Reaves laughed with him."Okay, so I'm mixing my metaphors, but you know what I mean.Don't try picking on me.You're the one who's lying to the first girl who's ever actually gotten to you."His smile faded."Just don't screw it up, okay?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna do my best not to."
When the casserole was ready, Ollie brought the whole dish to the counter and pulled up a stool beside Reaves as he slid a plate in front of him.
Reaves grinned as he served himself a large helping."I love Rosa's breakfast bake."
Ollie laughed."So do I.Make sure you don't eat it all before I can get my share."
Reaves reached for the spoon again, and Ollie pretended to jab him with his fork.
"I was only snagging a piece of sausage for the hounds," said Reaves.
"Yeah right.I know you — it's two pieces for you and one for them."
The dogs were watching them closely, and Reaves turned and threw them each a piece.
"What do you want to do today?"he asked.
Ollie shrugged.The honest answer was that he'd like to go back and see Callie again.But it wasn't realistic.
Reaves laughed as if he'd read his mind."I know how you feel.But since I can't see Alara and you can't see Callie, we're stuck with each other.So, what do you say — should we take the dogs down to the lake, give them a swim?"
Both dogs yipped happily when they heard that.
"Yeah, we should," Ollie agreed, feeling bad.It was hardly a lake in the normal sense, but the man-made pool was a favorite place for the dogs, and he hadn't taken them down there in far too long.
~ ~ ~
It was late by the time Callie made it back into the cottage on Thursday evening.She'd thought that she was going to rest today, give herself a little time to just hang out and adjust to being back home after the busy week she'd had in Napa.
She'd enjoyed it — loved being there for Becca as her bridesmaid, and there was no question that she'd enjoyed meeting Ollie.But she'd done more people time in the last week than she probably had in the last year.
As was usually the case with her, though, whenever she thought she was going to take a rest, she somehow found herself out in the cabin.At first, she'd planned to just tidy a few things up.But then it was hours later, and a fresh set of mugs stood drying, ready to be glazed tomorrow.
She smiled to herself.She could give the ones for Walt and Elena to Ollie the next time she saw him, along with the ones she'd made for him, Reaves, and Charles.
Her smile faded a little.She didn't know when she'd get to give Alara and Zia theirs.She'd have to mail them when they had an address.
She peered inside the fridge, wondering what she should eat.It was way past dinnertime.She checked the clock on the mantel.Jeez, she hadn't realized it was ten thirty already.
Turning back to the fridge, she selected some hummus, grabbed a few baby carrots, and chopped up a stick of celery.It wasn't the best dinner, but it was quick and easy.
She went and flopped down on the sofa, setting the hummus on the coffee table in front of her.Just as she was about to dip her celery, her phone rang.She scowled at it, wondering who it might be at this time, then grinned when she checked the screen and saw Ollie's name.
"Hey," she answered."How are you?"
"I'm good, thanks.Sorry to call so late."
"It's okay, this isn't late.And if you'd called any earlier, you wouldn't have reached me."
"No?Have you been out for the day?"
"I've been in the cabin for the day."
"Oh, you went straight back to work?I thought you were taking a break."
She chuckled."So did I; I don't even know how I ended up in there.It was a productive day, though.I made everyone's mugs."She paused."I never thought to ask — do you even want one?I was just assuming."
