yellow rain poncho crinkled as she pedaled vigorously to get to her destination before the clouds burst. The scrape on her knee she had gotten from falling off her bike in the gravel driveway dully ached. Maybe the rain would wash away the dried blood.
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire opened its annual International Garden Festival that morning, which Nadine wouldn't have missed for the world. It resurfaced fond childhood memories of strolling through the enriching gardens with her family and getting lost in the creative landscapes showcased by landscapers, architects, and photographers far and wide.
Nadine planned to take modeling photos to build her portfolio. As a curvy girl with distinct ethnic features, getting her foot in the door had been challenging, but the alluring backdrop of the gardens would make her stand out. The theme was Gardens of Sensations.
In the past, it had been no easy feat to try to photograph herself with her less-than-adequate camera and awkward self-direction. However, she prepared to make these sacrifices for a prosperous career. Loire Valley only had one modeling agency, which meant she had to start somewhere small and cheap before traveling north to Paris for more lavish opportunities.
To earn a living, Nadine provided housekeeping services for surrounding chateaus. The work was rewarding, but it did not spark any passion for her. As a young girl, she had been fascinated by the aesthetic of posing in different environments and making fashion statements after seeing magazine spreads of French models strutting down the catwalk. But she had never been able to imagine herself in their shoes—literally and figuratively. Those six-inch heels seemed killer. With her thick eyebrows, pesky cellulite, and blemished skin, she had been the complete opposite of what model scouts sought.
Once Nadine became wiser over the years, she knew her worth. Her natural beauty just needed to be highlighted by the right scenery and clothing.
When she arrived at the festival, she locked her bike on a rack and slung her tote bag over her shoulder. The historical Chateau-de-Chaumont on the sprawling lawn caused her to stop and stare for a moment. It was grand and beautiful, just as she remembered. Her newfangled perspective left her wondering what inspiration she would discover.
After buying an admission ticket, she walked under the arch of the chateau to reach the garden path weaving through twenty-one hectares of artistic garden exhibits. Each display differed depending on where the landscaper originally hailed from, like Japan, Korea, Great Britain, and many other countries. Among the trees was a greenhouse kitchen where vegetables were grown and offered to visitors. Nadine remembered eating juicy little tomatoes there as a teenager—they were called 'the nipples of Venus.' The memory made her smile faintly.
She glanced around for a pretty scene to photograph herself in just as the rain began to sprinkle. Shivering, she pulled the hood of her poncho over her head. Maybe today wasn't the best day to embark on a modeling adventure. Maybe she should have turned around and gone home.
But further in the gardens, Nadine stumbled upon a peculiar situation. An exhibition was still being set up, nestled in an opening surrounded by greenery like a secret oasis. Landscapers worked diligently to put the finishing touches on it. They removed leaves and branches from the water with pool skimmers. Their work had been delayed by the unpredictable climate in central France. It was a blessing the rain did not fall much through the canopy of trees above.
There was a rectangular vat of water with a wooden path winding through it, similar to a Candyland board. Red bamboo canes stood tall around it, hugging it with vibrant color. There was something simple yet entrancing about it, and she was drawn to the energy of tranquility that called to her.
Nadine slowly approached, trying to act invisible so as not to disturb them. She would wait until they were done before taking photos. Perhaps sitting on the path and posing near the bamboo would be adequate. Yes, that would be a fantastic shot. Unique, too, which was what she was striving for.
Her childlike wonder pushed her closer until her attention snagged on something else. Something a little more... intriguing.
A man stood waist-deep in the water, rearranging bamboo with sedulous care, his bare back turned to her. He had the most muscular, contoured back Nadine had ever seen in her life. It was sculpted in a way that captured her gaze, but she should not have been surprised. He was some sort of landscaper, which was a labor-intensive job. His tendons were surely robust. Sacré bleu, why was she thinking about his tendons?
She snapped out of her man-induced hypnosis. She had a job to get done. Her future was at stake! With that thought, she unwrapped her camera from its cocoon just as a couple of landscapers brushed past her with plastic buckets, paying no mind to her lingering presence. She must have looked like a mere tourist.
Nadine delicately cleared her throat in an attempt to catch the attention of the man with the beautiful back. He was the only one still tending to the exhibit and did not seem to hear her.
"Excusez-moi?" she said, removing her hood to appear more approachable.
The man's large hands, which were also gorgeously sculpted, halted around the lithe bamboo sticks. His face turned before his body did and— goodness gracious. Oh wow. He was pleasing. To look at, she meant. His foreign face was a masterpiece of symmetry. While he did not look French, remnants of European features still adorned his face. A well-chiseled bone structure and an elegant straight nose. Pink lips that were parted. A firm chest with a ridged midsection. Disheveled, rain-soaked hair. A pair of soulful green eyes stared intently at her.
"Bonjour," he replied, sounding perplexed.
Nadine's gaze desperately wanted to wander south again, but she remained strong. "Is this exhibit open to visitors?" she asked.
He regarded her for longer than normal—not scrutinizingly, but rather in a mystified manner. "Yes. My apologies, I was just perfecting a few details."
"I did not mean to intrude. I—" She paused and searched for the proper words. "Well, I was hoping to take pictures for my portfolio here."
"Your portfolio?" he echoed.
Nodding, Nadine nervously tucked her damp hair behind her ears. "For modeling. I am broadening my use of compelling backdrops, and this festival has plenty of them." She waved a hand, the flourishing nature around them not needing further explanation. "Anyway, this particular exhibit caught my eye. Would it be possible for me to take some pictures?"
The man glanced behind her, his brows furrowing. "Where is your photographer?"
"I... do not have one," she said shyly. "I place my camera on a flat surface and set the timer."
It was far too expensive to hire an entire crew for a photoshoot. She would have rather saved money by gaining hands-free experience herself. Besides, people in the modeling industry admired humble beginnings. She was building herself from the ground up.
"Would you like some assistance?" he asked, raindrops gently falling from his chin. Nadine detected a lilted British accent.
"Oh, I do not want to be a nuisance," she said. "I'm sure you are busy."
He walked to the edge closest to her and shook his head, a handsome smile pulling at his lips. "No, not anymore."
Thrilled, Nadine's heartbeat pounded like a stampede of animals. "All right, then."
It was an unexpected turn of events. As far as she was concerned, she had not expected to meet someone as generous as this man. She hadn't expected much of anything out of today since the weather put a damper on her mood, and her dreams often felt unobtainable.
"What's your name?"
Handing over her camera, she answered, "Nadine."
"I'm Harry," he said. "I'm a landscape architect, which might not help your situation, but I did get a passing grade in a college-level photography class. Is that good enough?"
"I don't know," she countered playfully. "I might interpret a passing grade differently from you."
He laughed, his nose scrunching. "B-minus."
She pretended to mull it over before saying, "I will accept that."
"Merci." He sat on the wooden path. "So, do you have any specific ideas in mind for the photoshoot?"
"I know I want to be a part of nature. Close-up shots are preferred. And..." Nadine looked at the exhibit, pondering. "Am I allowed to go in the water?"
"I don't see why not."
"Will I get into trouble? I couldn't stand being banned from this place."
While fidgeting with her camera, Harry said, "This is my exhibit."
This had been designed by him? It was highly impressive, and it made her feel better knowing a person with a meticulous brain and a keen eye for design was helping her. It was also attractive knowing he had constructed it with his bare hands. Did his fingers have calluses? Were there blood, sweat, and tears involved? No, do not think about him sweating!
"You're letting a stranger interfere with your creation?" she asked, willing away the heat rushing up her neck.
As Harry raised the camera to his eye and pointed it at random things, seemingly testing its functionality, he murmured, "You would be adding beauty to it."
In the middle of removing her sandals and poncho, Nadine's breath hitched. It was quite bold of him to make such a statement. She had to tread carefully around this male enigma. She was there for business and business only.
"Hop in," Harry said. "The water is heated."
She felt vulnerable in her white camisole and brown corduroy maxi skirt. Her curves were accentuated by the spring breeze blowing the fabric. Her feet sank into the dirt. To remain true to the theme of nature and its rawness, she had opted not to wear any makeup.
Shimmying down her skirt and letting it pool on the ground, she revealed her beige underwear. Without saying a word, the mood turned intimate.
While she dipped one leg into the water, Harry's gentlemanly gaze remained fixed on her face. He was right—it was a glorious temperature, like sinking into a lukewarm bath after a long day. She was submerged up to her rib cage.
"Are you new to Loire Valley?" Nadine asked, curious about how this beautiful man showed up in her hometown.
"I live in England. I was invited to this festival to create a United Kingdom exhibit."
"Ah, oui. It must be such an honor. Do you like it here so far?"
Harry nodded. "It's gorgeous. The architecture is brilliant."
"I hope the sheer amount of chateaus we have is not overwhelming," Nadine said, slicking her hair back with wet palms.
He chuckled and stood up. "Shall we get started?"
Nadine leaned against the edge of the vat, swaying trees and clusters of red bamboo behind her. She settled her expression into her "model face", which was basically just her looking slightly pissed off at something but in a sexy way. With her chin tilted up, she showed off her sharp jaw and neck muscles.
Harry knelt on the wood and held the camera steadily. Leaning forward, he zoomed in at a low angle. There was a look of concentration on his face, and she felt elated that he was so serious about assisting her.
The shutter clicked a few times. By moving her face just a smidge, she subtly posed. It all was natural to her once she was in the moment—it was like breathing. She loved immersing herself in working the camera to her advantage. She made it her best friend.
"Regardez-moi," Harry murmured, sending a delightful shiver down Nadine's spine. She looked at him with her lips pursed attractively, and he snapped more photos. "Parfaite."
"You speak very good French."
Still adorably focused on his task, he hummed. "I studied architecture at Versailles and took French classes. It's a romantic language."
"I agree." She switched her pose by spreading her arms in the water and trying to smize, as invented by Tyra Banks.
To get the best angles, Harry contorted his body in semi-ridiculous ways. He then got in the water and stood near her. Nadine's heart rate spiked. He was even more ethereal up close. There was a gentleness to his presence, and she was undeniably attracted to it.
"What do you call an angry French aunt?" Harry asked, setting up a joke.
"Oh, boy. What?"
"A crossaunt."
Nadine let an endeared giggle escape. Slowly lowering the camera, Harry stared at her in awe. His smile was stuck in place as if making her laugh stopped time.
"Fossetes," he whispered. Dimples.
A powerful blush expanded across her face and spread to her chest. Suddenly, her smile turned shy. She had never experienced such attention from a man before. The feeling was both daunting and exhilarating.
Water sluiced down Nadine's body when she stood at her full height. "Thank you for doing this," she said, her voice weak.
"It was my pleasure," Harry replied. "You made my job easy."
She was going to burst into flames if she kept blushing. "Can I repay the favor in any way?"
His lips quirked to the side as he hummed thoughtfully. "What are your plans for next weekend?" he asked.
"I will most likely be back here again."
"As will I."
"So..." Nadine chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I will see you then?"
"Absolutely." He cleared his throat and held her gaze. "I was wondering if you would fancy doing something with me afterward. We could visit all the farmer's markets. Perhaps stroll along the river at sunset. You could show me your favorite spots and tell me why you love them."
Nadine inhaled a little gasp. If he wanted to spend an evening together, he had surely felt the connection too. It was palpable, hanging thickly in the air like a storm cloud. She could feel the electrical charge with just a single glance. It was definitely worth exploring.
"Unless you're taken," Harry added uncertainly, combing a hand through his hair. "Sorry, I should have asked first. I just find you so pretty, and you have a lovely laugh." He paused briefly, glimpsing at her lips. "I'd love to hear more of it."
She walked toward him with her pulse going haywire. Her hands cradled his face, and she softly kissed his clean-shaven cheek. "I'm available."
"Oui?"
"Oui."
Harry's eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Splendid. I'm looking forward to it, dove."
Flutters of glee took flight in Nadine's stomach. She had been yearning for a serendipitous moment for ages. The prospect of being wanted always felt unreachable to her. No boys had ever decided she was worth a chance. Now, there was a glimmer of hope.
When Nadine arrived home later that evening, she perused through the pictures on her camera—there were at least fifty. Each one captured her in a certain light that had been unknown to her. Through the eyes of someone else, she found herself feeling desirable.
All thanks to the man with the beautiful back.
——