"Neither am I.I've already told you, Callie.I like you.I'd like to see more of you.You tell me when works for you, and I'll do my best to make it happen."
"Thanks.I'll figure it out and let you know.I'm not going to mess you around, either."
"I didn't think you would.It's not who you are, is it?"
"No, it sure isn't."She paused."I should probably let you go.Are you getting ready for bed?"
"Ha!No, not yet.I only just came in.But I'm about to eat dinner, so yeah, I should go."
"Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow, then."
"I look forward to it.Good night, Callie."
"Good night, Ollie."
Chapter Nine
The fog clung to the trees when Callie made her way outside on Friday morning.She wished Zia could see her cottage.She'd no doubt think it was magical, like something out of a fairy tale.
Or maybe Callie just saw it that way herself.But no, that wasn’t it.She smiled as she went to her truck; she knew she had a good take on how Zia saw the world.
And that was why she was headed into town this morning.That little girl loved sparkles so much that Callie had decided even her mug needed to sparkle.Jed at the art supply store in town tended to carry a wide range of underglazes, and she remembered seeing some pearlescent blues and purples last time she was in there.At the time, she'd wanted to buy them but hadn't been able to think of a use for them.Now, she knew that they would be perfect for making something sparkly for Zia.
She hadn't been sure whether the mug was such a great idea; Zia didn't seem like a clumsy kid, but Callie would hate for her to be upset if she dropped it and it broke.But even apart from the mug, she was planning to see if she could find a dandelion — or if not, a daisy — that she could press into a mini pendant for Zia.
Another idea she'd had was to head down to the beach and see if she could find a crescent moon-shaped shell.Maybe if she bought a midnight blue pearlescent underglaze, she could make Zia her own little moon pendant.Or a coaster.
She pulled herself back to the moment.She didn't need to figure out all the details right now.What she needed to do was get her ass into the truck and head into town.She could stop by the coffee shop, treat herself to a latte to go, and then wander down to the beach to see what treasures she could find.
She offered her thanks to the god of old motors when the truck started on the first try, and soon she was on her way into town.The damp hung cool and heavy in the air until she hit the main road.
It didn't take her long to check in with Jed at the art store, and she came away with several different pearlescent underglazes to try — and a whole bunch of ideas for what else she wanted to use them on.
Next stop was the coffee shop.She loved the guys who owned the place.They'd walked out on corporate careers back in Boston to come out to the coast and actually enjoy life.
Once she had her latte and was on her way, she decided that rather than go to the main beach, she was going to head a little farther north.She set her coffee in the cup holder and took her phone out of her purse.She'd texted Alara again before she went to sleep last night, but it was so late that she hadn't expected an answer.She'd hoped that there might have been one this morning, though.
When she checked, there was still nothing.
She blew out a sigh.She wanted to know how they were doing, wanted to know that Alara was okay.But she'd left a voicemail.She'd sent a text.There wasn't much more she could do.She had to respect that Alara was, as Ollie had said, an independent woman who knew her own mind.
But still, as she headed north, she couldn't stop thinking about them.And when she reached the turnoff to where they'd been parked, she pulled over without really knowing why.
It was silly to go to the place that she'd last seen them.Except...once she was there, she realized why her hunch had brought her.
The camper was still parked at the end of the pullout.
She wasn't sure if it was still in exactly the same spot.She thought it was, but maybe it was farther along now.She worried at her bottom lip.She didn't know.She didn't want Alara to feel like she was here checking on her.But at the same time, she was concerned.
~ ~ ~
When Ollie reached the St.James estate on Friday morning, he hit the remote on his visor and the gates swung open.He pulled through and waited for them to close behind him before carrying on up the driveway that led between the rows of vines.
The sight of the house when it appeared made him think of Zia.The kid wasn't wrong when she called it a castle.This place truly looked like one.And that seemed fitting to him.If he were to name a king of Napa, it'd be Charles.Not just because he was older and one of the original generation of winemakers who'd put the place on the map — there were a few of them still around.But also because Charles had a regal air about him.
He laughed at himself as he pulled around the back.It must be Zia's influence on him that had him thinking this way.
His smile faded as he climbed out.Or maybe it was just that he saw Charles as a true king.An old-school gentleman, at least.While his own father was more like...He didn't know what.He wasn't exactly a villain.He was just...different.He had a different set of values.Ollie made a face as he reached the kitchen door.Fortunately, these days, he rarely had to speak to his dad, let alone see him.He didn't know why he was dwelling on him today.
