"Yeah, there's a great coffee shop.Maybe we can go down there this afternoon.Will you advertise to do your usual kind of work?"
Alara shook her head slowly."I don't think I can just yet.If you really don't mind us parking out back for a while, I'll see if I can get any jobs doing anything.I mean, of course I'll do floral arrangements, but..."She blew out a sigh."I don't really know what else."
She looked a little defensive as she added, "I'm not totally broke or anything.I do have enough money to keep us going for a while.The only reason I was in such a hurry to get to Portland for that job was because—"
She stopped short and glanced at Zia.But Zia was busy rearranging the pile of mini pendants that Callie had given her.She'd laid them out on the coffee table by color, starting at red, working all the way through to indigo so that they formed a perfect rainbow arch.As Callie watched, she took out the little pot of glitter that she carried everywhere and shook some over the rainbow.
Callie looked back at Alara and nodded.She didn't need to explain about health insurance out loud, and Zia really didn't need to hear it.
Chapter Eleven
Ollie laughed when the dogs started whining excitedly in the back as he pulled up at Charles's house on Sunday morning.
"Okay, guys, I know you're excited to see Uncle Charles, but remember — don't get too boisterous.We're here to cheer him up, not knock him over, all right?"
Butter barked twice as if answering for them both.
Ollie climbed out and went around the back to let them out.They jumped down and pranced around his feet as he closed up.
"Hey, Ollie."
Reaves appeared around the side of the house, and the dogs took off to greet him."Hey, guys."He squatted down to make a fuss over them, and Ollie waited until they were done.
"How's your dad this morning?"he asked when Reaves straightened up.
"Yeah, he seems to be doing a bit better.He's curious about the idea of rebranding, but I don't know that he's all in."
"What do you think's best, then?"said Ollie."I don't want to push him if he's not sure about it, but at the same time, if we want to get things rolling, I'm more than happy to—"
Reaves met his gaze."You don't have to pay for anything, you know."
Ollie shrugged."I know I don't.And if it's going to cause a problem, then tell me now — or tell me at any point if it starts to become a problem."
Reaves lifted a shoulder."Maybe that's something you and Dad should talk about.I just don't know.Maybe he could cut you in on the profits.To repay you."
"He doesn't need to do that," said Ollie.
"I know," said Reaves, "but he might want to.Just stay open.You know damn well that I prefer to pay my own way, and I got that from Dad.Just..."
"I'll follow your lead, then.You do the talking."
"Thanks, but I'm not sure he'll even want to talk about it this morning."Reaves smiled."But don't be surprised if he asks about Callie."
"Callie?Why?"Ollie's heart rate picked up.He hadn't managed to talk to her again yet, and he was getting a little antsy about that.They'd texted a couple of times, but she seemed short with him.He was hoping that now she was back at home, she hadn't changed her mind about wanting to see him again.
"Don't worry, he's not prying into your love life — although I think he wants to help it along.He was saying something about some sunflower glazes, whatever they may be."
Ollie smiled as he glanced over at the row of sunflowers that grew along the side of the house."Oh yeah, right.She mentioned that.He wants me to pick them up from her or something.Has he talked to her?Has he bought them?"
"I don't know.Let's go see."
They found Charles out on the terrace behind the house.And it struck Ollie that if they could use a photograph of him sitting just like that in a marketing campaign, his wine sales would probably shoot through the roof.
He looked like the quintessential wealthy older gentleman — relaxed, approachable, genuinely likable.All of which he was, of course.But with the warm stone of the house behind him and the vine-covered hills rolling away into the distance, it seemed perfect to Ollie.It might not be a hip and trendy vibe, but he was pretty certain that it was the kind of vibe that people would buy.
Charles turned and smiled when he saw the dogs.Ollie was proud of them when they went straight to him and sat, each offering their paw to shake with him.They were always much more placid around Charles.They seemed to know who appreciated their exuberance and who needed a gentler approach.
"Well, greetings, you fine creatures," he said with a smile."I'm glad Ollie brought you over to see me.It's been a while."
