Page 47 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

The days since the meeting in the middle of Sentinel land had been busy.

The various Sentinels had to attend to their regular duties.

The same was true of Cerys. She worked her nursing job in the ER, just not as many days a week or twelve-hour shifts.

Twyla was retired but remained constantly busy, helping with things around Needles.

Everyone knew her. She was a fountain of information.

I found this out when she came to see me the other day while Fen was working.

Twyla knew I was hunting for a job. Although I had the free time to take whatever photos I wanted, it wasn’t enough.

There wasn’t a large market for photographers in a town the size of Needles.

I was trying not to go far from town, but it appeared that I had no choice.

Or I thought so until Twyla spoke to me.

We were seated on the covered lanai at the back of Fen’s house. It was warm enough to be outside, and we were enjoying a cup of coffee.

“It was nice of you to stop by and keep me company, Twyla. I would think your day would be filled, though. I’ve heard about how much you volunteer. It sounds like a full-time job.”

“It can be hectic at times, but I thrive on it. When I worked, I was the same way. I can’t slow down. And I’m not just here to drink your coffee, though I appreciate you taking time for me. I wanted to speak to you about the hunt for a job.”

“What about it?”

“Have you had any success? I know you do your independent work, but what about something you can fill the rest of your time with that will give you a paycheck? We independent women like to care for ourselves even if our man can do it.” She smiled.

The revelation of Fennick’s worth during the confrontation with Hadar stunned me, to say the least. I figured he had money from the years, but not that much.

It made me feel a bit like a gold digger, even though I had no clue about it.

And Twyla was right. Regardless of what Fennick had or didn’t have, I had to contribute and be independent.

“I do want that. And sitting around the house all day would drive me insane. However, I’ve decided to search further away.

Lake Havasu City and Kingman are in Arizona.

They’re not too far away. And then there’s Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s about double what Kingman is, but still doable, especially if I don’t do it every day.

I’m working on a list of places to email or call to see if they are looking and want to see my resume. ”

“Before you do that, I have a suggestion.” She paused, causing me to prompt her.

“I’m listening,” I replied.

“What if I told you I have a friend here in Needles, who has a thriving photography business? He’s been here for years and has more work than he can handle. He’s not getting any younger, either.”

“I’d say, tell me more. Who is he?” I’d followed up with every photographer in town and was told they weren’t hiring. I wasn’t letting myself get excited.

“His name is Chester Adams.”

“I went through every photographer and photography place I could find online, Twyla. There was no Chester Adams. And I asked to speak to the manager or owner of every one I found.”

“The keyword is online. Chester doesn’t have a storefront.

He doesn’t advertise online. All his business is word of mouth.

He has an extensive studio set up in his house.

He always says, ‘Why waste money on a building when he has a large home?’ He lives alone.

He’s a widower. And I can tell you, Ches is always in demand.

He’s a couple of years older than moi. I saw him yesterday for lunch.

We talked, and I told him about you and showed him some of your work. He was very impressed.”

“Wait, how did you have my work?”

“Dear, I asked that man of yours to send me some. Anyway, Ches liked them. I told him you were looking for work, and he’s willing to meet and talk if you’d be interested. He admitted the pace was getting to be too much for him. Plus, he’d like more time to focus on his personal life.”

The way she smiled had me asking, “Twyla, are you and Chester seeing each other?”

Her smile grew, then she shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m waiting to see if he plays his cards right. He’s not the only one who wants a piece of Twyla.” She chuckled.

That made me laugh. From there, she filled me in on details about her beau, and we worked out when I could meet him. She acted as the go-between. By the end of her visit, I had an interview set for today.

When I told Fen about her visit and the outcome, he chuckled and remarked, “You can always leave it to Twyla.” He wished me luck, and I spent the next two days printing off some of my favorite photos, which I had stored on my phone and a jump drive.

I had bought three work outfits, as I called them. They were dressier and something you would see a woman wearing for an interview. One was a pantsuit, one was a dress, and the final was a skirt and jacket combo. The heels I got could be matched to all three, and they would mix and match together.

I was dressed in my skirt and jacket combo.

I felt pretty, professional, and confident as I drove to Chester’s house.

Twyla agreed to be there to make the introduction, which was Chester’s request. Then, she’d leave us to talk business.

Twyla was meeting me there. The drive wasn’t a long one. Most weren’t in Needles.

I found Chester’s house sat on the outskirts of town, though not out as far as Fen and the other Sentinels were.

He had a beautiful backdrop to work with outside.

I was curious to see what his studio was like inside.

When I arrived, I was happy to see Twyla’s car in his driveway.

I parked next to her so I wouldn’t block her in.

Taking a few deep breaths, I picked up my purse and portfolio and got out.

I walked with confidence to the door with my head held high.

I prayed that I projected the aura of a woman who knew her stuff and was serious-minded.

My knock was answered promptly by a stately gray-haired man. He was still tall and carried himself with a proud bearing. His silver hair was combed back, revealing he was still good-looking. Twyla was behind him, smiling.

“Hello, Mr. Adams, I’m Akiva Gatlin. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I held out my hand when I finished my introduction.

Mr. Adams studied me for a few moments, making me want to squirm, but I didn’t. I maintained my pleasant smile. Suddenly, his face was creased with an answering smile as he took my hand and we shook.

“It’s all my pleasure. Please, come in. You, of course, know Twyla…” he paused after saying her name. He gave her a tender look. Twyla came forward and hugged me.

“I’m so glad you came. Come in and I’ll settle you, then leave you to it. Ches, you be nice to her. She’s special,” she warned him, as she led me to wherever, and he was left to close the door and follow us.

His house was gorgeous inside. He either had great taste or a fantastic designer. I thought we’d end up in a living room or maybe a kitchen. No, we entered a large room that was decorated as a sinfully seductive boudoir. As my eyes widened, Mr. Adams chuckled.

“Twyla insisted we meet here. She loves this room. It’s her favorite out of all of them. Please have a seat.” He gestured to the settees.

I gingerly sat on one and found it was surprisingly comfortable. He sat in an ornate chair across from me. Twyla went to a nearby table, where, no surprise, there were three slender pitchers and glasses.

“We have iced tea, fresh papaya juice, or plain water,” she rattled off.

“I’d love some of the papaya,” I told her. Mr. Adams didn’t say a word about what he wanted.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me, Mr. Adams. Twyla told me how busy you are. And I have to say, while not expected, I can see why she loves this room.” I scanned the room.

It was sensual yet still classy at the same time.

Images of what I could do in here began to populate my head.

“Call me Chester. Mr. Adams is what they call me at my doctor’s office. And thank you. And may I say, I can see the wheels turning in your head. You’re picturing what you would do in here with a client. Aren’t you?”

Twyla handed me my glass of juice and then him a glass filled with tea. She stood next to Chester.

“If you two are good, I’ll excuse myself. Akiva, we’ll talk later. As for you, I’ll be back this evening,” she told him.

I watched as she kissed him, and it wasn’t on the cheek. If I wasn’t mistaken, there might’ve been some tongue involved. Twyla patted his cheek after they parted before moving over to kiss my cheek, then she waved goodbye as she left. I told her goodbye, then I focused back on Chester.

“To answer your previous question, I confess that I am guilty as charged. This room makes imagining very easy. I do a lot of outdoor photography, but that doesn’t mean I don’t also have experience indoors.

I know Twyla said she had a few pictures she showed you.

If you don’t mind, let me show you what I brought.

If you’re still interested in talking after seeing them, we’ll do that.

I don’t want to waste your valuable time,” I told him.

“A good idea,” he answered.

I handed him the portfolio, then let him study it at his own pace.

He took his time. While he perused them, I added to my mental compositions.

It was a good twenty minutes before he closed my portfolio cover and handed it back to me.

I waited for him to say something. I had a knot in my stomach.

What if he hated them or they didn’t fit his vision and clientele?

“You have quite the range, Akiva. Twyla told me that you are looking to supplement your freelance work, not to have a full-time job. What does that mean to you? Once a week? Two or three days? Or whenever I might call and ask if you can help?”