Page 56 of Savoring Sienna
“Crone, really. Is this necessary? Can’t it wait until?—”
“No, it can’t. Well, perhaps it could, but I can’t.” The words tumbled out, betraying his excitement and anxiety. “This is too important and it’s been hard keeping it a secret.”
“Keep what a secret?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Out with it, Crone Lange. What did you do this time?” Despite her protests, she took his hand and got out of the truck.
Crone’s heart thundered in his chest. His confidence was at an all-time low. What if he’d read her wrong this time? What if this was too much, too soon?
“This, love... this is my wedding gift to you.”
Sienna turned to look where he was pointing. The lot next to Angel’s had stood empty for years, until a couple of weeks ago. Now, a building commanded the space in a masterful blend of modern glass and steel softened by natural stone and rustic wooden beams. Large, frosted windows promised privacy while hinting at the light-filled spaces within. Her eyes lifted to the sign above the intricately carved door, each letter was crafted in elegant copper script.
“Sienna’s Memories Cavern.” She read the sign with confusion coloring her voice. Crone waited with his breath stuck in his throat. “I don’t understand.”
Taking her hand, he tugged her along with him. “Come, let me show you.”
With pride and more than a little trepidation, he took her on a guided tour. Her eyes widened as realization struck when he opened the door to a red room.
“It’s a studio... you... you built me a photography studio?”
“It’s your studio,” Crone corrected softly, fighting to keep his voice steady as uncertainty gnawed at him. “I’ve watched you with your camera these past couple of weeks. The way your whole being lights up when you’re capturing moments others miss is mesmerizing as is the way you see beauty in everything.”
Sienna moved through the studio in wonder, her fingers trailing over the professional equipment as she went. The main shooting area was flooded with natural light from cleverly positioned skylights, while state-of-the-art lighting systemswaited ready to create any mood she desired. The digital workstation gleamed with multiple monitors, and a consultation area invited clients with comfortable leather seating and warm wood accents.
Her breath caught as she noticed the wall of frames. “These are…” She moved closer, touching one image reverently. “These are my photos. From my fashion shoot days.”
“The onesyoutook.” He watched her face carefully. “It took some digging, but these were my favorites and showcase your eye and your talent… so much talent.”
But it was the community wall that finally broke her composure. Recent photos she had taken around the Ranch of Gloria covered in mud but beaming with pride after her riding lesson, George fast asleep against his father’s chest, and Milly’s radiant face as she felt her baby kick, even an intimate moment between Derek and Sadie caught in the golden-hour light on the Rawhide Ranch porch.
“Every time you pick up that camera, you freeze time,” Crone said quietly, moving behind her. “You capture the soul of moments that would otherwise slip away. I thought maybe…” he hesitated, suddenly unsure again. “I thought maybe you’d want to do that for our whole community. Give them memories they can hold on to forever.”
Sienna turned to him. It was as if he could see her heart shining in her eyes. “You knew,” she whispered. “Somehow you knew what I needed before I could even voice it.”
“I know you,” he said simply, though his heart was anything but calm. “I’ve seen how much this place, these people, have become your family. I’ve watched you gift your knowledge to your students. I wanted to give you a way to give back, to share your incredible talent, to create your own place here beyond just being my wife.”
She launched herself into his arms with a half laugh, half cry. “You’re an impossibly wonderful man.” She cupped his face. “You built me a dream I didn’t even know I was dreaming.”
Relief flooded through him as he held her, breathing in the scent of her hair. “So... I didn’t overstep?”
She pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes shining. “Overstep? Crone Lange, you just proved yet again why I’m marrying you in two days. You see all of me, even the parts I’m still discovering myself.”
His kiss tasted of joy and promises. When they finally parted, Sienna looked around the studio, already planning and dreaming.
“Though speaking of the wedding,” she said with a watery laugh, “we should probably get back before Gloria turns the entire thing into a glitter explosion.”
“Too late for that, love.” He grinned, his heart finally settling as he watched her explore her new domain. “But somehow, I think you’ll want to document every sparkly moment.”
Her answering smile was brighter than any camera flash. “Every single one.”
Crone held her close, his heart full yet nervous about his next revelation. “There’s more.” He took a deep breath. “I sold the winery in Santa Monica.”
She pulled back with surprise etching her features. Before she could speak, he continued, “And I bought the ranch bordering The Double L. I’m moving the winery here.”
“But... the climate, the conditions…”
“I’ll make it work,” he said firmly. “Even if I have to develop different grapes, create a whole new kind of wine. What matters is building our future here, where we both belong.”
“We’re going to move onto our own ranch?” Her voice lifted with growing excitement. His confirming smile triggered a flood of enthusiastic questions. “The house, how big is it? I need tomeasure for curtains! And furniture, we’ll need... oh! Can we go see it now? Right now?”
