Chapter Twenty-Six
Callie stood close to Ollie's side as they watched the big jet come in to land.
It hadn't occurred to her before to ask where he landed the Cirrus when he came back to Napa.
She'd assumed it would be at some airport somewhere. She hadn't known that he had his own runway out here. Of course she’d seen the hangar, but she’d assumed it was some kind of storage building.
The jet taxied toward them and came to a stop in front of the hangar. The engines wound down, and the sudden quiet felt heavy. Heat shimmered off the tarmac, and the faint smell of jet fuel hung in the air.
She took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze. "This is gonna be okay, Ollie. Even if you decide that he's not someone you want in your life, at least you'll know. You can make the decision from who you are now, not based on the past."
He turned and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Thanks."
"Of course. I'm here for you. And honestly, if at any point you want some time alone with him, just give me the nod. I'd say that I'll slip away when I sense that you need it, but I don't want to walk out on you at the wrong moment."
He smiled. "Thanks. If it comes to it, I'll just say that I want to talk to him alone." He looked at her. "Are you ready for this?"
"I am," she assured him. "Of course I'm nervous about meeting your dad, but this is about so much more than that."
"Damn, Callie, I'm sorry. I should be the one reassuring you that this is gonna be okay. The only reason I'm not doing that is because it doesn't matter what he thinks. You're more important to me than he is."
"No, Ollie, don't say that—"
He held her hand tighter. "I can say that because it's true.
And that isn't some spiteful little-boy thing, Callie — that's just the truth.
I love you. I barely know him. And maybe by some miracle today will change things between me and him, and we'll get to be — I don't know — friends or something.
But you are the important one in my life. Understand?"
She cupped his face in her hands and brushed her lips over his. "I understand. I love you, Ollie."
He smiled. "That's what I was saying too. I just used too many words."
She turned to watch as the door on the plane opened and a uniformed pilot lowered the steps. The scene looked more like some visiting dignitary arriving than a family member coming home. She glanced at Ollie but couldn't read his expression as he stared at the man coming down the steps.
His father.
~ ~ ~
A dozen memories flashed through Ollie's mind as he watched his dad descend the stairs.
He was older — more silver in his hair — but he still looked good.
He kept in shape, and his white shirt and navy slacks gave him the air of a relaxed professional.
But there was something in his posture that Ollie hadn't expected.
A hesitance. Like he wasn't sure of his welcome.
Ollie remembered times he'd come out here to sit outside the hangar and wait for his dad to arrive home when he was small. He wasn't supposed to, but it was easy enough to slip away from the nannies who never really cared about him anyway.
He shot a sideways glance at Callie as his dad strode across the tarmac to meet them. His dad had a way of charming women around to seeing things his way. Something loosened in his chest when he realized that he already knew for sure that Callie wouldn't fall for it.
His dad stopped a few yards away, pushing his sunglasses up onto the top of his head.
"Ollie."
"Dad."
Callie shifted beside him, and he felt bad. This wasn't just about him anymore. He took a step forward.
"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Callie."
His dad smiled. "It's good to meet you. You're just as beautiful as your photo."
Ollie inhaled sharply. "What do you mean? What photo?"
"The one on Instagram, of course." His dad smiled. "You two make such a great couple. I'd been waiting and waiting to come visit, but when I saw that post, I took matters into my own hands. I hope that's okay."
Ollie was still frowning. "How did you even see that?"
He glanced at Callie, but she didn't seem too worried.
His dad pursed his lips, then shook his head slowly. "I could probably come up with some convincing tale, couldn't I?"
Ollie let out a short, bitter laugh. "I'm sure you could. But the truth would probably work better."
"Okay. Then the truth is — I have alerts set up."
"What kind of alerts?"
"Searches for if your name comes up online anywhere."
Ollie's shoulders sank, and he turned away. "What — are you worried that I might bring your name into disrepute or something? I don't believe you, Dad."
"Ollie, no—"
His dad came after him, and when his hand came down on his shoulder, Ollie shook it off angrily. "Why the hell else would you?"
"Jesus, Ollie — because I care. I've always cared. I try to keep in touch, but you just block me out."
Callie's hand found the small of his back — not pulling him anywhere, just letting him know she was there.
His dad glanced at her. "I'm sorry you have to hear this."
She shook her head. "It's fine. The two of you need to sort this out."
His dad sighed heavily. "Well, now you both know the truth. I'm a sad old man whose only way to know what's going on in his son's life is to have alerts set up on news and social sites." He met Ollie's gaze. "Satisfied?"
Ollie glared at him. "Satisfied? What does that even mean, Dad?"
"It means I care, son."
Son. The word landed somewhere deep — somewhere Ollie had stopped letting anyone reach. Somewhere no one had touched, not until Callie. He shook his head.
"You never cared enough to be here. When I was a kid—"
"I did care, Ollie. And I'm sorry. I should have done things differently. I know I can't change your childhood. I know I can't make up for what we lost. But I'm hoping — really hoping — that maybe there's something we can salvage now."
Ollie's heart was pounding as he turned away to look out at the vineyards.
He felt like that little kid again. The one who'd been disappointed so many times.
The one who'd waited for his dad to come home, only to be told he'd called and couldn't make it this weekend — again.
The one who'd played by himself among the vines.
Who went running to Rosa in the kitchen when he fell and cut his knee, or when the kids at school asked why he lived here when his dad made such awesome movies in Hollywood.
That was when he needed his dad. Not now.
He took a few deep breaths before turning back around. A warm breeze stirred the vines, and he could hear birds somewhere in the oaks. He'd promised Callie he'd stay open. And maybe — just maybe — he was tired of carrying this.
"Do you want to come up to the house?"
There was no mistaking the relief and gratitude in his dad's eyes as he nodded. "Yes, please. I'd like that."
Ollie was surprised to see him turn and give the nod to his pilot. He'd assumed his dad would be determined to stay no matter what Ollie thought about it.
Apparently, he hadn't been so sure he'd be welcome.
~ ~ ~
When they reached the terrace by the pool, Callie was surprised to see that the table was all laid out with glasses and napkins.
She gave Ollie's hand a squeeze, and he shook his head slightly.
She couldn't understand what was going on until Rosa came out of the kitchen door, carrying a tray and wearing a smile.
She set it down on the table. There were bowls of chips and nuts and little canapés that Callie didn't recognize. Luigi came out behind her, carrying a carafe of wine and some sodas.
They set them down on the table, and Luigi went to shake Miles's hand. "Glad you're here," was all he said as the two men shook hands.
Miles nodded. "I'm grateful to be here."
Callie squeezed Ollie's hand, but he just shook his head again.
Rosa came to him and gave him a pointed look. "I thought it might be good for you all to sit and talk." She smiled. "And I thought you might need a drink."
Miles chuckled, and when she turned to him, he wrapped her in an affectionate hug. "It's good to see you, Rosa."
"And you. We miss you, you know."
Callie felt bad for him as he glanced at Ollie. He didn't say anything, but it was obvious to her that he missed his son too.
"We'll be on our way," said Rosa. "Want us to take the dogs?"
"No," Ollie said immediately. "Are they inside?"
"They are."
Luigi glanced at Miles, and Miles gave a short laugh. "I'd like to see them."
Ollie looked a little put out, but Luigi went back and opened the door. Peanut and Butter came bounding out, and Luigi guided Rosa inside.
Although they came to Ollie first, the dogs then went straight to Miles, who bent to make a fuss over them.
She watched, fascinated, then turned to check with Ollie, putting a hand on the small of his back. He gave her a wry smile and said in a low voice, "It's okay. He loves them."
Miles straightened up, and she could hear the pain in his voice when he said, "He loves you too, Ollie."
This felt like the moment that she should make herself scarce. But Ollie caught her hand again and led her to the table.
"What would you like to drink?"
"I'll take a soda, thanks."
He turned to his dad, who said, "A glass of cab for me, please."
Once the three of them were seated around the table, the silence that descended made Callie twitchy. Miles smiled at her, and she smiled back, even though she felt a little disloyal to Ollie doing so.
"Your work is beautiful," he said.
"Thank you."
"I'm not just making polite conversation," he insisted. He glanced at Ollie. "Or trying to butter up the woman my son loves."
She smiled at that. "It wouldn't work if you did."
"I can see that." He nodded slowly. "I was intrigued when I saw the photo of the two of you. You look as though you belong together. Now that I've met you, I understand. You love him, and you're good for him."
She smiled and rested her hand on Ollie's thigh under the table. "He's good for me."