"Thank you."
Callie watched his face, still wondering what the hell was going on.He reached for her hand again, and she only hesitated for a moment before taking it.
~ ~ ~
Ollie was silently cursing himself as Callie led him up onto the porch.His heart was thundering and his palms were sweating.The only thing giving him hope was that she had at least taken hold of his hand when he'd offered.She wasn't rejecting him entirely — at least not yet.
He was a damn fool.He should have kept his mouth shut.He could have made the offer to help Alara without putting himself in this situation.
But he couldn't regret doing it.Seeing the look on Alara's face, knowing the situation she was in, and seeing the torment Reaves was in.Reaves was such a stand-up guy — he'd do anything for anyone.And Ollie knew damn well that given the chance, he'd move heaven and earth for Alara and Zia.There was no way he could stand there and watch the two of them feel as though there was no solution to their problem.
He might have had an issue with his family wealth his whole life, but he wasn't stupid.He enjoyed it.He tried to do good with it, to use it well.He employed Rosa and Luigi at the estate, and the other staff who worked around the house and the grounds.He employed a whole lot more people through Stratton Wines, even if Jacob was the one who took care of the whole business side of things.And one thing he knew for sure was that all of them — all of the people he employed — enjoyed great health benefits.He made damn sure of it.
It had seemed like such a straightforward solution.He couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of it before — there was no reason for him not to employ Alara.It would give her a reason to come back to Napa.That would make Reaves and Zia, and hopefully Alara, very happy.And even though he didn't know what kind of work she might do, that was probably a good thing.She didn't need the pressure of a heavy work schedule when she obviously had health issues to deal with.
Once the door closed behind him, Callie rounded on him."Are you going to tell me what the hell's going on?"
"I am.I'm sorry."
"Yeah, but what are you sorry for, Ollie?I don't understand.Why do you have payroll?And why and how would you just be able to put Alara on it with a snap of your fingers like that, as if there's no question?You're not worried about how or why.I mean, what...?"She shook her head."Payroll comes with employment.What exactly do you plan to employ her to do?"
She turned and walked away from him before spinning back around again."And don't for one second think that I'm jealous.That's not where I'm coming from."
He let out a low laugh."That didn't even occur to me.I know that's not what this is about.You're mad at me because...because I haven't been honest with you about who I am."
He hated to see the way her hands shook as she reached for a glass, as if she was going to get a drink, then set it down again.
"So, who exactly are you, Ollie?"
He took a step toward her, but she shook her head, and he froze, hating that she didn't want him near her.
"I'm still me.Still Ollie.But..."
"But what?"she snapped."Is this where you tell me that you're one of the wine country royalty after all?Shit, have you been laughing at me this whole time?"
"No," he exclaimed."I'd never do that.And besides, it's not funny.I screwed up and I'm sorry, okay?It was just — when I came to collect you that first time, and you said you didn't feel comfortable around those guys..."
"You decided to not tell me that you were one of them?"
He nodded slowly."I really wasn't lying, Callie.At least, I didn't mean to.I didn't want to.I liked you.And you seemed to feel more at ease with me because I was just a pilot."
"But you're notjusta pilot, are you?"
He ran his hand through his hair."I am.I don't come from a wine family.Technically, it wasn't a lie — especially considering I didn't even say it.I grew up with those guys.I do own an estate."
Her eyes widened."Youownone?"
He nodded slowly, knowing that he might as well just pour it all out now.If this went badly, it might be the only chance he got to explain himself."Yeah.You know where we walked the dogs?"
"Shit.That's your place?"she asked, shaking her head, obviously irritated."Damn.And I asked you if we were going to be trespassing, and you said it was okay because you know the guy who owns the place?Because you are the guy who owns the place, aren't you?"
"Yeah."He hung his head."I'm really sorry.I just couldn't figure out how to tell you."
"But why all of..."she began.But then her cheeks turned pink."But youdidlie to me.Or is that really your apartment in town?Is that where you just take women?"
His stomach dropped.This was getting even worse — he was going to have to admit that Reaves was complicit.
"What?"she asked, her voice sharp.
