"No, that's why I'm calling you."
Callie nodded to herself."I knew it.There's no way someone would pay that much."
"No, hang on.It's not the price that's the problem.It's the request."
"Why?What's the request for?"
"A windchime.I don't even know if you make them," Delaney said."I don't see how you could with pottery.But whoever this is, is willing to pay that much for one.If I were you, I'd figure out how to make one."
Callie laughed at first — and then it hit her.
"Are you okay?Are you still there?"Delaney asked."You've gone really quiet."
"Sorry.Yeah.I'm good."
"So, should I get back to them and say yes?"
Callie worried at her bottom lip."Who's the order from?"
"Some woman in LA," said Delaney."Why?"
"I'm just curious."Callie knew who had to have placed the order, but she wasn't going to voice her suspicion to Delaney before she told Ollie."Can you stall her?Say I'll come back this evening or something?"
Delaney laughed."See, you're getting the hang of it.If they want one this badly, they might just up their price to try to persuade you."
Callie couldn't help laughing."That's not the reason."
Delaney laughed with her."I figured it wasn't.I figure you have your reasons, and you don't need to explain them to me.Just let me know what you want to do, okay?Anything else you want to talk about?"
"Not right now," said Callie, glancing up when the dogs ran to the window."But I will let you know about this wind chime order later, okay?"
"Sure, whenever you're ready."
"And thanks, Delaney.Thanks for everything.I'm sorry that I wasn't more enthusiastic to start with."
Delaney's voice sounded warmer when she said, "That's okay.It's not a problem.We got there in the end, and that's what counts.I know how I come across; it's enough to put most people off.I won't say it's intentional, but it's definitely fine by me.I find that only the people who are worth knowing stick around long enough to become friends.I hope you'll become one."
"Yeah, I do too," said Callie."I wasn't sure about you in the beginning, you know that.But yeah."
Delaney laughed."Awesome.And sappy moment over.I'll talk to you later, okay?See ya."
Callie laughed as the call ended."Yeah, see ya."
She looked down at the dogs, who whined.
"Is he home?"
Butter barked.
"Let's go see him then."
She opened the door, expecting them to run out to meet Ollie.But they waited and escorted her to him instead.
He looked a little panicked when he spotted her."Oh, hey.I didn't realize—"
He closed the door of his SUV and came to wrap his arms around her waist, dropping a kiss on her lips.
"You're back early," she said.
