"Oh, crap, yeah."He dropped his head and nuzzled his lips against her neck."I wish we didn't have to get up."
"Me too, but we do.We both have work to do."
He grinned."I love that you can do your work here."
"Only the stuff I don't enjoy," she said.
"Shit, that's right."He made a face."I'm being selfish, aren't I?After this morning's flight, I'm free until Monday.Should we go to the cottage and you can work there?"
"I do need to get back."
"And we will.But promise me you'll stick around this morning?I should be back by two.And you said you'd help me find the lilac bush down by the pond."
Butter jumped up on the bed to join them, and Peanut whined.
He rubbed Butter's ears."These two would love a swim down there."
Callie shook her head with a smile."Okay, I'll stay."
Peanut jumped up too, not wanting to be left out.
"Do you think they'll like it at the cottage?"Callie asked.
"Sure they will."He rubbed Peanut's ears."They'll get used to it."He rolled off her."As long as we're welcome there, then the cottage is going to be as much a part of our lives as this place is."
"Of course you’re welcome.And you really don't mind?"she asked.
He shook his head."I do have a request, though."
"Oh no, that sounds ominous.What's your request?"
He made a face."I was going to put off asking because I don't know how you'll feel about it—"
She gave him a stern look.
"I know, I know," he said with a laugh."That's why I'm saying it instead of holding back.Remember when you talked about the great light in the conservatory and I said you could set it up as your workspace?"
"Yeah, I remember.But Ollie, I love my workspace at the cottage.I couldn't move everything."
He put a finger to her lips."If I have to be honest about what I'm thinking and not keep it secret, then you have to let me finish," he said with a smile.
She pushed his hand away with a laugh."Okay, fair enough.Carry on."
"Can I get you a kiln and wheel for the conservatory?"
"Oh, Ollie, no, I—"
She stopped and inhaled deeply when he raised his eyebrows.
"I figured you'd say that," he said."But I was kind of thinking — what if I want to learn?"
She smiled and pursed her lips."But you don't."
"But what if I did?I'd need my own kiln and my own wheel, and the conservatory would be the perfect place to put them.Will you at least think about it?"
"I will.Thanks, Ollie.And it's not that I'm rejecting you.I don't still have the same old hang-ups that I used to.But it's about me, you know?Being able to make my way in the world by myself."
"I get it.And I don't want to trample on any of that.But I think our future's together.Don't you?"
