Chapter Twenty-Two
A big smile spread across Ollie's face when he opened his eyes on Saturday morning. The weight of Callie's head against his shoulder and her arm flung across his waist made him feel as though everything was finally right in his world.
His smile faded. He really shouldn't think that way. Not yet, at least. But it was hard not to. Yesterday had been such an amazing day.
His dick twitched, and he willed it back down.
Making love with Callie in the pool had been amazing.
He shifted his hips away from her at the memory of last night, here in bed.
That had been just as good — maybe even better.
When he told her that she was the best, he hadn't just been echoing her words.
It was true. They just fit together. She felt so right.
He inhaled deeply. She really did feel like home.
He turned to face her, curling his arm around her waist and holding her close to his chest. He'd probably said more than he should have yesterday, suggesting that she could turn the conservatory into her workspace, but he was really starting to hope that she might come to see this place as home.
She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. Her green eyes reminded him of the sea glass she'd found on the beach.
"Morning," she mumbled.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"
She nodded. "Amazing. I had this big, comfy pillow."
He chuckled. "Well, your pillow is volunteering for duty anytime you want him. Every night, if you like."
Her eyes widened, and she nodded slowly. "You know I can't stay here with you all the time."
His heart sank. "I know, but I'm hoping that sometimes..."
"Yeah, I'd like that. And I'm not saying that I don't want to, but I worked hard to build my life in Fort Bragg, Ollie. And I love my cottage."
He relaxed a little at that. "I love it too. I'm not asking you to choose. You can have both." He smiled. "And if you invite me to come with you, we can have both."
She smiled back. "You really do like it there, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do. It's everything that I don't have here.
But most importantly, it's you. And I love—" His heart thundered in his chest. It hit him before he said it.
He loved her. He hadn't noticed it sneak up on him, but it had.
Her eyes were wide — was she afraid he'd say it, or eager to hear it?
He couldn't tell, so he recovered with, "I love it. "
She blew out a big sigh. "We don't need to decide it all at once, do we?"
"We sure don't. And even if we had to, we shouldn't do it right now. If you're going to be up and off shopping with Becca this morning, we should get up, get showered, get coffee, and get going."
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Let's do it, then. But before we do, I need you to know — I'm having a good time with you, Ollie. And I'm hopeful about us."
He tightened his arm around her waist. "Thanks. I am too. Should we make it official?"
Her eyes widened, and he laughed. "Don't panic. All I'm asking is if you want to be my girlfriend. If I can call you my girlfriend."
She nodded happily. "Sure. I'd like that."
He held her gaze as he said, "Then that's what I'll call you."
He wanted to add for now, because he was already starting to hope that their relationship might lead to something more permanent. But this wasn't the time.
Instead, he slapped her ass and said, "Come on, let's get up, then. I'll go make us coffee while you shower. I want to go in there with you, but if I do that, you'll be late to meet Becca."
She grinned. "You're right. I should get moving this morning, but maybe..." Her smile faded. "Not tonight either, because we're going to Muse, aren't we?"
"Yep. But there's always tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning it is, then."
With that, she swung her legs out of bed, and as soon as her feet hit the floor, the dogs came running from their beds in the corner.
"Come on, guys," he told them. "Let's leave Callie to get ready while we make coffee."
~ ~ ~
When Callie arrived in town, she parked her truck behind Becca's Range Rover — Grover, as she called it — with a smile. She was looking forward to this shopping trip, even though she didn't know what she was going to buy.
She grinned when Becca came hurrying down the street toward her and climbed out of her truck to greet her with a hug.
"Hey, how's it going? I'm so pleased that you're still here. I hope you and Ollie are having fun."
Callie stuck her tongue out at her. "We are having the best time."
Becca gave a little squeal. "Oh my gosh, Callie, I'm so happy. He's awesome, isn't he?"
"He sure is."
"And you're over the whole deal about..."
Callie gave her a rueful smile. "Yep. I'm so far over it that we don't even need to talk about it anymore. I had my hang-ups. I'm over them. That's all that needs to be said, isn't it?"
"I think so," said Becca, looping her arm through Callie's. "So, let's go find you a dress, then."
Callie made a face. "A dress? I thought I did all my dress-wearing while I was being your bridesmaid."
Becca laughed. "Okay, it doesn't have to be a dress, but something pretty. Something you. Although I have to say, the dress you wore to the rehearsal dinner looked gorgeous on you. But no, you're right. I wasn't trying to steer you into anything, you know that."
Callie considered it as they headed toward the stores. Even when she went out, the dressiest she got was her nice jeans and a pretty top most of the time. She'd enjoyed the change, having to wear different things over the course of the wedding weekend.
When they reached the first store, Becca held the door for Callie to go in.
It smelled like expensive candles and new fabric — nothing like the thrift shops back home.
She turned to Becca. "What do people normally wear at Muse?
I thought everyone was dressed up last time we were there because it was your bachelorette party and Jacob's bachelor party. "
"Yeah, they were dressed up, but not much more than normal for people here. But don't worry about it," she assured her. "You don't have to wear a dress. I hope I haven't freaked you out. I didn't mean to."
Callie laughed. "No, I'm not freaking out. If you want to know the truth, I'm wondering if I want to try out a different style." She made a face. "I mean, add another style. I'm not going to stop being me, but that doesn't mean I can't try something else too, does it?"
Becca smiled. "It doesn't mean that in the least. Ask me how I know."
Callie chuckled. The two of them had spent more nights out than she could count at Cattleman's Bar back in Dodge City, feeling glammed up in jeans and T-shirts.
They both turned when an assistant came hurrying toward them.
"Hi, ladies. How can I help you?"
Becca turned to Callie, and she smiled and said, "I'm going out tonight, and I think I might like to find a dress. I might revert back to slacks and a nice top at some point, but let's start with the dresses."
The sales assistant smiled and led them toward the back of the store. "See if there's anything that catches your eye here, and I'll be right back with you in a few minutes."
Callie spotted a lovely green dress that reminded her of the sea glass she'd found on the beach with Ollie. She pulled it off the rack and held it up to Becca. "What do you think?"
"Oh, Callie, it's gorgeous. Yes, you need to try it."
As if she'd just been lingering, waiting, the sales assistant appeared again, still smiling. She had another couple of dresses, which she held up. "I thought you might like to try these as well."
Callie gave Becca a puzzled look, wondering what made her think that. But Becca took them from her with a polite smile, saying, "Thanks. We'll see."
It was only when the assistant said, "Thanks, Mrs. Jacobs," and Becca grinned happily that Callie realized what was going on.
She took the dresses to the changing room, half expecting to see exorbitant price tags on them.
The woman had her pegged as Becca's friend and no doubt thought she was loaded.
Becca gave her a puzzled smile. "What's up?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm fine. Are you coming in with me?"
"Well, duh," said Becca. "Why break the habit of a lifetime?"
With that, she stepped inside the cubicle, and Callie closed the door behind them.
She looked around and laughed. There was a gilt-edged mirror and a small velvet-covered bench in the corner where Becca flopped down.
"This is a bit different than the changing rooms we were used to, isn't it? No plastic curtain, no gum on the floor. I feel cheated."
Becca laughed with her. "Don't be snippy about it. Just enjoy yourself and try that dress on."
She was right. Callie put the dress on, and Becca helped her zip it up. When she turned around and faced the mirror, she had to smile.
"It's gorgeous, Callie," Becca exclaimed. "You're gorgeous. Do you like it?"
She nodded happily. "I don't just like it. I love it. It might not be what I normally wear, but what the hell? Why not?"
"Exactly," said Becca. "And it's like you said — you're not changing, just expanding your horizons.
And I have to tell you—" She gestured for Callie to turn around.
Callie did as she asked. "That thing shows off your booty like I don't know what.
And in the front, it's cut just right. You're like the perfect hourglass. Ollie's going to love it."
Callie rolled her eyes, but Becca chuckled. "Don't you dare try to make out that you don't care what Ollie Stratton thinks, because I won't believe you for a moment."
"Okay, then I won't. Becca, he's awesome. And things are really good, and..." She paused. "This morning—"
Becca nodded eagerly. But Callie changed her mind.
"No, you know what? I'll tell you about that another time. Help me out of this dress, and I'll buy it, and we can be on our way."