Charles chuckled."Well, I'm glad you're here.I wanted to ask you about the rest of my sunflower glazes."
"Oh."Ollie grinned when he remembered."You're still waiting on the last four, aren't you?I'm sorry, I didn't think to bring them back with me."
"And it didn't occur to me that we could have brought them in the camper," said Reaves.
"There's nothing to worry about," Charles assured them."I simply thought it might be an opportunity for you to make a return visit to the Land of Fog and Clouds."
Zia grinned up at them."You should go and see Lady Sunshine.Maybe I can come.She’s my friend, you know."
Ollie didn't know what to say to that and was relieved when Reaves scooped her up and sat her on his hip and said, "Maybe we can all take a ride up there one day to visit her."
She nodded sagely and glanced back at Ollie."Maybe you can bring her to visit me here, too."
"I think she'd like that."He hoped that she'd agree to come to Napa soon.She'd been adamant that she didn't want to when he asked about their date.But he hoped that she'd come around with time.He didn't mind how long it took — but unlike other girls he'd dated, he was eager to bring her to the estate.For her to get used to it, and to him.It was too soon to think about it, but he kept imagining how the house would feel if she were there with him.
It was crazy, and he knew it — they hadn't spent a single night together yet.He shouldn't be hoping that at some point she'd want to spend all of them with him.
He came back to the moment when Zia said, "Prince Daddy told me that you have two big dogs.Can I meet them?"
"Of course you can.They are big, though, and some people think they're scary-looking."
She curled her lip."Some people are silly.Doggos aren't scary.They're friends and protectors.The only people they don't like are mean people."
He glanced at Reaves, wondering if there was a story there that he didn't know, but Reaves and Charles both shrugged.
"You're right about my two," he told her."They are my friends and protectors.And they love Reaves — Prince Daddy — and Grandpa Grape."
"Of course they do."She said it as if there was no need for him to state the obvious."And they'll love me, too, and I'll love them.Maybe one day soon we can come to your castle to see them."
"Sure.We'll figure out when we can make it happen."He'd look forward to Reaves bringing her and Alara to visit.It might help to persuade Callie that she should come, too.He smiled when it hit him just how much Rosa would love this little imp.
"For now, I'm going to head home and let you guys get on with your evening."
Charles nodded."Give my regards to Callie when you talk to her."
"Will do."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," said Reaves.
Zia came and tugged his sleeve, and he squatted down when he saw the serious expression on her face.
"Will you be my friend, Secret King?"
His heart squeezed tight in his chest."I am your friend."
She smiled and gave a small nod."I want you to be.But you belong to Prince Daddy and Lady Sunshine.I didn't know if I'm just because of them."
He got down on one knee, as if he were about to propose, and then patted the other.She climbed up onto it and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, watching his face closely when he spoke.
"Want to know the truth?"
She nodded solemnly.
"I didn't know if you only likedmebecause of them."
She leaned back, and his arm came up around her to steady her.She blinked and then took a deep breath, as though she'd carefully considered her reply and decided to tell him her findings.
"I think I did at first," she said eventually."I didn't know who you were.You're Prince Daddy's best friend and one of the Flying Ones, but you weren'tyou.I couldn't tell who you were.But now I know that's just because you were keeping secrets."She fixed him with a look."You're not anymore, are you?"
