She laughed."I caught it."
"You did?Which part?"
She rolled her eyes."You said, 'when we start dating.'Not if.When."
He ducked his head and pressed a kiss to her lips."Because that's what I'm hoping."
"And I didn't say anything because that's what I want, too."
The last of that heavy feeling that had been sitting in his chest ever since he’d given her Reaves’s address instead of his own at the wedding finally dissolved.The wind gusted, and he breathed it in deep.
"You're sure?"he asked."You can ask me whatever you like.I'll tell you anything you need to know — or want to know — before you decide."
"I've decided, Ollie, and I don't want you to think that me asking you questions was making you pass some kind of test or something.I was just curious.I'll probably have more questions.But I think we're okay for now."
"Awesome."He kissed her forehead."So, Miss Callie Claiborne, this is me, Oliver Stratton, asking you out on our first official date.What do you say?Do you want to come to Napa?I know a few people who'll be happy to see you if you do."
His heart sank when she shook her head.
"I mean, I'll come at some point.I've told Becca I'll come for a couple of days when she and Jacob get back from their honeymoon.But, Ollie, I want our first date to be about you and me."
It made sense."Okay, so how about I come back up here, and we'll go fly?Head up the coast.Maybe to Oregon.I'll bring a picnic.We can make a day of it."
She smiled."I'd love that.Especially if you let me fly the plane again."
He chuckled."You know I will.And thanks, Callie.Thanks for giving me another chance."
"I wanted to, Ollie.I wanted you to be the guy I thought you were."She smiled."Because I like him.I like him a lot."
He grinned."And he likes you right back."His smile faded."Shit, I mean, Iamhim.I'm not talking about—"
She laughed."It's okay.I get it.Relax."
She grabbed his hand and started walking, her fingers warm against his cold ones.He gave her a puzzled smile.
"I just want to enjoy some beach time now," she explained."We've covered what we need to.Want to help me find some treasures?"
"Treasures?"
"Yeah, there's always something cool on the beach.Maybe sea glass.Maybe a broken shell that looks like a crescent moon for Zia.A pretty pebble."She shrugged."I don't know what it’ll be until I spot it.But I always find something."
The tide was pulling back now, leaving the sand dark and gleaming.Bits of shell and seaweed scattered along the waterline.
Ollie fixed his gaze on the beach, determined to find a little something that she might treasure.
Chapter Seventeen
Callie got to her feet and stretched her arms up toward the skylight.It was only when she looked up that she realized the sky above was now dark.She checked her watch.
Damn.It was almost midnight.She'd only come out here to make a few finishing touches after dinner.At least she'd eaten.Sometimes she worked straight through and forgot completely.
She straightened up and put her tools away before stepping out onto the cabin's little porch.
Crap.She picked her phone up from the railing where she'd left it.She didn't like to bring it inside with her.It felt as though she was inviting people into her workspace when she really didn't want them there — even when she put it on silent.
When she checked, she saw that she'd missed texts from both Becca and Ollie.
"Sorry, Becs," she murmured as she opened Ollie's first.
