Chapter Twelve
Callie was tempted to bring the sunflower glazes up to the cottage.
That way she'd just be able to back the truck up to the front door and load them from there.
But if she were going to do that, she might as well just put them in the truck and take them with her when she went to collect the guys — and Ollie would no doubt think it was weird anyway.
He and Reaves were trying to save her the trouble of having to carry them.
She blew out a sigh and looked around the cabin. At least the glazes were easily accessible. She’d just have to hope that Zia and Alara stayed in the camper, out of sight.
This whole situation wasn't ideal, but it wasn't her place to decide what was best for Alara. Although... She took her phone out and sent a text.
Callie: Are you absolutely sure you don't want to see them? Reaves and Ollie are both well connected in Napa. They might be able to help you find work.
She stared at the screen for a few moments, wondering if she'd even get a reply. Alara had said that she was going to nap, but she and Zia hadn't gone back to the camper that long ago.
Her screen lit up a few moments later.
Alara: I'm sorry I'm putting you in a difficult position. And maybe I will call Reaves and ask if he has any contacts. But not yet. I hope you understand. I'm still trying to adjust and get my feet back under me after the job fell through. I'm too ashamed right now.
Callie: You have nothing to be ashamed of. I totally understand. Don't worry about a thing. I'll text you when I'm on the way back from the airport with them and let you know to stay out of sight.
Alara: You're a good friend. Better than I deserve.
Callie: You deserve the world, girl, don’t ever doubt it.
With that, she stuffed her phone back into her pocket and walked up to the cottage. She smiled as she looked around. She loved this place, and she'd made it her own.
Her smile grew wider when she remembered Ollie's face when she'd brought him in. She'd been nervous that he might be patronizing, but it was obvious that he loved it. He got it.
She wandered around putting cushions back in place and quickly put the dishes and glasses from earlier into the dishwasher.
They wouldn't give away that Alara and Zia had been here, but if Ollie spotted them, he'd no doubt think that either she'd had guests she wasn't telling him about — or she was a slob who never did her dishes.
She had everywhere straightened out and was rearranging her books on the shelf when her phone finally beeped with a text.
Ollie: We're taking off now. We should land in around an hour.
Callie: Okay. I'll be there waiting when you land.
Ollie: Thanks. Can't wait to see you.
Callie: You too.
She decided that there was no way she could hang around here waiting all that time.
She couldn't get started on anything. And she'd already driven herself nuts going out back a few times to make sure that the camper wasn't visible from the house or the cabin.
It wasn't, but she knew that if she sat here, she'd only go and keep checking.
She collected her keys and purse and headed out to the truck.
As she pulled away, a shaft of sunlight caught on the camper, making her laugh.
Of course the sun would choose to shine like a spotlight through the trees just when she didn't want it to.
She'd just have to hope that the usual clouds would have closed in by the time she got back here with Ollie and Reaves.
It kind of broke her heart a little bit, though.
She knew how happy Zia would be to see Reaves, and how happy he'd be to see her again. But even if it didn’t happen today, she was hoping that since Alara no longer had the offer of a job anywhere else, she'd have to stick around. And that might mean that she and Reaves — and Zia — would get the chance to spend more time together. Ollie and Reaves had contacts in Napa after all, maybe they’d be able to help her find work.
~ ~ ~
"Do you want to take the landing?"
Reaves chuckled. "What, are you worried you might make a mess of it and embarrass yourself in front of Callie?"
Ollie rolled his eyes. "You know better than that. As a matter of fact, when I flew her home last week, the landing was so smooth that she had to look out the window to check we'd really touched down." He shrugged. "But hey, if you don't want to..."
"You know I do. You know I love flying this thing."
"You have the controls," said Ollie.
"Thanks."
When Reaves took over, Ollie sat back in his seat.
It was a novelty to just stare out the window on a landing and feel like he was a passenger.
Most of the time — when they flew the jet — they worked as a team.
But there was no need for that in the Cirrus.
It only required a single pilot. And for today, Ollie was happy to let that be Reaves.
Mendocino County was beautiful. Especially from the air. It was good to be able to just check it out. He loved this part of the coast. It was rugged and felt wild, at least compared to Napa. He wondered why he didn't come up here more often. Then smiled, hoping that he’d have a reason to come now.
As Reaves turned onto the final approach, Ollie peered down at the small airport and grinned when he spotted Callie's truck.
"She's here already?" Reaves asked.
"She is."
"How do you want to work it? Do you want to hop straight out and go see her while I tie this bird down?"
"Yeah, that'd be great, thanks."
"Not a problem."
They both fell quiet as Reaves descended toward the runway. When the wheels touched down, he turned to Ollie with a grin. "That's how you do it."
Ollie had to laugh. "Okay, so that might almost have been as smooth as my landing."
"Whatever. And you're sure you want me to come with you guys?"
"Yeah, it's all good. I'd love to get some time alone with Callie, but it's not going to happen today. And that's fine. It'll just give me an excuse to come back again soon."
"Or to get her back to Napa," suggested Reaves.
Ollie made a face. "Yeah, but if she comes back there, there's still the slight problem of where do we even go?"
Reaves looked confused for a moment, then gave his attention to turning the plane at the end of the runway and taxiing toward the hangars. "Oh shit, that's right. As far as she knows, you live in my apartment." He shook his head. "Damn, Ollie, you're going to have to tell her, you know."
"Tell me something I don't know."
Reaves chuckled. "Okay — that you're an ungrateful bastard, because at least you get to see her today. Who knows when I'll get to see Alara and Zia again?"
"Yeah, sorry, bud. I didn't think about that. Have you still not heard anything from her?"
"She sent a text this morning. She finally answered me, but all she said was that they're both doing well, thanks for keeping in touch, and she'll tell me more when they get settled."
"That sounds fair to me," said Ollie. "If they're starting a whole new life somewhere and she's starting a new job, it might take a little while."
"Yeah," said Reaves, "but you get it. Callie's been texting you, but you're still disappointed because you thought you'd get to talk to her every day. I was hoping that Alara would send more than a short text once a week. And Dad was really looking forward to reading Zia bedtime stories."
Ollie smiled at that. "He's prepared to take his Grandpa Grape duties seriously, isn't he?"
"He is — if he gets the chance. But enough of me and my troubles. You go see your girl and give me a wave or something when you're ready for me to come join you guys."
"There's no need for that. Just come over when you're ready."
"Okay, but I'll take my time tying this thing down."
"Thanks."
Once Reaves had cut the engine, Ollie climbed out, and a rush of warmth filled his chest when he saw her. Callie was standing by the chain-link fence. She was gorgeous. There was no other word for it.
Her hair was tied loosely, but it still managed to fly around her face.
She wore the kind of faded and torn jeans that people paid big money for from designer labels, but that he would bet only looked like that because she'd owned them forever.
His lips quirked up into a smile. They sure fit her like they were made for her.
Her plaid shirt managed to look outdoorsy and feminine at the same time.
And then he'd almost reached her. And when she smiled, it hit him right in the chest.
"Hey, you," she greeted him.
"Hey."
She stepped away from the fence, and he didn't hesitate until he was toe to toe with her. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked up at him. And any thoughts of hesitation fled from his mind as he curled his arms around her waist and dropped his forehead to rest on hers.
"I missed you," he told her honestly.
Her arms came up around his shoulders, and she smiled as she said, "I missed you too."
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, wanting to go in for more, but thinking better of it. For now, at least. He knew he'd done the right thing when she peeked over his shoulder and asked, "Is Reaves coming?"
"He is. He'll be right here. He's just tying the plane down."
She looked up into his eyes. "And giving us a minute?"
"Yeah, that too."
"That's sweet of him."
Ollie chuckled. "He's a sweet guy. But I'm the good-looking one, right?"
She slapped his arm with a laugh. "Of course you are — to me. But don't go getting big-headed. I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who think Reaves is the good-looking one."
He tightened his arms around her. "I'm sure there are, but that makes no difference to me. Your opinion is the only one that counts in my world."
He thought that she might laugh and slap him again. But she looked genuinely touched by his words.