Rekindled Romance. Lorraine Beatty

striped top with the patches.”

      She remembered it well. It had been one of the best covers all year. “That was Yasmine.”

      Shelby thought about the child models and celebrities she worked with regularly. They were nothing like Cassidy. Most were mature beyond their years and bone thin. Nearly all the models were older than the preteen image Tween Scene promoted. Something about that bothered her, but she wasn’t sure what.

      “I wish I could look like that.” Cassidy sighed wistfully. “She’s so cool.”

      Shelby could remember when she felt the same way. She’d look at the girls in the magazines and long for a magic wand that could transform her into a glamorous model.

      “I have an idea.” Shelby moved to the table and pulled out her smart phone and opened her laptop.

      “What are we going to do?”

      “You’ll see.” Shelby winked, opening her camera app. “I have a magic wand.” She motioned Cassidy to stand against the wall. “Okay, now strike a pose.”

      Cassidy giggled self-consciously. “I don’t know what to do.”

      Shelby began taking pictures. “Pretend you’re a model. Pose like you see the girls on the cover of my magazine.”

      A few minutes later, Shelby moved to her laptop and pulled up the images. “Come watch.” Cassidy came to her side. After selecting her editing program, she scrolled through the shots to find the best image to work with. First she added highlights and fullness to Cassidy’s hair. Next she made her eyes larger and deepened the color, adding sparkle for good measure. A click of the mouse slimmed the neck and added hollows to the cheeks. Another whitened the teeth. One more trimmed the body line.

      Lastly, she turned her attention to the clothes. She lightened the hue of the jeans and changed the color of the blouse to a jewel tone that better complemented the new deeper shade of her eyes. A few more minor touch-ups, and Shelby leaned back in her chair. “Well, what do you think?”

      “Oh wow. I look like a TV star.” She was breathless. “That is so cool.”

      Shelby gave the girl a quick hug. “You look exactly like the girls on the covers of my magazine. In fact.” She made a few more clicks and added the magazine banner across the top of the page, making the picture resemble the cover of Tween Scene.

      “It’s me, but it’s not me. Oh thank you, thank you,” Cassidy gushed, bouncing up and down. “This is so awesome. Can I have a copy?”

      “Sure. I’m not connected to your printer though. I can email it to you so you can print it out. What’s your address?” Shelby typed in the address, attached the file and hit Send. “There you go. Do you know how to print on your computer?”

      “We only have Dad’s. He won’t let us have our own. He says we’re too young.”

      “I’m sure he’ll print it for you when he gets here.” She glanced at the wall clock. Matt would be home before long. “What are you doing for supper? Should I be putting something in the oven?”

      Cassidy shrugged. “I don’t know. Aunt Laura usually made something for us, but she’s not here now.”

      Cassidy’s eyes grew wide, and Shelby saw excitement building.

      “What?”

      “Can I cook supper for Daddy? I could surprise him.”

      It was a sweet idea. “Do you know how to cook?”

      “A little. I help Aunt Laura sometimes. I know how to make lasagna. My gramma showed me how.”

      Shelby was warming to the idea. She used to love to cook, but like many of her favorite pastimes, she’d given it up for lack of time. “I think that’s a great idea. Let’s see if we have everything we need.” Cassidy jumped into the task with gusto, surprising Shelby with how much she knew. Working with the little girl on the dinner and helping her through the process was a surprisingly satisfying experience.