Callie covered her face with her hand and groaned, but Ollie just laughed.
"Yeah, I guess I am.But I'm not all bad.And one of the perks is that I have my own plane we can go up in."
"Doesn't seem like there's anything bad about it to me," said Wyatt."Ouch!Okay, Mom, I'll move."
He disappeared, and Callie's mom reappeared.
"Listen, we'll let you go, but your dad just wants a word."
Ollie tensed, hoping this would go as well.He relaxed when Callie's dad appeared and gave him a warm smile.
"I won't keep you long.Just wanted to say hello.Our Callie thinks the world of you.She knows her own mind, and I trust her judgment — so you must be all right."
"I do my best, sir.And I promise you I'll be good to her."
Her dad nodded."That's all I need to know.I look forward to getting to know you, son."
That last word made Ollie's throat tighten.All he could do was nod and croak out, "You too."
Callie took over."We'll figure out about coming to see you guys soon."
"You do that, love.Love you."
"Love you too.Bye."
After the call ended, she reached out to squeeze his arm."They love you.I can tell."
He nodded."They're great.I look forward to getting to know them."
"What do you say — should we get dressed and take these guys for a walk?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
As they were gathering the dishes to take inside, Ollie's phone rang.He rolled his eyes at her."Why does everyone want to talk on a Saturday morning?"
She shrugged."No idea.But now it's my turn.You take it and I'll take the dishes inside."
As she walked away, he took his phone out, and his heart sank when he saw the name on the screen.Dad.
He didn't want to talk to him.Not after feeling the warmth of Callie's family.He didn't want to feel the contrast of a cold, stilted conversation with the man he called Father but didn't really know.
He felt like an asshole, but he waited for it to stop ringing and go to voicemail.
When it did, he hit play.
"Hi, Ollie.I've been trying to get hold of you for a while now.I was hoping you might have called me back."
There was a long pause, and Ollie held his breath, waiting for his dad to continue.
"I've been wanting to come and see you.I was hoping we could figure out when, but since I haven't heard back from you, I decided I'll just come by.I'll be there this afternoon — I should land around four.If you really don't want to see me, then I don't suppose you'll be home.But I hope you will."
The message ended, and he sat there staring at his phone.
He could take Callie out somewhere for the day.They could even go to her cottage.That way, even if his dad decided to stay overnight, they wouldn't come back and find him here.
Callie came back out and hurried to him."Oh no, what's wrong?Has something happened?"
He looked up at her."Why?"
