The wishing stone pressed against her thigh through her pocket.She touched it, smiling.
Maybe wishes did come true.
She climbed back into the truck and pointed it north, toward home.The ocean caught the fading evening light, and she found herself wondering just what, exactly, she was wishing for.
Chapter Nineteen
Callie grinned when she pulled up to the gate at the Jacobs estate on Thursday morning and Slade stepped out of the gatehouse.The morning air was cool and smelled of earth and ripening grapes.As soon as she put her window down, he greeted her with, "Greetings, Lady Sunshine.It's good to see you back at the Cornflower Kingdom."
She laughed."Greetings, Sir Growly Dragon.It's good to be here.How are you?"
Slade nodded happily."I'm great, thanks.Everything's good around here.Jacob and Becca are back and settled in."He chuckled."You should see her face every time I call her Mrs.Jacobs."
Callie laughed with him."Oh, I bet she loves that."
"She does, but she said it's going to take some getting used to, so I'm trying to help her along."
"Thanks."
He shrugged."She's been good for this place.Good for Jacob, of course, but good for everyone else as well.It's like she's brought the place back to life."
"She's awesome," said Callie."I'm looking forward to seeing her."
"I know she's excited to see you, too.I should let you get on up to the house.Oh, but before you go — Willow asked me to tell you that we're all going out to Muse on Saturday night and she wants you to come."
"That's kind of her, but I'm only here for the day."
"Shit, I didn't know that," said Slade."How come?"
She shrugged."It's just a visit.I just wanted to catch up with Becca now that she's back."
"Yeah, but everyone else is going to want to see you while you're here.You can't fit everyone into just one day."
She chuckled."I'm sure I'll have to come back soon for something or another."
He raised his eyebrows."You mean something like Ollie?"
Heat crept up her cheeks."How do you know about that?"
"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to stick my nose in.It's not like he's been talking or anything, but Willow talked to him and Reaves — they’re flying her somewhere today — and you know what she's like.She probably interrogated him.When she got home, she was saying she's excited to see how things might pan out between the two of you."
Callie nodded, not sure what to say.
Slade winked."I probably really shouldn't say this, but she also mentioned that she's keeping the bouquet from the wedding safe for you."
Callie let out a short laugh."Well, you can tell her she can hang on to it for a while.We've been on one real date, and it's not my fault I caught the bouquet.I was trying my best not to."
He gave her a knowing smile."Maybe that should tell you something.Some things are inevitable, no matter how much you try to avoid them.But anyway, you'd best get up to the house.I know Becca's waiting for you.But think about Saturday night, would you?Everyone's going to be out.It'd be good if you could come.I think we both know that Ollie would love it."
She shrugged."I'll see what I can do."
"Okay.If I don't catch you later, we'll hopefully see you soon."
She drove slowly up the long drive, the vineyards stretching out on either side, rows of vines heavy with fruit.The big house rose ahead of her, golden in the morning light.It wasn’t like she hadn’t been here before, but it still caught her off guard — the scale of it, the beauty.And now she was connected to this world, whether she'd planned to be or not.
She parked behind the kitchen and didn't even have the chance to get out before Becca came running down the steps from the back door.
"Finally!"
