He looked up at Ollie."I'm assuming that you think I might need cheering up, and I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine."
"I'm glad to hear it."
Ollie glanced at Reaves, but rather than launching into the details of what Delaney had told them about rebranding possibilities, Reaves went with, "Ollie was just asking if you've talked to Callie about the sunflower glazes."
Charles beamed."As a matter of fact, I have.And I’m pleased to report that I managed to persuade her to take a handsome fee for them."
That made Ollie smile.From what he understood, Callie could and should charge a lot more than she did for her work.
Charles raised his bushy eyebrows."I told her that I'd leave it up to the two of you to decide when you want to go and collect them.It seemed unnecessary for me to get involved."
"Okay, I'll give her a call tonight."
Ollie was glad to have the excuse to actually call her again.Even more so, to have good reason to go and see her.
"I was thinking that you might want to call her today," Charles suggested."I'm eager to get those things here."He pointed to the low stone wall that divided the lawn from the fields beyond."I was thinking that I'd like to line them up right there.I've never been able to grow sunflowers in that spot, but I'd love to see them there."
Ollie glanced at Reaves, but he shrugged.
Charles laughed."Don't look at each other like that.Yes, I'm trying to manipulate you.I'll come right out and say it.It seems to me that you need an excuse to go and see that young lady again.And I'm happy to provide one."He looked at Reaves."If the two of you go today, it'll give you the chance to fly together, won't it?"
Ollie looked at Reaves again, and he made a face."Those two spent too much of their time talking to me on their last date, Dad.I don't think they need me riding along again."
"It's not a problem," Ollie said immediately.As much as he'd like to see Callie again, he and Reaves loved any chance they got to fly together.They flew the jet together for work all the time, but this would be one of the rarer occasions when Reaves got to go up in the Cirrus with him.
"Even if you entertain yourself when you get there," Charles told Reaves."Let the two of them have some time together.You'll still have a joyride in the sky."
He got to his feet and set his napkin down on the table."I have some business in town to attend to today, so I'll see you later.I've already arranged to pay Callie online somehow."He frowned slightly."I might need your help with that.But otherwise, your day is your own, and I suggest you use it wisely.And by wisely, I mean take a trip to Fort Bragg, why don't you?"
He took his cup and saucer and went back in through the drawing room doors.
"Were you expecting that?"Ollie asked.
"Hell no," said Reaves."But what do you think?You know what he's like — once he's made his mind up, that's it.We won't get the chance to have a decent conversation with him until you get him his glazes."He made a face."I really don't even understand what they are."
Ollie laughed."I'm not sure that I do either, but since they're something that Callie's made, I know they'll be awesome."
Reaves chuckled."You're a goner, aren't you?"
"I'd like to be," he said honestly."And if today's a chance to go and remind her what a great guy I am, then I'd like to make the most of it."
"What do you think, though?I'll be happy to fly with you, you know that.And I can hang out at the airport or take myself for a walk or something while you go see Callie.Or — how heavy are these things?Will you need help loading them and bringing them?Maybe we can do that first."
"I have no idea," said Ollie."I guess the first thing I need to do is call her, make sure that it's okay for us to go.We'll figure out the rest from there.What do you say?"
"Yeah, let's do it."
~ ~ ~
"We should probably get going," Alara said.
"Only if you want to," Callie told her."I have nothing else to do, and I'm enjoying hanging out with you guys.But don't feel you need to stay."
Zia looked up from the spot on the floor where she was arranging the pendants into a pretty mosaic pattern."I'd like to stay."
Alara smiled."Okay.And I would too, if I'm honest."
"Good," said Callie."Do either of you want another drink or anything?"She frowned when her phone rang."Sorry, I just need to check who it is."
