He leaned in to press a kiss to her lips."Especially since you're the one who made it happen."
"Oh, Ollie.I love that.But it wasn't me.It was the two of you.Your dad didn't give up trying.And you decided to give him a chance."
He rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes."Maybe so.But we wouldn't have gotten there without you.So, yeah.I'd say take the order.Or call him."
She shook her head."That's the other thing.It's not his name on the order."
"Oh."Ollie frowned."Then maybe it's not."
"It is.It has to be," she told him."No one else has seen them.Delaney didn't say his name, though.She just said some woman in LA"
Ollie grinned."That makes sense.No matter how much he wants a wind chime, he'll have one of his secretaries figure out how to order it for him.But next time we talk to him, I'll ask him."
"Do you think that's okay?"she asked, not wanting to be the source of any friction between them.
She was relieved when he smiled."Yeah.I feel like I can talk to him now.And I want to make sure he knows he can do the same."He gave her a wry smile."Since, as we've learned, sneaking around and trying to keep secrets only makes things worse."
She chuckled."Yeah.That's true."
They'd reached the pond now, and the dogs were sitting at the edge, panting eagerly, waiting for Ollie to give them the go-ahead.
She was surprised when he didn't, saying instead, "Just hang on, guys.We want to find this lilac bush first."
He grabbed Callie's hand and led her down the path that circled the pond and past a low stone bench.She gave him a puzzled look.He seemed to know where he was going.As if he'd found it already.
"Have you been down here with these guys and not told me?"she asked with a laugh.
He turned back with a sheepish smile."Would you be mad if I said yes?"
She laughed."No.But I would wonder why you asked me to come help you find it if you already knew where it was."
"Well, now, see — that's part of the last secret I'm ever going to keep from you."
She smiled."I don't think all secrets are bad.Maybe we can have them sometimes, when they're for fun things.And I get the feeling this is a fun thing.Isn't it?"
"I hope so."He stopped walking."In fact, would you do me a favor and stand right there for a second?Turn your back.And no peeking."
"Okay."She laughed, not knowing what he was up to, but happy to turn her back.
Peanut and Butter came to sit facing her.And when Ollie called, "Cover your eyes, guys," they lay down and covered their noses with their paws, making Callie laugh harder.
She heard him rustling with something and called, "What are you up to?"
"You'll see in a second.Just promise me you won't turn around."
"I promise."
She sensed him come closer, as if he was standing right behind her.But then his voice came from lower down when he finally said, "Okay.You can turn around now."
She turned around, and the dogs jumped up and came to stand one on either side of her.It took her a second to register what was going on.She thought he was squatting down to greet them.
But he wasn't.
Her heart started to pound when she realized he was down on one knee.
"Oh my gosh, Ollie!"
"Don't say no yet," he said with a laugh."Just hear me out.Please."
