Ollie turned away quickly, but he didn't think he'd done it in time before Callie glanced at him.Maybe he just felt guilty, but it seemed like she spoke a little louder for his benefit when she said, "Honestly, it wasn't your fault.It wasn't even really his.Things just get muddled sometimes.I think in the end you did us a favor."
He hoped that her words were for his benefit.But even if they weren't, it was good to know she felt that way.
Once the camper was parked out on the road, pointed in the right direction and ready to go, Reaves came to Ollie and grabbed his hand.They pulled each other in for a one-armed hug, and Reaves slapped his back as he said, "I'll see you back at the castle."
Ollie chuckled."I'll stop by tomorrow to check on you guys, okay?"
He turned to Alara, and she gave him a shy smile."Thank you so much for everything."
He leaned down to give her a hug and kiss her cheek."You're more than welcome.But do me a favor — please think of me as a friend.I'd hate for you to suddenly think of me as your employer or something."
"But that's what you..."she began, but Zia cut her off, saying, "I'm glad you're our friend, Secret King."
To Ollie's surprise, she held her arms up to him, and he picked her up.He didn't have the hang of sitting her on his hip like Reaves did, but she wrapped her little arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"We'll see you back in Grape Land."
"I'll look forward to it," he told her honestly.
When he set her down, she went to Callie, looking a lot more solemn."I'll think of you every time I see the moon."
Callie squatted down in front of her."And I'll think of you too.You're going to have lots of fun, and you'll make new friends.And you already have lots of friends in Grape Land."
Zia nodded and sniffed."I wish you were coming."
Callie held her arms out, and Zia flung herself into them.Ollie's throat tightened as he watched the two of them hug.
"Forever and a day?"Zia asked in a whisper.
"Forever and a day — and an extra forever, just to be sure," Callie answered."We'll always be friends."
Zia stood back with another sniff and rubbed her fist over her eyes.Alara held her hand out, saying, "Come on, Z.It's time to go."
Reaves grinned at them."Thanks for everything, Callie."
"Yeah.Drive safe," she told him.
"See you later, bud.Text me when you get there, okay?"said Ollie.
"Will do."
Ollie and Callie stood side by side as they watched Reaves, Alara, and Zia get set up in the Suburban, looking for all the world like a little family about to go on vacation.Reaves put the window down, and he and Alara waved before he pulled away.
"My window, my window!"Zia called, and when it went down, she waved madly at them, calling, "Don't forget, Miss Callie Clay — forever and a day!"
The Suburban and camper rounded the bend and disappeared from sight.Callie sniffed beside him, and Ollie wanted to wrap his arm around her shoulders.He didn't know if he should.But when she leaned into him slightly, he did.
Chapter Sixteen
After the camper turned the corner and disappeared out of sight, Callie closed her eyes for a moment and swallowed.Of course she was sad to see them go, but she didn't need to cry about it.The rush of emotion that hit her had taken her by surprise.
Ollie tightened his arm around her, and she rested her head against his shoulder for a moment, enjoying the closeness.It'd be all too easy to just slip back into it, but they needed to talk first.She still had questions, and she felt as though she owed him the truth about her own situation as well.
She hadn't been lying to him, but she was still lying to her parents, and that old saying about people who live in glass houses not throwing stones kept echoing in her mind.
"Are you okay?"Ollie asked.
She nodded and tightened her arm around his waist.She hadn't even been aware that she was holding onto him like that.After giving him a squeeze, she stepped back with a smile."Yeah, I'm just sad to see them go.But it's not like I'll never see them again, is it?"
