"Tell me something I don't know."
Reaves chuckled."Okay — that you're an ungrateful bastard, because at least you get to see her today.Who knows when I'll get to see Alara and Zia again?"
"Yeah, sorry, bud.I didn't think about that.Have you still not heard anything from her?"
"She sent a text this morning.She finally answered me, but all she said was that they're both doing well, thanks for keeping in touch, and she'll tell me more when they get settled."
"That sounds fair to me," said Ollie."If they're starting a whole new life somewhere and she's starting a new job, it might take a little while."
"Yeah," said Reaves, "but you get it.Callie's been texting you, but you're still disappointed because you thought you'd get to talk to her every day.I was hoping that Alara would send more than a short text once a week.And Dad was really looking forward to reading Zia bedtime stories."
Ollie smiled at that."He's prepared to take his Grandpa Grape duties seriously, isn't he?"
"He is — if he gets the chance.But enough of me and my troubles.You go see your girl and give me a wave or something when you're ready for me to come join you guys."
"There's no need for that.Just come over when you're ready."
"Okay, but I'll take my time tying this thing down."
"Thanks."
Once Reaves had cut the engine, Ollie climbed out, and a rush of warmth filled his chest when he saw her.Callie was standing by the chain-link fence.She was gorgeous.There was no other word for it.
Her hair was tied loosely, but it still managed to fly around her face.She wore the kind of faded and torn jeans that people paid big money for from designer labels, but that he would bet only looked like that because she'd owned them forever.His lips quirked up into a smile.They sure fit her like they were made for her.Her plaid shirt managed to look outdoorsy and feminine at the same time.
And then he'd almost reached her.And when she smiled, it hit him right in the chest.
"Hey, you," she greeted him.
"Hey."
She stepped away from the fence, and he didn't hesitate until he was toe to toe with her.Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked up at him.And any thoughts of hesitation fled from his mind as he curled his arms around her waist and dropped his forehead to rest on hers.
"I missed you," he told her honestly.
Her arms came up around his shoulders, and she smiled as she said, "I missed you too."
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, wanting to go in for more, but thinking better of it.For now, at least.He knew he'd done the right thing when she peeked over his shoulder and asked, "Is Reaves coming?"
"He is.He'll be right here.He's just tying the plane down."
She looked up into his eyes."And giving us a minute?"
"Yeah, that too."
"That's sweet of him."
Ollie chuckled."He's a sweet guy.But I'm the good-looking one, right?"
She slapped his arm with a laugh."Of course you are — to me.But don't go getting big-headed.I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who think Reaves is the good-looking one."
He tightened his arms around her."I'm sure there are, but that makes no difference to me.Your opinion is the only one that counts in my world."
He thought that she might laugh and slap him again.But she looked genuinely touched by his words.
That heavy feeling settled in his chest.He wanted to make her happy by sharing the truth of how he felt about her.But before they could move forward in any meaningful way, he was going to have to share the truth of who he was with her.He pressed a kiss to her forehead, silently begging her to be understanding when he did.
She chuckled and stepped away from him at the sound of Reaves approaching — making as much noise as he could, stomping and coughing as he came.
