Callie shaded her eyes with her hand as she peered up at the sky.There was a small plane that had just turned to line itself up with the runway.She smiled, hoping that Ollie had the lights lined up right — two red and two white, like he'd taught her.
The three of them watched the Cirrus touch down and thunder along the runway until it finally slowed down and turned at the end to taxi back to them.
"Oh my gosh!"Zia exclaimed."I thought they were going to go all the way off the end."
Callie laughed."It looks that way, doesn't it?But Ollie and Reaves know what they're doing.They're good pilots."
Her breath caught in her chest when Zia stared up at her and said, "They are good men, both of them."
She had no answer for that and was grateful when the kid's attention was caught by the Cirrus approaching.
She stood back and watched as the guys climbed out.Reaves came hurrying over, and when Alara finally let go of Zia's hand, she went running to him, shouting, "Prince Daddy, you're here!"
He swung her up to sit on his hip and then came to greet Alara with a kiss on the cheek.Alara blushed, and Callie couldn't help hoping that the future might hold good things for the two of them.The three of them.
She was a little disappointed that Ollie didn't come to greet her with as much enthusiasm, but then what did she expect?The poor guy was probably still wary.
She watched him take out the ropes and, with a quick glance at the others, decided that she should make the first move.She hurried over to him.
He froze when he saw her.
"Hi," she said with a smile.
"Hey.I didn't know..."
"I know," she said."That's why I came over.Do you want me to help you tie this bird down?"
He smiled, and some of the tension left her shoulders."Sure.Want me to show you how?"
"You’d better.I have no idea what kind of knot it needs, and I'd hate for it to blow away by the time you come back."
He shot her a puzzled look, and she rolled her eyes."Shoot, I'm sorry.I didn't mean that the way it sounded.I don't mean that I want to make sure you have a way out of here."
He gave her a rueful smile."Thanks.You had me worried for a second there."
"It's all okay.We need to talk, but—" She met his gaze and nodded."I'm hoping it's going to be all right."
"Me too."
He tied the plane down, explaining what he was doing as he did.When he was finished, he straightened up."Callie, I..."
But he didn't get the chance to say anything more.Zia came scampering over, calling, "You're here, Secret King!Thank you for bringing Prince Daddy."She smiled at Callie."Lady Sunshine missed you, you know."
Callie spluttered.She hadn't said anything of the kind — even if it might be true.
Ollie tried to hide a smile but didn't manage it."She did, huh?"
Zia nodded matter-of-factly."She did.She was sad that you kept secrets.But she still missed you."
"Come on, Z," Alara called.
Zia stood looking up at them, her arms hanging loosely at her sides, head tilted as she looked from Ollie to Callie and back again a couple of times."You could be the King of Sunshine, if you tried, you know."Then she turned back to Callie."Or maybe you could be the Secret Queen."
With that, she turned and ran back to her mom.
Ollie raised his eyebrows at Callie, and she shrugged.She wasn't going to go anywhere near Zia trying to turn them into a pair — or a couple.So instead, she went with, "I guess she has a point.I've been keeping secrets, too."
He held his hand out tentatively, and she placed hers in it without hesitation.
