Page 4 of The Wedding Toast
“I am.I can’t wait.I feel a bit bad that as far as the ready part goes, I think we are, but I don’t really know.Between them, Jacob and Mom have it all figured out.”
Callie laughed out loud.“I love that for you.Your mom’s a force to be reckoned with.If you were marrying anyone else, I might feel sorry for them.But Jacob’s the same way she is – and lucky for you they get along so well.”
“Right?You know I always wanted a big wedding, but the thought of planning one never really occurred to me.I was into looking at the dresses and venues, but masterminding every little detail isn’t exactly my style.”
“And it doesn’t need to be, not with your mom and Jacob on it.So, are you all set then?Anything you want me to do?”
“Just be here with me, like we promised each other.”
Callie smiled at that.“You know I will.I plan to drive down there on Friday like we talked about.”
“I …”
Callie frowned when she heard the hesitation in Becca’s voice.“What is it?What’s up?”
“Nothing.I … Oh, what the heck.I’m just going to ask, and you can say no if you want to.Feel free to say no.It’s not like I …”
Callie laughed.“Just tell me already.I’ll say no if I have to, but if I can, I’ll do whatever you need me to.”
“That’s the thing – it’s not a need, it’s a want.”
“Well, you’re the bride and I’m the bridesmaid, so your wish is my command.And don’t forget that’s how it works if I ever get married,” she added with a laugh.
“Oh, that makes me feel better about asking.I promise I’ll do the same for you if you want me to.”
“So, how about you just tell me?”
“Oh, right, yeah.Well, I know we talked about you driving over here on Friday morning so that you’ll be here in the afternoon before the rehearsal dinner.But …”
“You want me to come sooner?”
“Can you?”
“I can.”She looked over at her wheel and the kiln with a smile.“That’s the beauty of my life out here.I don’t have a set schedule.I work when I want to – sometimes inspiration strikes at three in the morning, and I can come out and make whatever I like, then I can sleep all afternoon.My days are my own to manage as I please.So, if you want me to come Thursday …”
“How about Wednesday?”
Callie didn’t even hesitate.“I’ll be there.If I set out early, I can be there by lunchtime.”
“How about if you set out at lunchtime and be here in no time?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know how Trick and Elliott, the pilots, are flying in a lot of the guests?Well, Ollie and Reaves, the pilots who work for Bentley, have offered to help out, too.So …”
“The airport here isn’t big enough,” Callie interrupted.She’d flown in Jacob’s jet with Becca at Christmas.It was amazing; she’d loved being able to get back home to visit her folks without all the hassles of the big airports at the holidays.But she’d seen the airfield here – and the small planes that landed there.There was no way Jacob’s jet would fit on that runway.
Becca laughed.“How do you even know that?It didn’t occur to me that it wouldn’t be, but when Jacob had his meeting with the pilots, they figured that out right away.But it’s okay.Ollie said that he can come for you in the Cirrus.”
Callie made a face.“And the Cirrus is smaller?”
“Apparently – listen to me, sounding as though I know what I’m talking about.All I really know is that Jacob said that Ollie’s happy to come get you in the Cirrus.If you want to come on Wednesday, it’d make things easier since they’re all going to be flying around all day on Thursday and Friday.But if you can’t, or if it’s difficult for you to get away, Ollie will fit you in whenever you can both work it out.The main thing is, I’d love for us to get a few days together.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.Just let me know when this Ollie wants to come, and I’ll be waiting at the airport ready.”
“Awesome!You’re the best.Do you mind if I give Ollie your number so that the two of you can work it out between you?”
“Not at all.It makes more sense for him to call me rather than have you or Jacob in the middle of it – it’s not like you don’t have a million other details to sort out, is it?”
