"I know."He blew out a sigh."We haven't known each other long yet, but I really don't want to blow my chance by being an idiot."
Rosa scowled."If you do, it'll be your own fault.What I meant was that the longer you leave it before you explain yourself, the more you'll hurt that girl.And she doesn't deserve that.Now go."
"Yeah, but—" He took a step forward, but Rosa shook her head and closed the door in his face.
As he turned to get back in his SUV, he felt like the biggest asshole.Now, not only was he lying to Callie, but he'd disappointed Rosa.And neither of those sat well with him.
~ ~ ~
Callie stepped forward and gave Walt a hug."You be good now, you hear me," she told him.
He chuckled."I think that's my line."
"Oh, I'm always good," said Callie.
Walt gave her shoulders a squeeze before letting her go and standing back."I hope you're gonna come and visit us more often now."
She nodded slowly."I've promised Becca that I will."
"Then you'll have to keep that promise," Elena said with a smile."She's made new friends here, but I know she loves having you around.I know she’d love to see more of you."
"I'll be back at some point soon, I promise," Callie told them."And I'll bring you each a mug.What color would you like?"
Elena's eyes lit up."Oh, I love the sea-green ones.If I could have one of those, I'd be more than happy.Thank you so much."
"It'll be my pleasure," said Callie."And you, Walt — do you need a new coffee mug for the greenhouse?"
"If you mean one of them fancy ones like Becca has, then yeah, I'll take one.A green one."He tilted his head."Always fascinated me how people make things from clay.You have a potter's wheel and everything, do you?"
"I do.And you know, if you ever want to come up there and see me, you can give it a try yourself."
Walt chuckled."Thanks for the offer, but I'd probably make a mess and not much else.I'm better at helping things grow than making them myself."
A rush of warmth filled Callie's chest when she saw the little smile he shot at Elena."I'm not like you talented ladies."
Elena waved a hand at him, but it was easy to tell that she was flattered by his words.
"I'll see you when I see you, then," he told Callie before ambling out of the kitchen, no doubt headed back toward his greenhouse.
Callie smiled at Elena."I'll bet he's glad to not have to deal with cornflowers all day every day now that the wedding's over, isn't he?"
Elena chuckled."Maybe, but I think he grew fond of them over the last few months."She studied Callie for a moment."And what about you?Are you glad to be leaving all of this behind and going back to your own place?Get back to making your pottery and enjoying some peace?"
Callie nodded slowly."Yeah, I am looking forward to it, but..."She looked around the kitchen, realizing for the first time that she felt completely at home here now.She turned back to Elena with a smile."Don't tell anyone I admitted it, but I'll miss you guys.And even this place.It felt so … alien to me at first.I’d only ever seen houses like this on TV before I came here.But now I can see that it’s just a home — bigger and fancier than what I’m used to but still a home."
Elena winked at her."I won't say a word to any of them.But I will say this to you: what matters about a house isn’t the size of it or how it’s built, it’s the love inside it that counts.No amount of money can make up for a lack of love.And it’s the same when it comes to people — it’s not what they have in the bank, but what they have in their heart that counts."
Callie leaned in to give her a hug."You're right, and it seems to me that you're the heart of this home."
Elena held her close for a moment."I like to think that I’ve done my best in the years since Mr.and Mrs.Jacobs passed.Jacob, Xander, and Hannah were all grown already.Xander and Hannah were away living their own lives.Jacob was here, but he was more lost than the others.I used to worry about him."She stepped back with a smile."But now he has Becca.She's the heart of this place now.She's the one who brought the love back."
"Isn't she awesome?"Callie's smile faded."She'd hate it if you felt like she was replacing you somehow, though.That's not how she is."
She was relieved when Elena laughed."There's nothing to worry about.I know how she is.I don't feel replaced — more like I've been promoted.She talks all the time about making me and Walt grandparents."
"Aww, that sounds about right.And you'll be grandparents to a whole herd of kids if she gets her way.I hope you're ready for that."
"I can't wait."Elena raised her eyebrows."And you?It seems all these girls are eager to start families.Are you the same?"
